How to Include Your Dog in Your Zion National Park Elopement
Zion National Park is an incredible place to say your vows & if you’ve decided to include your furry best friend in the day, as well, then we’re here to help! Here are some of the questions you should consider while planning your elopement in Zion National Park & including your dog.
Zion National Park is an incredible place to say your vows & if you’ve decided to include your furry best friend in the day, as well, then we’re here to help!
Here are some of the questions you should consider while planning your elopement in Zion National Park & including your dog:
What is the Best Time of Year to Elope in Zion?
This will of course depend on your personal preference, but our recommendation would be to try & plan your elopement in the Spring or Fall for the best weather chances.
Winters are beautiful in Zion, but snowfall & icy mountain roads may impede on your plans. And in the Summers you will certainly feel the desert heat!
Zion does get crowded & sees a lot of visitors, so you may want to consider eloping on a weekday when it is less busy. This would be especially prudent if you want to hike on the Zion’s only pet friendly trail, the 3.5mile RT Pa'rus Trail, which is right across from the Visitor Center & campsites.
2. Where Will You Stay?
The accommodations in the park at the Zion Lodge are unfortunately not pet friendly, so if you’re planning to have your pet stay with you, you’ll need to look into pet friendly places close to the park.
Springdale is the closest town to the park, sitting just outside of the main entrance. If you’re looking for a boarding facility for your pup, look no further than Doggy Dude Ranch. Conveniently located & offering high quality service, this is a great option!
On the East side of the park, there are a few options, as well. Check out the Zion Mountain Ranch for incredible views & private lodging.
3. What is Your Plan for the Day & Where Will You Say Your Vows?
This is where the exciting planning begins! You get to imagine the absolute perfect day with your partner. Forget the rules, forget what everyone says you need to do, this day can be anything you want!
Will you hike out to a special spot for your vows? Or maybe you want to have your ceremony early on in the day at your cabin/hotel, then take out on the trail.
If you’ll be legally getting married IN the park, you will need a permit. You can check out the NPS website for more info on ceremony locations & more.
When you plan everything, consider when you would like to include your dog in the day. If it’s important that they are present for the ceremony, then make sure the location you choose is pet friendly. You may just want to have them at your side while you get ready & for photos.
It should also be mentioned to look into Leave No Trace policies when exploring in the wild. This is vital to keeping our public lands clean & safe for all!
4. What is Your Pet’s Personality & Temperament?
This is important to take into account when planning your day, as well.
If your pet does not do well in crowded areas or they are not physically equipped for a hike, it’s likely best that you keep them off any trails. Instead, you could plan out a few look points outside the park for photos.
If you will be taking them hiking on trail, consider planning this in the early morning when the trails are less crowded. Also, factor in the time of year that you’ll be visiting & ensure you have all supplies prepared ahead of time. This includes water (especially in the summer months as it gets HOT), proper leash, first aid kit & anything else they may need.
The Pa’rus trail is 3.5 miles round trip & you can estimate being on trail for about 2 hours. It is a paved trail & dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6ft. Bicycles are also allowed on trail. You can find restrooms & water filling stations at the Visitor Center within walking distance of the trailhead.
5. Do You Have Someone to Watch Your Dog for the Day?
Last, but certainly not least in your planning process, is to seriously consider who will be taking care of your dog for the day.
Even if your dog is extremely well behaved, will you & your partner want to be focused on ensuring your dog’s safety & needs are being met all day?
Hiring a professional means that you will be rest assured knowing your dog is happy, comfortable & well taken care of throughout the day. They will properly pick up after your pet & their focus will be solely on their care.
This means you can remain present & flexible on your wedding day & that all of your plans will not need to revolve around where your dog is and is not allowed. The peace of mind this will provide is truly invaluable on your elopement day.
A professional will work closely with your photographer by posing your dog, when needed, & helping get their attention on the camera, too, so you’ll be guaranteed to capture that paw-fect shot!
Thinking of including your pup in your Zion National Park elopement?
Contact Us Today So We Can Be Their Plus 1!
Tampa Vendors Plan Free Wedding for Couple Affected by COVID-19
We teamed up with a group of incredible Tampa Bay wedding vendors to giveaway an entire wedding experience to a directly couple affected by COVID-19.
Every year, as a part of our mission, we giveaway our wedding pet care services to a couple that rescued their dog.
With the many challenges brought on by a global pandemic, we wanted to make an even bigger difference this year so we teamed up with a group of incredible Tampa Bay wedding vendors to giveaway an entire wedding experience to a couple directly affected by COVID-19.
Like so many other couples, Richard & Stacy’s wedding plans were flipped upside down by the Coronavirus pandemic. They were both full time in the hospitality industry & both lost their jobs when their employers, like many others, were forced to close down in March. Despite the many set backs, including no income in sight, these two stayed positive & made the best of their situations.
What they said got them through all of the trials & tribulations was their undying love for each other.
When we learned they had a dream to include their rescue maltese-mix, Bojangles, in their special day, we knew this was the right couple for our giveaway & that they deserved to have their love celebrated!
Bojangles, also known as Bobo, was such an important part of the wedding.
At 10 years old, he’d been a big part of the family for many years & he was one of just a few guests in attendance on the big day.
He helped walk the Bride down the aisle, gave out lots of love to everyone throughout the day & looked mighty handsome in his tuxedo.
Congratulations to this beautiful family for showing us that no matter what the world has in store, love always finds a way!
A huge thank you to all the amazing vendors
that donated their services
to make this couple’s dream come true:
For a closer look at this FairyTail Wedding,
check out Bojangles’ Dog of Honor™ Video below!
Elopements & Intimate or Micro Weddings - Are They Right For You?
What does it mean to elope or have an intimate or micro wedding? We share our thoughts on what this looks like & help you decide if it’s the right fit for you!
Photos by K&K Photography
In your life before COVID-19, it’s possible you didn’t know anyone that was planning to elope. You may have never heard the term “intimate wedding” or “micro wedding”. But, now we’re seeing these terms buzz around all over the place.
There may be some minor differences between these terms, but essentially they all mean the same thing, in our opinion - a non-traditional wedding that is intentionally intimate & focuses on creating a meaningful experience that authentically reflects the love two people share.
You are still choosing to invest in your special day, but the focus is on the two of you & what matters most.
Couples are having to make choices about their wedding day in an unprecedented way.
If you or a loved one is planning a wedding right now, you may be asking questions like,
“How do I keep my loved ones safe while still celebrating with them?”
“Should we put off our wedding until next year?”
“How do we make our non-traditional wedding a special day still?”
Every single person’s situation is different & everyone will have different answers to these questions.
If you don’t want to put off your wedding day in hopes that a traditional wedding with a guest count in the 100s will be possible, there are still so many options for you! Now is the time to get creative & to consider a special day that commemorates the love you & your partner share. Love is not cancelled!
Just like a traditional wedding, there is not a one-size-fits-all to elopements.
Usually, elopements include the couple, photographer, officiant, and whatever small group of family and friends they both may want to include. Remember, this day is intentionally intimate, small, and meaningful to reflect who you both are.
If the idea of spending your wedding day the way YOU want to, in an intimate setting following your own version of the rules, sounds like your perfect day, then elopement may be the way to go!
Questions About Including Your Dog in Your Elopement Or Intimate/Micro Wedding?
Contact Us! We’re All Ears!
Zion National Park is an incredible place to say your vows & if you’ve decided to include your furry best friend in the day, as well, then we’re here to help! Here are some of the questions you should consider while planning your elopement in Zion National Park & including your dog.