Kathryn & Giselle | A Gay Elopement at Casa De Monte Vista, Palm Springs | Film Photography
There's something about Palm Springs that feels made for love stories — the warm desert light, the lush hidden gardens, the sense that you've stepped somewhere completely outside of ordinary time. When Kathryn and Giselle chose Casa De Monte Vista for their elopement, they brought exactly that kind of love with them. Quiet, intentional, and completely their own.
Just the two of them, and both of their mothers.
That's it. That was their wedding.
And honestly? It was one of the most beautiful things I've ever had the privilege of photographing.
Casa De Monte Vista: Palm Springs' Best-Kept Secret
If you haven't heard of Casa De Monte Vista, let me be the one to introduce you. This property is an absolute gem — a stunning historic estate tucked away in Palm Springs, overflowing with lush greenery, tiled staircases, archways wrapped in bougainvillea and wisteria, and the kind of atmospheric character that no amount of planning or decorating can replicate. It has to grow over decades. And it has.
The venue owner, Joe, was an absolute sweetheart. He opened up the entire outdoor grounds for Kathryn and Giselle's two-hour celebration, and there was no shortage of extraordinary spots to explore. Arched garden tunnels, courtyard alcoves, terracotta staircases, ancient-looking walls covered in climbing vines — every corner offered something different and magical.
For couples looking for a Palm Springs elopement that doesn't feel like every other hotel courtyard shoot, this place is the answer.
Why I Shoot Elopements on 120mm Film
I made the choice a while back to shoot all of my elopements and weddings on medium format film, and moments like Kathryn and Giselle's day are exactly why I'll never go back.
120mm film captures something that digital simply can't replicate — a softness, a warmth, a quality of light that feels alive. The grain isn't noise; it's texture. The colors aren't corrected; they're felt. When you look at these images years from now, they won't look like edited photos. They'll look like memories.
The lush, overgrown gardens of Casa De Monte Vista were practically made for film. The greens are verdant and rich, the skin tones warm and natural, and the light filtering through all that foliage creates exactly the kind of dreamy, organic quality that I love most about shooting on film.
Their Afternoon Together
Kathryn and Giselle weren't trying to impress anyone. They weren't performing for a crowd. They were just two people, completely in love, choosing each other — with their moms by their sides as witnesses to it all.
Watching Giselle fuss over Kathryn's bouquet in that first garden alcove. The two of them standing beneath the wisteria arch, looking at each other like the rest of the world had gone quiet. Walking through the garden tunnel laughing, completely unselfconscious and utterly joyful. Kathryn standing alone on the lawn with her cathedral veil catching the desert breeze, the San Jacinto mountains rising up behind her.
That bouquet — cascading peonies, calla lilies, anthurium, orchids, and trailing amaranthus — deserved its own portrait session. It was designed by the incredibly talented team at The Nature of Things, and it was stunning.
These are the moments that make elopement photography the work I was meant to do.
Planning a Gay or LGBTQ+ Elopement in Palm Springs?
If you're dreaming of eloping in Palm Springs, I want you to know: you are so welcome here, in this work, and in this space. I specialize in intimate elopements and small wedding day experiences for couples who want something deeply personal over something traditionally big.
Palm Springs is one of the most welcoming destinations for LGBTQ+ couples — the warm desert setting, the privacy of intimate venues like Casa De Monte Vista, and the freedom to have your kind of day rather than the day you were expected to have.
Kathryn and Giselle's day came together through the Epic Elopement package by my incredibly talented friend Marie of Let's Get Married by Marie — who handled everything as both officiant and planner. Their two-hour experience, for the entire outdoor property at Casa De Monte Vista, came in at $875. Plus their Epic Elopement with Marie “inclusive package” they got — a fully supported, thoughtfully planned, deeply personal wedding day at one of Palm Springs' most beautiful hidden gems — that's an extraordinary value. If you're curious about Marie's packages, I can't recommend her enough.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gay & LGBTQ Elopements in Palm Springs
Is Palm Springs a good place for a gay or LGBTQ elopement? Yes — Palm Springs is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly destinations in Southern California. It has a long history of welcoming queer travelers and couples, and its intimate venues, warm desert light, and relaxed atmosphere make it ideal for couples who want a meaningful, low-key wedding day on their own terms.
How much does a Palm Springs elopement cost? It depends on what's included, but intimate elopement packages in Palm Springs can start as low as $875. Kathryn and Giselle's two-hour experience — which included officiant, planning, full access to the outdoor grounds at Casa De Monte Vista, and florals — is a great example of how you can have a truly stunning, fully supported wedding day without a large guest list or a large budget.
What is included in an elopement package in Palm Springs? Through Marie's Epic Elopement package at Let's Get Married with Marie, couples get an officiant, planning support, and a beautifully curated experience. Add a film photographer and florals from The Nature of Things, and you have everything you need for a day that feels completely complete.
What is Casa De Monte Vista in Palm Springs? Casa De Monte Vista is a historic, garden-filled estate in Palm Springs available for intimate celebrations. It features lush outdoor spaces including arched garden tunnels, tiled staircases, courtyard alcoves, and walls draped in bougainvillea and wisteria — all with a distinctly romantic, old-world atmosphere. The venue owner Joe is warm and welcoming, and the entire outdoor property can be used for elopements.
Do you shoot film wedding photography in Palm Springs? Yes! I photograph all of my elopements and weddings on 120mm medium format film. I'm based in Southern California and available throughout the Palm Springs area, the greater LA region, and beyond for destination work.
Let's Talk About Your Day
If Kathryn and Giselle's wedding feels like something close to what you're dreaming of — intimate, joyful, a little unconventional, and completely yours — I'd love to hear from you. I photograph elopements on film throughout Palm Springs, Southern California, and beyond.
You deserve photos that feel as real and beautiful as the love behind them.
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