Alexandria & Matt | An Elopement in the Merzouga Desert
Alexandria and Matt celebrated their elopement in the Merzouga desert with their young son and close family. Their wedding moved from a first look on the sand to vows among the dunes, portraits in the evening light and music at the camp. Photographs by Adil Youri follow the day through these four chapters.
Family moments and a first look
Before the ceremony, Matt climbed the dunes with his son, pausing to sit together on the rippled sand. Alexandria approached in a long lace dress and rested her hand on Matt’s shoulder. He turned to see her, and the quiet first look became a smile, a kiss and a walk with their son between them. The canvas tents and wide desert views set the scene around these small family moments.
Vows in the Merzouga dunes
A rug, wooden decorations and white lanterns marked the ceremony space. Alexandria and Matt stood hand in hand before the celebrant while their guests watched nearby. Alexandria read her handwritten vows, then the couple exchanged rings and kissed. Their son was part of the celebration throughout, joining them for an embrace before everyone gathered for photographs in the dunes.
Portraits between sand and evening sky
After the ceremony, there was time to run barefoot, turn together and laugh in the wind. Matt carried Alexandria across the sand, her lace sleeves and train moving around them. Their son joined them on a dune crest before a dromedary ride through the desert. As the light softened, the couple sat close together on ornate metal chairs beneath a pink sky. The portraits move from playful movement to quieter moments at dusk.
Music and an evening at the camp
Lanterns lit the camp as musicians welcomed the couple with drums and metal castanets. Alexandria and Matt changed into pale outfits with red and green details, and Matt joined in with the musicians. Their family gathered beneath the tent and around the fire, before the couple cut their cake with their son beside them. A final sequence of wide and aerial portraits returns to the open dunes.
More desert elopement stories
Discover Casandra and Matt’s elopement in Agafay and Andy and Pink’s Merzouga story for other celebrations in the Moroccan desert.
Planning your elopement photographs
Explore the photography experience, or share your date and plans to discuss your own elopement in Morocco.
