Big Bend National Park, TX, Intimate Desert Wedding at Terlingua Ranch Lodge, Matt and Melissa
West Texas Adventure Wedding Photographer
The first time Melissa and I chatted, our FaceTime conversation lasted about two hours. Melissa is a fellow creative soul. I learned through the planning process that Melissa and I were long lost sisters, sharing common interests, like music, the outdoors and many other things. Melissa is a high school art teacher who teaches photography and works as a freelance photographer occasionally.
Naturally, location and pictures were the most important things for her and Matt’s wedding day. Matt and Melissa met while rock climbing at a local gym. Fast forward a year and three months later when Matt got down on one knee to propose after asking Melissa to go for a walk on one of the trails around his grandparent’s land in Texas.
They are both laidback people, sharing a love of the outdoors. It was only natural they select Terlingua Ranch and Big Bend National Park as locations for their special day! Big Bend National Park was the first National Park Melissa visited. Therefore, it holds a special place in her heart! Matt and Melissa have visited Big Bend together before, and they wanted to share this special place and location with family and friends.
About the Locations - Terlingua Ranch Lodge and Big Bend National Park
The travel for this adventurous destination wedding in West Texas was quite involved! Terlingua Ranch Lodge is remote. However, aside from camping, it is one of the best lodging options when visiting Big Bend National Park! Matt and Melissa decided to have their ceremony and reception at Terlingua Ranch Lodge. They then headed to Big Bend in the afternoon for a bit of hiking and adventure around the park, including Santa Elena Canyon and Lost Mine Trail. There are many other fun and beautiful areas to explore in this large national park.
One challenge of this destination during our visit was that the park had received so much rain that Santa Elena Canyon was very full. Normally, you can cross over a small bit of water and follow a trail that brings you between the canyon walls, tucked away out of the sun. Due to the rain, we were unable to cross over the water that was waist-deep!
Big Bend is one of the most remote National Parks I’ve visited! In a lot of ways, the terrain looks like Moab, UT with a different color palette. I haven’t seen anything like the terrain before. You certainly feel like you’re on another planet!
If you're looking for a remote location to elope or host an intimate wedding in the desert with mountains and the option of a river, Big Bend might just be the right place for you!
Below are some words from Melissa about their experience of working with me:
“Our adventurous souls were out searching for an adventurous photographer that would join us in our biggest adventure yet. I found Nicole and immediately fell in love with her photography. As a photographer myself and someone who teaches it, composition is something I look for and Nicole has the gift of turning your most important day into a beautiful work of art. I knew I could trust her to capture the beauty that West Texas meant to my husband and me. The images that she took for us will forever hold the story of the day my best friend became my husband. Her detail shots will remind me of the delicate moments of that day, her candid shots remind me of the joy and happy tears shed, and her wide-angle shots will forever remind me of the terrain that surrounded us with love. We clicked the first video conference we had and maybe it’s her personality that made it so easy to interact with, but she genuinely cares about her clients, her work, and will be there for whatever you may need. I know, because she was there for us every step of the way. She was hired as our photographer but became our friend; what more could you ask for?! Millions of thanks Nicole!”
Talented Vendors:
Accommodations: Terlingua Ranch Lodge
Catering: Terlingua Ranch Lodge
Location: Big Bend National Park
Florals: Open Road Florals
Bride’s Dress: Anais Anette
Bride’s Shoes: TOMS
Bride’s Earrings: Fibrous ATX
Groom’s Suit: Indochino
Invitations: Invited by Lamaworks
Plan Your Intimate Desert Wedding with Map + Compass
Big Bend National Park offers adventurous couples a remote, breathtaking outdoor location to host a unique intimate wedding by the desert. If you love the look of Matt and Melissa’s destination wedding or desire an elopement in or near a National Park, consider Big Bend in West Texas.
As an adventure wedding photographer and guide, I love helping couples plan their dream weddings to reflect their unique style. I founded Map + Compass to do just that! I believe your wedding day should represent your interests and personality. National Parks make great locations for couples that desire a unique wedding venue.