This Wedding Was A Sci-Fi Lovers Ceremony And Cryptid Creatures With A Dose Of Boho In The Desert
The whimsical celebration was brought to life through the lens of photographer Meredith Gradishar and Zoom Theory. The star-studded guest list included offbeat partners Tiffany Rose, a Nurse Practitioner, and Victor, an Organic Tea & Herb Buyer. The picturesque setting for this unforgettable day took place at Sacred Sands Bed and Breakfast in Joshua Tree, California on June 25th, 2016.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
As we exchanged vows in the enchanting desert landscape of Joshua Tree, our love for sci-fi and mythical creatures came alive. The inspiration for our unique celebration originated with Victor’s thoughtful proposal in a redwood forest, following our visit to the Bigfoot Museum in Santa Cruz. Our save-the-date announcement paid homage to X-files, UFOs, and Sasquatch, setting the tone for an otherworldly affair.
The quirky wedding suite we designed reflected not only our affection for this mystical place but also our fascination with all things mysterious and paranormal. At our reception, guests were seated at long picnic tables grouped by their favorite mythical creatures – Troll, Cyclops, Aliens, Unicorn, Phoenix, Gnome, Merman, Dragons from Game of Thrones, Gargoyle, the Kraken, Vampire, Zombie, Mummy, Loch Ness, and Werewolf.
As they mingled and enjoyed the desert sunset, seating cards adorned with beautiful macrame art displayed on a wind-catching piece above each table. My Man of Honor, M. J., skillfully drew each cryptid creature to frame each table’s unique charm. Surrounded by Joshua Tree’s bizarre beauty, away from the city’s din, love became an overwhelming presence, opening hearts and minds to this new experience.
It was as if time stood still, allowing us to truly live in the moment – a poignant reminder of the power of love to transcend the ordinary.
Tell us about the ceremony:
Our wedding ceremony was a unique blend of pop culture references and personal touches. Our officiant, Matt, is a friend who shares our love for science fiction and fantasy. He wove these themes into his speech, making it a truly special moment. Victor’s vows to me were a highlight, as he incorporated elements of Game of Thrones and other beloved shows into his promises. He began by addressing me as ‘Tiffany, my khaleesi,’ referencing the powerful queen in GoT.
He vowed to make room for me in our life together, just as Daenerys makes room for her dragons. Victor also joked that if aliens came to take him away, he wouldn’t go without me, and promised to be his ‘Apollo’ to my ‘Starbuck,’ just like the characters from Battlestar Galactica. After the vows, Matt declared us husband and wife by invoking the power of both the State of California and the ‘old gods and new.
‘ He then instructed Victor to ‘cloak’ me and bring me under his protection, ending with a playful exhortation to give me a kiss – ‘frakkin kiss!’ being a reference to another favorite show, Farscape. The ceremony also included a ritual that was meaningful to us. We participated in a Yoruban tasting ceremony, which involved experiencing four tastes together: sour, bitter, spicy, and sweet.
Each of these flavors represented a challenge we’ll face in our marriage, but just as good food can bring people together, love can help us overcome these challenges. The fifth element, or course, was love itself – symbolized by the aged whiskey we savored together.
Tell us about your reception:
We kicked off our celebration in style with a grand entrance set to UGK’s ‘International Player’s Anthem’, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. To add some flair, Victor and I even busted out some choreographed dance moves to a medley of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Spaceship Coupe’, Miguel’s ‘Sure Thing’ (to represent our ride-or-die love), and Lucy Pearl’s ‘Dance Tonight’ (a nod to our shared love for 90s music).
The fun continued with a spread of family-style sides from the Los Lobos Truck, accompanied by an open bar featuring Stone’s Enjoy By Tangerine IPA and Citrus Wit brew, Modern Times Blazing World, and fine wines from Justin and Sextant winery. My drink of choice was Blanton’s whiskey neat, while Victor opted for a turmeric tonic, gin, and soda water – which we dubbed ‘El Capitan’.
The favors we handed out reflected our professional passions – organic Rishi Turmeric Ginger and Green Tea in amber medication bottles with custom prescription labels. A heartwarming highlight came when my dad serenaded me with Frank Sinatra’s classic ‘The Way You Look Tonight’, followed by a self-choreographed mash-up performance featuring The Temptations, The Monkees, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Kris Kross, Outkast, and La-33.
To cap off the night, we indulged in an array of decadent desserts – mini pies (Yuzu Citrus, Apple Pie, Banana Cream) and divine mini cupcakes featuring flavors like Churro Horchata, Maple Bacon, Matcha Green Tea, Espresso Brownie, and Nachos Del Rey (chipotle buttercream, dark chocolate cupcake, cheddar cheese ganache, topped with milk chocolate tortilla crunch).
What was your most important lesson learned?
When planning our dream wedding, staying within budget was a significant challenge. To overcome this hurdle, we started by identifying five adjectives that described our ideal wedding and then looked for ways to incorporate elements that fit within those parameters without breaking the bank. This approach not only helped us stay on track financially but also ensured that our special day reflected our personalities.
One of the key strategies we employed was enlisting the help of friends and family with smaller, manageable tasks. By delegating these responsibilities, we were able to reduce costs significantly. For instance, instead of opting for expensive table decor, we chose a more affordable option featuring basic glassware and plates.
We also asked our loved ones traveling from the Philippines to bring Batik cloths, which not only added a personal touch to the decor but also served as a meaningful way to incorporate my Filipino heritage. While small details can make a big impact, it’s ultimately the overall experience that our guests will remember. Our unique venue was already stunningly beautiful, so we didn’t need to do much to stylize the space – instead, we let its natural charm shine through.
By choosing a venue with inherent aesthetic appeal, couples can avoid unnecessary expenses and focus on creating memorable moments. To ensure our guests could fully immerse themselves in the celebration without worrying about logistics, we provided transportation to and from the event. This not only eliminated parking concerns but also prevented potential issues with designated drivers or getting lost in the dark desert.
Additionally, having a food truck on site allowed us to offer a variety of late-night snacks – including popular options like fried chicken wings and jalapeno poppers – which our guests absolutely loved. Overall, I highly recommend incorporating such treats into your wedding plans.
Vendors
Behind the scenes of a beautiful wedding, a team of talented professionals worked together to bring the couple’s vision to life. Led by photographer Meredith Gradishar, the team included Daalarna as the dress designer, Sacred Sands Bed and Breakfast as the stunning venue, D.P. Weddings as the videographer, Thorne Artistry for makeup and hair styling, The Lobos Truck for catering, and Sweet Emilia Jane as the wedding design and coordinator.
