Fall Bohemian Desert Wedding in Joshua Tree - Yucca Valley, CA - Emily + Chris
September is one of the best times of year to visit Joshua Tree - especially if you’re planning your wedding! The Fall season in Joshua Tree is particularly beautiful and made for a stunning backdrop for Emily and Chris’ emotional elopement day.
Almost ten years to the day they met, these two said “I do” between the boulders and cacti of the desert with their parents and siblings in attendance at a private Airbnb on 5 acres of desert land.
Their Fall desert wedding was unforgettable and perfectly embodied the eloping couples’ sense of adventure and fun! Emily’s florals from Jen at Urban Marigold were truly a work of art - there was a warm desert color scheme that somehow still felt like “Fall,” reminding me of leaves changing color with the seasons.
Before you dive into Emily + Chris’ beautiful wedding story, a few tips for planning a Fall wedding in the high desert:
Whether you’re in Joshua Tree or in the high desert of Southern Utah, don’t be caught off-guard by the dry, arid climate and strong UV radiation. Though this advice is aimed at visitors to the Joshua Tree area, the same goes for the iconic parks in Utah that share a similar climate: Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Zion (known as the Mighty 5).
Fall in JT is one of the shorter seasons, popular for its more moderate temperatures when it’s relatively cooler - temps are still warm, but way more manageable compared to 100-degree Summer days. By September, evenings are chilly enough to sometimes require a jacket. Occasionally even snows in Joshua Tree in December and January!
If you’re planning to visit Joshua Tree National Park, Spring and Fall are regularly the most crowded times No matter when you go prepare for dry weather and a high UV rating - wear sunscreen, bring sunglasses and layers, and hydrate!
Emily and Chris originally met in their hometown of Philadelphia. After a few years of dating, Chris moved to Los Angeles for work. Through letter-writing they stayed close, even though they were thousands of miles apart! Eventually Emily made the leap and joined Chris in LA. Together they’ve rescued several cats and dogs which I LOVE watching over on their Instagrams. While building their life in LA the outdoor enthusiasts stumbled upon Joshua Tree and quickly fell in love. Every chance they get they take the trip out to the desert!
Although eloping had been something they’d considered at the start, the couple pivoted for plans to take place with extended family in Washington state. Except… 2020 had other plans! The universe must have heard their inkling for eloping. After attempting different dates and locations, Emily + Chris happily exchanged vows with only a small group surrounding them on a romantic September day! They have plans to celebrate with extended family when it’s easier and safer to do so - but for now, they get to start this chapter together as a married couple and I couldn’t be happier for them.
Jen from Urban Marigold is amazing at her craft! As a florist she’s so talented at incorporating color schemes, textures, and sizes that really stand out.
Here’s what Emily + Chris had to say about working with me:
Dear Sweet Morgan!
These photos are amazing. They left me beaming! Clicking through them made me feel like I was reliving the day. I wanted to let you know just how much your presence meant to me and Chris how much you made me feel like I was getting married. You experienced first hand just how complicated our wedding planning process was and while we always talked about getting married in Joshua Tree, this wedding wasn't exactly what I was planning. I went through periods in planning where I felt really down about everything. When the day finally arrived and you came to start documenting, I instantly felt bridal for the first time! You really made my day special. From the planning, the elopement kit, the endless email conversations to your reassurance about whose day it was during our pre-wedding call you made it perfect. You have acted as a photographer, a wedding planner, and a best friend during this process and we couldn't be happier with everything! We could not have done this without you and could never thank you enough for capturing our day so perfectly and giving us so many physical memories to keep forever.
Thank you always for everything, you sweet angel!
Love,
Emily + Chris
After golden hour romantic portraits around the 5-acre Airbnb, Emily and Chris made their grand entrance to their small reception on Chris’ white pickup truck, which has faithfully carried them on all of their camping adventures! It was such a fun way to make an entrance. The two shared a sweet dance before heading upstairs to the patio for tacos with family. The desert sunset was unforgettable - just the cherry on top of a perfect day for Emily and Chris’ wedding. I’m so thankful to have worked with these two and I can’t wait to see them again!
planning a desert elopement or small wedding?
here are some helpful resources!
Moab, Utah Elopement and Wedding Resources
Sunrise Elopement in Southern Utah’s Canyonlands National Park
Glamourous Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
Joshua Tree Information + Resources