Cassandra and Jarod’s Two day Elopement Session
Grand Canyon Helicopter Elopement,…
Plus! Joshua Trees – Slot Canyons – Horseshoe Bend
Cassandra and Jarod traveled to Arizona from Singapore to celebrate their marriage with a Grand Canyon Helicopter Elopement, followed by a second day exploring slot canyons and Horseshoe Bend.
When Cassandra first reached out to me about planning an adventure filled elopement, it was love at first Skype! She and Jarod had already had a family wedding back home, but wanted to celebrate their marriage with a private elopement adventure as they travelled their way across the USA. We talked about what she was envisioning, what sort of activities, vendors, and expectations she had- and quickly dove into planning how to make it all come together!
Day 1 – Grand Canyon Helicopter Elopement
First on the list was planning the activities. Cassandra loved the idea of including a helicopter ride into the Grand Canyon. Upon further research, we quickly found out that if they wanted to land inside the Grand Canyon, that this required a trip to the far western edge. Most visitors associate the Grand Canyon with the main park entrance, which is the South entrance of Grand Canyon National Park. However, the canyon is actually even more massive than most people’s minds comprehend. It spans across a large portion of northern Arizona, carving out a space larger than the state of Delaware. To get to Grand Canyon West you have to drive 4 hours to the west of the main park entrance. It is on Hualapai Reservation, near the border of Arizona and Nevada.
Maverick Helicopters were the leading choice to fly us down into their Grand Canyon Helicopter elopement, landing down inside the canyon itself.
As we left the West Rim of the Grand Canyon to travel up to Page, we stopped for a slight detour to enjoy this dense Joshua Tree paradise. Many people don’t realize that the Joshua Trees extend well into western Arizona. This location even has dispersed camping available if you want to spend a day or two exploring!
Day 2 – Page Arizona
We spent our second day up at the Arizona/ Utah border traipsing through slot canyons and culminating at the world famous overlook of Horseshoe Bend.
We began the day by driving out to one of my favorite slot canyons located about an hour outside of Page, Arizona. This location is gorgeous! Plus, it allows incredible red slot images without having to use a tour company. Be prepared for a drive down a lesser traveled dirt road that can get a bit rough with rain and snow, followed by a hike in. The added effort is rewarded with more privacy, and the freedom to explore at will rather than following the times and much stricter rules of a guided tour required to visit the famous Antelope Canyon.
As with any slot canyon, ALWAYS be super aware of weather. These incredible desert rock formations were carved out of the stone by water over time. Any rain or moisture in the area can cause dangerous flash flooding, even when the skies above you *look* clear and sunshiny. I use a combination of AccuWeather.com and real time updates through my Garmin InREACH device- a must have for safety in remote areas.
We ended our adventure at Horseshoe Bend back in Page, AZ. A cold winter storm was blowing in, creating even more wind than usual. The sunset was chilly but beautiful. This incredible overlook puts you on the edge of a magnificent view deep into the Colorado River as it curves through the desert landscape. It is an easy access location just outside of Page.
Ready to begin Planning your Grand Canyon Helicopter Elopement?
I would LOVE to help you begin planning your Grand Canyon helicopter elopement, or any adventure you are dreaming up!
Kind words from the Couple
Thank you Shannon for the best photoshoot experience any one can ask for!! Throughout my entire research and enquiry phase, Shannon stood out from the beginning being very prompt with replies, immediately coming up with a rough timeline and alternatives I can go with in view of the latest covid restrictions
Shannon exudes positive bursts of energy and made us so comfortable all the time (she has the best stories!!). She goes above and beyond for us on the unforeseen circumstances we faced, and brought solutions, back up plans etc ensuring everything is being taken care of!♥️
I flew in from Singapore and only realised days before the photoshoot that I have forgotten to bring my veil. Shannon ordered 2 veils on Amazon without hesitation and brought it on time to shoot!
Our flowers got delayed and couldn’t deliver in time, Shannon took the initiative to drive around the city to scout floral shops and even jump on calls with the florist and handmade my bouquet and boutonniere! 💐
If you are looking for a photographer who personalizes your photoshoot experience, someone who genuinely cares for you and wants the best for you, Stratus Adventure Photography does them all! Highly recommended!! 💯