Colorful Palm Springs LGBTQ+ Elopement at Salvation Mountain
If you’re like me and you love to say f*ck tradition, then the universe has brought you to the right place because oh boyyy are you about to see a TON of expectation-smashing & tradition-breaking❤️🔥 Attending this styled shoot put on by Ride or Die Retreats was the best decision I could have made earlier this year! Not only did I get to connect with the most incredible Palm Springs elopement vendors; I got the opportunity to photograph one of the most badass couples I have ever met. This styled bold, colorful elopement at Salvation Mountain with Zingy and Iggy was everything & more!
Vibrant & Bold Summer LGBTQ+ Elopement at Salvation Mountain
This experience with Ride or Die Retreats is one I will always look back on fondly, with my heart and creative cup oh-so-full. The shoot took place at Salvation Mountain which, if you’re not familiar with the area, is an iconic, art-covered hillside about 90 minutes from Palm Springs. Featuring elements such as adobe bricks, car parts, a variety of murals, and Christian sayings + Bible verses galore, this unique spot made for the perfect location for this colorful, bold elopement. Because no matter what your religious beliefs may be, we can all agree on one thing: that love is love is LOVE, and it deserves to be celebrated!
A loud celebration of color, love, and self-expression
As soon as I showed up to the shoot, I knew it was unlike any I’d ever seen in the elopement industry! So many styled shoots still revolve around traditional and timeless elements – which, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE and is beautiful in its own way – and not many planners opt to go too bold with it, for whatever reason. But let me tell you, the team did NOT hold back for this one! They wanted this shoot to be a loud and proud celebration of love in all its forms, exploding with color and allowing space for total, authentic self-expression. And I’d say they were pretty dang successful in that!
Zingy and Iggy, first of all, were the most spectacular models to bring this vision to life. Each of them brought their own unique styles and personalities to the table, which is exactly what you should do on your elopement day! If your personality and style choices are bold and beautiful, so should your big day. Never ever dim your light thinking that you need to look “timeless,” because what’s truly timeless is authentically honoring who you are at this moment in time ✨ With all due respect, “tradition” can go to hell!
Light & airy neutrals to pair with the colorful backdrop
Natalie Gray Creative perfectly paired a gorgeous palette of neutrals in Zingy & Iggy’s outfits with the assortment of colors in the background to create a bold, yet upscale look – and it was everything! I am so completely obsessed with adding color into photoshoots & weddings, and not shying away from bold accessories, patterns, and colors for the sake of “tradition” or “trendiness.” Color is SUCH a great way to bring out your unique personalities, and Natalie (of Natalie Gray Creative) fully took that into consideration when styling the outfits for this shoot!
And Flower Disco truly put their all into it as well, designing the most gorgeous bouquet of all-white florals. When you have such a stunning couple, an eclectic backdrop, one-of-a-kind fashion, and eye-catching accessories, you don’t need anything major when it comes to your flowers – Zingy and Iggy simply held a small bouquet of large white blooms, pale pink roses, and a little bit of delicate baby’s breath. Absolutely flawless!
Zingy’s champagne-drenched satin suit
Speaking of stunning couples, one-of-a-kind fashion, and eye-catching accessories, let’s talk about the outfits these two donned for the shoot! Zingy was styled with a luxurious, slightly retro vibe in mind, wearing a satin, champagne-colored top and matching flared pants. I was OBSESSED with these pieces – who doesn’t look good in satin?! It brought the whole vibe up a few levels of luxury with barely any effort, and so did the off-white jacket they put on over the layer of sparkling champagne. Paired with white-rimmed sunglasses, shiny white shoes, and a bright white corsage, they looked killer from top to bottom.
Iggy’s eclectic bridal look
Now IGGY – equally as iconic as their partner. Truly the most stylish power couple out there! Iggy was also covered in bright white pieces to go with Zingy’s off-white, champagne-drenched look, the highlight being their ruffled, multi-layered bridal dress. This dress was insane, featuring ruffled tulle along the shoulders and so many layers of tulle, cut high in the front and trailing down low in the back. Oh, and let’s admire those accessories, because they deserve their own moment: the chunky pearl necklace, pearl-studded veil, dangly crystal earrings, and chunky white boots? Fabulous from head to toe! Alexis the Stylist also did a phenomenal job with their makeup, especially the literal pearls around their eyes 🔥
Palm Springs elopement vendors
Thank you to every Palm Springs vendor who contributed to this shoot, because it absolutely blew me away – everything from the design, to the styling, to the florals was impeccably done. What a talented group of people, and what an honor it was so get to photograph their work!
Retreat: Ride or Die Retreats | @rideordieretreats
Models: @zingybrown @ingonoir
Styling: Natalie Gray Creative | @nataliegraycreative
Veil: Jane Rhyan | @janerhyanthecollection
Florals: Flower Disco | @flowerdisco_
Stationery: Handsome Love Calligraphy | @handsomeloveco
HMUA: Alexis the Stylist | @alexisthestylist888
Officiant: Lady Love Bandit | @ladylovebandit
Palm Springs Elopement Photographer
I adore the California sunshine and would LOVE to head back down to Palm Springs to capture your special day, too. So if you’re feeling inspired and are ready to start planning your own bold, one-of-a-kind elopement, then reach out to me here and let’s dream together, darlin’!
Searching for more elopement inspiration to give you ideas for your special day? Browse through a few of my recent favorites below!
