The Complete Guide to Planning an Intimate Wedding
Joshua Tree Wedding and Elopement The Complete Guide to Planning an Intimate Wedding Small intimate weddings with just the select close loved ones are starting to become the new norm for wedding planning. The Complete Guide to Planning an Intimate Wedding Small intimate weddings with just a select close loved ones are starting to become the new norm for wedding planning. The idea of couples planning to have an intimate wedding became even more seeked out following the covid lockdown where many couples either had to cancel their weddings or reschedule their weddings to something smaller. An intimate wedding is something that many people have come to fall in love with not just because it costs less but also because intimate weddings tend to create a calmer ambiance for a deeper connection between the couple and their guests! Another primary reason why so many couples are opting for an intimate wedding instead of a large, traditional wedding is because of how less stressful it is on yourself. Instead of having to stress about centerpieces and color schemes, you could plan a small, intimate wedding; which is the ideal way to ensure that you spend the best day of your life having fun and enjoying yourselves. The truth is that not everyone’s cup of tea is to have a large extravagant wedding. Having an intimate wedding, on the other hand, is becoming increasingly popular for the people who prefer to surround themselves with only their closest loved ones. With a smaller guest list, you can focus on providing a more personalized and memorable experience catered for you and your guests. For some couples, an elopement may be on their agenda because of the fear of an overwhelmingly large wedding but at the same time, they wish for their families to be there to witness their special day without all the craziness that comes with a large wedding. In this case, an intimate wedding is your best bet! If you are getting married soon and have been thinking about how to plan the perfect intimate wedding- then read on to find out how! What is an Intimate Wedding? An intimate wedding is a small, private ceremony typically involving close family and friends. These types of weddings are often more personal and intentional than large, formal affairs, and it is just as beautiful and special for the day If you’re planning an intimate wedding, here are a few things to keep in mind: Plan and discuss the size of your guest list. An intimate wedding usually has 50 guests or fewer, so you’ll need to be selective about who you invite. This is a good opportunity to really focus on quality over quantity, so invite the people who are most important to you and who you know will make the day even more special. Choose a venue that fits the vibe you’re going for. A small banquet hall, restaurant, or even someone’s home, like a special Airbnb, can be the perfect setting for an intimate wedding. Just make sure the space is comfortable and has enough room for your guests to mingle. Don’t cut corners on the details that are meaningful to you. Just because your wedding is intimate doesn’t mean it can’t be as fabulous as larger weddings if that’s what you want. Work with a talented photographer, florist, and caterer to make sure every element of your wedding is perfect for you and the special day. What is the ideal number of guests for an Intimate Wedding? While there is no number set in stone for the number of guests you should have at an intimate wedding, an intimate wedding is selectively defined as having 50 or fewer guests. Many believe that the fewer people you invite, the more intimate the event can be, but that doesn’t have to be the case for you. You can make it a highly personalized memorable experience by inviting 20 to 40 people, or you can have a Deluxe guest list of ten loved ones. It’s completely up to you for what you end up going with. Advantages of Planning an Intimate Wedding There are plenty of advantages that come with planning an intimate wedding. Intimate weddings are ideal for daring, creative concepts that create the perfect setting. Although you can go as big or as small as you want with an intimate wedding, there’s no reason you can’t have all the amazing details as larger weddings—like stunning flowers—while also splurging on photography or videography or what feels right for you. An intimate wedding also allows for greater organization, venue options, and more time spent with each guest. Your guests will