Being in Las Vegas, I can tell you that Las Vegas natives are passionate about their freedoms, and having elopements are one form of showing our freedom to love. Yes, there is the stigma around “running out to Vegas to get hitched,” but I am talking about the real couples whose love for one another is enough to get married without the pageantry and the stress of a typical wedding. To me, and so many others, intimate weddings represent true love, the freedom to choose who to marry, when they want to express their love and how they want to celebrate their wedding day. I find intimate weddings to be one of most down to earth forms of true love. While I am always up for a big wedding and a party, there is also something so dignified and raw about an elopement ceremony. 

Wedding Shoot at Joshua Tree National Park

With those thoughts in mind, I photographed an inspirational shoot of a wedding at Joshua Tree National Park, and it was the furthest thing from a drive through wedding. To be quite honest, it was my dream location to shoot! I hope this shoot inspires more couples to have an intimate ceremony, plenty of portraits and an intimate dinner reception. Bonus if it’s at Joshua Tree National Park, because how unique are these photos?!

Keeping on track  the “bride” and “groom” could definitely be you! Use their style as inspiration or this exact location. All the vendors who collaborated and made this wedding shoot possible are not “out of reach” wedding vendors. They are vendors who would be happy to come to this location again and style custom to your taste.

Why Joshua Tree for Weddings and Elopements

Joshua Tree as a location was breathtaking… did I mention it was one of my dream locations to photograph? Wide open skies, the natural elements and neutral colors were the perfect pallet. Boy did I feel lucky to be a part of this magic. For all weddings, I stand by my statement from my style guide, that keeping the backdrop minimalistic and natural is the best way to make are sure the details such as your dress, jewelry, bouquets, props, etc., really pop! While the desert is a harsher climate, there is a mix of styles that bode well with those elements. For this shoot, we chose an ethereal look with soft edges and a more dramatic tulle dress. Other styles that compliment the terrain are boho or even something a little more glamorous with for instance some beaded or jeweled details. The great thing about the backdrop, is everything pops against it, so you don’t need a lot to draw visual interest. Notice in our shoot the texture of the tulle creates visual interest and the blue candle sticks really stand out. The bouquets and stray flowers are even so simple, but they look grand in the scheme of things. Even white doesn’t blend, it gleams! I am here writing passionately, because I want to urge couples not to be afraid of the stigma of an intimate wedding if that is what is in their hearts. What ever dream wedding you have, go for it, because it will come out as magic.

THE CREATIVE TREAM OF JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK WEDDING

Photos: Siga Gubista Photography

Creative design and planning @traveling_weddings_with_taylor

Co-planner: Rachel Rose Wedding

PlanningFlorist: Fox & Flora

Gown: Great l Simplicity

Decor: Modi Event Supply

HMU: Taylor Glam

Paper goods: Birdie Lane & Co