Kelly & Nate
destination Micro wedding in Big Bend
One of the best months to get married in Big Bend is October, and Kelly and Nate’s October wedding had all of the best parts of the season: wildflowers in bloom, warm days (but not too hot) and cool evenings (just enough that wearing a light jacket is comfortable).
I knew when they first reached out about me photographing their wedding day that it was going to be something special. Their love of Big Bend is the main reason they chose to get married in West Texas, and they wanted to make sure their entire wedding weekend allowed them to spend time enjoying the landscapes and quality time with the loved ones who had traveled to be with them.
The Inspiration
When Kelly and Nate got engaged and it came time for them to start planning their wedding, they knew pretty quickly that Big Bend had to be the place.
“Big Bend is a magical place for us as a couple. We first went to Big Bend after 2 months of dating and fell in love with Terlingua. Big Bend feels like the easiest, most natural decision when it comes to getting married. We plan for it to be our go-to spot for years to come.” [Kelly, the bride]
The Wedding Details
Kelly and Nate were so intentional about the details of their day— from gorgeous jewelry, to thoughtful gifts for their family (and even a gift for their vendors — a bottle of their favorite mezcal since they know it’s my favorite, and a book of Big Bend paintings from an artist local to them), to an absolutely stunning DIY family dinner set up that Kelly put together, it was a day that had meaning in every single moment.
Not only that, but they were so trusting when it came to the flow of their day and my recommendations on how to make it the best day possible. It really felt like a collaboration when bringing their vision to life, and their investment in that vision and help brainstorming ideas for their day made the whole experience incredibly intentional (and beautiful!). We had hours worth of phone calls before their wedding day to iron out details and talk through options and it made everything flow so perfectly on the day of— and it made the three of us feel like old friends, even though we didn’t meet in person until the day of their wedding!
The Venue
The Willow House is one of the most beautiful spots to stay when visiting Terlingua, Texas — I’ve even included it in my list of Five Romantic Stays in the Big Bend area. With exteriors that blend well into the desert landscape, and local flora used both in decor and the facade, their casitas blend luxury into the already stunning Chihuahuan desert. And they also have some of the most comfortable beds of any short-term rental I’ve stayed at in Terlingua!
For Kelly and Nate’s Big Bend micro-wedding, they booked the recently opened Proprietor’s Casita. Every single detail of this casita is perfection — from the warm wood tones in the interior to the ridiculously gorgeous family table in the courtyard.
The heavy wooden table provided the perfect venue for Kelly and Nate’s wedding dinner; BBQ to-go from the one and only DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ.
One of my favorite parts about intimate weddings in Big Bend is in the name itself — the intimacy. For many couples, the majority of the wedding day is spent with their loved ones—friends and family who have adventured with them to this incredible corner of Texas. There are so many tender moments that unfold when everyone gets to hang out together all day, and that was one of the things Kelly and Nate were most excited about.
When we were a couple of weeks out from their Big Bend wedding, I asked them what they were most looking forward to as the day drew nearer. Kelly said, “The idea of being back out in Big Bend feels so special and immediately gives us a sense of peace and tranquility, which I hope the day feels like…We want it slow and intentional, soaking up each minute, without it slipping away. We're looking forward to our time together in the morning, getting ready at Willow House with our families, having the ceremony, and celebrating into the evening…We're so ready to be in Big Bend.”
The Wedding Day
We started their day bright and early with sunrise in the park. I made them coffee with my percolator and we sat and enjoyed the sun as it rose from behind the Chisos.
After we finished coffee, we went for a short hike in Big Bend National Park before heading back to Terlingua so they could start getting ready for their wedding ceremony. When we got back to Willow House, I photographed all of their details— from custom, hand-painted bottles of champagne, to art that Kelly’s sister gifted to her and had her use as decor for the wedding, to warm-toned dried florals and custom denim jackets. I always love leaning on a combination of the natural environment and the venue itself for the detail photos — I feel like it helps tell a more authentic story of the day and when you look back at your photos years down the road, you’ll get to relive all of the small details that made the day what is was. Lucky for me, Willow House has no shortage of beautiful backdrops for photographing both details and getting ready moments.
The morning of their wedding flowed so effortlessly — their nephews sat on the couch in their pearl snaps watching TV, while Nate chatted with his dad under the shade of the ocotillo on the porch and Kelly got ready with her sister joining in via Facetime. It was simple and perfect.
After a tearful, private first look at the Willow House Proprietor’s Casita with the Chisos standing tall in the distance, we all loaded up in our cars and drove into the national park for their wedding ceremony at St Elena.
Here are some of my favorite moments from their tender, laid-back wedding day in Big Bend National Park.
The First Look
One of my favorite moments from Kelly and Nate’s wedding day was the first look. They had been a little skeptical of the first look and decided to do one primarily so they could spend more time together during the wedding day, but they didn’t really have huge expectations for it.
It ended up being one of the most emotional moments of the day and was such a beautiful thing to witness.
Another favorite moment was after the ceremony recessional, when Jeff (the officiant/musician) was playing guitar and singing and Kelly and Nate turned back around to look at their family. It was so tender and special and felt like a moment frozen in time where they got to see the beautiful experience they had created — definitely a moment that has stuck with me since their day, especially since they poured so much heart and intention into their wedding experience.
Recommendations for Eloping in Big Bend
When eloping in Big Bend, my top recommendation is to be prepared for lots of time in the car! Big Bend National Park is huge, so when you are planning your timeline for the day, it’s important to consider how much of it will be spent driving. Park speed limits are 45 mph and under, which means that those miles can really add up! If you can, try and book lodging close to where your ceremony location is (or vice versa). This will allow you to spend more time out and enjoying the day, and less time driving from place to place. If you do want to see multiple sites while you’re in Big Bend, it’s best to book a long weekend or full-week stay in the area.
Another key thing to keep in mind is that desert environments are really fragile. It’s important to minimize your impact and do what you can to keep the park in good shape so future generations can enjoy the land. One of the best ways to do that, especially in gateway communities like the Big Bend region, is to bring in as much of your own resources as possible so that you don’t deplete the local resources.
Here are some examples that I like to share with my couples:
+ Pack out all of your trash and throw it away back at your own home (if possible) or in a larger city that has better waste disposal solutions.
+ Pack in all your own water. My favorite water jug to travel with is the Scepter 5 Gallon Water jug.
+ Bring a back up power source in case you lose power on your wedding day. The one I have at my house is the Goal Zero Yeti 200x.
+ Bring a first aid kit. Even if it’s just to help doctor your blisters from a hike, it’s best to be prepared—especially when you’re in a remote location like Big Bend.
+ Have a backup plan for your wedding or elopement day. Weather changes quickly, and desert environments are prone to flooding when it rains. I recommend having a back up location and game plan in case of weather. I always have a few back up plans in mind for my couples, and keep an eye on weather forecasts to know what to expect for the wedding day.
What Permits You Need to Get Married in Big Bend
In Big Bend National Park, you must secure a Special Use Permit for your wedding ceremony or vow renewal. More information can be found on the Big Bend National Park website here: Special Use Permit.
Kelly + Nate’s wedding day was also featured over on the Wandering Weddings blog! Check it out here:
A Boho-Themed Micro Wedding at Big Bend in TX
Vendors
Photographer + Elopement Guide | Anna Claire Beasley / ELOPE BIG BEND
Florals | Alba Dahlia Floral
Wedding Dress | Lillian West, purchased at WED in Fort Worth
Cake | Wonderful Kakes
Video | Grey Hat Films
Food | DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ
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