Joshua Tree National Park | Adventure Elopement

Alejandra + Cameron | March 2021

Where to even begin with these two…

Ale + Cam planned their Joshua Tree wedding day so intentionally. From adding cotton that Ale’s grandmother loved to her bouquet, thoughtfully choosing each of their favorite wedding vendors that they strongly connected with, keeping their small ceremony exclusive to their closest people, and to thoughtfully prepared private vows spoken just between them during their outdoor first look / “grounding time” before their ceremony—

Every bit of their boho-inspired wedding day was a reflection of love and thoughtfulness.

Prior to Covid-19, their wedding plans were to have a Mount Rainier elopement in Washington. However, already living in California, they chose a wedding destination that was closer by that they felt strongly connected to. They loved the idea of desert vibes, and having photographed Joshua Tree National Park engagement sessions and elopements before, I knew they would be over the moon! They started their day getting ready at The Joshua Tree House.

Vendors:

Photographer: @laurs_turner

Planner + Officiant: Kate at @tapestryeventco

Florist: @with_flourish

Desserts: @overtherainbowdesserts

Dress: @watters

Getting ready space: @thejoshuatreehouse

After getting ready inside the beautifully detailed Joshua Tree House, they met outside for their first look.

While family drove over to the Joshua Tree National Park elopement ceremony location, Ale and Cam took their time with just them two to ground themselves and say their personal vows.

They headed back inside for a few touch-ups before heading to their ceremony together.

Once they made it to their ceremony site at Hidden Valley Picnic Area, they were joined by their closest family (including their pup Chloe!). It was a quiet, heartfelt ceremony at sunset surrounded by acres of Joshua Trees and the warm sun shining on us while the light breeze kept us cool.

Once the sun set around us, we made our way back to the Jax House (airbnb) for their reception.

San Clemente Elopement | San Onofre State Beach, California

Jojo + Chase

After visiting San Onofre State Beach the week prior, I KNEW this elopement location would be perfect for a sunset wedding. The outdoor enthusiast in me thrives on finding unique locations for my couples— and it’s beautiful views like this that make the time spent searching SO worth it.

We met with Jojo to get some getting ready photos of her prior to heading out the cliffs, and Chase later joined us.

How perfect is this beautiful, boho gown from Mia Riley Designs?!

…and these florals from @hannahluflorals!!! I melted when I saw them.

We all rode over to the location together in order to best guide them to this perfect spot. It was extremely windy and this lovely haze hung low around the cliffs. It made for incredible photos and the most perfect golden sunset.

It always blows my mind how Southern California ranges from mountain ridges, desert landscape filled with Joshua Trees, Sand Dunes, incredible rocky beaches, and last but not least, these unique cliffs bordering the ocean side.

They came together and shared their hearts.. it was such a special moment.

I always encourage my couples to spend time soaking up the day and enjoying the view. Your wedding day goes SO much faster than you think. It’s so important that you take the time to take big deep breaths and many mental snapshots.

Jojo + Chase bonded over music, and together they love playing guitar and singing. It was only fitting that they brought that into their special evening together.

We finished off the evening getting a few last photographs of this beautiful sunset. They danced around, and we made our way back to the car before the state park closed.

I LOVE when couples make their sessions unique and authentic to them, and I love photographing these memories. It was an unforgettable evening filled with lots of laughs, love, music, and messy hair!

Vendors

Hair + Makeup: @howthemaiado

Florals: @HannahLuFlorals

Dress: @miarileydesigns / www.miariley.com

Tropical Intimate Wedding | San Diego Elopement

Today on the blog, I am SO excited to showcase these two beautiful souls’ backyard intimate elopement. These two wanted to elope in their beautiful tropical backyard in sunny San Diego. It was nothing short of a perfect evening with just them two and the support of their very best friends over facetime. Their intimate elopement was authentic and true to them, starting from getting ready together, a homemade DIY wooden triangle arch, a DIY wedding bouquet put together from Trader Joe’s flowers, and a colorful, boho rug from OfferUp bought an hour before their unique wedding ceremony. Their backyard is seriously the most beautiful, lush tropical jungle, and made for swoon-worthy wedding vibes (as someone who lived in Hawaii and loved it— I am SO here for tropical vibes alwayyyys).