also benefit from an Intimate Wedding With a smaller guest list, you can plan to wed in more intimate settings and devote more time to creating new experiences and memorable moments that you and your guests will remember fondly for the rest of their lives. Having fewer guests allows you to invest a larger portion of your budget in other areas, such as set-ups, photo/video services, dresses, and guest entertainment. You can ‘pamper’ your guests even more by planning some surprises for them (such as a tourist visit, a welcome dinner, a brunch, or a tasting) in the days leading up to or following the wedding. You also have a larger variety of location options to think and choose from, which isn’t that easy to do for a traditional wedding. Features of an Intimate Wedding The fact that you are planning a small, intimate wedding does not mean that the wedding would lack a format and setting if you wish. While an intimate wedding requires less ambiguous preparations, you can still structure a timeline to have the desired format. Intimate weddings don’t require a certain format and settings and with the number of guests reduced more guest-centered details could take place at the wedding. Instead of a formal reception with speeches, it could become more relaxed in the easy ambiance like
Joshua Tree Engagement Session
Joshua Thee Love Session KATIE & GaRRET Katie & Garret A Love Story from Joshua Tree Garrett and I are actors who met as tour guides at Universal. We had a rough start aka I was having a nice conversation and then he turned around and asked this other girl for her number. Long story short after some road bumps at the beginning, it was meant to be and it turns out he thought I was out of his league after our first chat ha. So ya know, 2nd chances. We been together for over 5 years and have a morkie named Whiskey who is hilarious and will be in our wedding. Share with your friends and family LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR DREAM WEDDING
How to Plan a Multi-day Wedding Successfully
Joshua Tree Wedding and Elopement How to Plan a Multi-day Wedding Successfully There’s no doubt your multi-day wedding will be the happiest event of your life. MORE VALUE INFO WHY JOSHUA TREE Essential Guide to Eloping in Joshua Tree National Park Elopement VS Big Weddings The Pros and Cons How to Plan a Multi-day Wedding Successfully There’s no doubt your multi-day wedding will be the happiest event of your life. Understandably, knowing how to plan a wedding can be intimidating, especially if you’re planning one in these unprecedented times. The process of planning a multi-day wedding is the same whether you desire a modest, uncomplicated wedding or a large, opulent affair: Establish a budget, seek inspiration, and begin your guest list. So, we’ll do it one step at a time down below. Since it’s possible to be overwhelmed by the planning, we advise you to focus on one job at a time. If you’re short on time, assign some of these chores to family and friends, who will likely be happy to assist you. Keep reading for detailed info on how to plan a multi-day wedding. The advantages of a Multi-day wedding A multi-day wedding allows you to spend more time with your family and friends and unwind. You go through a rush of emotions from the minute you become engaged until your wedding day. While the wedding planning process is full of joy and excitement, it is also full of stress and concern as you strive to finalize the details before the big day. Hiring a wedding planner relieves a lot of the stress on planning a wedding. Additionally, having a wedding weekend reduces the pressure of the actual wedding day. Weddings are enjoyable. That is, without a doubt, the case. On the other hand, weddings tend to be less relaxing for couples in the evening. You are burdened with thanking each of your guests for attending and doing all of the conventional wedding things, such as first dances, cake cutting, bouquet throwing, and more, rather than genuinely enjoying your first married moments with your new husband or wife. A wedding weekend relieves the stress of greeting, thanking, and entertaining all of your wedding guests. Because the truth is that interacting with everyone in such a short time is nearly impossible. The average wedding reception lasts four hours. If you host a 100-person wedding and spend one minute with each attendee, you’ll only have 30 minutes left for the rest of the festivities. It’s simply not possible; therefore, you won’t be able