, , ,

Leave No Trace Photographer | Samantha Rose Photography

, , ,

Why I’m a Leave No Trace Aware Photographer

Something I have always been passionate about is taking care of our planet. In my day to day life, I practice a low-waste lifestyle. My love and appreciation for the outdoors has continued to grow over the years and now that so much of my job if focused around being out in nature — Leave No Trace is at the forefront of my business. I want you to be able to get married (and visit) all the beauty this world has to offer. In order to keep these places clean, accessible, and around for years to come though — we all have to do our part.

What’s important to remember: Leave No Trace does not mean that you can’t walk on trails, visit areas, and enjoy the outside. There’s often a big misunderstanding with LNT principles that leads people to believe that you’re supposed to practically “float on air” in the areas that you go. This is not the case. These are principles — not laws. We all mess up sometimes and we all have messed up in the past, what’s important is acknowledging what we can improve on in the future to better protect the places we go.

We all get to use this beautiful place we call earth as the backdrop for everything. We get to see and explore all different types of nature — it’s only fair that we do all that we can to leave it as beautiful as possible and maintained for years to come. This includes: educating myself, educating my couples, and educating other photographers.

The Seven Leave No Trace Principles

  1. Plan Ahead & Prepare

    Take the time to prep yourself and your group for what to expect at the places you’re going. Know regulations, special concerns of the area, permits, and other restrictions. Plan for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Avoid going to areas during times of high use/visitations. If possible — visit in small groups. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.

  2. Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces

    What are durable surfaces you might ask? They include (already) established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. Take time to find campsites — not make them. Headed to popular spots? Even when it’s busy — make sure you’re using existing trails and campsites. In tight spaces, walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. Keep your campsites small and stay in areas where there is little to no vegetation. Avoid spots that harmful impacts are just beginning.

  3. Dispose of Waste Properly

    Pack it in, pack it out. Whether you’re eating cake, snacks, or lunch — don’t leave anything behind. Fruit peels still take at least 6 months to decompose, so take it all out with you. Inspect rest areas and campsites for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. Deposit solid human waste in cat-holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cat-hole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products too!

  4. Leave What You Find

    No matter what it is — leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Preserve the past, it’s totally fine to examine things, but do not touch cultural or historical structures and artifacts. Avoid introducing or transporting non-natives species (this includes bringing flower bouquets that can fall apart or leave traces behind). Do not build structures (this includes stacking rocks), furniture, or dig trenches.

  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

    Not only can campfires cause lasting impacts to the backcountry, fires can be deadly to environments and people when not handled properly. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires and keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand and approved firewood. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes. Fires not permitted? Use a portable stove for cooking and use a candle or battery operated lantern for light.

  6. Respect Wildlife

    Do not under any circumstances follow or approach wildlife — especially not to try and take a photo or video. Observe from a distance and never feed animals. This can cause damage to their health, alter natural behaviors, and expose them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

    Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail (those coming up the trail have the right of way). Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock (ie. mules, goats, llamas, yaks, etc.). Avoid loud voices, noises, and playing music loudly — enjoy the sounds of nature!

Resources: LNT 7 Principles Information sourced from LNT.org

These are ethics to keep in mind when traveling and visiting places. As already said, the reality is — we all mess up sometimes and we all have messed up in the past. It’s perfectly fine if you’re still learning and discovering how to take better care of this earth. These seven principles are not put into place to shame you or anyone else, but to act as a guide on how to better educate ourselves and bring attention to the fact that we can have a big impact on the places we go (both good and bad).

So how can you be better about your impact? Take time to familiarize yourself with these principles and do your best to follow them the best that you can.

Bringing your pet along on an adventure? Check out the LNT Center’s guide for bringing your furry friends along here.

So why does all of this matter?

By following the LNT Principles and taking the time to get proper permits — this ensures that we will be able to photograph these places for years to come. The reality is, when places are trashed, rules are broken, and people try to find loop holes in systems, it can cause areas to close down indefinitely (if not permanently) because it’s easier to close them off to photographers than it is to try to manage the problems that are being caused.

Sedona, Arizona is a one of the most popular elopement destinations in all of Arizona. For elopements and weddings permits are not required for groups of less than 75 people on non-wilderness land, but there must be NO arches, NO tables, NO flower petals, and NO set up of any kind. Styled shoots require a commercial permit through Red Rock Forest Service.

Sedona, Arizona is a one of the most popular elopement destinations in all of Arizona. For elopements and weddings permits are not required for groups of less than 75 people on non-wilderness land, but there must be NO arches, NO tables, NO flower petals, and NO set up of any kind.

