Some weddings feel like a single day. Others feel like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Nick & Alexandria’s celebration at Open Sky Zion, a luxury glamping resort near Zion National Park, unfolded like a storybook—wild landscapes, intimate moments, and memories carved into the desert sky. The Open Sky Wedding was the perfect blend of nature’s raw beauty and heartfelt romance, capturing the essence of love beneath the vast desert horizon.

Arrival & Adventure

The weekend began the way all great Zion adventures should: on horseback. Together with their closest family and friends, the couple rode up winding red-rock trails to a sweeping overlook with panoramic views of the canyon. “Doing something adventurous right away set the tone,” recalls photographer Paul McPherson of Shutterfreek. “It gave everyone a shared memory before the Open Sky Wedding even began, and it added cinematic depth to their story.”

Back at the resort, guests settled into their glamping tents—luxurious yet immersed in the desert landscape—before gathering for a relaxed meal from The Smoked Taco truck. It was equal parts laid-back and unforgettable, the perfect prelude to the days ahead.

The Ceremony & A Sky Full of Surprises

On October 11, under the vast desert sky, Nick & Alexandria exchanged vows with Zion’s cliffs rising in the distance. Popply Lane Events out of St. George orchestrated every detail seamlessly, bringing elegance and flow to the natural drama of the landscape. This unforgettable Open Sky Wedding captured the essence of love surrounded by nature’s grandeur.

As if on cue, the desert itself offered a gift: the aurora borealis appeared above the cliffs, casting waves of green and purple light across the night sky. “It was one of the most surreal timelapses we’ve ever filmed,” McPherson says. “It felt like the universe was celebrating right along with them.”

Why Open Sky Works for Weddings

Open Sky is a resort designed for privacy and tranquility. For weddings, that often means booking out the entire property so couples and their guests can fully embrace the space. The resort comfortably accommodates 30–40 people, which makes it ideal for intentional, intimate gatherings. An Open Sky Wedding allows couples to celebrate surrounded by breathtaking landscapes while enjoying an exclusive, peaceful atmosphere.

Timing is key, too. Summers in southern Utah can be scorching, so early fall—like Nick & Alexandria’s October date—offers the most balanced weather. Warm days, cool evenings, and golden sunsets across Zion make for a spectacular backdrop, adding even more magic to an unforgettable Open Sky Wedding experience.

Dancing Under the Stars

The weekend closed with a catered feast at Black Sage, followed by dancing beneath a canopy of desert stars. Guests laughed, danced, and celebrated as the cool night wrapped around them—a joyful finale to a wedding that was as much about experience as it was about vows.

Final Thoughts & Advice

Nick & Alexandria’s wedding wasn’t just about saying “I do.” It was about creating an adventure that reflected who they are: intentional, adventurous, and grounded in love. For couples dreaming of something similar at Open Sky Wedding, McPherson shares this advice:

• Think experience first. Infuse your wedding with shared adventures—horseback rides, hikes, or even paddleboarding on the resort’s pond. These activities become the stories guests remember.
• Choose the right season. Avoid the summer heat; fall and spring are ideal.
• Book vendors who know the land. Local professionals understand the weather, terrain, and etiquette unique to the resort.
• Stay flexible. In a place as dynamic as Zion, timelines are frameworks, not rules. Let the desert guide the flow.

In the end, Nick & Alexandria’s Open Sky wedding was more than a celebration. It was a journey—one that brought together breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable experiences, and the kind of love story that feels written in the stars.