Elopement Styled Shoot at the Desert Compass Inn

Real couple Kelly and Elizabeth modelled for our styled shoot at the Desert Compass Inn this past spring with travelling/elopement photographer, Erin Venable Photography.

The Desert Compass is a trendy vacation rental property in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It looks so cute and it would be a perfect wedding venue for any one of the boho dresses from my Southwest Bridal collection.

Kelly is wearing the Thunderbird gown and paired it with matching turquoise earrings and leather boots. Our model Kelly made the earrings she is modelling. They are campitos turquoise made with repurposed leather. Check out more of her work on Instagram @kellyhorriganhandmade

Fun Fact: The fringe on the Thunderbird gown has been updated with a brighter polyester fringe instead of the original cotton fringe that got too messy and wadded up after the first styled shoot. I love natural fibers just as much as anyone, but with dresses that are going to be worn multiple times, like my dresses for styled shoots, sometimes a manufactured fiber is the way to go to be time and cost-effective. With that being said, I absolutely recommend natural fibers (silk, cotton, linen) for your wedding day, since you are going to be only wearing them once and they are more luxurious.

Styling your Southwest Bridal Dress + Texas Wedding Day Inspiration

When I started designing this collection, I approached it in a different way. I thought about all the details of my hypothetical bride’s wedding day. When and where it would be; the spring or summer in the Southwest.

I then started thinking about what I have seen brides love—showing their personality on their wedding day. I also thought about comfort and if my bride would want to be able to get on a horse or not. If she was able to run through a field or not if she would be easily able to be thrown over her new husband/wife’s shoulder for those fun, romantic, whimsical photos we all love.

Wrangler gown captured by Al Gawlik Photography

For this post, I compiled some inspirational photos and styling tips for your Southwest wedding. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Venue Inspiration-The Union on Eighth, Georgetown

Ok, so when we planned our wedding, finding and booking the venue was the first step. (Besides calling your parents and/or besties!)

I was searching for the perfect venue and stopped looking once I saw the Union on Eighth. It has a historical charm mixed with modern details—just like my dresses!

https://www.toddwhite.org/

LOVE that blue door!

Todd White Photography

Flowers

A bluebonnet bouquet would be perfect with your Southwest Bridal dress!

There are blue details in the Thunderbird gown, the Sky Stone Gown, She-Wolf jumpsuit, and the Wrangler dress pictured above.

lastpetal.com

Another fabulous bouquet option is a Texas Wildflower bouquet. Love this colorful bouquet from Tracy Rassett at Violet Crown Designs 

Bonnie Berry Photography

Darlin’ Wedding dress captured by Sunflower Stills Photography

Remnant Hats

Accessories

Remnant Hats

Bridal hats are so hot right now!

They are the perfect accessory to go with your desert wedding.

No hat is better than a custom hat from Remnant Hats to go with your custom Southwest dress from Desireé Marie.

Hippie Chick in Turquoise by Heritage

Another necessity for Southwest dresses is western boots!

I love these unique designs that are made to order at Heritage here in Austin, Texas.

Venom Peewee in White by Heritage

Yes those are scorpions on the front and a poisonous snake wrapped around the ankle of both heeled booties because you a badass!

Gorgeous drop statement earrings from https://www.hannahmaedlevy.com/

Thunderbird Gown captured by Jessica Collins Photography at Bull Creek Park Austin Texas

Cake

Of course, a cactus inspired cake from Sweet Treets Bakery here in Austin would go fabulously with your Southwest Wedding.

Sweet Treets Bakery Austin Texas

Sweet Treets Bakery Austin Texas

I used embroidery throughout the collection, so this custom cake from Sweet Treets with its embroidery inspired design would match seamlessly.

I was inspired by the handmade details that Southwest fashion is known for. I especially took inspiration from Mexican embroidery and have Mexican-inspired embroidery on the Wrangler gown, She-Wolf jumpsuit, and the Wildflower gown.

sketch of the Wildflower Gown

That’s a wrap! Hope y’all enjoyed it!

MarinaWanders Photography

Sky Stone at the Great Outdoors

I finished this dress along with a couple of other dresses a few months ago, pre-COVID, and kept waiting for this all to end, but after June hit, I could not wait any longer. So I collaborated with a small vendor team and we made sure to keep a distance when possible (hard with a model) and we all wore facemasks as well, including our model.

Since Callie and the photographer could stay 6 ft apart because of her long lens, we were able to get some shots in between with no mask.

The Sky Stone gown is named after the turquoise Sky Stone. Sky Stone dates back far as the mummy period, but it has a great meaning to the Native American culture, and that is where I borrowed the name from for my gown with turquoise details. They used to say it is the “stone that stole its color from the sky, …and it brings prosperity, good luck, and power” -(Kallstrom)

Designed to be comfortable, effortless, and carefree, like the badass women of the Southwest. Other dresses/jumpsuits in the collection include Mexican inspired embroidery. Link at the bottom of this blog post.

Stay safe y’all!

CREDITS

Sky Stone gown from the Southwest Bride Collection

Silver Sequin Facemask

Venue The Great Outdoors, ATX

Photography by Adriana M. Bravo

MUA Artistry by Clarissa

Model Callie Stegemeier

Sky Stone history

See more dresses and jumpsuits from the Southwest Bride Collection here

Thunderbird and Love Warrior in Joshua Tree California

When you’re wearing one of my Southwest bridal gowns, I want you to feel like a badass! Like you can kick butt(if needed) or kick back next to a bonfire.

Marina from MarinaWanders Photography was able to capture that feeling in Joshua Tree California on a short vacation she took over there with model Brie Bronnenberg.

Marina, along with coming up with the direction of the shoot, and photographing, also did all of the styling, makeup, and even some modeling herself! Insane!