Sharing Nature

I have so many stories to tell you about the wild places that wedding photography has taken me. This particular story took place in Southern Utah. Corie and Kasey live in Florida but they are originally from Ohio. I am also from Ohio, and incase you didn’t know, It can often be a pretty dull place. Yes Yes, I know, “you can find beauty anywhere if you know how to look for it”, but let’s not kid ourselves; Ohio doesn’t even come close to the American West. Corie and Kasey knew that, so they brought their friends and family out to Utah for their wedding in Zion National Park. When we initially spoke, they were looking at lodging within the park but I have always felt that those kinds of places, while they are nice, are often super busy. Tourism doesn’t often lend well to intimate experiences. There is this ranch, The Zion Mountain Ranch, that boasts an impressive number of cabins located directly outside of the park. I have stayed here whenever I have driven up to Zion for elopements and engagement sessions in the past. I have only ever stayed in the single room cabins but I knew they had a few really big ones that could sleep more than a dozen people. Turns out this place is absolutely PERFECT for small weddings. (If you are planning on having more than 25 or so guests, this place might not be a great fit. The folks that run this ranch are amazing and it wouldn’t be cool to dump a huge event on them). So these two booked a couple of cabins. We started the day off nice and slow with hair/makeup in one of the cabins. I really appreciate how warm midwesterners often are. There is a really natural kind of rapport that is automatic among those that grew up in the region. After we wrapped up the getting ready portion of the day, we headed into the park to one of their designated areas for the wedding ceremony. Following a short and beautiful ceremony, some congratulations, and family portraits, a small group of us ventured off on a hike to iconic Zion overlook. It’s so cool watching others experience the beauty of these places for their first time. Seeing the wonder that strikes their faces reminds me of my own experiences and, even better, that sense of wonder is contagious and it puts me right back into that headspace.

Photos wrap up and we head back to one of the cabins for the party. While we were out, the family picked up catering and prepared the cabin for dinner and dancing. Shooting in these tiny spaces seems to scrunch everyone together and encourages everyone to talk and dance with everyone. Also, as you view the photos, you’ll notice some large dogs. Those dogs live at the ranch and they are actually there to protect the livestock from predators in the middle of the night. Luckily for us, they seemed to be having a slow night and they wanted some attention. We had all the doors in the cabin open to keep the place from getting too warm and those pups just walked in to a warm welcome. Best wedding crashers ever.