Intimate Elopement in the Superstition Mountain Wilderness

Cassidy and Austin’s intimate elopement in the Superstition Mountain Wilderness was so sweet for so many reasons. At just 16 years old, Cassidy and Austin began dating one another. Just 10 years later, they OFFICIALLY tied the knot and became husband and wife. Even though they weren’t able to have the wedding they originally planned, they decided to get married anyway. They went out to the desert, exchanged vows and rings, explored around and shared some beers together. It was an epically intimate day, full of talking through their memories from the amount of years they’ve been together. Here’s their story:

How They Met

“We met when we were just 14. My twin sister (Alexa) was dating Austin’s childhood best friend (Rudy). We all went out together one day to a Six Flags amusement park and that was the first time Austin and I met. There was an instant attraction between us, but him and I were both in relationships at the time. Despite the fact that I had a boyfriend, I told my sister that I thought Austin was cute and she took matters into her own hands and gave Austin my number without me knowing. Later that night, I got a text from Austin and we began our friendship. We kept in touch for over a year and became very close. Our other relationships didn’t end up working out (obviously lol) and we found ourselves both single for the first time while knowing each other. So since the timing felt right, Austin asked me out on a date. At 16, we decided to officially start dating and the rest has been history.

Now, ten years later, we still can’t believe how life has worked out and brought us together. Even at a young age we have always felt connected and I am happy to say that we have never lost that connection.”

The Proposal

“In November, Austin and I were making a drive back to Texas for Thanksgiving break. On the way to San Antonio, we stopped and stayed in Marathon, Texas at the Gage Hotel (Highly Recommend) so we could spend a day hiking at Big Bend National Park. I had already done the leg work and found different trails I wanted to explore so we were off, but I truly had no idea what was in store for us that day.

We spent the morning driving through the park. We first ventured down an off-road trail 7 miles to get to our first trailhead. After the fun drive we started our first trail which was an easy 2.2 miles roundtrip hike that had beautiful views. We then set off to our second destination which was a 4.8 mile hike roundtrip that had a mountain with an arch I wanted to go see. When we found the arch opening, Austin raced to the top of the mountain and I stood at the bottom taking pictures of him because I was so excited to find the arch. Little did I know, my parents were on the backside of the arch and slipped Austin the ring. (Austin and my stepdad worked together to have the ring custom made in Texas). After taking a few pictures of Austin, I hiked up to the arch opening where the surprise awaited me. My parents popped out and said “SURPRISE!” and I turned and saw Austin get down on one knee. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn’t get out any words. I was surprised by so many aspects of what was happening, but I happily yelled out YES!!!! My shouting was so loud that coyotes starting howling off in the distance and it was a truly special moment. It was me, Austin, and my parents alone in this huge national park sharing a moment we had been anticipating for so long. We finished the hike back with my parents and they told me all about the logistics of Austin planning their surprise appearance and how hard Austin worked to create my ring.

Before we left the park, Austin and I stopped and got ice cream and Austin bought me a magnet that says “LOVE – Big Bend National Park” which hangs on our fridge as the perfect memory from that day (besides my ring of course lol)! Visiting Big Bend was something we had been wanting to do together for a very long time. We have both visited and enjoyed the park on our own, but we were finally able to make the time to go together. I have to say the adventure and the proposal was definitely worth the wait.”

THEIR ELOPEMENT

After having to change up their plans last minute from their bigger wedding day to an elopement jus the two of them, they decided on Superstition Mountain as their location! Cassidy said: “We wanted to have our elopement at a place that had epic views and plenty of cacti to represent so much of what we love about Arizona. We had visited Lost Dutchman before and LOVED the mountain views.”

When I asked them about their favorite part of their intimate elopement in the Superstition Mountain Wilderness, this is what they said: “Saying our personalized vows and going through our short ceremony was emotional and everything we wanted. We then REALLY loved the views (and beers!) at our last location where we watched the sunset change the lighting on the mountains and had our first dance.”

Cassidy and Austin’s day was absolutely incredible, intimate and so intentional – a day for the books without a doubt.

Cheers!

Allison

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