Happy National Moon Day! Yep, today commemorates the day man first walked on the moon in 1969. Naturally, we’re celebrating one of the greatest accomplishments known to mankind with one of the most beautiful weddings known to mankind! Nadia + Xavier’s ethereal day began in the desert and ended in the city—a voyage nearly as impossible as traveling to the moon! Here’s Nadia with the inspiration behind the ceremony:
We chose to have our ceremony in Joshua Tree because it has always been a very sacred place to us. It has an otherworldly, mystical, and spiritual quality that provided the perfect environment for us to convey our promise of eternal friendship, love, and devotion. During our ceremony we were surrounded by massive boulders and an intimate gathering of our immediate family and very best friends. We kept it simple, forgoing decor other than the bouquets that myself and my bridesmaids carried. Inspired by the work of French illusionist and film director, Georges Méliès, we affectionately called it our trip to the moon. The entire experience felt like a dream.
N + X gave Shindig Chic creative freedom to bring their vision for the day to life. With planning by the talented Art & Soul Events and photos by Isaiah & Taylor Photography, this dream team truly made magic in the moonlight. Let’s see it!
Michael Paul Escanuelas designed the whimsical invitation suite for the weekend celebration. Loving those fun illustrations!
Isn’t she a vision?! And that Tilly Thomas Lux crown is a dream!
An Otherworldly Ceremony
His face is the best!!
Nadia + Xavier’s day began at Indian Cove Amphitheater, a striking desert landscape surrounded by towering rock formations.
WOW, so cool.
The back of Nadia’s Claire Pettibone—SO gorgeous!!
The sparkly + flowy bridesmaid dresses from ASOS were the perfect tone against the moon-like landscape!
Carousel
Carousel
Nadia described the ceremony so beautifully: Both of my parents walked me down the aisle and we were married by one of our best friends. The juxtaposition between the magnificent desert landscape and our simple, yet very significant, presence was a reminder of the inherent mystery and magic that love evokes and the glorious opportunity for growth and transformation that it provides.
Yay!
The Journey Downtown
In a completely unorthodox move after our desert ceremony, we packed up and traveled 2 hours west, back to our hometown. In another nod to Georges Méliès, we jokingly called this our “impossible voyage.” While dating, Xavier and I had made many trips from Joshua Tree straight home to downtown for post-adventure drinks, so we knew that this was the experience to share with our loved ones.
Millwick provided the mysterious and magical quality that we wanted to convey and, being history teachers, we appreciated its connection to old Los Angeles. Having lived away from L.A. for almost two years, our reception became somewhat of a love letter to the city that raised us and to the Arts District where we met and fell in love.
Love the journey from lost in the desert to lost in the city!
Arts District Reception by the Light of the Moon
The reception details were equally as stunning and magical as the desert dreamscape! For starters, Shindig Chic hand-painted this moon seating chart.
And THEN, they hung oversized stars and wild bougainvillea from the rafters of Millwick to give E + X a romantic dinner under the stars!
(PS: See that screen in the back? They played Big Fish on silent during the reception!)
So, so gorgeous!
N + X chose bougainvillea as a primary flower for it’s resilience and ability to grow wild in a city full of concrete. Doesn’t it pop so beautifully against the desert and warehouse settings?
Shindig Chic SERIOUSLY outdid themselves with these floral installations!
The sweet centerpiece: a naked cake from Cup My Cakez dressed up so beautifully in cascading bougainvillea.
We faced many hardships during our planning process. We had to stop planning when the executive order travel ban was announced because I was not sure if my father, who is from Iran, would be able to attend. It was devastating. As difficult as it was to plan without knowing what the future would hold, we had to resume and keep going - giving us just 6 months to plan our day. This was our first exercise in choosing joy, relying on faith, and trusting in love. No matter what challenges you face, whether big or small, remain true to your heart, center the day around your love, and believe in each other - with that, nothing can go wrong.
A first dance under the stars! Isn’t the whole thing just out of a movie?
And speaking of movies, this film from Steelhead Cinema captures so many beautiful moments from the day!
All our congrats to Nadia + Xavier!
photography: Isaiah & Taylor Photography // venue name: Millwick, Los Angeles, California, USA // event design: Shindig Chic // planning: Art & Soul Events // florals: Shindig Chic // wedding dress: Claire Pettibone // hairpiece: Tilly Thomas Lux // bride's shoes: Fioni // bride's ring: Digby & Iona // bridesmaid dresses: ASOS // makeup artist: Genevieve Andrade // groom attire: The Black Tux // videography: Steelhead Cinema // paper goods: Michael Paul Escanuelas // calligraphy: Shindig Chic // catering: Jennie Cooks // cake: Cup My Cakez // tabletop rentals: La Piñata Party // music: DJ Art // ceremony location: Indian Cove Amphitheater in Twentynine Palms
Wow… What a creativity…! What a photography by Isaiah and Taylor..! Amazing.
Hats-off to the creative mind.
Wow amazing wedding !
♥♥
Absolutely stunning wedding dress, love the detail!
What an amazing setting, and superb colour and processing in those images. Great work.
WOW! Just speechless… I love the beautiful photos from the rock formations. The venue is just WOW! Absolutely stunning :D