Elopement Style Guide: What to Wear to Your Desert Wedding in Moab
Hey, I’m Danielle! I’m a wedding and elopement photographer in Moab, UT. I used to work as a hiking and archaeology guide in Moab and hiked 800 miles from Arches National Park to Zion National Park. It’s fair to say that I know southern Utah better than anywhere else - and I’ve spent years of my life literally living outside all over the country, so that’s saying a lot.
If having someone with some serious local expertise and skill behind the camera sounds like something you want on your very important wedding day, pop over to my contact form when you’re done with this guide!
Congratulations on choosing the red desert of Moab, UT as the backdrop for your intimate desert wedding! As a Moab elopement photographer and unique clothes fanatic, I’ve seen a wide array of dresses and accessories and know the pros and cons to various styles, fabrics, and more.
In this style guide, I'll explore what to wear for your desert elopement in Moab’s unique high desert environment. A lot of these ideas apply to wedding guests as well, and I have recommendations below for brands that make cool desert accessorie ike bolos and turquoise jewelry.
For the most part, I’d say these rules apply to most elopements in general, though in Moab we have the benefit of not having to worry much about rain and humidity.
You’ll want to consider the following things when you choose your desert wedding outfit:
Style
The weather and terrain will vary based on the location you pick for your Moab elopement. For example, Arches National Park is at a higher elevation than The Hoodoo and Canyonlands and the La Sals are even higher, so it’s best to bring a jacket in the shoulder seasons for certain wedding venues.
Most elopement photographers tell their clients to pick very practical dresses that they can hike in. Being able to move comfortably is definitely important, but most elopement locations in Moab realistically don’t require a lot of hiking. I try to primarily shoot at Dead Horse and Canyonlands and all of the sites there require .5 mile of hiking, max.
So I go against the grain a bit and say pick a dress that’s a little bit dramatic. The more volume your dress has, the more incredible it’s going to look when the wind picks up, and frankly that’s what makes or breaks an amazing desert photo.
And if the wind doesn’t cooperate with us, it’s much easier to simulate windy drama with a more voluminous dress or one with lighter fabric.
You should also consider what kind of images you want. I try to shoot a lot of candid, less-staged photos, but if you have your dress hiked up to your hips to move, that’s probably not going to happen. Zoe’s dress (below) was the most voluminous and dramatic dress I’ve photographed and she and her partner generally had to lift it to walk around. Her dress caught the wind better than any other dress I’ve photographed, though, so consider if you want more holistic images or just a few truly dramatic, staged images.
Heather and Trista’s dresses were great compromises (below). They were long and flowy and had lighter materials that caught the wind, but they were able to walk easily because the dresses didn’t have as much volume.
Alternatively, I’ve had clients bring two dresses and change into the second one for the next location. Heather’s first dress was a very classic wedding dress, and the second one was a little more versatile and fun. I don’t recommend this for short elopements, but for longer days it’s totally an option.
Short Dresses
Short dresses are very cute and a nice way to mix up multiple looks, but they generally end up being very limiting with poses. You’ll have to be a conscientious of your legs whenever you dip, sitting poses end up looking a little weird, and poses like "carry over the threshold” are totally out (which is unfortunate, because that’s one of my favorites).
I’d recommend getting a longer dress if you’re only wearing one dress.
Natalie’s dress was super cute but dresses this short eliminate certain poses.
Colors
Choose colors that complement the natural hues of Moab's landscapes. You wouldn’t expect it, but I think sandy-tan suits look amazing in the Moab desert. You can’t go wrong with dark navy, gray, or black suits either.
For dresses, neutrals are always a good call. But you really can’t go too wrong - even bright red dresses pop against the red rocks. For the way I edit, the two colors I’d recommend avoiding are orange (for obvious reasons) and blue, because filmy blues tend to change slightly in the editing process.
Footwear
Let me tell you about an amazing stylist named Allison Bornstein and her “wrong shoes theory.” Her hack basically involves picking the most unexpected shoe to finish off a look, giving it more personality - which is why boots and wedding dresses weirdly look so cool.
Most elopement locations in Moab don’t require extensive hiking, but you’ll likely have to do a little bit of light scrambling to get to the best view points. Brides should consider stylish flats or hiking boots and grooms can opt for well-made dress shoes with good grip. Sandstone is extremely grippy and most shoes will grip just fine, but I’ve found that a lot of clients don’t have the experience walking on sandstone to move around comfortably in dress shoes. So when in doubt, choose shoes with a good sole.
I’ve had clients wear flip flops and bring heels to change into, but we usually end up only capturing a few images in the heels because it’s much easier to just wear the other shoes.
Some clients also just end up going barefoot. I love the earthy vibe it brings to photos but this is definitely the most adventurous option and I’d prefer not to whip out my EMT training to bandage up your foot.
Accessories
Desert weddings provide a unique opportunity to incorporate fun accessories. Consider a floral crown, a hat, belt buckle, or a bolo for a touch of desert chic. These details not only enhance your ensemble but also add a personal touch to your wedding photos. I provide a vendor list in my client guide, some of whom make absolutely stunning and desert-vibed flower crowns.
I also highly, highly, highly recommend veils. Veil shots are some of my all time favorite wedding photos. They do tend to fall off if it gets too windy, though, so it’s best to have a hair style that looks great without the veil too in case we need to shoot without it. And make sure the veil is attached securely before we head out - I’ve seen veils blow away and there’s no getting it back once it’s over the cliff edge.
Layers
Moab is known for its breathtaking sunsets. Be prepared for pretty dramatic temperature changes in the shoulder seasons by incorporating layers into your ensemble.
Fall and summer stay pretty warm into the evening, but spring can be chilly. A light jacket can add warmth and visual interest to your look while letting you adapt to changing weather conditions. I prefer to take candid photos as we walk around, but if you need to wear a puffy while we walk from one viewpoint to another, I can work with that.
Hairstyles
Keep your hairstyle natural and wind-resistant. Loose curls or braids for brides and well-groomed hair for grooms are ideal choices.
Consider the desert setting when choosing your hairstyle, aiming for a look that complements the free-spirited vibe of your Moab elopement. I provide recommendations for hair and makeup stylists in Moab who are well versed in the elopement scene and know what styles will work well.
Your Moab wedding is a unique and intimate experience and your attire should reflect that. By following this desert elopement style guide, you'll not only look stunning against the breathtaking backdrop of Moab but also ensure that you're comfortable and prepared for whatever surprises the desert may have in store.
Danielle’s Recommendations
In another life I would have been a stylist and I still dream of offering small brand, sustainable personal styling packages. I have a particular passion and skill for finding very beautiful, hip, smaller clothing brands, so here are some great bridal and elopement-adjacent things I’ve found along the way.
Dresses
Kamperett - truly the most beautiful dresses
Runaway Bicycle - cute shorter dresses
Charlie Brear - sadly closed her doors but I would absolutely recommend one of her dresses if you can find a pre-owned one in your size.
Cute Hiking Clothing
If you don’t want to wear your wedding dress while hiking, these are the aesthetic brands I personally wear.
Hikerkind (use code Monarch15 for $15 off)
Jewelry
Laska Co - She only releases items in drops though, so you’ll have to plan a ways in advance
Stephanie Lee Paynter - I have bolos and rings from her and they’re incredible
Shoes
