Lake Powell Elopement at Alstrom Point
When Lindsay and Chris first reached out to me, they shared that what they wanted for their elopement was a private, adventurous, experience in a beautiful place in the desert. In the end that is exactly what they got! Initially they had a slot canyon location in mind, but they were not offering permits for photography or ceremonies at the time so we shifted plans and began to explore other options. Alstrom Point is a place that I had recently visited and LOVED so I was stoked when they said yes to the idea after I shared it with them!
Alstrom Point is a viewpoint overlooking Lake Powell just outside the town of Big Water, Utah and getting here is an adventure in itself! From the main road, the drive is about 25 miles long but it’s rough and unpaved so you have to drive very carefully and it will take over an hour. There are some big dips and potholes that will catch you off guard if you’re not paying attention. I’d recommend a 4x4 SUV to be safest and most prepared for the drive, but any high clearance vehicle should be fine (I did it in my AWD Mazda CX-5). If you have a 4x4 you can drive the entire way up to the viewpoint, but the last 2 miles are usually a bit too steep otherwise. I always park at a pull off at this point in the trip and hike the last 2 miles, which is what we decided to do for Lindsay and Chris’s elopement.
We started the day at their rental home where they got ready together and then we loaded up in their Jeep to make the journey to Alstrom Point! After off-roading for over an hour and hiking 2 miles in their wedding outfits, we finally made it to the viewpoint and were rewarded with total privacy and the most stunning backdrop for their vows. That’s one thing I love about this spot - it takes a lot of effort to get here so it feels more satisfying when you arrive and you don’t have to deal with the crowds that usually come with other popular scenic locations! It felt so peaceful. The perfect setting for an elopement.
Lindsay and Chris shared their vows to each other and enjoyed the view as I snapped photos of it all. Then we made the hike back to the jeep and drove back to town! Overall, the day was very simple, but it had all the elements that they were looking for when it came to their elopement experience. An adventure, a beautiful view, and promises shared to each other. Days like this are some of my favorites to document!
A note about getting married at Alstrom Point:
Alstrom Point is park of Glen Canyon Recreation Area and a special use permit is required for ceremonies. You can reach out to the special use permit coordinator for more info on rules and how to apply.
They put so much thought into the little details to make the day special. I loved the “wedding day” candle that was burning while they got ready and the bride and groom backpacks Lindsay had customized for them to carry their stuff on the hike!
The drive to Alstrom Point is just about as beautiful as the viewpoint itself! We were a bit too short on time but I highly recommend planning extra room to stop and take photos with the desert landscapes along the road.
The sun kept moving in and out of the clouds so the sky changed quite a bit during the time we were there. It made for some really unique photos!
If you loved these photos and are inspired to have your own adventure to Alstrom Point documented, I’d love to chat! Send me an inquiry to get things started!