to mingle with all of your guests on your wedding day. Out-of-town guests will have additional opportunities to enjoy themselves throughout a wedding weekend. A wedding weekend is essential for guests not from the area where you are getting married. Your out-of-town guests may make the most of their weekend celebrating you by having many scheduled parties and a specific list of activities to do. How to Plan a Successful Multi-Day Wedding Make a Timetable Three days make up the basic layout of a multi-day wedding. You can add additional days for activities, which is advised for a destination wedding or if you have many out-of-town guests. Keep things simple and plan for the following: Rehearsal Dinner and/or Welcome Party Remember that not everyone can afford to take several days off to party, so specify which days are optional. If most of your guests cannot attend on weekends, you can just plan your event from Friday to Sunday. Also, if any of your guests have children, remember that they may not be able to leave them behind if you want a child-free wedding. If you want them to come, be prepared to hire a nanny or make the wedding day the only day they can bring their children. Don’t over plan or force anything. You want your visitors to feel relaxed as they move from one activity to the next and not like being forced into something they don’t want to do. Your itinerary should serve as a guide, but any activities outside of the ‘formal’ events (i.e., the dinner the night before the wedding and the ceremony and reception on the wedding day) should be considered optional. Guests will appreciate it if you offer things to do on-site or in the surrounding area but remember to provide plenty of time for them to rest, get ready, and nurse their hangovers. Remember that the first night is usually the most important We’ve all been there: you go away with pals for the weekend and get a little carried away on the first night, leaving you feeling a little worse for wear the next day. If your guests enjoy a good party, keep this in mind and try to keep the day before the wedding as low-key as possible. Consider a casual BBQ or pizza night that won’t overshadow the big day. Make some time for yourself. Set aside some time not only for yourself but also for your visitors. In general, you should allow 30-40% of each day for guests to do as they like. Everyone needs a break from partying every now and then. If you want to go above and beyond, recommend local places for different activities. Make a Meal Schedule You don’t have to feed your guests three meals a day, but at least one complete meal is required. The sole exception is when the usual regulations apply on the wedding day. If you’re not serving food during the event, make recommendations for local restaurants. Changing your menu regularly will keep things from becoming monotonous. Have Asian cuisine one day and classic American cuisine the next. You can even switch up the serving method, such as hosting a tapas cocktail party on a welcome night and then serving a multi-course meal at the wedding reception. Make your wedding website. A wedding website and/or app are almost required when a wedding takes place over multiple days. With this, your visitors will always have a
Elopement VS Big Weddings – The Pros and Cons
Joshua Tree Wedding and Elopement Elopement VS Big WeddingsThe Pros and Cons Congratulations on taking the next step to spend forever with your partner! Elopement VS Big WeddingsThe Pros and Cons Congratulations on taking the next step to spend forever with your partner! Now that you’ve decided on one of the most important decisions of your life, I’m sure you must be racking your brain thinking about how exactly you want to celebrate it. You may be caught between having a big wedding party or eloping for a more intimate wedding experience. So which exactly should you go for? How should you celebrate your wedding? While we would not want to push you to make a decision because after all your wedding is all about you… We will however outline the pros and cons of each wedding so you can decide for yourself which fits best into your and your partner’s personality and vibe. What is an Elopement? Eloping means foregoing a traditional wedding in favor of a more intimate ceremony. It doesn’t necessarily imply that you and your partner went on a secret getaway without telling anyone. You need to see elopements as an intentionally small, intimate, and authentic wedding experience that truly reflects