Styled shoots require a commercial permit through Red Rock Forest Service.

What this means for your elopement & sessions with me:

  • Beforehand I’ll prep you and your partner about how we’ll approach the Leave No Trace Principles the day of your elopement or session (and how to prep any family or friends that will be there as well).

  • I share an official LNT Guide with you so you have easy access to tips, info, and everything you need to know about how to prepare ahead of time.

  • I’ll share location suggestions for areas that are legal to have your elopement/session and help secure proper permits for any and all locations that require them.

  • I avoid geo-tagging in specific locations and trails — this isn’t about gatekeeping, but about minimizing overcrowding and the harmful impacts social media can have on nature.

  • Afterwards, I will continue to do my part to share helpful information about LNT and protecting the environment and I am always here if you have any questions.

Certified Leave No Trace Aware Photographer

In 2020, I took the online course: How to Leave No Trace for Wedding & Elopement Photographers. It covered an overview of LNT, integrating it into my business, and talking about it with my clients. I watched videos that showed specific examples of how to take photos while leaving no trace, proper location scouting, and how to approach marketing and social media. At the end, I took an awareness quiz to become a Certified Leave No Trace Aware Photographer.

I will continue to educate myself, my couples, and others in the community on how we can keep these places beautiful and leave as little impact as possible. Everyone has a right to experience the outdoors, but we have to do our part to maintain them and visit them respectfully.

Are you a photographer?

Take the How to Leave No Trace for Wedding & Elopement Photographers Course. Let’s all do our part to protect this place we all call home.

Looking for more resources? Visit LNT.org

Check out my blog post: How to Plan an Eco-Friendly Elopement

, , , , , , ,

How to Elope at Horseshoe Bend | Page, Arizona

, , , , , , ,

Horseshoe Bend Elopement

Samantha Rose Photography - Arizona Elopement Photographer

Horseshoe Bend is one of Arizona’s most iconic landmarks. It gets its name from the natural horseshoe shape that the Colorado River creates through the canyons. With over a 1000 ft drop to the bottom - it’s not for the faint of heart (or if you’re scared of heights), but the views are absolutely breathtaking - making it one of the best spots to elope in Arizona.

Brittany & Alan have been together for 5 years & just recently moved to Arizona. These two were so ready to adventure all around Horseshoe Bend & spend the day taking in the views, celebrating with cake, saying vows & just snuggling up with each other.

Looking to have an epic adventure for your elopement day, but don’t want to do a lot of hiking? Horseshoe Bend is THE best place in Arizona. It’s just a 1.1 mile hike to the edge, but unbeatable views.

Read below for information on everything to know about eloping at Horseshoe Bend.

Ten things to know about eloping at

Horseshoe Bend:

  1. Apply for a special use permit

To get married at Horseshoe Bend you’ll need to acquire a special use permit. This allows you to get married at the location & take photos. Permits currently run $300 & you must apply a minimum of 45 day before your event date. Other fees may apply.

2. There is an entry fee

The fee to park is $10 per vehicle, $5 per motorcycle & fees for buses range from $35-$140 depending on the size & number of passengers.

The parking lot has been recently expanded to fit more visitors & is easy to maneuver.

*America the Beautiful NPS passes are not valid here.

3. It’s about a 1.1 mile hike to the edge

The path begins with a little bit of sand (I’d suggest not wearing flip flops/sandals), but then leads into a flat path that winds around at a slight decline with 2 small, shade rest spots if needed. The walk takes about 20-25 minutes if you take your time! You can easily do the hike in your wedding attire!

4. Bring lots of water, salty snacks & wear good shoes & sunscreen

If you’re coming from out of state or out of the country, Arizona is the desert & yes, it is extremely dry & even though you may not sweat as much without the humidity, you NEED to be drinking lots of water. There is no shade once you get to the edge. When you’re walking & hiking around all day in the heat - it can be very draining & you don’t want to get dehydrated.

Bring salty snacks to fuel your body & help you keep sweating throughout the day. Classic Trail Mix is my go-to, but dried fruit & beef jerky are also great to have & hold up well.

No matter how easy people say the hike is - closed toe shoes with a good grip (red rocks can be slippery) are suggested since the sand can be very hot in the summer time (& it’s just annoying if it gets in your shoes).

As I’ve said before - there is NO shade at Horseshoe Bend. You will be in the sun all day long & even if it’s a cooler day, you can easily burn. And don’t forget the top of your head if you have a hairstyle where you scalp is exposed, but can’t wear a hat (hat hair on your elopement day is not fun).

