Not sure if it’s in the water or air, but cowboy hats, boots, and western wear are trending this season. It’s not that surprising when Grand Canyon National Park screams all of the southwest vibes you could want as the backdrop to your western wedding day. Lately, my couples are leaning into all that it means to plan a western themed wedding.
Matching the Place to The Western Wedding Theme
As a Grand Canyon photographer, I guide my couples through their chosen proposal, engagement, wedding, or elopement adventure in the park. It’s a perfect match when a couple aligns their wedding style with their destination’s look and feel.
For example, see how this couple rode the Grand Canyon Railway and provided guests with matching goodr Grand Canyon sunglasses at their national park micro wedding.
With strong Southwest vibes, this Arizona desert setting naturally inspires western wedding themes. The look of my favorite national park taps into shades of orange and red through sedimentary rock strata that pop in the sunset. You will find buttes, spires, mesas, and ravines cut out by the Colorado River with breathtaking overlooks into the expansive 277-mile long canyon.
It’s this background that sets the stage for your western style wedding. Some couples will go all into the theme while others add specific elements as touches to their day. My assistant and possibly your wedding officiant, Sarah Kay, will come alongside you to bring the details of your western themed wedding to life! Knowing the wedding location sets the stage for providing a Grand Canyon guide to your day!
Next Steps For Your Western Wedding Ideas
I have you covered for all national park wedding requirements. This includes when or where to get married in the Grand Canyon for the most epic shots. As my teammate and wedding planning partner, Sarah Kay usually works with the bride on all the remaining details. Behind the scenes she helps you create your vision in a practical way that works outdoors within the limitations of the season and its accompanying weather.
Western Wedding Outfit Ideas & Tips
It’s so important to be able to wear the right things in this landscape. The right gear, footwear, and clothing make it possible to stand on the edge of something truly awe-inspiring. Doing this requires more than guts and bravery but the practicality of reliable gear that enables you to do this.
Check out my comprehensive Grand Canyon Guide to your wedding day in the park.
Before even starting to look at your western wedding dress styles I advise choosing the right footwear first. Not all cowboy boots are made the same which means the cutest option may not be the most practical for a Grand Canyon adventure. Quite a number of boots are made for looks or for sliding across the dance floor. But, there are so many good-looking cowboy boots that are also perfect for this landscape and environment.
Read more on what shoes to wear at your adventure elopement!
Personally, all of my cowgirl boots are Ariat boots with a rubber sole. Who says these practical shoes can’t also be cute?! I can often be found wearing such rubber outsole western boots perched atop impossible rocks for a single shot. I will also stand clinging to the edge of the landscape for the right vantage point to capture your Grand Canyon photography.
Requirements For Your Western Theme Wedding Attire
If cowboy boots are happening then the natural coordinating accessory would be the cowboy hat. Sometimes I worry that the hats will get in the way of intimate kissing photos or they will look goofy on folks who don’t usually wear them. I even wonder if it will be the one item that sticks out like a sore thumb in the photos. But, it turns out that no such worries end up being true for these western themed wedding accessories.
For example, in one wedding, we passed around the couple’s rings in a cowboy hat for the family to pray and bless the couple as the hat was passed around.
A bride will often go back and forth with Sarah Kay asking for her input on boot and hat inspiration. Thank goodness, Sarah Kay is always so helpful as a photo assistant for these Grand Canyon weddings. She knows exactly the dream shots I work to acquire for clients and tirelessly works to make them a reality. Something like a pair of high heels or impractical cowboy boots can render these dreams dead in the water!
If you’re looking for a cowboy wedding outfit for men, Sarah Kay loves helping pick out the perfect bolo tie. There are so many other tiny western details that can go into your look and the overall style of the day. Did you know that you needed cupcakes that looked like succulents? I sure didn’t, but I’m so glad we ordered an extra one for me to eat at a southwestern themed elopement!
Due to my team’s commitment to your wedding experience, we also like to wear western outfits to your wedding day. Sarah Kay carefully coordinates her outfit with the couple, knowing she’ll appear in many ceremony photos. We really care about the details so bring on your western themed wedding because we are so there for it!
Ready to be inspired? Check out my western theme wedding board and steal some ideas!
Vendors
Elopement Destination | Grand Canyon National Park
Photographer | Terri Attridge Photography
Assistant | Sarah Kay
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