> At a Glance
> – Seven couples married at iconic landmarks from Christ the Redeemer to Mount Everest.
> – Ceremonies required special permits, hikes, and weather endurance.
> – Why it matters: These nuptials prove love-and logistics-can scale any height.
From sunrise at a 98-foot Brazilian statue to vows beside Egypt’s Sphinx, seven pairs turned bucket-list sites into private chapels, as told to News Of Los Angeles by Amanda S. Bennett.
Rio’s Sunrise Miracle
Wigna Mota and Chris Davidson wed at Christ the Redeemer on May 28, 2024, after planner Roberto Cohen secured dawn access for 60 guests.
- 6 a.m. sunrise, live violin, clouds swirling at 2,300 ft.
- American guests flew in for what Mota calls “heaven on earth.”
> “It felt like we were getting married in heaven,” Mota said.
Desert & Wall Vows
Karli and Keifer McKeown chose Grand Canyon‘s South Rim on June 3, 2023, after a Michigan-to-Arizona trek with 30 friends. The bride’s brother officiated feet from the cliff edge.
Hailey Jo and Michael Zhang hiked 25 minutes in gown and heels to a private Great Wall turret on Oct. 25, then hosted 100 guests at the adjacent Hyatt villas.
Petra Candle Road
Caitlin and Joel Siapno exchanged vows before Petra’s Treasury on Feb. 19, 2018, lit by thousands of hand-placed candles. No formal contracts-just emails and hope-led 21 guests through the Siq.
Pharaoh-Style Party
Ankur Jain and Erika Hammond staged the first modern wedding at the Great Pyramids on April 26, 2024, with 130 guests, Dr. Zahi Hawass officiating, and a fireworks finale over the Sphinx.
Snow & Altitude Tests
Melissa and Devon eloped at Banff’s Peyto Lake on Nov. 10, 2025, hiking 30 minutes through snow and 30 mph winds. A fur-lined cape kept the bride warm at 30-47 °F.
Ashley Schmieder and James Sissom exchanged rings at Everest Base Camp on March 16, 2017, after nine months of StairMaster training and sub-zero temps hitting -8 °F.
Key Takeaways
- Every couple needed special permits or guides to access restricted areas.
- Guests traveled thousands of miles, turning weddings into adventure vacations.
- Weather ranged from blizzard winds to sub-zero Himalayan cold.
Love, it seems, thrives on altitude, ancient stone, and a fair bit of paperwork.
