When you think about getting married in Arizona, you probably picture saguaros, red rocks and a whole lot of desert.
A sailboat might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
That’s exactly why I loved putting together this styled elopement at Lake Pleasant.
Shania and Alan traveled in from Utah for the shoot, and we spent the afternoon out on the water creating something that felt completely different from the Arizona wedding scenery you normally see.
And Arizona definitely kept us guessing that day.
A Different Kind of Arizona Elopement
The morning started cold, rainy and pretty gloomy. Not exactly the weather you imagine when planning a day on a sailboat.
But by the time we headed out onto Lake Pleasant, the clouds started breaking apart and blue sky came through. We still had some wind and a little chill in the air, but the changing weather ended up giving us some of my favorite light.
There were soft clouds, warm sunlight and moments where everything out on the water felt almost cinematic.
Lake Pleasant is already such a different landscape from what most people associate with Arizona. Once you add a sailboat, beautiful florals and wedding attire, it feels like you could be somewhere completely different.
Except you’re still right here in Arizona.
What a Sailboat Elopement Could Look Like
One of the reasons I love styled shoots is getting to create something that might make a couple think differently about what their wedding could be.
An elopement doesn’t have to mean going to the courthouse or standing somewhere in the desert for a few photos.
It can be an experience.
For this shoot, that meant getting dressed up, heading onto Lake Pleasant and spending time sailing while we photographed everything from the boat itself to the little moments between Shania and Alan.
They could move around, take in the views and just enjoy being out on the water together.
If you’re the kind of couple who would rather do something than simply stand somewhere pretty, an experience like this can make your elopement feel much more like you.
Photographing Shania and Alan on Lake Pleasant
Shania and Alan were so much fun to photograph, and the two of them handled the wind, chilly weather and choppy water like pros.
There was something about the movement of the sailboat that made the photos feel different too. The wind caught Shania’s dress and hair, the scenery was constantly changing and we were able to photograph them from different perspectives both with and without the sail.
Nothing felt too perfect or overly controlled, which I loved.
We were working with the weather and the water instead of trying to fight either one.
And when that warmer light finally came through the clouds, it was so worth it.
Creating an Elopement Experience That’s Actually Yours
This shoot took a whole team to make happen, especially the people who knew how to safely get us out onto the water and navigate the wind and choppier conditions that day.
That’s something worth thinking about if you’re dreaming about an experience based elopement.
You don’t have to figure out every piece yourself.
Working with people who know the location and the experience means you can focus a lot more on actually enjoying it.
And yes, doing something like chartering a sailboat is an investment. But you’re not only choosing a backdrop for your photos. You’re choosing what you actually get to experience on your wedding day.
For the right couple, spending your elopement sailing across Lake Pleasant while the Arizona sun comes through the clouds sounds like a pretty good way to get married.
The Creative Team
Photographer & Creative Director: Stephney Martin Photography
Coordination & Design: Bash Boulevard
Videography: The Ember Edit
Content Creator: Got Hitched
Hair & Makeup: Boss Beauty AZ
Florals: Eden’s Florals
Cake: Cake by Kenna
Sailboat: The Sailboat Shop
Motorboat: Captain Pickles Boat Rentals
Bridal Attire: RORS Dress Rentals
Groom Attire: The Grotto Men’s Wear Phoenix