5. Be careful

Although it can be fun to get photos close to the edge - use common sense. Don’t stand on an area that looks like the rock could crumble below you. Always pay attention to where you are stepping & look before you move backwards. I will never have you stand somewhere that makes you uncomfortable. You can stand over 6ft from the edge & still get an amazing view of Colorado River below.

*A good rule of thumb is to stand far enough away from the edge that if you fell over, you wouldn’t go off the edge.

6. Choose time of year & time of day for your elopement

Page, Arizona - where Horseshoe Bend is located, gets very hot in the summer time & can get snow in the winter.

It all depends on what works best for you. If you don’t mind the heat - the summer time can still be a great. If you’re looking for the best weather that may just require a light jacket, spring & early fall will be the best time. And if you’re looking to have some snow in the desert for your elopement day - winter is most definitely the best time.

When it comes to time of day - I suggest having a minimum of 3 hours completely at Horseshoe Bend (there’s a lot to explore along the rim). Starting about 2.5-3 hours before sunset will give you a great amount of time & the sun sets behind the bend, giving a perfect golden hour that leads into blue hour.

I can help you with deciding what time of year & time of day would be best for your own elopement day.

*The photos featured in this blog were taken on June 10th, 2020 & the temperature was in the high 80s.

7. There likely will be crowds

Depending on the time of year & time of day that you plan to be there - you will likely have to deal with people. Horseshoe Bend has become a popular tourist destination in recent years thanks to Instagram. Don’t worry though - it’s easy to avoid people once you walk away from the front section (or I can easily edit them out of the background later on).

Weekdays will be far less busy than weekends. If you do have to plan your elopement for a weekend, we can craft your timeline around what time of day would be best to avoid as many people as possible. Either way, the crowds are manageable if you come prepared!

8. Driving distance & where to stay

Horseshoe Bend is about a 4.5-5 hour drive from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport & the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada.

If you’re planning a sunset elopement, driving up the day of & then staying in Page, Arizona the night of would be a great option! After a day filled with hiking & photos, an almost 5 hour drive back to either Phoenix or Las Vegas is not ideal. If you’re wanting a sunrise ceremony or an all day adventure around Page, AZ - driving up the day before & staying the night of your elopement is recommended (but you can always stay longer)!

9. Park is open sunrise to sunset

If you look on Google, it says that Horseshoe Bend is open 24 hours, but this isn’t true. Although they don’t kick you out the second the sun dips down - you’re expected to start heading back up the trail once it is dark. There are no lights in the parking lot, so if you’re planning to stay through sunset, head lamps or a flashlight may be helpful for you walk back.

10. There is a time zone change from Phoenix

The Navajo Nation in northeastern AZ observes Daylight Savings Time -MDT (the rest of Arizona does not). This is important to keep in mind when looking up what time the sun rises & sets.

Important Note:

There are trash cans throughout the parking lot, but none at the edge of the bend - please take your trash out with you & follow leave no trace principles!

There are latrine pit toilets to the side of the parking lot. They are well-maintained & are big enough inside to change clothes, but there are no hand-washing stations so be sure to bring hand sanitizer and/or wipes.

How to get legally married in AZ:

Check my blog post - How to Elope in Arizona - to prepare for your real elopement day.

What to do the day of your elopement:

Although there are endless possibilities because this is YOUR day & you can do absolutely anything you want… some simple ideas to get started could be:

  • A picnic at the top of your hike

  • Having a first dance with just the two of you

  • A champagne toast

  • Cake cutting & eating (Alan & Brittany did this & it was such a fun time where they got to just sit down, talk, take in the views, & enjoy some amazing cake made by Summer Sweets Bakery).

Flowers by: Desert Poppy Floral Studio

Hair & Makeup by: Superstition Makeup Co.

Cake by: Summer Sweets Bakery

If you’re looking for an epic adventure in the desert that is easily accessible & a small, easy hike - Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona is the perfect place.

Samantha Rose Photography is an Arizona Elopement Photographer based out of Phoenix. She’s passionate about creating safe & memorable elopements for couples that feel like home out in nature. When she’s not capturing couples running around the desert she can be found hiking, listening to a true crime podcast, or binge-watching a new t.v. show.

, , , , , ,

How to elope in Arizona

, , , , , ,
The groom and bride kiss under the full moon in front of the red rocks in Sedona, Arizona during their adventurous elopement day.

How to Elope in Arizona

If you’ve started planning your elopement or you’re just considering eloping, you may be coming up with a few questions on how exactly you do it. Whether you’re an Arizona native or just choosing the Grand Canyon State as the backdrop for your day - this blog breaks down exactly how you go about all of it. From how to apply for a marriage license, legally get married & choosing locations.

Not sure what exactly an elopement is or entails? Check out my other blog post that covers everything to know about eloping.

