Our Wedding Day

Travel 1 Minute

Way back in November, before I was bogged down with the holidays, I married the sweetest nerd I know. We flew out to California, had an adventure (or two or three), stayed in a hotel designed by my idol, took a quick hike to a place like no other, and tied the knot. This is that story in pictures: getting ready, our first look, arrival to the cold desert of Joshua Tree National Park (along with Tobias, who was very displeased with the weather), our vows, first kiss (As husband and wife. We’ve actually kissed a couple of times before. Just for practice.), and our first dance.
Kelsie Makeup Tobias getting ready Mark getting ready Tobias waited patiently Tobias waited patiently some more kelsie getting ready Tobias needed a mother's touchour first look:first lookpictures around the hotel 0 pictures around the hotel 2 pictures around the hotel wedding cake elopement jonathan adler rings we left parker palm springs and we were off to the desert the desert was really cold short trek2 short trek Mark in position down the aisle joshua tree ryans ranch high five

My mom looked so beautiful that day. That's her. She officiated the wedding.
My mom looked so beautiful that day. That’s her. She officiated the wedding.

exchanged vows2 first kiss pronounced husband and wife family portrait Tobias needed some cheering up sunset wedding kiss joshua tree desert portraits3 desert portraits5 desert portraits4 desert portraits1 desert portraits6 desert portraits7 desert portraits91 desert portraits9 desert portraits92 desert portraits8

I'm obsessed with this picture; it's so me. Girly and gritty.
I’m obsessed with this picture; it’s so me. Girly and gritty.

desert portraits93 desert portraits94

desert portraits95

Our first dance was to Frank Sinatra from the piano player at Melvyn's, the place where Frank & Nancy had their rehearsal dinner prior to their wedding. The food was phenomenal and it was a helluva classy joint. ;)
Our first dance was to Frank Sinatra from the piano player at Melvyn’s, the place where Frank & Nancy had their rehearsal dinner prior to their wedding. The food was phenomenal and it was a helluva classy joint. 😉
A final glass of Taittinger back at the Parker by the fire, just me and the new hubs.
A final glass of Taittinger back at the Parker by the fire, just me and the new hubs.

All photos, other than the last two, were taken by Sam Arroyo of SamanthaSmithArroyo.com. Follow her incredible work on Instagram! Her husband, Josh of Arroyo Films, will soon send us the video that was made. I can’t wait to share it with y’all! 

Post script: Samantha Smith Arroyo posted a blog about our elopement, too: Kelsie & Mark Joshua Tree Elopement

Published by Kelsie Oreta

Never-normal, always-honest lifestyle blogger chronicling worldwide adventures, goal chasing, DIYs, and being the youngest mom on the block.

Published

28 thoughts on “Our Wedding Day”

  2. Pingback: Oh yeah, about those 2015 resolutions. | tiny Kelsie

  3. Love, love, love your pictures! 1- your son is delicious! 2 – you are a beautiful bride 3 – you and your hubby are adorable together and 4 – i love just how natural and unforced it all seemed! Even your mom looks cool! Congrats again! ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply

    1. Thank you!! Our photographer really is just a genius, because we were awkward and laughing most of the time. Awkward only because there were cameras on us, but we’re actually always laughing 😉

      Reply

    2. Ps. I told my mom what to wear. Made her get some Kate Spade pumps and all. She’s not quite that cool on her own. (Almost!) Now that I think of it, I wonder if she’ll pass those Kate Spades over this way… 😉

      Reply

  5. SO happy you told me you eloped, and happy to have popped over, this is GORGEOUS. I’m so excited for you, I wouldn’t tell anyone how to get married, but I so believe eloping is THE best way.

    Reply

    1. I completely agree! The short period of time that we were planning a traditional wedding was THE WORST. Keeping the plan semi-secret for ten months, I wouldn’t recommend (travel schedule stuff) but eloping was absolutely the best for us!

      Reply

  7. me and my friend are ooing and aahhing over these pictures! they are beautiful! you are seriously me in a few years. it’s crazy how much you and your husband resemble me and my boyfriend!

    Reply

  8. Thank you so very much for your likes! As a new blogger it means heaps to me xx By the way, LOOOVE your wedding photos. Stunning! You are such a cute couple!! Best wishes on your new and exciting journey!!

    Reply

  9. So beautiful – and it’s clear that just because you didn’t do a gigantic $$$ party, your nuptials were stylish, elegant and full of joy and memories (amazing pics). It’s great that you even got a live Sinatra song for the first dance (we hired a band, but ended up dancing to a recorded version for the key dances anyway…). Congratulations!

    Reply

    1. Thank you! It was super special and all about us as a new family, rather than pleasing our huge families and our large group of friends. I wouldn’t have had it any other way!

      Reply
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    1. Ohh, Bryce Canyon! I haven’t made it out to that park yet, but it’s definitely on my list. It was just perfect for us, definitely wouldn’t have had it any other way.

      Reply
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