your relationship and the focus of the day is on no one else but you two. The old-fashioned meaning of the word “elopement” is running away to get married without the knowledge of the parents. This already makes an elopement wedding look bad even today. But the modern-day definition has changed it to something more meaningful for couples. “Eloping is simply getting married with a smaller number of guests (or none), in a beautiful, meaningful location, where the whole day is all about the two of you.” Pros of Having an Elopement It doesn’t matter whether it’s just the two of you or you plan to invite a few people along. An elopement is an intimate thing that involves spending your best moments with your favorite people. So what are the pros of elopement? Let’s find out below! Minimal drama In an elopement, the focus is primarily on you and your partner. Sometimes big weddings can get into a cycle of pressure and overwhelm but with an elopement, it is calmer and less demanding. When choosing to Elope the drama is naturally minimized just by the fact that you are not bent on making sure everyone else is happy and sometimes at the expense of your happiness. You might end up fatigued at the end of the day without really having the fun you dreamed of. Fewer location limits In an elopement, it’s easier to get married anywhere! On the beach, the mountains, parks, National Parks, and your backyard. You just name it. You can be spontaneous. There are almost no limits! What guest list? Another major source of stress when planning a traditional wedding is the choice of who to invite and who not too. Then there’s also where to seat people at the reception. But with an elopement, you only need to plan for two! Or a bit more depending on the people you want to witness your elopement. Most couples do not have more than 20 guests at their elopement. It’s usually just the closest people to them. Your elopement could include just your immediate family and a few close friends too! In many US States, you only need two witnesses to be legally married. And they could be your photographer, videographer, or stylist. A big wedding has a lot more people attending. Anywhere from 50 to hundreds of people. And as a couple, you may not know every single person at your wedding. You may know of them, but you really may not know them. At a big wedding, people tend to bring a +1 like a partner, girlfriend, or boyfriend. So chances are, you will be introduced to people on your wedding day and not all couples can deal with that. Cons of an Elopement With an elopement, You’ll have very few guests if any You might face an awkward situation with some friends & family afterward as some might feel excluded. You might not get to experience some of the classic big wedding traditions like bouquet throw, speeches, dance, and all. Now let’s talk about big weddings! Sounds like we are “pro-elopement” but stay with us here: We LOVE photographing big weddings too! Big weddings come with a lot of fun and excitement and involve the opportunity to host as many guests as possible. Pros of Having a Big Wedding An opportunity for both families to bond A wedding is a great place to strengthen bonds. It’s a union of two families where you meet, interact and build bonds. It’s widely believed that when you marry someone, you also marry their family. Yes, the marriage is between you and your partner, but in a big wedding, you allow others to share in your joy. Whether you are the type that wants all the classic wedding traditions, or an alternative, layback couple that loves the idea of being surrounded by all your favorite people, then this is perfect! Big Weddings can be very fun! There is something special about being surrounded by all of your friends and family on your big day. For many people, having all their family and friends around for the big day can translate into a lot of fun for them. Your guests will likely talk about your wedding for years to come. With a big wedding, you can show your loved ones how much you appreciate them. Cons of Having a Big Wedding Planning In planning a big wedding, most of the time, you need to do more tasks compared to an elopement. Cos you’re taking care of a larger number of guests. Say you’re planning a wedding for 200 guests. This means you need to first get a venue that can accommodate that number, then, food
Joshua Tree Engagement Session
Joshua Tree Adventure Love Session dana & Jairo Dana & Jairo A Love Story from Joshua Tree Share with your friends and family LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR DREAM WEDDING