After their ceremony, they popped a bottle of rose, enjoyed a warm, San Diego sunset, and danced around. Does it get more perfect than that?!

I love that they got ready together, just as they always do.

Putting together her homemade DIY wedding bouquet from Trader Joe’s flowers— MAN, their flowers do not disappoint :’)

They wanted their best friends to be a part of their day even from a distance, so they set-up their FaceTime and were able to incorporate them!

After the ceremony, they popped open a bottle of rose to celebrate being newly weds— my kind of people <3

As she started dancing around, her pup had to make his grand appearance (ISN’T HE THE CUTEST?!)

If you are on the fence about eloping in your backyard, I hope this convinces you otherwise ;)

I am seriously so in love with documenting elopements and intimate weddings, and so blessed by the couples who invite me in to share in their joy and capture their day. The focus isn’t at all about what any one else wants, but two people in love committing themselves in such a special way.

Congratulations you two beautiful humans on the beginning of one heck of beautiful marriage together!

*All images by Lauren Turner Photography: San Diego Adventure Elopement and Intimate Wedding Photographer

Sunset Cliffs Elopement: Stephanie + Eli

Stephanie + Eli reached out to me one week leading up to their elopement at Sunset Cliffs in San Diego, California. They live in Arizona but dreamed of eloping in the place they love vacationing at most. When they visit San Diego, they love getting coffee at their favorite local coffee shop, Communal Coffee and Flowers and having date nights at Sunset Cliffs. I LOVE that for their elopement, Stephanie got her beautiful bouquet from that local coffee shop and had the ultimate date night ever as they committed their lives to one another.

Their intention for their wedding day was “just love”— and that is what I love most about intimate weddings. The intention behind the day isn’t about the details or opinions from their family. It’s simply two people in love focused on each other in a way that is truly a representation of them. It is authentic and not showy, and it is couples like Stephanie + Eli who make me LOVE what I do. They are laid-back, go-with-the-flow, and care about having a genuine experience.

I could not be any more excited to share with you guys a sneak peak into their day. Stephanie finished putting on her makeup at the cliffs and I took allll the pictures as they walked around the cliffs and watched the waves crash and the sun set. They were constantly embracing one another and stealing sweet glances. It had rained leading up to the ceremony, but as they recited “I Do”, the clouds broke open, and beautiful sun rays came shining behind them. It was the most beautiful evening, and I am so blessed to be able to document these moments.

For real, how beautiful is this bouquet?! If you are located in Southern California and looking for a stunning and affordable flower arrangement for your elopement or intimate wedding you should definitely check out their selection! (http://www.communalcoffee.com/flowers)

We were seriously blessed with the most incredible sunset, and it was such an honor to capture their big day!

Black's Beach Engagement Session

Paisley + Brett

Brett + Paisley are two adventurous souls who have traveled Europe together and decided to start their “forever” here in beautiful San Diego, California. When searching for engagement photo locations, we decided on Blacks Beach since it is dog friendly (and we all know that dogs are family.) We spent the evening laughing, joking around, pouring champagne into each others mouths— with it mostly just going all over our faces and clothes— and witnessing the most magical sunset. Once we got down to the beach, surrounded by massive cliffs, we were shocked to have the beach mostly to ourselves. These two ran around like kids, dancing, playing, and doing what they do best… loving on and laughing with one another. I cannot wait to hang out with these two more (including hikes with our pups) and to photograph their boho-inspired beach wedding in Barbados next year!

Paisley + Brett— you two have something so incredibly special + I am so blessed to know you.