We walked out amongst the Joshua Trees, and they said their vows in the shade of peculiar formations of boulders in mid-afternoon. We spent the rest of the evening drinking cheap beer together, hiking up to some of the tallest views in the park, getting whipped by the desert winds and marveling at Southern California’s notoriously golden light at sunset.

Majo + Chris had an adventurous elopement in the California desert at Joshua Tree National Park at sunset. She had a handmade dress that flowed beautifully in the wind, and they said private vows surrounded by boulders, Joshua trees, and cactus.

We met Christie & Corey for drinks at a little cafe outside of Joshua Tree National Park before their engagement session. We made our way into the park with mostly clear skies and good temperatures. As we hiked around the boulders, the clouds darkened in some spots while the sun still shone on the horizon. We continued our hike, admiring the spring bloom in Joshua Tree (which is a spectacle to see), taking photos and making jokes as we made our way through the desert landscape. At one point I turned around away from the sun and saw one of the most saturated and clear rainbows I’ve ever seen. We all started shrieking audibly at how cool it was. Christie & Corey danced in the middle of the desert, holding hands and running and laughing, while Nate and I climbed up boulders taking photos.

For Liz & Jim’s elopement, we hiked around to the backside of Cap Rock and met the family beneath the Joshua Trees for their ceremony. Their officiant, Garrett, had everyone in tears, which was spurred even further by the thoughtful vows Liz & Jim spoke to each other. They exchanged rings, kissed, then both wiped happy tears as they walked back down the trail/makeshift aisle. We spent the rest of the evening watching the sun go down from a hike near the top of the Mojave Desert.

If there is one thing I could see and attempt to capture in Abe and Isaac’s story, it’s their unending strength. Much like the desert. Where life can be harsh, they choose to see the sweetness in it. It’s like the way the Joshua Tree grows from dry, granite gravel ground and it stretches skyward, twisting, flowering in season, and always green no matter the season. Abe and Isaac are that way. Rooted in humility, they are a life force of their own.

From spending sunrise watching the light gracefully warm the Joshua trees, to their ceremony at the base of Cap Rock, to getting tattoos (epic), and watching the sun go down behind mount San Jacinto, Diana and Isiah did it their way. No rules, no strict timeline—just love for those around them, love for the desert, love for the one they stood next to.