What you’ll need to do:

  • Apply for a marriage license

  • How to get legally married

  • Choose vendors & officiant

  • Choose time of year

  • Find a ceremony location & check permits

Applying for a marriage license

To apply for a marriage license in the State of Arizona, you & your partner must both appear in person at one of the Justice Court offices. You both must be at least 18 years old, provide a valid government-issued photo I.D., & provide your Social Security Numbers, if you have one.

You will both be sworn in & will sign two affidavits to state that your personal information is correct.

You do not need to provide a copy of a divorce decree.

There is no blood test or waiting period required.

You do not need to obtain a marriage license in the county you’re getting married.

There is a filing fee that is currently $83 (subject to change).

The Marriage License is valid for up to 12 months.

You do not have to be living in AZ to get married here!

A marriage license must be issued prior to your wedding ceremony taking place.

Locate justice court offices in Arizona with this map.

More info about specific county laws can be found on the U.S. Marriage Laws website here.

The groom and bride pose with their newly signed marriage license after their wedding ceremony during their elopement day in Sedona, Arizona.
The bride reads her vows to her groom during their elopement day in Sedona, Arizona.
Sean & Julien chose to have a Shaman Blessing for their elopement ceremony performed by Native American officiant, Uqualla.

Sean & Julien chose to have a Shaman Blessing for their elopement ceremony performed by Native American officiant, Uqualla.

How to get legally married

For your elopement in Arizona, you’ll need:

  • An officiant

  • 2 witnesses (I can count as 1!)

  • Your marriage license

    An officiant must perform the ceremony & two witnesses at least 18 years or older must be present. At the completion of the ceremony, you & your partner, the witnesses, & the officiant will sign the license.

Who can be an officiant?

According to the U.S. Marriage Laws website, the officiant must be legally authorized to perform marriages in the state of Arizona. The cool thing about this is that you don’t have to have just anyone be your officiant. It’s (surprisingly) really easy to become ordained - if you don’t already have someone in mind, but you’d like the person performing your ceremony to be someone you know - ask them to get ordained!

Marriages can also be performed by any of these officiants:

1. Duly licensed or ordained clergymen.

2. Judges of courts of record.

3. Municipal court judges.

4. Justices of the peace.

5. Justices of the United States supreme court.

6. Judges of courts of appeals, district courts and courts that are created by an act of Congress if the judges are entitled to hold office during good behavior.

7. Bankruptcy court and tax court judges.

8. United States magistrate judges.

9. Judges of the Arizona court of military appeals.

10. Licensed or ordained clergymen (this includes ministers, elders or other persons who by the customs, rules and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages or to officiate at marriage ceremonies).

Choose Vendors

If you ask me… this the best part of all (I might be a little biased though).

Choosing your vendors for your elopement day are so important. Elopements are so intimate & personal, often times your photographer & officiant are some of the only people with you that day.

Which is why I want you to feel comfortable & completely yourselves during your day. When it comes to elopements, I’m a lot more than just a photographer for you. I’ll be your planner & your guide. I’m going to help you find all the best locations, plan a timeline for your day, & I’ll have you covered with just about everything you need (whether it’s Tylenol, a Tide Pen, extra water, or even a jacket - I’ve got you both covered).

Here’s a list of all the vendors you may want/need for your day:

  • Photographer

  • Officiant

  • Florist

  • Hair & Makeup Artist

  • Videographer

  • Dress/Suit Rentals

The bride and groom kiss while sitting on the red rocks in Sedona, Arizona during their intimate elopement.
The groom and bride look into each other’s eyes while they embrace among the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona during their adventure elopement.

Choose Time of Year

The best part about Arizona is depending on where you choose to elope - you can pretty much plan your wedding for anytime of the year.

If you’re wanting to stick to the Southern part of the state (think Phoenix, Lost Dutchman State Park, Tucson, etc.) - then late October to early April is your best time to elope to avoid being too hot.

If you’d like to go up North towards Sedona, Flagstaff, Page, & the Grand Canyon - March through early October are some of the best times (especially to escape the Valley heat). If you’re wanting to have some snow adventures during your elopement though, the winter months are a great time to head up North!

When it comes to elopements, it’s usually best to be a little flexible with your dates. Sometimes certain state & national parks, as well as tribal land, have restrictions on different trail heads & areas during different times of the year.

It’s important to talk with your vendors, specifically your photographer, way ahead of time to discuss what you’re wanting for your day. Let me help you plan your dream elopement.

Find a Ceremony Location & Check Permits

Arizona is so beautiful & truly has so many different landscapes to serve as the backdrop for your elopement. It all depends on what you picture for your day:

Looking to be surrounded by saguaros?

