We are in love with Chris + Kylana’s Arches National Park elopement in Moab, Utah. They are the sweetest couple with the prettiest views for their elopement, captured by Zoe Steindl Photography.This non-traditional elopement captures the most important part of marriage: spending the most perfect day with the person you love the most.
The Elopement
My absolute favorite part from this elopement was when Chris + Kylana’s family gathered around them and started singing together. It went on for a few minutes and the little cove we were in echoed the beautiful song throughout the surround area of the park, which lead to a crowd of about 50. or more people watching in the distance. It literally brought tears to my eyes.
Chris, the groom, is an amazing writer. You can only imagine how beautiful his vows to Kylana were.
Ultimately, this entire elopement was one for the books. Everyone was so sweet, welcoming and loving – I even joined the family for dinner at the end of the evening!
Chris + Kylana met in the suburbs of Chicago, the day of his Grandmother’s memorial service. Despite the grief of the occasion, Chris noticed a stunning woman in attendance who was there to pay her respects. Kylana offered her condolences and Chris left to spend time with his family. Chris moved to Florida soon after, but the memory of their brief encounter never left his mind.
Three years after the memorial, Chris traveled back to Chicago to sing at a church event. Wondering if the gorgeous woman he had seen at his Grandmother’s memorial would be there too, he pledged that there was no way he was going to let another chance to introduce himself pass by.
When he got there, he saw her, and his heart skipped a beat. A mutual friend made a formal introduction before the evening was over, but Chris was on a flight back to Florida the next day. Having not gotten her phone number, he would have to count on social media to track her down.
They message each other for months before Kylana made a trip down south to visit and had their first face-to-face date. By the time she left four days later, Chris was sure that this was gong to be the woman he would marry. They solidified their long-distance relationship, speaking to each other every day on the phone, and traveling to visit one another as often as possible.
When Kylana told her mother that they were dating, she responded, “Oh, you mean Pastor Reid’s son? That’s interesting. You know, before she passed, his grandmother asked me, ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if your daughter and my grandson ended up together?'” Guess Gram knew something they didn’t. Now Chris is with the woman he prayed for and the couple couldn’t be happier!
– Groom, Chris
Congrats to Chris + Kylana on your marriage! We love getting to share your special day with the world. If you’re interested in planning a Moab wedding, check out of Moab Local Wedding Guide for inspiration!
