Southwest Texas Elopement at Big Bend National Park

This couple’s Texas nuptials brought a number of firsts for photographer Rebekah Gonzalez. It marked her first adventure elopement, her first visit to Big Bend National Park, and her first wedding that was timeline-free. “This session was loosely planned so that enthusiasm led the way almost 100%,” she shares. “The [ceremony location] wasn’t even picked out by the time we arrived [at the couple’s] Airbnb, [and] the bride and groom wanted to drive around the park to feel out the perfect spot, which [kept] us on our toes…

The time of day was just about the only thing established so that no matter where they wanted to go, the lighting [would be] just right.” Although the spontaneous nature of the day was unfamiliar to Rebekah, she embraced the challenge and allowed Aspen and Nathan to take the lead. She trusted the couple’s extensive knowledge of the location, and together, the couple and their photographer created the perfect elopement experience.

“Aspen and Nathan [were] not afraid of a little dirt or sweat on their wedding day,” Rebekah recalls. “When they exchanged their vows at the base of that dried up waterfall, I nearly felt myself vanish along with everyone else – it was just them two at that moment, so pure and so beautiful.” The newlyweds celebrated their marriage with an adventure session, taking in their favorite views for the first time as husband and wife. “We stopped at any and every location that stirred excitement in us until the sun began to set,” Rebekah says. “With a touch of professional guidance and their knowledge of the park grounds, I believe we had the most fun and got photos that were not only epic but really showed their personalities!”

Photography by Rebekah Paul Photography

adventure elopement big bend national park southwest texas

CHOOSING AN ADVENTURE ELOPEMENT:

“We decided to have an elopement wedding mainly for the fact that we wanted to get married in Big Bend, [and] we kind of knew it would be pretty difficult to get a bunch of friends and family out there or to have a formal setting in the middle of a desert in a national park… [Big Bend] speaks to our heart and soul.”

[Nathan, The Groom]

CHOOSING AN ELOPEMENT LOCATION:

“We have been traveling to Big Bend and Terlingua since we first started dating. We have always felt at home and at peace out there. It is so serene and honestly makes me feel more whole than anything else. We hiked to the highest point a few years ago and decided when we got married, it would be there.”

[Aspen, The Bride]

THE ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE:

“I loved how intimate and simple the day was. We told each other that even though a photographer would be present for most of the day, we would pretend it was just the two of us, and we did. We went exploring in our wedding attire, we danced in the desert, we got married in a dried up waterfall, ate our favorite enchiladas, and had beers on our favorite porch… I got to marry my best friend in my favorite place on the planet. The day was so perfect.”

[Aspen]

PARTING THOUGHTS:

“Don’t just pick some random place because you heard it was cool or you’ve seen some pictures. Go out and visit places, go on adventures, [and] see what speaks to you as a couple. Don’t try to be or do something you’re not. If you hate mountains, don’t go to the Rockies. If you hate the desert, don’t go to Terlingua… My favorite part of the experience was [just] being with my best friend in our favorite place, surrounded by so much natural beauty.”

[Nathan]