Saguaro National Park, Lost Dutchman State Park, or White Tank Mountain Regional Park.

Want to explore the red rocks?

Sedona has endless trails & areas to explore.

Want to get lost in the mountains?

Mogollon Rim, Mount Lemmon, or Flagstaff.

Looking for canyons & formations to explore?

The Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, or Monument Valley.

Many of these locations require certain passes/permits in order to have a ceremony & photos taken there. I’ll help you get this taken care of way ahead of time!

This truly just touches the surface of what all Arizona has to offer & these are only some of the most popular areas. I help you find those off the beaten path locations that will make you feel right at home. Whether you want to explore somewhere more secluded or a spot you’ve had saved on your Pinterest board for years - let’s start planning.

Looking for more suggestions? Check out my blog post: Nine of the Best Places to Elope in Arizona.

The bride and groom enjoy the scenery of Sedona, Arizona during their adventurous elopement.

Even if you haven’t decided for sure yet that you & your partner want to elope - I’m so stoked that you’re even considering it! Eloping is such a personal & intimate way to get married. It’s centered all around your love & just celebrating the two of you. It’s not about throwing a party for other people, but planning an epic adventure to start your marriage.

Whether you have more questions about how to plan your elopement, want to inquire about me photographing your day, or just want to chat - send me an email anytime here.

Samantha Rose Photography is a Phoenix, Arizona based adventurous elopement and intimate wedding photographer.

Hi! I’m Samantha, a Phoenix, Arizona based adventure elopement photographer. Originally from the Midwest, I moved out to Arizona two years ago & fell in love with the idea of helping couples plan their wedding completely around themselves & what they want for their day. Elopements bring the idea back of celebrating your love & making your day all about you - you’re not worrying about including certain traditions or following what you think you’re expected to do. Let’s start planning your unique adventure.

When I’m not capturing couples in love, I can be found exploring different hiking trails throughout the Valley, hanging out with my boyfriend Brannon, listening to a true crime podcast, or probably looking up photos of golden retrievers.

, , , , , ,

Everything to know about Eloping

, , , , , ,

So before we dive into this, let me introduce myself. I’m Samantha Rose, I’m an elopement & intimate wedding photographer that’s based in Phoenix, Arizona. The reason I’m writing this is to help answer any questions people may have about what elopements are, how elopements work, & basically why they’re becoming more popular. For me, I’m all about helping create a day that’s special for you & your partner. Whether that’s going on an adventurous hike & saying your vows at the top of a mountain or having a small ceremony where you got engaged - you deserve to have your dream day exactly how you want. Let’s create a day that’s unique to the two of you & all about celebrating your love.

What to know about elopements

Arizona Elopement Photographer

Groom leads bride under the moonlight in front of the red rocks in Sedona, Arizona on their elopement day.

What is eloping?

Just to clear things up right at the beginning - no, you do not have to go to Vegas & get married by someone dressed up as Elvis. The idea of eloping has changed A LOT in just the last few years. When you Google the definition of “eloping” it says: “run away secretly in order to get married, especially without parental consent.” Again, this is NOT what eloping is anymore. I don’t think there is one exact definition of eloping, but to me - eloping is when you & your partner make the decision to have a wedding completely centered around the two of you. You’re not concentrating on putting on a party for other people or feeling like you have to include typical traditions. It’s a day focused around expressing your love (& most the time includes an epic adventure).

Are elopements just a trend?

Do I think elopements are becoming more popular? Absolutely. Do I think they are trendy? Absolutely. Do I think they’re going to stick around? Absolutely.

Elopements are on the rise, there’s no doubt about it. I do not think they are a trend that’s going to come & go though. Which makes me so happy. I LOVE that more couples are making the decision to have a day just about them. If a big, traditional wedding just doesn’t feel right to you - you’ve probably already started looking at the alternatives. I think it’s taken awhile for more people to start eloping because it’s felt a little taboo for so long. Couples have different reasons for eloping - whether it’s because of your relationship with your family or you just love the outdoors & want to center your day around that. When you’re surrounded by traditional weddings for so long & all the traditions that they entail - it can make you feel like that’s what you have to do. I’m here to tell you though that you can do whatever you want for your wedding.

The groom hugs his bride from behind while kissing her forehead during their elopement at Saguaro Lake in Arizona.

Do you tell people that you’re eloping?

The easiest way to answer this is that you can tell people that you’re eloping. If you want to. By no means do you have to tell anyone, but the “new norm” is that elopements aren’t something you run away & do & don’t tell people about. It’s still your wedding day - you’re just choosing to make it a celebration centered completely around the two of you.

