A day just about us: Stacey and Joe’s desert elopement

When the pair started searching for venue, Stacey and Joe quickly realised they didn’t want a wedding in the UK.

“Neither of us are really big on being the centre of attention so we decided to elope,” says the bride, 30.

“We had always planned on doing a South West/West Coast road trip in the USA and started looking at outdoor locations. We quickly settled on the northern Arizona desert — a place called Page. The UK doesn’t quite offer the same level of scenery.”

Stacey and Joe, 29, celebrated their desert elopement on August 22, 2018. While an unseasonal thunderstorm derailed the pair’s plans of a sunrise ceremony, Stacey and Joe simply journeyed to a different location to exchange vows when the weather cleared.

When the desert rain returned, the newlyweds went back to their room, ate cake and watched Dirty Dancing.

“Everything about the day was exactly what we wanted — a day just about us,” smiles Stacey.

The pair didn’t completely leave out their family and friends however, hosting a reception for 120 at Yellow Arch Studios on September 15, 2018 when they returned to Sheffield, England.

“We felt like we got the best of both worlds. We got our desert elopement and had an awesome party with all our loved ones.”

Photos courtesy of Amy Bluestar Photography and Steph White Photography.

“It was amazing, the scenery made me think of The Lion King.”

Stacey and Joe posed for wedding photos while on an incredible Slot Canyon tour.

Stacey and Joe kicked off the party with rum punch welcome drinks.