An Adventurous Cave + Canyoneering Elopement in Hanksville, Utah
Haley and Ralfy bonded over rock climbing and canyoneering. So what better way to get married than doing just that?
Haley and Ralfy aren’t your average couple.
New Zealand, India, Nepal, Thailand, and Cambodia are just some of the international countries they’ve traveled to for not just new exploration, but for rock climbing and canyoneering. These two adventurers had always been athletes, but began climbing and canyoneering together after they started dating. As their love for climbing and each other grew together, they began traveling the world in search of new climbs, and bonded further over their incredible experiences together. They became each other’s accountability partners, encouragerers through risk and uncertainty, and ultimate adventure buddies. In every new country, the excitement over the sport grew, but also their excitement over a future together. When they finally returned home from their worldly voyage, they announced their engagement and immediately began brainstorming on ways to make their marriage more than just a quick courthouse meeting. They wanted a celebration with friends and family in a way that truly reflected important chapters of their life together.
So it was only fitting that they celebrated their marriage on and in a foundation they were already familiar with: rock.
Navigating their Epic Vision
When they first reached out to me, the thought was to have simple photos in a Utah canyon—a place so dear to their heart and climbing history. After listening to their desires and vision—which included friends and family who were non-climbers, as well as lunch after the ceremony—I suggested a minimum of 12-hours to make breathing room for activities, rest time, and space to slow down. This was not an activity to rush or stress through, and I wanted to help make sure we’d thought through all the details and possibilities, including backup plans if needed.
We took time for multiple planning calls to dial in the right canyon that was both memorably fun as well as had accessibility to non-climbers and the parking lot. From the timeline to the ceremony location to guest logistics, I supported every piece of the process, and ensured they knew they had a friend to lean on. The pieces were put into place, and soon we had a complete picture of one incredible climbing elopement in Utah!
One last important detail: where to stay? Well, let’s not make this average either! Haley and Raley—and most of their guests—stayed in an AirBNB that is literally build into the side of a red rock cliff of Utah. Upon walking in, it’s as if you’re walking straight into your desert lair.
How much cooler could this get??
An Early Morning Rise in their Cave
The stars were still twinkling when Haley and Ralfy woke, already eagerly preparing for the day ahead before the coffee was done brewing for their guests. But they would skip the coffee themselves in leiu of the adrenaline rush that scaling walls gives. They are go-getters, and know the value of time when venturing into more extreme adventures. No quick 4-hour photoshoot jaunts here; this was a full-day affair for one epic day.
After packing their car, we headed out to Hogwarts Canyon (another intentional choice to commemorate their love of Harry Potter), located in Hanksville, Utah. A 40-minute drive from their cave AirBNB, they drove down dusty roads, watching the desert sunrise paint sky and rocks in purple, pink, and orange. The air was tinged with excitement as they drove, anticipating not only the adventure but the moment when they finally got to say “I do.” They had rappelled through canyons before, but this was one they wanted to savor every minute of.
The Rappelling Journey to their Ceremony Spot
At the trailhead, they packed their gear and began a short hike on a sand-washed trail up rocks to the top of Hogwarts Canyon. Here is where the route and the journey to saying their forever began!
The rock glowed in the rising sun as they rigged their harnesses and ropes for four different descents through the canyon. For each one, I’d rappel down first and get in position to capture the best possible angles. Then one by one, Haley and Ralfy would slide and even leap down the rock in joy, filling the canyon walls with laughter. The bliss of being in their element with the love of their life was contagious, and I was giddy with excitement at being able to capture such candid connection!
I gave a few prompted portraits that I felt reflected their goofy yet vigilant, strong yet gentle relationship, then gave them space to be themselves for more candid shots. The story of their relationship came through in every encouraging word, gentle touch, and beaming smile they gave one another. It was beautiful to witness such a caring, tender love in a place so rugged and wild.
Vows on a Cliff’s Edge
How many people can say they were officially married on a cliff’s edge within a canyon in Utah?
Haley and Ralfy can. And they did, after Haley “walked the aisle” rappelling on a rope down to the ledge, where her groom waited. This is one of my favorite photos of my photographic career, because it shows what happens when a day is shaped around a story that’s actually yours.
Friends and family who didn’t rappel with them hiked in from the trailhead to meet at the base of the ceremony ledge. They chose different rocks for seats and looked up to the ledge, where Haley and Ralfy held hands for the first time as newlyweds.
They exchanged vows and rings before an officiant who was more than just a random guy in a suit: it was Ralfy’s brother, who easily was ordained by the state of Utah for this ahead of time. This is one of the perks about marrying in Utah: it is simple to become ordained, and you only need two witnesses besides—and one of them can be me, the photographer!
Not many dry eyes were left after some speeches, and they were flooded with hugs, laughter, and echoing cheers as they made their quick descent down to their party. I captured both posed friend and family photos and candid interactions of the group as they congratulated the climbing couple. This was an elopement for the books!
A Tailgate Picnic Celebration
The walk back was short and sweet, and because we had built in time for breathing room, I was able to capture more candid photos of their walk back together, creating post-marriage memories that are just as important as the actual moment. I make it as much a priority to capture the small, in-between details to paint the whole picture of the day, and capture the emotion of post-marriage bliss!
At the parking lot, Haley’s sister had prepared a spread of sandwiches and sodas for the party, and we enjoyed snacking under the sun on the back of our cars and tailgates. It was the best way to gather together in celebration and share more stories of the couples and the day’s adventures. Every part of it reflected them—the people, the place, and the activities.
Haley and Ralfy were absolutely stoked.
Afternoon Portraits and Moonlit Party
After their late lunch, there was still time to grab a few more portraits in Haley’s wedding dress, and we chose a spot in a sandy riverbed.
Back at their cave AirBNB, they got cleaned up from red dust and gathered together for dinner at the local restaurant nearby. Later, as the stars once again emerged and the cave lights glowed into the night, they gathered by a bonfire and roasted s’mores with their guests, replaying their favorite memories of the day.
This is the kind of day that can’t be thrown together and you just hope for the best. This day was created first by their vision, second by thoughtful planning and preparation, and thirdly by support of designated friends/family who helped deliver food, rig ropes, etc. It was a collaborative effort of people who loved them and couldn’t wait to celebrate this incredble day with them, and I’m honored that I got to be a part of it. My role wasn’t just to capture these epic memories; it was to be a navigator that helped them through the planning, reliving stress at overthinking and decision paralysis, and to fill in gaps of details. I assisted where I could to make their day flow smoothly, and I intentionally built space into their day so they wouldn’t feel rush or pressured. That’s my goal in every elopement: to give you the time needed to be fully present and absolutely stoked about your wedding day!
A huge congratulations to Haley and Ralfy on their crazy-cool canyoneering elopement, and may they always continue climbing to new heights together!
