A Desert-hued Day of Love and Unity | Elliot + Emili

bride and groom holding hands at justines secret house photographed by nikk nguyen

November 23, 2022

A Desert-hued Day of Love and Unity | Elliot + Emili

I was beyond excited to work with this couple! Elliot and Emili had a clear vision for their wedding, and I was thrilled about the opportunity to help them make it happen with my photography.

Escape to Nature

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple had a joyful escape from lockdown to go on a hiking trip in Utah. There, they found some of the inspiration for the wedding from the breathtaking views they encountered. The trip remains a cherished memory for the happy couple.

Colors of the Landscape

As a result of that special trip, Elliot and Emili had a desert/south-western design theme in mind for their wedding. Colors of clay, wafer, dusty pink, and a refreshing and contrasting matcha brought a wild and natural beauty to the celebration. They wanted to lean into the surroundings of their wedding and their lives, but not so far as to be cliche.

Whether they intended it or not, some of the guests were more than happy to help their theme along with their own attire. As Elliot tells us, “There were a fair amount of bolo ties seen as well!” Ultimately, the wedding party popped against the backdrop with the groom and groomsmen in heavy jewel tones that contrasted sharply with the desert colors.

A Day of Memories and Love

Elliot told us about some of his favorite moments from their important day. He loved taking the group photos, hearing the speeches from their loved ones, his and Emili’s first dance, and, of course, the moment he saw Emili walk down the stairs in her dress. When asked if he had any advice for other planning couples, he offered,