Joshua Tree Wedding
Joshua Tree Wedding HANNAH & AUSTIN Hannah & Austin A Morongo Valley, California, DIY Wedding full of details in the middle of the mountains, Joshua Tree Wedding. We’ve been together for a year and almost two months! We were childhood acquaintances that lost touch… and then reunited as adults after college when working at the same hotel. Hannah was the cutie coffee shop barista and Austin was the front desk hottie. We love traveling, playing music on our record player, exploring new places, and binge-watching our favorite shows. Joshua Tree Wedding Hannah “She’s my best friend. My hotter half. She’s a go getter and a self starter. She’s amazing and I am so grateful to call her my wife.” Austin “He is the epitome of a soulmate- he literally answers the unknown thoughts in my head and helps me complete sentences. He is THE most loving, kind, and caring person I’ve ever met, and I’ve literally wept from laughing so much around him. Him being my husband is an absolute dream come true in Joshua tree Wedding!” The Proposal Unbeknownst to Hannah, Austin had the whole thing planned out weeks in advance. We drove up with the spot where Austin first told Hannah he loved her, we made s’mores, hiked to a beautiful outlook spot, then Austin got on one knee and popped the question! The Wedding Our dream wedding idea was surrounded by family and friends, in nature, cool weather, and a magical atmosphere…. And that WAS our wedding! Everything was simply perfect in it’s imperfection. We definitely had a lot of chaos leading up to the event with COVID, but it felt like all of that was put on pause on 10/10/2020. Time stood still and we held our breaths so the time wouldn’t end. The planning time was WILD! It was crazy to try and plan a wedding during a pandemic, but we had our venue set in stone from day one, so that gave us peace of mind. 95% of the wedding was DIY, which made it personable and fun. For us, the important thing on a wedding is the time for bride and groom to EXPERIENCE the day together. We had to continue remind ourselves to make eye contact and connect. We couldn’t believe it was happening! Joshua Tree Wedding joshua tree wedding An advice we would give to a bride planning a wedding? Everything doesn’t have to be PERFECT- and everything MUST have a stopping point. Give yourself a deadline and STICK TO IT, even if your nit-picky details aren’t done. Only you will notice it AND, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter. Focus on your LOVE. Joshua Tree Wedding The Rock Star Vendors Hannah’s Engagement Ring – Anagara www.angara.com Hannah’s Ring – Vinny and Charles www.us.vinnyandcharles.com Austin’s Ring – Larson Jewlers www.larsonjewelers.com Hannah’s Dress – David’s Bridal www.davidsbridal.com Austin’s Suit – The Black Tux www.theblacktux.com Flowers – The Flower Patch www.flowerpatch.com Cake – Nothing Bundt Cakes www.nothingbundtcakes.com Food – Ana Pinion Tables/Chairs – Bright Arch – McAuliffe & Co Videography – Zach Jansma DJ – Jean Rodriguez Cabin – Duayne Young Share with your friends and family LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR DREAM WEDDING
The Rim Rock Ranch
Rim Rock Ranch SARANNE & MATT Saranne & Matt A Love Story from Joshua Tree Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here The Rock Star Vendors CEREMONY & RECEPTION – RIMROCK RANCH https://vimeo.com/751855002 LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR DREAM WEDDING Share with your friends and family Rim Rock Ranch Let’s Start Your Adventure Elope? We’re here for you. Being a photographer who specializes in elopements and intimate weddings invariably means we’ve got all the information you need to plan your incredible, perfect day!
Tumble Weed Sanctuary
Tumble Weed Sanctuary Jessie & Dennis Jessie& Dennis A Love Story from Joshua Tree – Tumble Weed Sanctuary Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live.For any issues click here The Rock Star Vendors CEREMONY & RECEPTION – TUMBLE WEED SANCTUARY CATTERING – DESERT TACO DJ/BAND – SUPERMOON OFFICIANT – EUROPE GITTE LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR DREAM WEDDING Share with your friends and family Tumble Weed Sanctuary Let’s Start Your Adventure Elope? We’re here for you. Being a photographer who specializes in elopements and intimate weddings invariably means we’ve got all the information you need to plan your incredible, perfect day!
