When you think of a desert wedding, normally you think of boho, cacti, and macrame. We wanted to create a more sophisticated desert elopement. In Eastern Washington, we frequently forget that the tall grasses and craggy formations seamlessly shift into sand and sagebrush — less like Southern California and more like the Columbia River. To celebrate this gorgeous landscape, we decided to put together a whimsical, minimalist, and modern desert elopement experience, highlighted by neons and stark whites. We wanted an elopement based off what our ideal summer cocktail would look like. Our couple embraced the concept wholeheartedly, bringing their playful personalities into a new vision of the desert elopement.

OUR FANTASTIC COUPLE.

Just as we can expect with any event during this pandemic, this styled shoot had lots of last minute changes and excitement. Particularly, the couple was a last minute fill in for the originally slated couple. You would have never have guessed. Jaimie and Emily took to the theme easily and were a blast to work with in the process. Their low-key attitudes and cuddly relationship made the whole day approachable and smooth.

Jaimie and Emily joined the day as emergency fill-ins through the photographer, Laura of Forthright Photo. Previous clients of hers, they were more than happy to have a fun day of pampering and glam outdoors. They are both nurses in the NICU and completely in love with all the animals. The first words to describe the way they interact with each other and those they care about are caring and earnest. They are constantly exploring new places and bringing new creatures into their life. Though the aesthetic vision was about a sophisticated desert ceremony, their love for each other ended up carrying the style, the photos, and the ambiance of the day.

THE COUPLE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE DAY.

Because of the last minute addition, Jaimie and Emily were able to contribute quite a few personal touches to the day. For example, Emily brought her own polka-dotted suit to the shoot, which ended up perfectly complementing the dotted and sparkly cape Jaimie wore. The dress Jaimie wore was from Lulus and the aforementioned cape from Free People. Though fast fashion, we wanted to show that a refined look could be easily accessible to anyone. The earrings Emily wore brought some shimmer and edge into her look.

Before they even got into their outfits, the day started around noon with Emily and Jaimie at a nearby Airbnb, getting ready with a masked Shyn of Pacific Brides to do hair and make up. Her goal was to create a smoky and glamorous look for Emily that contrasted with Jaimie’s bright and glowy makeup, creating a distinct point of view for each woman. Emily and Jaimie are clients of Laura of Forthright Photo, so after introductions were made, the group found it easy to chat and have fun prepping for the shoot together. After making sure all were comfortable, Laura zipped over to the shooting site.

THE VENDORS INVOLVED IN THE SHOOT.

While the couple was getting ready, Kate of Tapestry Event Co., the florist Leah Erikson, and the photographers of Forthright Photo set up an elopement at Hanford Reach. Leah designed a beautiful arch with modern and minimalist floral details. She also designed the florals on the gorgeous, and scrumptious, cake from Night Owl Bakery. Kate made sure details were in the right place and set up the cozy tablescape for the couple. The photographers planned their shots and angles.

The goal of this shoot was to create a sophisticated, minimalist, but colorful and whimsical desert shoot. With summery and airy textures, the team created a joyful and modern play on what we typically think of as the aesthetic of a desert wedding. Kate was able to use the catalogue from Yay! Parties to create a fun and easy base for all the meaningful details. The stationary was made by Woodland Custom Design, a seller on Etsy. She made a fantastic acrylic elopement sign in neons that popped against the tan landscape. The ring stands were made by Cedar and Stone Garden, another Etsy proprietor who sold just the perfect blend of geometric lines and softness to complement the raw stone rings. The vow books were designed and printed by PrintSmitten, who also sells her work on Etsy, in colors that matched the florals in their bouquets.

AND THE DAY GOES BEAUTIFULLY!

Once Emily and Jaimie were ready, they changed into their outfits and traveled to Hanford Reach. The day was clear, beautiful, and easy; after all the prep, the team was able to enjoy the adorableness of the couple and creatively direct photos. When sunset began, the couple and the photographers headed to the nearby dunes to take portraits in the sand. 

Tapestry Event Co. thanks all of the wonderful vendors for contributing to this shoot. We were delighted to create such a playful elopement and were energized by the joy each contributor brought to the process. We want to especially thank our couple, Jaimie and Emily, who not only stepped in to be models last minute, but also became an official Tapestry couple after this shoot! Congratulations to them on their marriage!

— Kelleen, Tapestry Content Manager

THE VENDOR TEAM.

Planner: Kate // Tapestry Event Co. // @tapestryeventco // tapestryeventco.com // Seattle, WA + Beyond

Photographer: Laura // Forthright Photo // @forthrightphoto // forthrightphoto.com // Washington

Florist: Leah // Leah Erickson Floral // @leahericksonfloral // leahericksonfloral.com // Seattle, WA

Baker: Lisa // The Night Owl Bakery // @thenightowlbakery_tnob // thenightowlbakery.net // Puget Sound, WA

Hair + Makeup Artist: Shey // Pacific Brides // @pacific_brides // pacificbrides.com // Seattle, WA + Beyond

Rentals: Yay! Parties + Co. // @yayparties // yayparties.com // Seattle, WA

Stationers: Elizabeth + Scott // Woodland Custom Design // @woodlandcustomdesign // etsy.com/woodlandcustomdesign // Palemetto, FL

Sculptor: Cedar + Stone Garden // @cedarstonegarden // etsy.com/cedarandstonegarden // Grand Haven, MI

Print Artist: Tara // Print Smitten Paper Co. // @printsmittenpaperco // etsy.com/printsmittenpaperco // Greencastle, PA

Dress: Lulus // @lulus // lulus.com // worldwide

Cape: Free People // @freepeople // freepeople.com // worldwide

Couple: Jaimie + Emily // @pinkfan15 + @emkendawg