California Ranch Wedding // Modern & Dreamy

A dreamy, modern ranch wedding in the Northern California hills — the magic of this day speaks for itself!

When I Krysta and Anthony told me that their wedding was going to be on family property, one where childhood memories were made and the land felt like home, I could feel the the love beaming from them! Truly though, there is something special about wedding days being in a meaningful place, one that holds so many stories already.

Their special day was elegant, modern, and overall just felt like floating through a DREAM. The kindness, joy, laughter, and tears that were shared on this day are unmatched. I’ve never laughed SO hard with a group of people and felt so easily invited in and loved on!

I hope this day makes you feel something, as it does for me, and sparks some excitement for something you might even be planning for yourself!

Scroll to the bottom to meet the vendors who shared in putting together this wedding day!

VENDORS //

Venue // Family Ranch
Florals // Kimberly Gavett Fullers Flowers
Dress // Allure Bridals
Suit // Indochino
Bakery // Upper Crust Bakery
Caterer // Bacio Kitchen

Sunrise at the Sand Dunes // San Luis Obispo, California

Exploring the San Luis Obispo Sand Dunes at sunrise to catch that golden light for this couples shoot!

How to Elope in Joshua Tree National Park // Planning your tiny California Wedding

PLANNING TIPS FOR YOUR DREAM ELOPEMENT OR TINY WEDDING IN THE BEAUTIFUL DESERT OF JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK— let’s do this!

If you’re dreaming and planning your elopement or tiny wedding in Joshua Tree National Park, then I’m SO glad you’re here!! I’ve put together some of the important “need to knows” on getting married in this magical desert location! You’ve probably seen a MILLION pictures on the ‘gram of the quirky Joshua Trees, the stacking boulder sculptures, and the golden and pink sunsets! It’s a popular location for a reason — it’s STUNNING and truly one of a kind! So, how do you elope there? I got you. Let’s dive in!

1. CHOOSING YOUR DATE

Picking your date is important to think about when choosing Joshua Tree — we want to try and pick the best time to avoid crowds, crazy weather, and try and choose the best time of day! Let’s start with Time of Year: summer in Josiah tree can be wildly hot, so it might be best to avoid those months. The nicest times of year in the park are typically March-May and September-November, however, everyone else is also eyeing those dates. So, if you want to pick a date in there, I recommend choosing a weekend to do your best at avoiding crowds. Another tip: make sure not to pick a holiday week and check what schools’ spring / fall breaks are and avoid those too! Certain ceremony locations will also be unavailable during peak season. I’ve spent time in Joshua Tree National Park in February and have always had nice weather with warm days, so if you’re open to an “off-season” date, you might want to consider that as an option. Now, for Time of Day: I am always drawn to a sunrise or sunset, not only is this stunning lighting in the park, but it tends to be a bit emptier from park goers. However, your timeline can be creatively and uniquely designed to piece together all the moments you want to have!

2. GETTING A PERMIT

This is the “not so fun” part, but equally important. We don’t want your ceremony to get interrupted by a park ranger, so let’s get you a permit! To hold an elopement or wedding ceremony in Joshua Tree National Park, you must acquire a Special Use Permit — this costs $120 and allows for 25 guests or less. A larger wedding has a few more restrictions on locations and has an additional $200 fee.

Two other park related fees —

• Photography / Videography Permit: Costs $120 and you can apply HERE

• Park Entrance Fee: You can either pay the $30 per vehicle fee for 7 days, for $80 for an annual National Park pass. Each is valid for one car.

3. CEREMONY LOCATION IDEAS

Since Joshua Tree is a National Park, there are a handful of selected locations that a ceremony can be held (and this will be connected with the permit you apply for). These spots are slightly different, so you may want to look up some detailed images of each one, but they are full of panoramic views, desert rock formations, and wide open Joshua Tree cacti fields:

• CAP ROCK: Under a mile trail // super cool rock formations

• HIDDEN VALLEY PICNIC AREA: 1 mile trail // lots of rocks, beautiful at sunset

• SPLIT ROCK: 2 mile trail // a little bit higher views

• PORCUPINE WASH: 8 mile trail // a bit further out, wildflowers

• TURKEY FLATS: 2 mile trail // more wide open desert

• LIVE OAK: 1.5 trail loop // more greenery and desert plants

• INDIAN COVE AMPHITHEATER: For larger gatherings — 26-100 people

You can also check the NPS for more updated locations and info HERE.

