This is Anna and Iliana and the story of their laid back summer camp wedding at White Eagle Camp. They gathered with loved ones for the whole weekend to partake in nostalgic summer festivities under the warm, bright sunshine. Their time leading up to their celebration was filled with lake swims, archery, trails in the woods, and sleeping under the stars. Short jean overalls, freckled noses, flip flops, mosquitos, and sunblock included.
They changed out of their swimming suits and brushed their teeth in their Airstream camper before heading over to a little red cabin to get ready for the day together. Dresses made of lace, boots covered in stars, moon earrings, and a wifey necklace. They spoke their vows while standing on colorful rugs spread out over the fresh, green summer grass and underneath an arch covered in the most beautiful flowers. Tiki torches surrounding the space to scare away the pesky mosquitos. Their ceremony included both traditional pagan and Jewish wedding rituals that were meaningful to the couple: flower crowns instead of rings, sharing apples with their loved ones to declare the goodness that comes from the earth, and smashing a wine glass before their first kiss. Their ceremony was overflowing with whimsy touches: readings from Alice and Wonderland and their friend led the time by rhyming together beautiful, thoughtful words.
As the sun began to set, everyone gathered in the camp dining hall to enjoy fine fare, of course. Tables covered in lace and candles. Collected vintage plates and colorful chalices. Antlers and wildflowers. And a fulfilled dream of an opossum wedding cake. Tears and laughter filled those cozy dining hall walls as guests shared beautiful stories and spoke words of love. And the night ended with wild, shimmery and neon outfits and, well, wild dancing, too.
Such a big, beautiful honor to have some of these images and Iliana + Anna’s story featured in the most recent issue of Cherry Bombe, celebrating inspiring women in food. Snag a copy HERE, or check out the article online here. Iliana is a Chef with a Michelin-starred restaurant, Elizabeth. Her memoir, Burn the Place, is coming out in July and we cannot wait to read it!
Interested in having us tell the story of your day in photo or video? Contact us HERE.
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Want to see more weddings like this? Check out: Retro Inspired 29 Palms Inn Wedding // Hicksville Trailer Palace Wedding in Joshua Tree // Sustainable Celebration on the Pacific Coast
All images by The Shalom Imaginative, Documentary Media. Los Angeles and Joshua Tree based wedding photographers.
Summer camp wedding venue: White Eagle Camp // Second shooter: Kassie Burns