Utah Mountain Elopement | Isez + Ismael | Dog-Friendly Utah Wedding Photographer
Choosing where in Utah to get married can be so difficult - this beautiful state’s home to impossibly tall mountains, epic canyons made of red rocks, alpine lakes, and everything in between. When you plan an elopement, you don’t require a traditional wedding venue, and finding information on places out in nature can be really tricky! As an elopement photographer based in northern Utah, I’ve learnt that locations that look one way in the height of summer may be unrecognizable in winter. So much of the information you find from popular blog posts online can be misleading! Helping Isez and Ismael find a beautiful, dog-friendly place for their elopement was so much fun + extremely rewarding.
Isez + Ismael originally had hoped to elope in Scotland. When that plan was stalled indefinitely due to the pandemic they pivoted, knowing that although they wouldn’t be able to travel like they’d intended, they could still bring a sense of adventure to an elopement here in Utah. And that’s exactly what they did! As an added bonus, they brought their super sweet 6-month-old French Bulldog, Blu! She brought so much laughter (and cuteness, omg, LOOK AT THE FACE) to the day.
These two started dating about two years ago, after a mutual friend introduced them. There was an instant connection, despite living states away! Ismael was stationed in San Diego, and Isez in northern Utah. Through long distance and entirely in a pandemic, they formed a relationship on such a solid foundation of trust it became clear to them both they were committed to building a future together. Over the course of endless phone calls and countless flights back and forth, Isez said, “I realized our relationship wasn’t just a feeling of love - it was a choice, too. It takes work, but we are both willing to make that choice, to love each other, every day.”
Finally after over a year and a half of long distance, Ismael’s enlistment with the military came to an end. Without a second thought, he moved to Utah to be with Isez! I loved hearing about their adventures together- they’re always on the hunt for new things to experience - everything from underground speakeasy bars to hikes with their little puppy!
It’s not difficult to imagine they’ve faced challenges in these past two years, both being in demanding jobs, in different states, during a worldwide pandemic. Helping them bring this vision, of eloping in a beautiful place that felt worthy of the larger-than-life love they share for each other… it was an absolute honor!
Isez and Ismael finished getting ready in the dark, surrounded by morning fog + pine trees. We explored around the area’s peaceful surroundings with barely any other folks around.
The forecast called for rain, but the weather was on our side and we made every single minute count. After their ceremony we returned back to our cars, a little (or a lot!) muddier than before and with huge smiles on all our faces.
Isez + Ismael worked so hard for so long to be together, and now that they are, I couldn’t wait to share some of my favorite moments from their elopement in northern Utah. Stay tuned as these are just the sneak peeks - there’s so much more to come!
Wedding Dress: Moonlight Bridal | Mary’s Bridal • Florals: Jimmy’s Flowers, Layton
Photos: Kept Record Photo + Film, Utah-based elopement photographer
more information on eloping in utah:
If you’re here, there’s a good chance you’re thinking about eloping in Utah! I’m super stoked to help you, wherever you’re at on your wedding journey. But first, a little intro!
I’m Morgan - I’m the founder + lead photographer at Kept Record, a photo + film company specializing in documenting wedding days for adventurous introverts and their dogs. My husband and I eloped in Joshua Tree back in 2018, and it was one of the most profound experiences of my life! That’s not to say it was easy or straightforward, though - that’s why I LOVE helping couples looking to elope by providing more information, so you can spend more time with each other (and less time stressed out!)
information about Utah:
Here, I’ll answer a few of the most popular general questions people have about visiting Utah!
What time zone is Utah in? Utah is on Mountain Time! That means we’re an hour ahead of the West Coast + two hours behind the East Coast.
What mountains are in Utah? You’ll see the motto, “Life Elevated®” all around Utah, and it’s not an empty promise! Utah is home to tons of mountains, like the Wasatch and Uinta ranges that are part of The Middle Rockies (for more on the ranges, see this link)
Where’s the highest mountain peak? There are several mountains that reach into the 13,000+ foot range here! King’s Peak is the highest peak. It’s located near Kamas, in the Uinta-Wasatch- Cache National Forest. The hike is supposed to be very challenging + not for the faint of heart! For an easier summit with views that span for miles, VisitUtah.com recommends Bald Mountain.
For those who are looking for great views without as much hike, entering “North Ogden Divide Trailhead” will give you great views up steep mountain roads of the valley north of Salt Lake City. From there you could, in theory, hike to the peak of Ben Lomond (I’ve heard it’s a hard hike!), but there will also be various pull-outs that make a great spot to catch a summer sunset. Instead, you’ll catch me continuing the drive + ending up at First Lift for coffee, inside the Compass Rose Lodge ;)
Closer to Salt Lake City: For a view of the city itself, check out the spot Mormon leader Brigham Young explored when first arriving here, at Ensign Peak. It’s a short but steep hike!
South of Salt Lake: explore through the Uinta National Forest + find your way to Tibble Fork Reservoir (I’d go at sunrise!).
For info about the Moab area, scroll down to see more resources!
What’s the landscape like in Utah? Before moving here, I really couldn’t picture “purple mountains majesty,” but that’s genuinely the first thing my nerdy little heart thought of, as I saw the alpenglow drown the mountain exposures in magenta. It’s so much more than I ever imagined! Utah is a lesson not to paint a region with broad strokes. Beyond just the mountains here in Northern Utah, there are acres and acres of farmland home to goats, horses, and sheep! In the region of Moab in Southern Utah, you’ll find beautiful canyons of red rock, carved over the course of millennia to create places like Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park.
Is Utah dog-friendly?
Always check local regulations before bringing your four-legged friend along on a hike!
National Parks typically enforce a policy of “day-use areas only,” meaning your dog cannot go hiking to places like Delicate Arch. However, Utah’s State Parks are known to be much more dog-friendly! My own dogs loved Antelope Island State Park + we can’t wait to visit Dead Horse Point State Park soon. There are limitations around dogs in certain other areas too, like Little Cottonwood Canyon - it’s the watershed where the majority of Utah’s drinking water comes from. To protect it, dogs aren’t allowed in the town of Alta - read more about the rules here.
Wherever you go always make sure to confirm if you need your pets to be on-leash or if they can be off leash, make sure you have plenty of water (for yourself and your pup - Utah’s a very dry, arid climate!) and always, always pack out the poo! Read more about the Leave No Trace principles here: www.lnt.org
Want advice for planning to bring your dogs to your wedding?
See examples + get tips for making your wedding day or engagement shoot dog-friendly here:
Morgan + Tyler’s California Redwoods Wedding with their three rescue dogs!
Melissa + Jody’s Ventura Beach Engagement Shoot with Marlowe
Guest post from on eloping at SF City Hall + including her Maltipoo Teddy in the day
ready to elope?
Hire me to photograph your day + help guide you through the elopement process. Contact me today for my availability + more information on elopement packages!
Everything from finding the right location, introducing you to vendors, helping you navigate any required permits, all the way to the day of your session + helping you feel at ease in front of the camera, so that you can be present with the person you love. Hit that red button to get started!
If you found this post helpful and loved seeing sneak peeks from Isez + Ismael’s Utah elopement day, leave a comment for me below!