Sherri + Ted’s Winter Elopement in the Mountains & Joshua Tree

After finding their perfect elopement photographers in the Wandering Weddings directory, Sherri and Ted worked together with Traci to bring their winter elopement in the mountains and desert to life. Get all the details below.

Are you ready to elope? Explore our California elopement packages. 

About This Elopement

Photography by Adventure and Vow

“Sherri and Ted found us via Wandering Weddings and reached out to bring their vision to life of a Winter elopement in the mountains, but also in the desert. After exploring options in Arizona and Utah we landed on Joshua Tree. They got engaged in a national park in Alaska together after 16 years of being together. That experience inspired them to elope in a National Park. It was important to Sherri to include details from her Native American background, she brought items that meant so much to her and her family to include in her day.

After getting ready together the couple enjoyed mimosas as they watched the sun come up from the backyard of their Airbnb. We ventured into the park to explore different areas and enjoy a yummy picnic where they also played connective games. They held their ceremony in a private nook of the park where they also shared private vows. It was such a joyous moment between them, there was so much excitement!  We made our way back to their airbnb to enjoy a chef prepared dinner inspired by Native and Hispanic culture. Before the night ended we went back outside to view the milkyway. It was a perfect day creating memories, enjoying each other’s company and tying years of love together.” [Traci, the photographer]

Learn more about eloping in a National Park.

Permits and LNT at Joshua Tree

“To hold a ceremony in Joshua Tree National Park you do need a special use permit and you are then able to choose which location to hold your ceremony based on the list they provide. From there you apply telling them what time and which location. The permits are based on group size so be sure to know your guest count when applying.” [Traci, the photographer]

Learn how to leave no trace at a national park. 

Top Tips for Eloping in Joshua Tree

Traci shares their top tips when eloping in Joshua Tree:

• Go into the park early or plan for time to get past the entry gate. There can often be traffic entering the park! It is also typically, less busy to enter the park from the Twentynine Palms entrance.
• Book your Airbnb early as there are a lot of really epic Airbnbs in the area, but the good ones could be gone early. Be sure to ask permission to have your photographer and or a chef on the property as many of the Airbnb in the area have an additional fee.
• When you are visiting, try something new! Go with a rock climbing guide into the park to get try climbing in this mecca.
• There is a lot of good food in Joshua Tree! We recommend visiting these places: Kitchen in the Desert for dinner, Grnd Sqrl for lunch, and Mas o Menos for coffee and or cocktails.

Learn more about eloping at Joshua Tree National Park.

Details We Love

“Sherri said during wedding planning, people would ask her what her wedding colors were to which she’d reply: dirt +dust. Which was accurate as the day grew on her dress collected cacti and visibly showed what we call the desert ombré. It was also the perfect vision going into a day adventuring around the desert.
It was important to Sherri to include her heritage, so she brought sacred items for details for her to have during her day. In honor of Sherri’s native heritage and the importance of including it within their day, I’d like to note that these images were taken on the original land of the Serrano, Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, and Mohave tribes.” [Traci, the photographer]

Memorable Moments

From the photographer:

‘”I’m really glad I got to experience this with you.’ – The Groom said after watching the sunset at the end of their elopement day.

After 16 years of experience together, Sherri and Ted got married in a new National park. Their first time in the desert, their first time in Joshua Tree National Park, and more. The day was celebrated with inside jokes, exploring in awe the landscapes, sentimental details, fantastic meals, unreal sunrises, and sunsets.”

Vendors

Photo, Video + Officiant | Adventure and Vow

Accommodation | Moasis
Florist | Cactus Flower Florist
Picnic | The Nomadic People
Hair and Makeup | Maria Angelic Makeup
Private Chef | Private Chef V 

Photography From This Elopement