The Living Desert and Zoo Wedding | Palm Desert, CA
Brooke and Austin Dorati | November 17, 2017
Brooke and Austin's wedding day was such a fun way to end the 2017 wedding season. Brooke's gorgeous color palette couldn't have matched the Living Desert or the evening sky more perfectly. The gorgeous soft pinks, peach, deep pinks and accentuated black bridesmaid's dresses, was all just too good. With the beautiful ostrich hair fur coats fitting very nicely with the wildlife all around from the giraffes and addax on green, rolling hills, to vultures, zebras, and camels...one in particular whose name just happened to be Diamond. Brooke's intricate gown was from Grace loves Lace (stunner!) and the churro bar for dessert was a hit!
Brooke knew that the sun would be setting rather early, which meant darker ceremony/reception photos but she planned wisely. My second photographer and I decided to get there around 1:00pm and were aiming for a 1:45pm first look. The whole family looked on as Austin saw his bride for the first time. The getting ready quarters and first look were about 20 minutes down the road from the Living Desert at the La Quinta Club and Resort. Brooke knew exactly where she wanted the first look and the spot couldn't have been a more beautiful spot. For first looks, I'll always run ahead and ensure the spot is good to go. The reason being? As I got to the spot Brooke had envisioned there were tables and chairs being set up for an event later that day. Photographer tip: ask politely for what's being set up to be moved for just a few minutes. Most people are more than happy to go out of their way to make a bride's vision and dream a reality. This was one of those times. The gentlemen setting up the tables were more than happy to move the setup out of the way.
We made it the Living Desert with a plan of action. We'd head for the giraffe lookout point then head for the camels. We missed the giraffe feeding time but still got to see them grazing from afar. I had never been to the zoo before, even though Palm Springs is a favorite of mine. It was simply breathtaking to see these native African animals with the Californian desert as a backdrop. We took a little detour in the Madagascar Gardens to get some bridal squad shots and then golf carted over to the camel exhibit. It was nearing dusk, using every last bit of light before the ceremony and the sky's hues were gorrrrgeous. I share this bit for any current bride's contemplating a first look or not. I'm all for keeping your wedding traditional, however, it is crucial to know when the sun is setting and if you're only going to have an hour after your ceremony to squeeze in family photos, bridal party AND bride/groom portraits, I couldn't recommend a first look more strongly.
Brooke's modern glam look, pink fur and the camel's tan coat, divine! It's with much self-control Brooke "vogue'd" through the camel scent (which wasn't the most pleasant) and through all of us cracking up as Austin kept ducking as Diamond, the camel, made a hocking loogie sound. We all know camels are infamous for their spit...but thankfully, we walked away with no outfit changes needed. Whew! The ring bearer was the bride and groom's nephew (check out that milk 'stache nearing the end) and their daughter as the flower girl. All in all, this wedding couldn't have been more sweet and I couldn't be more excited for Brooke and Austin as they take on this new journey as husband and wife.
