Chinese Tea Ceremony Wedding in Joshua Tree - Southern California - Tony + Joy
a modern California take on the Chinese Tea Ceremony in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is the best place
for a wedding ceremony.
It’s beautiful, it’s not far from Los Angeles, and it’s super spacious (a particularly relevant perk in the COVID times of 2020!). In October 2020 Tony + Joy had a desert wedding that beautifully blended California aesthetics and Chinese culture in an small ceremony.
During 2020, Joshua Tree became a weekend escape for Tony + Joy; they found peace in the solitude of the desert, and as time went on they realized it would be the perfect place to get married. I definitely agree (though I may be biased - my husband and I eloped in Joshua Tree National Park back in 2018!)
Before heading over to the National Park, Tony + Joy participated in a Chinese Tea Ceremony, honoring Joy’s family’s Chinese heritage. After serving both their parents tea in their Joshua Tree Airbnb, the couple exchanged gifts as they got ready separately. As their friends and family made their way over to the Park, we coordinated a first look - the part Tony and Joy said they were most excited about before the day arrived! It went off without a hitch and was well worth the excitement. Tony helped Joy into her new Tiffany bracelet (a perfect match to the necklace she adores and wears daily) and the two laughed together absolutely overjoyed with seeing each other.
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They drove their Subaru over to the park entrance while their friends and family helped set up the ceremony space beneath a large Joshua Tree. One of their extremely close mutual friends officiated the ceremony, which had them both laughing to the point of tears!
Just two hours east of LA, Tony and Joy were surrounded by only their parents, siblings, and very close friends as they tied the knot in the Mojave Desert. These two teach music at the same highschool, where they’re affectionately known as “Jony!” After working side by side as teachers, they were finally given a nudge to start dating by a close friend. Tony proposed to Joy in Copenhagen in October 2019, and one year later they said “I do” in the heart of JTNP!
Their Airbnb was closest to the Joshua Tree West Entrance which is the most popular entrance; in some cases, I’ve waited almost an hour to pass the park gate, but on a good day it’s a total breeze! To get to this entrance from LA, you’ll follow the 10 East to exit 117, and drive about 30 miles on Highway 62 (29 Palms Highway). Turn right onto Park Blvd - you’ll see the Joshua Tree Visitor Center on your right - and continue until you get to the gate!
There’s significantly less traffic at the 29 Palms Entrance (the North entrance) but you’ll drive a ways to get there. Whether you’re a National Parks regular or a total newbie, save time + money on entrance fees by grabbing the America The Beatiful Pass. On their October wedding day, it was moderately warm in the afternoon but got chilly in the evening which is a regular occurrence for this area during Spring + Fall months. It’s important to note though that as I write this (mid June) there’s a heat warning in effect! No matter what time of year I visit Joshua Tree though, I always bring layers! A light jean jacket or a scarf can work wonders.
For more tips + advice on all things Joshua Tree, check out this post.
From the sweet moments between parents at the Chinese tea ceremony, to the way Tony reacted when he saw Joy for the first time, and through the end of the night beneath the blue sky in Joshua Tree, these two couldn’t have been happier. It was such a fun and emotional day and I loved the honor of documenting it for them! I hope they’re able to look back on these photos with their family + immediately be transported to this crazy year and the love that got them through it!
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If you liked this post, you might also enjoy this post defining what it REALLY means to elope, this Pioneertown Joshua Tree Airbnb Wedding, or Kristy + Chris’ Tumbleweed Sanctuary Wedding. Have a question I didn’t answer? Comment below or reach out to me to ask!