Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We’ve always loved retreating to the desert, even in the thick of summer. We stumbled on The Mojave Moon Ranch and were struck by the gorgeous landscaping, eclectic property, and stunning desert views.
How many guests did you have?
There were 20 guests, including us. We invited immediate family only due to COVID, and made it more of a dinner party format. While we missed having friends there, the intimacy of the weekend was really special. The Shalom Imaginative captured our day.
Tell us about your outfits.
I found my dress via Lovely Bride in Pasadena; they were having a trunk show of Prea James gowns. I had seen that particular dress online and absolutely loved the sleeves and silhouette.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
Since we hadn’t had a family gathering in a while because of the pandemic, we wanted to find a unique location that our whole family would enjoy. The Mojave Moon Ranch is truly a Joshua Tree gem; we loved exploring the property and enjoying the serenity of the desert all weekend. We were equally excited about putting together a seasonal meal for our family. We were lucky enough to have our friends Ross and Neale (based in San Diego) join us; they put together an incredible menu. My sister Scarlett who is based in Sonoma County, picked out the wines to complement. We think about that meal often – it was perfect!
Any tips for couples getting married?
Splurge on the things that matter to you, and don’t stress about the rest!
Photographer : The Shalom Imaginative @theshalomimaginative | Ceremony + Reception Location : The Mojave Moon Ranch @mojavemoonranch | Celebrant : Lee's father, Mike Pardini | Rentals : Signature Party Rentals | Flora : Cactus Flower Florist + Farms @cactusflowerflorist | Makeup + Hair : by the Bride | Catering : Friends and Chefs Ross Garcia and Neale Holaday | Cake : Neale Holaday | Dress : Prea James @preajames_bridal Bridal 'Amelie' from Lovely Bride in Pasadena, CA | Suit : High Society Custom Tailor @hellohighsociety | Emma's Engagement + Wedding Ring : Ceremony @ceremony.us | Lee’s Wedding Ring : Marke Fine Jewelry @markenewyork | Emma's Shoes : Nisolo @nisoloshoes | Lee's Shoes : Frye @thefryecompany | Hoop Earrings : Aurate @auratenewyork | Black Pearls : borrowed from Bride's Mother with pearls from the Cook Islands, where she is from