Tijuana meets Joshua Tree

Our Dia de Los Muertos styled shoot Read has been featured on Green Wedding Shoes!

Tucked away in Shadow Hills California, just 15 mins from the Burbank Airport, is a new (but vintage) event venue that is a mix between Joshua Tree and a Tijuana all rolling into one, fantastic package! Welcome to, The Stonehurst!

Although they’re both spooky, social holidays, Día de Los Muertos and Halloween are very different. Day of the Dead festivities start on Oct 31 and end on Nov 2nd. This colorful holiday celebrates both life + death with funky makeup + costumes, parades, singing, dancing + offerings to lost loved ones. Bold, bright + celebratory, Día de Los Muertos immortalizes the lives we’ve lost and preserves rich family traditions!

Inspired by this Latin holiday, Anything But Gray Events, demonstrates the subtle art of honoring culture + traditions while still making it reflect a couple’s own style. The Stonehurst is tucked away in Shadow Hills California, and is a Joshua Tree-meets-Tijuana setting, perfect for this inspired vision!

Catch some sugar skull inspiration and colorful youthful vibes in today’s timely editorial captured by Julie Shuford Photography:

The Looks

This dark, forest green slim fit suit by Friar Tux is traditional with a twist. In lieu of a regular tie, the groom is sporting a vintage, emerald green medallion. Adding touches of personalization is key for creating a unique + custom look.

This crocheted wedding gown by Namaste and Crochet is unlike anything we’ve ever seen! The textures so perfectly compliment the desert setting, and we can’t get over these colors + details.

Floral crowns are being seen more and more. The hardest part with a natural floral crown is the by the end of the evening after a long night of dancing, a happy bride could have flowers on her head that just look, well, sad! Debra Shirley creates customizable faux floral crowns with stunning silk florals that, to the naked eye, are hard to spot as fakes!

The Rings

Jewels By Grace with this edgy, stunner! We love the geometric diamond design balanced with the traditional gold settings.

The Invitation Suite

While skulls typically seem frightening during Halloween, Día de Los Muertos skulls symbolize positivity + fond memories of a person’s life. And what’s not positive about this vivid stationery suite by A Fine Press, that gets better with each fold.

Skulls are perhaps the most globally emblematic symbol of both Dia de Los Muertos celebrations and Mexico in general. Whether seen in colorful skulls made of sugar or in other decorative ways, skulls can be seen throughout this holiday. While skulls are typically seen as frightening during Halloween in America, in Mexico skulls identify with positivity and fond memories of that person’s life.

The Cocktails

The date shake stands of the desert meet the Agua Fresca carts of Tijuana with this portable bar trailer from Juniper Rocks.

Because skulls are so crucial to Dia de Los Muertos, why not add some skeleton action to the cocktails? Edible printed sugar skull skills on this egg white cocktail foam art for the win!

The Lounge

The Tablescape

Día de Los Muertos celebrants believe that marigolds (an orange carnation-like flower) help guide their loved one’s soul back to the world of the living with their bright, bold coloring.

Therefore, true to tradition, marigolds were incorporated in the bridal bouquet as well as this beautiful reception decor. This composition is so rich, not to mention the inviting tablescape.

The Buffet

Bring on the buffet! Coupled with the traditional Mexican maracas, skeleton figurines from + hanging papel picado, this dinner buffet has it all!

Guacamole is always a must!

Los Angeles Floral Couture created layers of trendy + traditional designs for this editorial. From neutral pampas grass in the ceremony backdrop to the chromatic floral crown + bridal bouquet, it’s nonstop style.

Let the Día de los Muertos celebrations begin!

Vendor Team:

photography: Julie Shuford Photography // venue name: The Stonehurst, Shadow Hills, CA, USA // event design: Anything But Gray Events // planning: Anything But Gray Events // florals: Los Angeles Floral Couture // wedding dress: Namaste and Crochet // hairpiece: Debra Shirley // bride’s ring: Jewels By Grace // hair stylist: Beauty by Bon Bon // makeup artist: Beauty by Bon Bon // groom attire: Friar Tux // groom’s shoes: Friar Tux // paper goods: A Fine Press // handmade details: KMM Packaging // catering: Tastebuds Catering // tabletop rentals: Fancy Tables // furniture rentals: Papillon Rentals // linen rentals: BBJ Linen // specialty rentals: Juniper Rocks // cocktails: Juniper Rocks // fiesta decor: Mesa Chic // couple: Iveth & Vince // Paper Goods: Elizabeth Hults