Hayden Valley Sunrise Elopement Ceremony
David Clumpner Photography

Hayden Valley Sunrise Elopement Ceremony

Sara and Henry enjoy their first kiss as a newly wedded couple in Yellowstone. Hayden Valley is known as one of Yellowstone's wildlife centers, but it's also famed for how the Yellowstone River snakes through the east side of the valley. Every morning and evening long lens wildlife photographers and binocular-toting tourists alike will congregate just above where this photo was taken to look across the valley in hopes of catching a grizzly bear or wolf pack stalking the valley's prey species. Occasionally the highlight is a couple of lovebirds who have also chosen this spot to tie the knot. On this morning, we were alone with just the steam, the sandhill cranes, and their vows as the river quietly meandered past.

Location: Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park.