If you think it will be easier for you & your partner to tell the people in your life afterwards that you decided to elope, then that’s probably the right decision for you two! The hard truth is that, not everyone may understand why you don’t want a traditional wedding. You may feel pressure from certain people in your life to not elope or to still try to do things in a way that isn’t true to you. By eloping, you may feel like you’re making a selfish decision, but that’s okay! You’re allowed to be selfish - it’s your wedding!

If you do want to tell people beforehand - have a plan for how to tell them if you think they may want you to go a more traditional route. Talk to your friends & family & explain why having an elopement means so much.

Can you include your family/close friends in your elopement?

Absolutely! You’ll probably find a lot of photographers referring to this as an “intimate wedding” because typically now elopements are referring to when it’s just the couple, the officiant, & photographer (& possibly videographer). No matter what you call it though, yes, you can include others.

Whether it’s a destination location or somewhere close to home - by having others there, it may change or affect how you go about your elopement day. You may want to say your vows on top of a mountain, but that may be unrealistic to have family members hike up there with you. Your loved ones can be waiting down at the bottom for you to celebrate once you’ve made it ‘official’ or maybe you want to say your vows at a simpler location with others around you & then head up by yourselves after for photos. Or maybe you want to go the route of having the whole day be just the two of you & then celebrating with all your friends & family at a small reception or dinner later on.

You have a lot of options. And a lot of things may factor in to what you decide to do. This is where I can help you figure out a realistic timeline for the day, choosing locations, & what may be the best option for your day.

Bride & groom dance around at Papago Park in Phoenix, Arizona during their elopement.

Is an elopement spur of the moment? Or can/do you plan it out?

This goes back to how elopements have changed a lot. Sometimes, elopements may still be spur of the moment. Plans change & people decide last minute that they don’t want to have a traditional wedding so in less than a month they plan an elopement.

I’d say this isn’t the typical thing to do anymore though. Just like a normal wedding - elopements take planning! You have to choose your attire, florals, photographer, videographer, hair & makeup artist & THE LOCATION! The best part about all of this is though - these are all decisions just focused around the two of you. You’re not figuring out plans for pleasing other people, which already makes the planing process a lot less stressful.

If you ask me though, if you know that you want to elope - don’t wait to plan it. You want to find vendors that feel right for your elopement day & most the time, you still will have to book things pretty far in advance (for photographers, it’s most typically a year). And when you factor in traveling - it’s still a lot to plan. I’m here to help you figure out all the details though.

Can I still include traditional things in my elopement?

Yes, absolutely! In case you haven’t picked up on this yet, you can do & include whatever you want.

Want to wait & see each other until you say your vows? You can!

Want to do a first look beforehand? You can!

Want to get ready together? You can!

Want to include something old, something new, something borrowed, & something blue? You can!

Want to write letters to each other & read them beforehand? You can!

You can include anything & everything or nothing at all. I’m here to help you plan it all & create your dream day, exactly how you imagine it.

*Bonus: Do you still go on a honeymoon if you elope?

I’d say this depends on where you decide to elope. If you’re choosing to stay in your home state for your elopement & just travel a few hours away, you’re probably still going to want to go somewhere for your honeymoon! If you’re traveling out of state or even out of the country though - the trip typically will be your honeymoon. You can plan your elopement at the beginning of the trip that way you can celebrate the rest of the time & use it as your honeymoon.

Bride and groom touch foreheads while standing in front of the red rocks in Sedona, Arizona during their adventurous elopement.

So… Should you elope?

If you ask me - yes. Without a doubt, I think you should elope. To me, eloping is one of the most romantic & intimate ways to begin your marriage. You’re focusing on just the two of you & your love & all the things that mean the most to your relationship.

This isn’t about what I think though - this is about what you want. Did you read this post & picture you & your partner saying your vows in a beautiful destination? Did the idea of not throwing a party for other people, but planning a day centered around exactly what you want excite you? Are you already looking up ‘best places to elope’? If you said yes to any of these - I think that should answer that eloping is probably right for you.

I want to help all the lovers & dreamers out there that want to take the not-so-typical route for their wedding day & plan an adventure solely around their love. For some, this may be a tough decision, but I’m here to help & plan all the details. If you have any questions about eloping or just want to chat - send me an email.

Samantha Rose Photography is a Phoenix, Arizona based elopement & intimate wedding photographer. She’s passionate about helping couples plan their dream adventure wedding focused around their love. When she’s not photographing couples she can be found hiking, planning her next trip, or binge watching Criminal Minds.

