When the pandemic forced many couples to rethink their wedding plans, Grace and Nick decided to trade ballrooms and guest lists for desert sunsets and mountain views. “We knew it would be challenging to safely bring our family and friends together for a wedding ceremony,” Grace shares. “So, we decided to keep it small and celebrate with everyone later. We both love the mountains, he for rock climbing, me for hiking, so we thought, why not get married where we love instead?”

That “where” turned out to be Big Bend, the ruggedly romantic region of West Texas known for its wide-open skies and dramatic desert landscapes. The couple, based in Austin, were drawn to the idea of a wedding adventure they could drive to: somewhere remote, raw, and breathtakingly beautiful. But Big Bend’s beauty came with one major challenge: pandemic-era restrictions. “Both Big Bend State Ranch Park and Big Bend National Park limited groups to only 10 people,” Grace recalls. “It was hard to narrow it down, but we followed our hearts and the rest worked itself out.”

Of course, no adventure elopement would be complete without a few unexpected twists. “The morning of our ceremony, we woke up to a busted pipe and no water at our hotel,” Grace laughs. “Then, some friends got a flat tire on the way to the ceremony. Luckily, Nick was able to fix it (total hero moment), and we all ended up laughing through it.”

Their lighthearted approach carried them through every hiccup, from travel restrictions that kept Nick’s parents from attending in person to last-minute dinner plans. “Nick’s parents sent us a sweet letter to read on our wedding day, and we FaceTimed with his dad later, which was really special,” Grace says. “And for dinner, when we couldn’t find anywhere open, we just ordered take-out from the Starlight Theatre Restaurant and ate burgers around the campfire. It was perfect.”

A huge part of the couple’s seamless day came down to their photographer and planner, Anna Claire Beasley. “Hiring Anna Claire was the best decision we made,” Grace says. “She guided us through the Big Bend area and helped plan the perfect day. Each time something went wrong, she quietly helped us figure it out, and her husband officiated beautifully. Plus, the photos turned out better than we ever imagined.”

While not everyone understood their decision at first, the couple’s family eventually came around. “We learned that the word ‘elope’ doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone,” Grace explains. “Once we shared what we were doing and why, people were really supportive.”

For couples considering a similar path, Grace’s advice is simple and wise: “Let go of expectations and focus on what’s truly important. There’s so much pressure to have a perfect wedding, but the important part is that you’re marrying someone you love. If things go wrong (and they will), just laugh it off and embrace it all.”

From busted pipes to campfire burgers, Grace and Nick’s Big Bend elopement proves that imperfection can be its own kind of magic. Because sometimes, the best wedding stories are the ones that unfold in the wild.

Vendors: Photographer: Anna Claire Beasley Photography; Coordinating: Elope Big Bend; Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo; Accommodations: Basecamp Terlingua; Floral Designer: Lobo Florals; Jewelry: Franzetti Jewelers; Groom’s Suit: Bonobos