Mount Lemmon Elopement | Tucson Elopement Photographer
Mount Lemmon Elopement | Tucson Elopement Photographer
My dream day as a Tucson elopement photographer!
JaShelle & Austin
As I attempt to catch up on the last few years of blogs, why not start by throwing it back to this dream Tucson elopement??
This elopement was a perfect example of why I recommend doing full-day elopement coverage. J & A elected not to short-change themselves on time. Not only were we able to do everything they wanted, but we never felt rushed even once. One big reason people might choose to elope is to reduce the stress that the stuffed timeline of a big wedding tends to have. So it can be extremely helpful to book an 8 hour package like this couple did, so you can dream big AND take your time.
I love J & A’s story - the reason they chose to come all the way from Maine for their Tucson elopement is because they met while stationed with the Army near Tucson. They also happened to be from the same area of Maine, but didn’t know each other well then. Funny how that works, isn’t it? They soon fell in love, had an adorable kid, and decided to get hitched back where it all began.
Their elopement coverage actually began the day before their elopement, when I met them at Battleship Tattoo Shop in Sierra Vista. They each got many tattoos there during their Army days, and wanted to go back to get tattoos of each other’s initials in lieu of rings. Personally, I am completely obsessed with this nontraditional decision. The tattoos looked amazing in their photos as well, since they were so fresh and sharp. (Maybe scroll past these if you really don’t like needles!)
On the day of their Tucson elopement, I met them at their stunning desert airbnb for some getting ready photos. They had invited about a dozen close friends - their chosen family. (Another decision I love.) After JaShelle got into her gorgeous black wedding dress and all the guys and girls got dressed up (keeping bride and groom separate for an “altar” meeting), we got into our cars and headed up to there Mount Lemmon elopement ceremony spot.
We chose an amazing spot near the top of the mountain with a rocky forest view. Their ceremony was beautiful. One of their best friends officiated, they said some emotional personal vows with their friends and son looking on, and their friends popped champagne behind them for an epic first kiss. After that, everyone toasted with a shot of whiskey - another decision that felt entirely “them.”
Again, thanks to their full-day elopement coverage, we were completely on time and were in no rush to begin their sunset portraits. They enjoyed some chat with their friends and when the time came, I headed with the couple to Windy Point for some sunset photos. No comment necessary. Windy Point showed out like it always does.
While we did that, their friends headed back to home base to start dinner, which was ready by the time we got back. Who needs catering, when you’ve got friends down to make tacos?? They included me in their dinner, which was very kind. :) We also made sure to get their license signed!
We also were biding our time a bit before heading into the desert to take some star photos! Always a cool addition to an elopement. I love that Tucson is such a star-friendly city (it is in fact a recognized “dark sky city”). We didn’t even go very far into the desert and still got a wildly gorgeous showing of stars.
They capped off the night with some hanging out at the airbnb, including more shots and some very silly overalls (I’ll skip photos of this part because it was very chill).
This was seriously a dream elopement that never felt stressful for a minute. Thanks in part to the 8 hour coverage, but also to the total chill attitude, flexibility, and openness of J & A and their friends. I’ll always look back on this elopement as a favorite. :)