, , , ,

How to have an eco-friendly elopement

, , , ,

Planning an eco-conscious elopement

From Samantha Rose Photography - Arizona Elopement Photographer

One thing I’m equally as passionate about as elopement photography is caring about the environment. Although it’s easy to argue that small efforts don’t make much of a difference, I like to believe that they do. There’s no harm in leaving the planet better than we found it. When choosing to have an elopement, you’re already making a more sustainable decision than a traditional wedding. These are just a few more practices to take into consideration to go the extra distance in protecting our planet.

Having an elopement is a more eco-friendly option for your wedding.

  1. Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

    Better known as the “leave no trace” principles. We are so lucky to have access to so many beautiful places, throughout all of Arizona, the United States, & the entire country. It’s important to be respectful of these areas so that they can be around long after we are gone & be enjoyable for anyone else that may visit them.

    The seven principles of “leave no trace” include: plan ahead & prepare, travel & camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, & be considerate of other visitors.

    When you’re having your elopement, wherever it is, choose a location for your ceremony site that you can stay on a trail. Avoid going off trails where you could risk stepping on plants & damaging the natural habitat. If you’re bringing any props, including flowers, be sure to take it all back out completely.

    This is part of the reason why it’s so important to hire a photographer that you absolutely trust to capture your day. You want to be able to remember all the details about your location, ceremony, vows, & in between moments.

    I am certified Leave No Trace Aware Photographer — keeping the LNT Principles at the forefront of my business so that I can continue to educate myself & my couples to protect the places that we go.

2. Go Paperless

When it comes to elopements, you may not be inviting any guests anyways, but if you’re still wanting to send something out to your friends & family to let them know about your day - consider going paperless. Create a digital download version of a ‘save the date’ or ‘announcement’ that lets people print it out if they’d like the keepsake. If you want to stick with the more traditional route, choose stationary that’s made from recycled material & completely recyclable and/or compostable.

Bride holds her bouquet of flowers during her elopement in Sedona, Arizona.

3. Choose local, in season flowers

Many people don’t think about flowers not being sustainable since they come from the Earth. The truth is, many cut flowers are imported from all over the world - creating a large carbon footprint. I’m not telling you not to include flowers in your elopement day though because not only are they beautiful & add details to the day, but I love supporting florists (specifically local ones!)

There’s a few things you can do though to ensure you’re at least following good practice:

  • Choose to get your flowers from local growers or find a florist that uses sustainable practices.

  • Choose arrangements that have in-season florals & try to include as many native flowers as possible.

  • Make sure you’re choosing florals that will not leave seeds, pollen, or even insects out in the areas that you’ll be in.

    Even though flowers are seen as “natural” - when you leave behind petals or remains that are not usually in that environment, you can cause damage. Invasive plants can cause damage to the native flowers - which is why even if you want to use flower petals or other ‘natural materials’ they need to be picked up afterwards.

*Most National Parks DO NOT allow flowers of any kind inside of the parks. If you’re thinking about eloping in a National Park, but still set on having a bouquet - consider having a silk bouquet created!

Camille purchased this wedding dress & her white Dr. Martens from Goodwill AZ.

Camille purchased this wedding dress & her white Dr. Martens from Goodwill AZ.

4. Attire - Sustainable Brands, Renting & Second Hand

This might be one of the hardest because there are sooo many wedding dresses out in the world to choose from. The reality of it is though, a lot of the dresses that we see online & in magazines aren’t sustainable & are created unethically.

On the bright side, there are other options:

  • Purchase or rent from a sustainable brand - this article from The Good Trade shares a lot of eco-friendly dress companies.

  • This may not be for everyone, but consider shopping secondhand for your wedding dress! If you have the time, looking at vintage or thrift stores, even for a dress that could partially be used & altered, is a great alternative.

  • Consider renting or borrowing a dress (and/or tuxedo/suit)! Even if you can’t find a completely ethical brand, by renting a dress and/or tuxedo/suit - you’re allowing that piece of clothing to be used multiple times & carry a longer life span than a new dress that will only be worn once.

  • Shop small & local - one of my favorite options. There are SO many amazing designers & seamstresses that create custom dresses for a living.

    I’ll be creating a blog soon that features some of my favorite small shop dress designers!

5. No Plastic - Water bottles, confetti, balloons

  • Reusable Water Bottle: When it comes to elopements, you’re more than likely going to be hiking at some point during the day & you’re going to need water - plan ahead & bring your own reusable water bottle (I also make sure to bring extra for my couples if it’s needed).

  • No Confetti (of any kind): I know it’s a fun idea to throw confetti in the air at the end of your ceremony to celebrate being married, but even ‘biodegradable’ confetti is bad for the environment. Any type of material that you bring in, if it’s non-native to the area, can cause harm to the area.

