Secret Canyon Location | Utah Desert
the hearnes » adventure wedding photographers
RUE DE SEINE ELOPEMENT INSPIRATION :: DURABLE, BEAUTIFUL, DESERT-READY DRESSES
Ever since I photographed my first Rue de Seine elopement gown, I’ve felt that they have all the makings of a perfect adventure wedding dress! The way these dresses flow in the desert wind, pick up just the right amount of orange #HearnesOmbre on their trains, the way they flatter so many different body types…I just absolutely love these dresses. I started messaging with Rue de Seine on Instagram years ago, and when my friend Brianna and I had an idea for an elopement-style shoot in the desert, I knew we had to work with Rue de Seine! I was really excited to work with a close friend, and someone I knew could embrace the elements no matter what the weather threw our way, and Brianna was so psyched to run around the desert sand in these stunning bohemian dream dresses!
We chose a few different locations and activities because we really wanted to showcase what is possible when you elope out here in the Utah desert. All of the locations are within a day trip from Moab, which is super fun for us now that we live here full time and most of our wedding bookings are for the Moab area! My hope is that these photos would inspire couples to plan an elopement day that feels like a real adventure together, and that seeing how well these dresses handled everything we threw at them would motivate brides to consider a Rue de Seine dress for their wedding :)
ELOPEMENT DRESS INSPIRATION WITH BRIANNA' MADIA, PART 1 (RUE DE SEINE’S WEST GOWN)
ELOPEMENT DRESS INSPIRATION WITH BRIANNA MADIA, PART 2 (RUE DE SEINE’S NAHLA GOWN)
If you need an intro to who Brianna Madia is, you can find her in some of our previous blog posts:
AN INTERVIEW WITH BRIANNA MADIA
A FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEW WITH BRIANNA MADIA (A YEAR LATER)
OR, FOLLOW BRIANNA MADIA ON INSTAGRAM
From my Instagram Post on May 22, 2019:
“Over a year ago, @briannamadia texted me to save a date for her and Keith to “stand in a canyon and read some words to each other after 10 years of being together.” Well, it developed into more of a thing, @ruedeseinebridal sent Bri a dress and @tellurianevents made some beautiful florals. We blocked out multiple dates so we could run a canyon when the weather was good (lol) and landed on yesterday.
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Nothing went as planned. The forecast said 0% rain, but as we approached the canyon the sky on the horizon was dark. We waited, it got closer, we built a shelter with a tarp and the wind blew in with rain. The temps plummeted. Char started a dog fight (dogs were fine, Bri and I were both bit 😑). Bucket found a bunny (RIP) (tears were shed). We bailed and ran for the cars in the freezing rain and sipped some wine while our fingers thawed. A weather window opened and we went to a different canyon that we knew we could exit safely if it rained again. After one rappel we were finally in a slot that fit Bri’s original dream and they read vows, we climbed out, and rain came again. We got back to the cars at dusk, soaked and freezing but on a high of Adrenalin and pure joy after the most fun, definition disaster-style day.
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There are a billion things I could say, but honestly I’m just amazed by these two people. They’ve been to hell and back this year alone. They almost lost their boy Dags in a horrible accident last fall, and the waves of grief and trauma from that experience have continued to surprise them and everyone who loves them. Despite everything, these two have stuck together, always leaning together, prioritizing their family over anything. As a friend, it’s been really hard to see, but yesterday, after all the surprises the day held, we got to watch them read vows with both dogs curled at their feet, and I cried joyful tears behind my camera as I’ve done so many times. But this time I felt the weight of all these two have endured...I find myself in utter disbelief that I got to be there with them through all of it. It’s an honor to document this family, an honor to love them and know them. We love you so much Madias. All four of you 🖤”
June 4, 2019:
“I truly think one of the absolute best things about this job is how it allows us to be part of small, intimate moments in our couples’ lives. The moments that the rest of the world often never sees.
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Getting to photograph our dear friends @briannamadia and @keithmadia’s vow renewal in a canyon deep in the Utah desert was no exception. As I watched them work together to rappel and safely lower their dogs into this canyon, like they have so many time before, I was struck with how special it is to witness and photograph this. This is so very *them* and it’s something the little Madia family loves to do together. With Bri being so much in the “public eye” through her Instagram account, it felt really special to be out here with her, seeing her do the thing she’s done for years before anyone cared about it and will continue to do long after Instagram is forgotten. I am so thankful.”
Photographers: The Hearnes Adventure Photography
Bride’s Dress: Aegean Gown in Indigo by Rue De Seine
Florals: Tellurian Events
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The Hearnes Adventure Photography is run by Abbi and Callen Hearne, a husband & wife wedding photography team with an emphasis on adventure. Unless stated otherwise, all blog and social media posts are written from the perspective of Abbi! Our photography style is adventurous, full of stoke, and centered around telling a true story. We are nomadic wedding photographers living on the road, which allows us to photograph your adventures anywhere in the world. We especially love the sierra mountains in California, southwestern desert in Utah, and the glacial landscape of Alaska. We have updated passports and are willing to travel anywhere in the world.
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