Charlie & Roger

Everyone has a favorite part of the wedding day, and mine is the vows. That should come as no surprise. After all, you’re here to pledge your eternal love for another person. And your vows are how you make those promises, share your deepest emotions, and express your commitment to a future that lasts. It’s so very personal, and no two vows are the same. So, it’s always an honor to photograph a couple reading their wedding vows to one another.

Only for some couples, that promise is so personal, they’d rather keep it just between them. So, when Charlie & Roger told me they wanted total privacy for their wedding vows during their intimate gothic desert elopement, I told them I knew a spot.

Private Wedding Vows in a Hidden Canyon

It was early in the morning. And even though the area we wanted to scope out was tucked away, potentially getting ahead of other visitors was essential for making Charlie & Roger’s wedding day wishes a reality.

One of the best parts about arriving at or just before sunrise is that even the most popular areas of Joshua Tree National Park are empty. Charlie showed up in an elegant black wedding dress with unique snake accessories, while Roger donned a gold jacket. In that moment, they almost perfectly embodied Morticia and Gomez Addams—the gothic it couple.

We spent some time taking photos, watching the sun peek over the granite boulders, and simply enjoying the freshness of a new day. Our soon-to-be newlyweds proved to be wonderfully expressive and oh-so in love. I mean, look how cute these Joshua Tree wedding photos are!

Next up, we headed to the chosen spot for private vows. When the couple promised they would cry—oh boy, did they deliver. Holding each other close, the two nearly full-body sobbed as they read their vows through cracking voices and dripping eyes. Truth be told, Charlie & Roger shared potentially the most intense vows I’ve ever witnessed. And I felt so honored to be the only one to hear them.

A Goth-Glamorous Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Fast forward a few hours. I arrived with my husband, Isiah, who would officiate the ceremony, to meet Charlie, Roger, and their wedding guests. Everyone was so psyched to watch their friends finally tie the knot.

Isiah opened the ceremony with a reading of “Les Misérables” by Victor Hugo, which really emphasized the importance of loving kindness in ways both big and small.

The tears never stopped flowing, even as Isiah performed a handfasting ceremony. After the enthusiastic shouts of “I do!” (I think there might have even been a “fuck yeah I do!”), the couple swapped rings and went in for a big kiss!

Their closest friends simply glowed over Charlie & Roger, now Mr. and Mrs. forever.

Up next, we got into some fun activities—like scrambling up some boulders, watching sunset, exchanging gifts, and more. We even got creative with some photo shoot ideas.

Back at their Airbnb, Charlie & Roger hung out with their two adorable corgis, ate dinner with friends, and finished the night with some stargazing. They even decorated their rental with some gothic flair—a “til death” sign, candles and faux skulls, a black cake with a raven, and more.

You really can have it all on your wedding day. And Charlie & Roger are a prime example of getting married exactly how you want to!