Desert Anniversary: A Stunning First Year Photo Shoot & Floral Inspiration

Couple in love embracing at an outdoor desert wedding with a bouquet

The first year of marriage is never easy, for anyone - but having your first year coincide with coronavirus craziness is a major feat. That's why we were blown away by how this couple turned a first-year gift tradition - paper - into a seriously-stunning heirloom honoring love, commitment, and quaranteaming.

Scroll through the groovy vibes of this Gram-worthy commemorative first anniversary photo shoot captured by Hearted By Gray at a 1954 homestead cabin in Joshua Tree. Vervain Floral Co. lead, Brittany Beaton, arranged her own florals and the newlyweds shared the spotlight with their adorable dogs, Luna and Cosmo. Check out all of the images in the full gallery and peep the inspiration for everything from Mrs. Beaton herself.

Boho bride in floral crown poses for a wedding photoshoot, holding a bouquet

Brown and white dog relaxing on a cozy velvet sofa

Black leather jacket with Till Death lettering, hat, perfume on chair

Man with tattoos and black shirt holding a bolo tie

Celebrating one year done in the desert

Couple kissing near fireplace with dog, cozy interior

We wanted a place to get away with our fur babies and celebrate powering through a tough first year of marriage, and this 70s vibe cabin caught our eye on Airbnb.

Bohemian floral arrangement with a vintage orange velvet couch

Happy couple smiles in joy during intimate, sunlit wedding

I became a florist through DIY-ing our wedding flowers a year prior and started my company Vervain Floral Co. Our wedding was beautiful, but chaotic and I still had a lot to learn on the flower front, so this shoot felt like a total departure from my original wedding flowers. Having had a whole year and more weddings under my belt, and learning so much during quarantine, I was excited to be such a big part of the creative process for this session.

Desert boho floral arrangement with roses and cactus

Couple holds hands during desert wedding in front of a house

Romantic newlywed couple in love, wedding photo shoot

Something old and something borrowed blend to make something new, 365 days later

Couple kissing under a Joshua tree in a desert setting

Along the way of flowering elopements and intimate weddings throughout 2019 and 2020, I met Savanah with Hearted By Gray. She was so generous to offer to shoot our first anniversary. I immediately started brainstorming and wanted a mix of fresh and dried flowers for a desert/fall feel. I had a drying rack with leftovers from our wedding still on the rack. I was pumped to incorporate our actual wedding flowers into the vision boards and eventual day-of.

Couple embracing on a cozy couch in a sunlit room with dog

Boho bride in a beautiful wedding dress and floral crown Man in black attire sits on chair by rusty backdrop

Bohemian couple embrace on their wedding day, rustic decor

first anniversary Shoots should be a regular thing

Romantic couple in desert with tattoos sharing a moment

The shoot was so fun to play with texture and color, aligning our floral style with the Airbnb’s rich canvas and design. Getting a second shoot to break away from the white dress was so fun! Having those post wedding blues don’t have to be a thing. Planning a memorable first anniversary shoot should be a trend for all.

Couple holding hands in the desert at sunset wedding ceremony Groom kisses bride in a romantic outdoor wedding setting with flowers