We have such a fun desert wedding to share with you this morning, at a relatively unknown, but super awesome, Joshua Tree venue called The Ruin Venue. Krystal + Josh tied the knot with a beautifully intimate ceremony, surrounded by close friends + family. They dance the night away under a full moon and filled the setting with handmade details that were as special + personal as they were stylish + unique. Krystal says, We knew we wanted every aspect of the wedding to truly represent us, so we chose a venue that allowed for us to do so. Even though that meant bringing our own tables, heaters, water – even bathrooms!
The environment they built from (literally) the ground up just couldn’t have been better + Caleb John Hill did it all some serious justice in the images from the day you’re about to see!
A peek at K’s stunning Claire Pettibone dress! Such a romantic opposition to the arid desert surroundings.
Processional: I Need My Girl – The National + Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
Recessional: Midnight City – M83
First Dance: Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros
Josh: When I was standing at the altar, seeing my beautiful bride in her breathtaking dress, glowing, with the light catching in her veil - it was an incredible feeling.
Krystal: I'm rarely nervous about anything, but saying our vows in front of everyone had me shaking like a leaf. At one point Josh took my hand and squeezed it. In that moment everything else fell away.
Can you believe this stunning bouquet was a DIY by Krystal? If you’re set on crafting your own protea bouquet, but would like just a few pointers on how to construct something beautiful that will last, check out this post, where we show you how to hand-make a Spring protea bouquet!
A picture-perfect desert sunset dinner. We wish we could have been guests ourselves!
Krystal rocked one of our f-a-v-e reception headpieces to date: an antique Indonesian tiara which she painstakingly refurbished. Absolutely beautiful!
Josh: Make sure you budget for unexpected, last minute costs and give yourself some time in the few days leading up to really experience everything.
Krystal: Ask for help! Though we planned everything ourselves, without our family and friends coming together to help with picking up rentals, setting up the venue, bar tending, playing music, even officiating our ceremony, it never would have come together. Having our own community be such an integral part of the day made it that much more special to us.

photography: Caleb John Hill Photography // venue name: The Ruin Venue, in Pioneertown, California // event design: the couple // planning: the couple // florals: the couple // wedding dress: Claire Pettibone // bride's shoes: Jeffrey Campbell // bridesmaid dresses: the Reformation // hair stylist: Lauren Paez Burt // makeup artist: Lauren Paez Burt // groom attire: Burberry // catering: Max City BBQ // officiant: Andres Rigal // veil: Claire Pettibone // reception headpiece: antique Indonesian tiara refurbished and embellished by the bride // invitation: Blue Eye Brown Eye // program: DIY // pies: Modern Love Pie // rentals: Thrifted Sister Vintage, Baker Party Rentals, Toast Party Rentals // ceremony music: Whiskey Business // reception music: Boys Regular
I love the uniqueness of this wedding. It seems to perfectly capture the couples’ personality and love for each other. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Her crown is pretty adorable.
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
Oh my goodness! This wedding is too pretty for words! Love every bit of it! <3
Oh how I love this !
Joshua Tree is a place I’ve lost when driving there, and I never thought about a wedding there… but how awesome is that !
and I am totally deeply madly in love with her bouquet… gorgeous one ! :)