Western Wedding at Ruin Venue in Joshua Tree, CA | Sam + Karl

This wedding meant a lot to us. I first met Sam and Karl in 2015 while attending The Unique Camp, hosted by the darling Sonja Rasula in Big Bear, California. This was an environment meant to help us succeed, find community and hit our internal reset button and awaken amongst the trees. I was there teaching intro to photography and gaining a whole new personal perspective. I attending a leather class, hosted by a local LA leather-smiths, Anvil. Sam and Karl greeted the class and began to explain how we were about to create a belt from scratch. They cut the strip of leather, the rest was up to us. I opted to craft a belt for my future husband, as we were one third of the way through our engagement. I styled it, stained it, and chose to hand stamp our future wedding date into the belt. He's worn it since the day I returned from CAMP in 2015. Now, in 2017, he and I (now husband and wife) were tasked with capturing the wedding of Anvil artists, Sam and Karl.

We joined them in Yucca Valley, California and let the upcoming couple of magical days unfold. We joined them for their wedding day on October 21, 2017 as the sun rested low in the desert sky and the couple recited their vows. The venue began as bare bones and by the time guests arrived, Shirley from Everly Events had transformed the space into a dreamy western landscape of wild flowers and cafe lights. The ceremony was sweet and straight forward. They promised themselves to each other and welcomed their family and friends to speak and perform during the ceremony. A song was sung and accompanied by the groomsmen superb maraca shaking. An apache blessing was read and a family blessing shared. The party erupted with BBQ, hilarious speeches and a wild dance floor that enticed everyone with it's warmth and curated tunes. Sam and Karl picked their favorite songs and the DJ from was talented and dedicated enough to mix them on the fly and create an enticing dance floor atmosphere. The bourbon helped warm up the guests as they shared stories over the fire or watched the maid of honor show off her best dance moves in dance battles with the younger guests and family members. Everyone dressed the part and even in the fading light... fringe, leather and western hats could be seen dancing and swaying as the champagne continued to be passed around, and the sun said it's goodnights.

These are a few of my favorite images from their wedding day along with a couple teasers from their portrait session (released shortly).

Thank you, Sam and Karl, for opening your hearts that day at CAMP and staying so dear and true since that moment. We were so humbled to be part of your insanely fun, perfectly executed, wild west adventure of a wedding.

click play to watch their cinematic highlight film

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