Snow Canyon State Park Engagement Photos | Day-Before Zion Elopement with Bridget & Brandon

Bridget and Brandon chose Snow Canyon State Park for their day-before session, and honestly, it could not have been more perfect.

Instead of waiting until the wedding day to soak everything in, they turned their arrival into an experience — exploring red rock cliffs, wandering through sandy washes, and watching the desert light shift as the sun dropped behind the mountains.

A pre-elopement session like this does two big things:

1. It gives you relaxed, pressure-free portraits.
2. It lets us create epic scenery images without a timeline breathing down our necks.

By the time their intimate ceremony in Zion arrived, they already felt comfortable in front of my camera and fully present with each other.

That’s the magic of a day-before adventure.

Why Couples Love Doing a Day-Before Session

If you’re traveling to Southern Utah to elope, you’re already somewhere extraordinary. Adding an engagement or couples session the day before means:

• you get variety beyond your ceremony location
• you shake off camera nerves
• your wedding day can stay intimate and unrushed
• you walk away with a huge storytelling gallery

Plus, Snow Canyon offers terrain Zion doesn’t — rolling petrified dunes, lava rock, desert plants, and wide open skies.

Mini Snow Canon State Park Guide

• Best time of year to take photos: October through April is prime season. Temperatures are cooler, hiking is comfortable, and the light is unreal.
• Summer is still beautiful, but sessions typically need to happen at sunrise or near sunset to avoid extreme heat.
• Hiking required: Minimal to moderate depending on the look you want. Many iconic backdrops are close to parking areas, but short walks on sand or slick rock are common.
• Closest town: St. George — about 15 minutes away.
  You’ll find hotels, Airbnbs, restaurants, florals, and grocery stores there.
• Crowd level: Generally low compared to Zion. Weekends and spring break periods can be busier, but it’s usually easy to find quiet pockets, especially for sunrise or weekday sessions.
• Pet-friendly: Yes! Dogs are allowed in many areas on leash, which makes this an amazing option for couples wanting to include their pup.
• Permit required: For most small elopements and portrait sessions, a special use permit is typically required. Rules can change, so I always help my couples confirm current requirements and apply if needed. You can purchase permits HERE

Pro Tip From Me

If Zion is your ceremony location, Snow Canyon is the perfect complementary landscape for either the day before or the day after.

Different textures.
Different colors.
Same unforgettable experience.

Planning Your Own Snow Canyon State Park Engagement Session or Elopement?

If Bridget and Brandon’s desert adventure has you dreaming about red rock cliffs, sandy trails, and golden sunset light, I would love to help you plan something just as intentional and unforgettable.

I photograph couples at Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park, and throughout Southern Utah, helping you create an experience that feels relaxed, meaningful, and completely true to you.

From permit guidance and timeline building to location scouting and Leave No Trace practices, I’ll walk with you through every step so you can stay present and actually enjoy getting married.

Snow Canyon State Park Wedding & Elopement Packages

Most couples booking here are looking for a mix of epic scenery and intimate moments. Because of that, my coverage options are designed to give you flexibility while still telling the full story of your day.

Packages typically include:

• Customized timeline planning
• Permit assistance
• Location recommendations
• Vendor referrals
• Travel from Minnesota
• High-resolution edited imagery
• Sneak peeks within days

Whether you’re planning a simple sunrise vow exchange or an all-day adventure across Southern Utah, I’ll help you craft a photography experience that feels effortless.

Thinking About Adding a Day-Before or Day-After Session?

I highly recommend it.

Exploring Snow Canyon before your Zion ceremony allows us to create relaxed, cinematic portraits without wedding-day time pressure — and it helps you feel incredibly comfortable in front of the camera.

Many of my couples say this becomes one of their favorite parts of the entire weekend.

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Ready to Start Planning?

If you’re considering engagement photos or an elopement at Snow Canyon State Park, I’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.

Reach out and I’ll help you build a personalized plan, recommend the best light and locations, and make sure your experience feels natural, organized, and genuinely fun.

👉 Inquire HERE to begin planning your Southern Utah adventure.