Michaela & Michael’s Avant-garde Sunrise Sedona Elopement

Some couples just have that energy—the kind that makes their wedding day feel like a page from a storybook. Michaela and Michael? They wrote their own. Before the world even woke up, they stood together on Secret Slick Rock, the cool morning air wrapping around them, their two Australian cattle dogs, Ozzie and Barlow, right by their side. (How to Include Your Pups in Your Elopement)

The setting? Absolute magic. Hot air balloons floated over Cathedral Rock as the first light of day painted the sky in soft pinks and golds. Thanks to a rainstorm the day before, the little pool on the rock had filled, giving us dreamy reflections of the iconic red cliffs in the distance. It was the kind of morning that didn’t just look beautiful—it felt like something bigger, something meant to be.

Michaela was a vision in her flowing black dress, bold and breathtaking against the desert backdrop. In his renaissance-meets-steampunk suit, complete with a handlebar mustache, Michael looked like he had stepped straight out of another era. And the best-dressed duo? Ozzie and Barlow, rocking their tiny bow ties and stealing every bit of the attention.

After their private adventure session, the day warmed up, and so did the celebrations. They joined their closest friends and family for a heartfelt hand-fasting ceremony, sealing their commitment with ancient tradition. And then? Pure joy. A first dance beneath the sun, laughter bouncing off the canyon walls, and a round of playful, silly family photos that proved love doesn’t have to be serious—it just has to be real.

Michaela and Michael’s sunrise elopement perfectly blended moody romance, playful spirit, and Sedona’s untamed beauty. When you do things your way—whether that means a black wedding dress, a steampunk-inspired look, or making sure your dogs are the true VIPs—you don’t just have a wedding. You create a memory that lasts forever. And honestly? That’s the only way to do it.