What I love MOST about photographing desert weddings:
What I love most about weddings in the desert is the way everything sort of feels like it’s been put under a microscope. This weekend, I shot two (yup, you heard me, TWO) desert weddings + they were absolutely magical.
Don’t get me wrong - I LOVE a good cityscape, escaping to the mountains, and part of the reason I moved to California was to be closer to the Pacific Ocean… But the desert? There’s something a little untamed, unruly, and imperfect. You’ll never stay perfectly clean in the desert - the dust will find its way into your socks and your hair in this gentle, windblown way, as if to say “don’t forget where you’ve been.” The desert is free of distractions, architecture, paved roads… civilization, really. Instead, it provides a nearly-blank canvas that adopts the colors and textures imposed upon it as if they were always meant to be there. The desert welcomes you with open arms + makes you feel like you were always meant to be there. Maybe it’s because I eloped in the desert, too - but it will forever hold such a special spot in my heart. Here’s one of my favorite shots from my own elopement in Joshua Tree! (Photo by Vic Bonvicini)
Bryanna + RJ’s Vegas Wedding
On Saturday, I met up with Bryanna + RJ at sunrise at Seven Magic Mountains, just outside of Las Vegas, for their first look. Watching the sunrise with these two was so romantic! The rest of the day was such an adventure - we did portraits at Seven Magic Mountains, family photos + wedding party photos at The Flamingo, a few more couples’ portraits on East Fremont Street in Old Vegas, their ceremony at Little Church of the West (where we somehow gathered 92 people inside a church meant for 50), and a reception at Margaritaville! It was a magical, beautiful, crazy day. I loved that Bry + RJ set aside time for portraits in a few locations to really reflect their Vegas experience - it gave them this balance throughout the day of “just us” time and time with their extended families. Here’s a tiny preview of their day!
Estephania + Piero’s Joshua Tree Elopement
Sunday, I drove to Joshua Tree to document Estephania + Piero’s gorgeous, heartfelt, intimate elopement. Estephania + Piero had originally thought of eloping in Mexico, then decided to do it in Joshua Tree instead! At first, they’d considered having the elopement as just the two of them, their officiant, and myself - but ultimately decided to invite their parents and siblings too. They plan on having a big party with their extended family to follow, but they wanted the simplicity, intention, and beauty of an elopement to celebrate in a way that really resonated most with them. The whole day was absolutely stunning! Their ceremony was totally custom, with one of the most beautiful exchange of custom vows I’ve ever witnessed. At the end of their ceremony, they gathered their vows, a few momentos, and a couple of polaroid photos and tucked them away in a little box -- to be opened, celebrated, and added to on each anniversary to follow. Here are a few of my favorite shots from their sneak peeks!
Ready to get a little desert dust on your dress train? If you’re getting married in the desert, I’m your photographer- I’ll help you prep on what to expect, planning a timeline that helps you celebrate your day, and connect you with other wedding industry pros that love working in the desert too!
Craving more desert photos? Check out Kristy + Chris’ Tumbleweed Sanctuary Wedding, Trish + Adam’s Palm Springs Engagement Shoot, Lauren + Jeremiah’s Vasquez Rocks Engagement Shoot, or view my own elopement here! Ready to start planning your wedding in the desert? Contact me today to get started!