IF you want to do a wedding ceremony elsewhere and then just go into the park for photos, here are a few other ideas (some of these are also locations you can stay) —

// Your Airbnb — make it a weekend with your people // Tumbleweed Sanctuary // Desert Sage House // Sacred Sands House // Rimrock Ranch // Joshua Tree Spanish Estate // Villa Kuro // Mid Century Modern Ranch // White Cactus House //

4. PLACES TO STAY

I highly recommend making a whole trip out of this special event — bring your family and friends or just yourselves and enjoy a weekend or more in the beauty of Joshua Tree! There are plenty of locations to camp within and around the National Park, but I recommend getting a house through Airbnb or something similar — this way you’ll have a “hub” to get ready in before your elopement, host a dinner or small reception in afterwards, and just have a place that you can celebrate for a day or two! Here are a few favorites you can check out:

// The Joshua Tree House - my personal fave // Mojave Desert Cabin // Joshua Tree Tiny House // Desert Air Casita // Nature Lover’s House // Little Jo Cabin // Desert Wild + pool & hot tub // High Desert Paradise //

These book up fast! So, I recommend reaching out to them and getting your date on the calendar sooner than later!

5. FINDING VENDORS

Starting the search for the dream team to make the magic of your day in the desert come to life? I know Joshua Tree tends to be a destination for weddings, so you may not know where to begin in looking for vendors. Well, I am MORE than happy to help you connect with creatives who can help with each aspect of your elopement. Scroll down and message me below and we can chat through ALL those details! 👇 Whether you’re looking for a florist, caterer, planner & stylist, hair & makeup artist, or rentals - I gotchu.

6. THINGS TO BRING & TIPS FOR THE PARK

Here are just a few other things to consider when prepping for your elopement in Joshua Tree National Park —

• Marriage license: Be sure to either set up an appointment in CA locally or plan on having a ‘legal ceremony’ near you before traveling. This also determines IF you want an officiant or not.

• Wedding attire: Wear what feels most YOU for your special day — just remember that there will be lots of walking around (and may climbing on rocks). Bring something like a jacket or shawl incase it gets a bit windy or chilly (especially at sunrise and sunset).

• Visit the park before: I highly recommend spending a bit of time exploring the park the day before your elopement or wedding, this way you get to see it in a more relaxed state and also get a feeling for where you might want certain photos or backdrops to be.

• Bring water and snacks: It’s a desert, so stay hydrated and keep you energy full with water and snacks! There isn’t much once you get in the park, so be sure to bring what you need!

• No cell service: Prepare to have little to NO cell signal, aka download maps and know where you’re going and who you’re meeting up with where/when beforehand.

7. LEAVE NO TRACE

This is an important point, something we should all care about to take care of beautiful locations like Joshua Tree National Park. Let’s make sure that our celebrations are respectful to the land and keep it around for years and years to come and to enjoy. So, a few things to remember directly from the NPS website:

Items that ARE Permitted For a Wedding:

// Arch, must be free-standing // Small table for guest book // Cooler with water (it gets hot) // Live flowers // Battery-powered candles // Runner // Rug // Cake // Champagne //

Items NOT Permitted For a Wedding:

// Drones // Dried flowers // Non-battery powered candles // Bubbles // Any live animals, including doves, butterflies, etc // Confetti // Rice // Birdseed // Balloons // Smoke Bombs //

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A FEW OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES —

WHY I LOVE ELOPEMENTS & TINY WEDDINGS

TIPS FOR PLANNING A MICRO WEDDING DAY

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JOSHUA TREE ELOPEMENT PACKAGES —

Hi, I’m Corrie! I’m a traveling wedding and elopement photographer, and I’ve spent a good amount of time exploring Joshua Tree National Park! So, I’m glad you’re here and can’t wait to hear about YOUR special day ideas and help guide you through all the info of eloping in this beautiful location!

A peak at what you’ll get —

- Customizable hours based on what you need (I’ve never been a believer in one size fits all), I even have whole weekend package options

- A guide full of tips and ideas to help you through each step of the process

- Unlimited time in planning, dreaming, discussing your ideas together — I’m here for you through the WHOLE journey!

- A gallery full of high resolution hand edited photos (with printing and sharing rights)

CONTACT & LEARN MORE

Evening Surf Couple Photos // San Luis Obispo Beach, California

Catching that California golden sunset for this evening surf session in San Luis Obispo (plus the pups of course), and making all the magic happen for these adventurous couple photos!

San Luis Obispo didn’t disappoint — especially when we rolled up on the beach for this gorgeous sunset! These two rolled up with the coolest van, the sweetest dogs, and surfboards strapped in for some fun photos in the waves!

If you’re looking for a day to play in the sun, HIT ME UP — there are so many incredible places to go and explore in San Luis Obispo — so let’s go adventure in SLO together! ;)

So excited to share these fun photos with you, hope you enjoy and can feel the warmth and smell the ocean!

MAKE A DAY IN SAN LUIS OBISPO — a few of the bests:

COFFEE // Scout Coffee
DRINKS // SLO cider bar & Central Coast Brewing
FOOD // Bliss Cafe (delicious vegan food)
BEACH // Pismo State Beach - Grover Beach
CHECK OUT // Things to do around Pismo Beach

Palm Springs Windmill Couple Photos // Some Desert Gems in California

Hanging out in Palm Springs California? You don’t want to miss out seeing these views — desert plateau meets industrial windmills.