  • No Balloons: I wouldn’t say balloons are a very typical thing to be included at an elopement, but on the off-chance you had considered incorporating them into your day - it’s better to just stick with focusing on the natural beauty around you. In the event that you, or someone you know, is considering including balloons at any type of event, be sure to dispose of them properly. Releasing balloons into the area may seem like a cute idea, but the truth of it is, what goes up must come down, & balloons are extremely harmful to wildlife & the oceans.

The moon shines over the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona during a couple’s elopement.

6. Practice ethical tourism & reduce your carbon footprint

You may be asking what exactly is “ethical tourism”? The definition from the Sustainable Stuff website states: Ethical tourism attempts to redress the balance, with its proponents doing everything possible to ensure that, when they (e.g. tourists) go on holiday, their impact on the local environment, culture and people is positive rather than negative.

If you’re traveling for your elopement, shop local! Whether it’s where you eat, stay, or shop. When you shop small & local - you’re helping those businesses in so many ways. Be respectful of the environment around you & those local to the area. One of the biggest aspects of ethical tourism is going back to our first point of take only pictures & leave only footprints. With lots of tourists coming in & out of places, it’s easy for areas to get trashed. Pick up after yourself & others around you. Do research before you go to a new area & respect the customs & local traditions. You are coming into their home, treat people as your equals. Taking public transportation as often as possible will also help reduce your carbon footprint.

Consider traveling during the off season to avoid contributing to over-tourism.

The truth of it all is…

We only have one planet & it is so important for us to try & take care of it as much as we can. No matter your views on climate change, there is no harm in working on creating a cleaner Earth.

Leave it better than you found it & obey the rules.

By having an elopement, you’re already creating far less waste by not serving meals, having favors, using decorations, hosting hundreds of guests, & so much more. These steps just help you take the extra effort to create even less waste & be protective of the environment. We’re so lucky to get to have adventures & capture memories in such beautiful places all across the world - let’s do as much as we can to protect it.

Samantha Rose Photography is a Phoenix, Arizona based elopement photographer. She’s passionate about helping couples plan their dream elopement focused completely around themselves.

, , , ,

Phoenix, Arizona Elopement at Papago Park

, , , ,
Phoenix-Elopement_Phoenix-Arizona-Elopement-Photographer_Samantha-Rose-Photography_-170.jpg

Papago Park - Phoenix, Arizona Elopement Inspiration

As an elopement photographer based in Phoenix - often times when people think of an adventure elopement in Arizona, they think you have to go up North towards Flagstaff & Sedona. The thing is - we can plan your elopement anywhere. This is a day structured around exactly what the two of you want. It’s your wedding day. If you want to celebrate with a small hike around Papago Park or go to the top of Cathedral Rock - then let’s do it! The beauty is that there are endless options & the only people we have to please are the two of you.

Phoenix-Elopement_Phoenix-Arizona-Elopement-Photographer_Samantha-Rose-Photography_-47.jpg

Five Things to Remember When it Comes to Eloping

  1. No you don’t have to run off to Vegas in secret to elope. The definition of what an elopement is has changed a lot over the past few years. What it really is: two people that are in love that want their marriage celebration to be solely focused on just the two of them.

  2. This day should be a true reflection of what your relationship is. There’s no specific guide book to follow. There’s no certain traditions you need to include. This is a time to make new traditions of your own.

  3. There’s no doubt that the location of your elopement plays a big factor for the day. Do you want to explore someplace new? Someplace that means a lot to you both - like where you got engaged or went on your first date? Do you want to explore a whole new state? Once you start planning, think about what means the most to you & would represent your love.

  4. Don’t forget the big draw to eloping is that it’s supposed to be a relaxed & stress free day! You’re not concerned about other people’s schedules, who is wearing what, or how many people you have to provide dinner for. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

  5. As your photographer - I’m here for more than just taking photos & capturing memories. I’m here to plan your unique adventure. From location options, timeline planning, vendor recommendations, & all the in between. You are not planning this alone. Let’s start working on your epic elopement.

Have any questions about what goes into planning your dream day? Whether it’s about where to start, how to pick a location, or just the nitty-gritty details - let’s chat!

Phoenix Elopement Vendors Featured:

PhoenixElopement_PhoenixArizonaElopementPhotographer_PhoenixWeddingPhotographer_SamanthaRosePhotography_-182.jpg

Samantha Rose Photography is a Phoenix, Arizona based elopement & intimate wedding photographer. When she’s not capturing couples in love she can be found hiking a new trail in the Valley, buying too many plants, or listening to a true crime podcast.