Craving even more desert wedding goodness (with a healthy dose of pink!) after this week’s Palm Springs wedding? Thought so. Luckily, John + Alexandra felt the very same way, traveling with 10 of their loved ones all the way from Missouri to Joshua Tree for an intimate ceremony last October. Palm Springs is a special getaway for them, so they made their destination wedding dreams come true with a remote ceremony and a Palm Springs celebration at the chic L’Horizon Hotel to follow.
They planned the whole thing in just five months with the help of Fawn Events, after realizing it meant they could say I Do on the exact date of their 10th dating anniversary. Find their love story + photos by Lovisa Photo as you scroll!
The bride designed these super fun modern black + white invites herself that they paired with calligraphy by Four Things Paper.
The bridal bouquet from Earthbaby Flowers included chocolate dahlias, English garden roses, blushing bride, chocolate anemone, peach and chocolate ranunculus, protea, astrantia, fern leaf, and willow eucalyptus.
Isn’t Alie’s magenta Galvan London wedding dress SO GOOD for a desert elopement!? She not only wanted something that would pop against the Joshua Tree landscape, but since she wears lots of neutrals in her everyday life, it felt extra special to rock a pop of color. Not to mention a bit of sparkle!
Since the exact wedding date they wanted fell on a Tuesday, they were able to secure Palm Springs wedding vendors that would normally have been booked. Meant to be, wouldn’t you say?!
Alie tells it, I had followed Lovisa Photo on Instagram for years. As soon as we were engaged I DMed her. I knew we would be a great fit because she captures magic, and the desert is magic! She was incredible, she made us feel comfortable and the images are beyond perfect.
Isn’t this ceremony spot dreamy? They chose the Joshua Tree ceremony location the day before during their rehearsal.
We didn’t have a budget because we only had 10 guests and that worked to our advantage. Because it was all kept so small, we were able to have everything we wanted. National parks require permits for the space and photography, which for us was much less expensive than a venue. It felt like we were getting away with something because we paid about $300 to get married there!
Depending on where in Joshua Tree National Park you choose for a ceremony, it’s about an hour drive from Palm Springs. That gave A + J plenty of time to cruise around after the ceremony and take some ridiculously gorgeous golden hour portraits!
Our favorite moment of our wedding day was the drive back to the resort after the wedding ceremony in Joshua Tree. The sun had set and the light was fading. It was just the two of us in the vintage Mustang. We were married and everything was calm. It gave us time to reflect on the day, just the two of us. It felt simple and big at the same time. Something we had talked about for 10 years had finally happened just the way we wanted it to.
Back at their boutique hotel, L’Horizon Palm Springs, they had an intimate dinner with guests featuring mid-century modern decor, tropical blooms, and a yummy cake by the iconic Over the Rainbow Desserts.
By time they all sat down for their reception, everyone got to chat by candlelight and dine under the stars.
Enlisting Fawn Events ensured that everything went smoothly planning from afar. They were able to recommend vendors like their florist, take care of all logistics, and ensure their vision came to life.
Their story…
John swears we met at a music festival in the summer of ‘08, but I don’t remember meeting him at all! That fall I moved in with a friend and her roommate in Colorado and John was the other roommate! We have lived together for our WHOLE relationship.
We had 9 years to get serious. After school, we moved from Colorado to Kansas City and soon after bought a house. Life progressed from being broke college kids to actually adulting without us really realizing it. We always talked about marriage, but I always felt like that was such a grown-up thing and never felt “ready.” On my 30th birthday, I saw a ring in a shop in NYC that made me think “that’s my kind of ring.” I had never been traditional and all of a sudden I was in love with a diamond ring. I could see myself getting married and I realized I was ready. John has always been ready, so, soon after we were recreating the ring and planning a wedding.
We’ll forever be on board with hearing how couples celebrate marriage in their own special ways. Congratulations!
Photographer: Lovisa Photo / Planning: Fawn Events / Ceremony Venue: Joshua Tree National Park / Reception Venue: L’Horizon Palm Springs / Floral: Earthbaby Flowers / Calligraphy: Four Things Paper / Rentals: Signature Party Rentals / Car: Classic Mustang Rentals / Cake: Over the Rainbow Desserts / Bride’s Dress: Bespoke by Galvan London / Shoes: Stuart Weitzman / Accessories: Lelet NY / Robe: One Day Bridal / Groom’s Suit: Ted Baker / Shoes: Prada