Essential Guide to Eloping in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree Wedding and Elopement Photographer Essential Guide to Eloping in Joshua Tree National Park Essential Guide to Eloping in Joshua Tree National Park Eloping is the perfect opportunity to travel to the magical lands of Joshua Tree National Park! Getting married surrounded by desert hues, unique botanicals, massive rock formations, and ethereal open skies. An important space inside the Mojave Desert ecosystem, the backdrop of Joshua Tree screams beauty, resilience, longevity, growth, and communion. As experts at photographing weddings in Joshua Tree, we’ve put together an Essential Guide to Eloping in Joshua Tree National Park. Everything you need to know to plan your elopement in this stunning part of the world! Why Joshua Tree? It really is as magical as the photos you’ve seen! The desert is awe-inspiring and truly spectacular, it’s the perfect place for an adventurous elopement. Located right where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet, forming this beautifully sculptured landscape. With major airports (LAX, Palm Springs) only a two-hour drive, it’s close enough to invite your loved ones, but also remote enough to keep it between just you two. Surround yourself with those deep night skies, the rich history of the area, and the surreal geologic topography of this wonderful wilderness. Where is Joshua Tree National Park? A hop-skip-and-a-jump from San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs, Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California. Named for those spiky magical trees, the Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia), that is native to the Mojave Desert. Why Elopements? We are biased! We live in this spectacular place! As nomad photographers who have photographed weddings in ALL 50 STATES (yes, you read that correctly), we could live anywhere. This is where we choose. For so many reasons, mainly it has to do with how much eye candy there is here. Our cameras absolutely love the colors, the scenery, the magical spaces. That made choosing this as our base a no-brainer. Try to imagine yourself marrying the love of your life in a place so unique, it looks like another planet at times. Picturesque doesn’t even touch how inspiring it is here. We know all of the greatest spots with the best desert views, giant rock formations, and unique vegetation. There is no other venue like it. How Do I Get There? Whether you plan to travel by air or by road, we got you covered! BY PLANE: John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) Given the proximity to Joshua Tree, SNA is a better choice that shaves off some of the driving time and helps you avoid the dreadful LA traffic. Just 122 miles from Joshua Tree, it’s a great place to look for affordable flights. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s 140 miles from Joshua Tree. With more international flight options, it might be your only choice. But, heed our warning that LA traffic is as bad as you’ve always heard. San Diego Airport (SAN) Sure, it’s a bit further away at 175 miles from Joshua Tree, but it is a wonderful city to explore for a day or two, if you can. And did we mention that LA traffic? Yeah, obviously easy to avoid if you never go there! Las Vegas Airport (NV) Amazing road trip from Vegas to Joshua, you will be passing through the Mojave Desert and start feeling the desert adventure spirit! PRO CAR TIP: There are three main entrances to the park: North, West, and South. Having a paper map and a compass on hand is always smart. Or you can download the map here. The navigation systems around Joshua Tree have been known to lead visitors off the main roads and onto soft sands. Avoid getting your car stuck out there by entering the park through Interstate 10 or California Highway 62 (the Twentynine Palms Highway). Do We Need a Permit? Oh heck yeah! Like almost all public parks, you will need to get a wedding permit. The mandatory special use permit is $120. More information here And because the bureaucrats like to make things even more costly, they also require a separate photo permit for your photographer (that’s us!). Having had over 20 years of experience coordinating and photographing elopements, we can help you sort out all of the permits you will need for your Joshua Tree Park Elopement! Are There Special Rules We Have to Obey? Absolutely! But, they are the best kind that safeguard the beauty of the park for everyone to enjoy. Keeping it eco-safe is of utmost importance. Because of this, most wedding decor, drones, dried flowers, needles, and bubbles are not permitted on the grounds. You will love this place as much as we do. And you’ll want to leave no trace after the wedding. Take everything with you when you leave. Our motto is simple: Leave it in better condition than when we arrived. When is the Best Season to Elope in Joshua Tree? This has a lot more to do with YOU than with Joshua Tree. It’s a desert, after all! The summers here are EPICLY hot. That is something to think about when you’re planning. Some couples prefer eloping during cooler seasons of Spring, Fall, and Winter. During the cooler seasons, Joshua Tree is more comfortable and has less crowds. The light is amazing, too! If you want to avoid crowds, elope on a weekday. In the shoulder seasons, March to May or October to November, temperatures linger around 85ºF/29ºC. June, July, August, and most of September are H-O-T, hot! Joshua Tree is an open desert, which means it’s usually dry and hot all year, and has very little shelter from the sun, wind or rain. Be prepared for varying temperatures as you move around the park, too. Check the weather here! When is the Most Ideal Time to Visit Joshua Tree? Alright, you twisted our arms! We’ll tell you, just don’t tell too many people because we want you to have a truly unique and special time in Joshua
Joshua Tree Engagement Session
Joshua Tree Engagement Session Jess & Grainson The Love Story from Joshua Tree Engagement Session Jess & Grainson Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live. For any issues click here
