I ended my 2022 wedding season, tromping through the sun soaked hills with Julia & Cole.
These two had a sweetness to their love that one could almost taste. The way they looked at each other, giggled with each other, and held one another were all the things photographer dreams are made of.
Venue: Whisper Valley Ranch | Bouquet: Idlewild Floral Co. | Dress: Rue de Seine | Hair: Bellizzimo Beauty | Rentals: Got You Covered / Embellish Vintage Rentals
Back in November, I had the distinct honor of hosting a special edition of Persephone Unleashed for a retreat alumni’s 40th birthday. This gaggle of goddesses welcomed me into their girl squad like I’d been there the whole time.
Whisper Valley Ranch set the perfect space and backdrop to our retreat — complete with zero cell service and not another soul or house for MILES. This being a birthday party, we opted for a more playful approach to nourishing ourselves, vs. the spiritual & emotional healing of Persephone’s past. We leaned into creativity and sisterhood, and laughed from sunup to sundown every single day.
As always, the photo shoot portion of the retreat blew my mind and filled my heart. I watched as each of these 6 women dropped out of their heads and into their bodies, releasing a lifetime of social expectations, shame, fear, and self-hatred. I watched as they stepped out of fear and into their own power, and it. was. epic.
This retreat wouldn’t have been what it was without the incredible team of women who brought it to life:
Whisper Valley Ranch, for inviting us into their sacred space and land.
Flora & Fauna Fine Foods, for making the trek out into the middle of nowhere to feed us 3 times a day.
Rozetree Bridal, for treating these women like the queens they are and enhancing their natural beauty for their photo shoots.
Events by Lilies of the Field, for helping us make floral crowns fit for forest nymph royalty and supplying stunning florals for our dining experiences.
All About Events, for bringing elegance to our dining ambiance, making every meal feel like a royal banquet.
Beauty Poet, for loving on these weary goddesses’ bodies with the healing touch of therapeutic massage.
Fable Rune, for making our skin glow from day one with their natural ayurvedic facials and clay mask bar.
Jena Baird, for guiding us through morning yoga practices and bringing healing through both movement and sound.
Jennifer DeTrèglodè, for teaching us the ancient methods of Shibori Dye and allowing us to stretch some creative muscles.
& Nicole Joy, for painting these stunning portraits of our goddesses, something they will treasure forever.
There are still a few seats available for 2022 retreats (registration for the March retreat closes Feb 1st!) — I invite you to say YES to yourself in this big way and claim one of those seats for yourself.
May weddings continue on this path of simplicity, because I’m kind of in love with couples getting back to the roots of why they’re there in the first place.
Mattie & Trevor’s wedding was everything I love about intimate weddings: a gorgeous bride, a tearful groom, handmade dried floral centerpieces, a dress with wings, a taco truck, and s’mores.
Thank you, more please.
Venue: Whisper Valley Ranch | Catering: Taqueria 805 | Bouquet: Lori Boe | Rentals: All About Events | Dress: Moondance Bridal
Based in San Luis Obispo and traveling the globe documenting destination weddings, elopements, and stories of all kinds. Inspired by love, light, heartache, and all the things that make us human.