We met just before dusk to make this golden magic come true! After winding down some dirt roads, we walked out into otherworldly windmill field up against the desert mountains. I love finding the beauty in obscure places!

So, if you’re in the Palm Springs area, the windmills are a MUST see! And, here area few other gems to make the road trip complete —

I. COFFEE STOP // Ernest Coffee

II. SMOOTHIE BOWL // Fresh Juice Bar

III. BRUNCH // Farm & Cheeky’s

IV. GRAB A DRINK // The High Bar & Truss & Twine

V. COOL OFF // check out these ideas for some pool hopping!

Enjoy all these sweet moments, and then let’s plan your own adventure!! Scroll to the bottom to check out all the amazing people involved in creating this magic!

ALL THE CREATIVES INVOLVED —

DRESS // The Kindred Soul
MUA // Breezo
EARRINGS // Meesha Farzaneh

Van Life Couple Adventure Session // Joshua Tree, California

THIS ADVENTURE COUPLE SESSION MADE ME WANT TO PACK UP, MOVE INTO A COOL VAN, AND TRAVEL THE DESERT AND CALIFORNIA COASTLINE!

Hello, meet the coolest van life couple EVER! Also, the kindest humans you’ll ever meet! After hanging with Lydia and Philip for that afternoon, we all wanted to just keep chatting for hours! Check out their Instagram to follow along on all their van-lifing adventures together!

Grateful for these sunny, desert adventures together in Joshua Tree National Park!

Adventure Elopement in Joshua Tree National Park // Boho Modern Inspiration

An adventurous evening in Joshua Tree National Park for this styled adventure elopement! Check out all the moments to get ideas for your own special day!

Joshua Tree National Park had my jaw dropping within the first few minutes! I was captivated by the large, unique rock formations, the one-of-a-kind Joshua Trees themselves, and the overall golden desert vibe!

This adventure elopement was styled for our Makers & Movers Workshop, and was so fun to capture! It’s full of boho modern pops to fuel your elopement ideas and planning!

Check out these amazing vendors who played a part in making this creation come to life:

WORKSHOP // Makers & Movers Workshop

COUPLE // Danielle & Rodney

DRESS // A&bé Sacramento

JEWELRY // Serpentine & Fair

FLORALS // With Flourish

HAT // Equal Uprise

TUX // Zara

Enjoy all the pics, and dreaming about your own desert elopement!

Dreamy 70s Retro Vibe Elopement Inspiration // Joshua Tree, California

IF YOU’RE ON THE SEARCH FOR SOME RAD 70s RETRO ELOPEMENT INSPIRATION, THEN YOU’RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE!

The desert vibes of Joshua Tree California paired with some fun 70s styling created this magic for our Makers & Movers Workshop styled shoot!

This amazing shoot could not have been done without the collaboration of these incredible team members! We couldn’t have imagined everything coming together any better!

Excited to share these photos to power your imagination and inspire you with ideas for your own special day! If you’re thinking of eloping in Joshua Tree, check out these vendors to build your vision:

WORKSHOP // Makers & Movers

COORDINATION & DESIGN // Wilder Events Co.

COUPLE // Katie & Joe

DRESS // Lovely Bride LA

JEWELRY // Serpentine & Fair

WEDDING BANDS // Sharon Z Jewelry

CALLIGRAPHER // Summit & Sage

FLORALS // Bluebell Florals

CAKE // Fantasy Frostings

H&MU // Chelsea Nicole

RENTALS // Otis & Pearl

TUX // ASOS

We began with a bit of cozy in home time in our desert airbnb! Joe and Katie spent time getting ready together before we headed out on gorgeous property to hang out with the Joshua Trees.

Northern California Waterfall Couples Session

Spent a sunny day with these two gems exploring this Northern California Waterfall in Lassen National Park!

As you explore Lassen National Forest, you may stumble across this gem of a waterfall in Shasta County. It truly appears out of nowhere, and if you get there at just the right time of day, it’s grandness draws you in with the sun beans bursting through the sprays of water!

Loved getting to explore California’s beauty with these two!

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California Clifftop elopement // Diana + Daniel

ohhhhh california, your golden clifftops and earthy tones steal my heart every time!!! after spending the afternoon wine tasting in Sonoma, i couldn't have pictured ending the day in a more magical way! running up and down these ocean cliffs was a DREAM. We sprinted down the warm sand beach and they kissed till the sun went down. Now, that's a day well spent!

california coast elopement // Half Moon Bay

Northern California Lake couples session // Amanda + Marcus

this Northern California lake started stealing my heart pretty dang fast, and then these two sealed the deal! ;) To make it even better (HOW?! I know), the golden hour lighting for this engagement session made me swoon!

whiskey town lake, Redding California