Erica Mendenhall Photography

THE BLOG

Christina & Justin’s Wedding Day | Desert Willow Golf Resort

I'm

ERICA

Hi, I’m Erica — an award-winning wedding photographer based in Palm Springs. I blend an editorial eye with a heart for real moments, creating images that are both timeless and true to you.

With 25 years behind the lens, I’m here to guide you, celebrate with you, and capture the kind of beauty that lasts well beyond the wedding day.

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Christina & Justin are married!

Their beautiful wedding took place at Sacred Heart Church followed by a reception with those stunning desert views at Desert Willow Golf Resort in Palm Desert, Ca.

Christina & Justin’s wedding day was truly a reflection of the people that are so dear to their hearts.

Their wedding was filled with so many precious heirloom items, unique pieces and even an awesome exit car – a 1967 Super Sport Impala, driven all the way down from Orange County by a family friend! As Christina said, “it fit the wedding perfectly!”

Enjoy a little sneak peek of their wedding day!

Christina’s darling nieces enjoying getting ready for Auntie’s big day! How adorable are they and that heart braid!

Christina wore these gorgeous crystal embellished kitten heel pumps by designer Betsey Johnson – also referred to as “Princess” shoes by her sweet nieces.

Wedding Heirlooms that melt the heart!

Christina’s necklace was an heirloom that had been worn by her Great-Great Grandmother at her wedding! It seems every other generation of women have worn this necklace (Christina’s great- great grandmother, her grandmother and now Christina!).

Christina’s sweet grandmother was not able to attend her wedding, but she was most certainly not forgotten. The diamond and ruby ring you see below had been a gift from Christina’s parents years ago for her grandmother and on her wedding day she wore it as an expression of her deep love for her.

And now we can all wipe the tears from our eyes because this wedding day is about to start!

Flower toss done right! These two flower girls were such a joy to photograph!

Christina and Justin are married!

Silk Lily of the Valley were also part of the heirlooms in Christina’s bouquet.

These pieces were from her mother and grandmother’s wedding bouquets!

Reception

Grand entrances followed by a first dance as Mr. & Mrs. is always a good idea!

Favorite moments from Christina & Justin

Christina: “In my dream wedding I would have matched my grandma’s, wedding exactly. I loved her dress, her turquoise and yellow colors, and an April wedding. I never thought I would be a February bride, five days before Valentine’s Day, or that red and pink would be my colors. Realizing this when planning that the necklace matched perfectly, and I knew it was meant to be!

My favorite moments were getting ready in the morning, seeing Justin sniffle after he saw me for the first time, Mattison yelling, “Go Auntie Tina!” as I was coming down the steps of the altar, driving in the car, watching people first look at the car, then realize there was a bride and groom inside, taking golf cart pictures, and being with family. I was worried that I wouldn’t be spending lots of time with just Justin at our wedding, and in fact I feel like I spent the most time with him, which is amazing.

My other favorite part was sitting at the sweetheart table and looking out at the reception seeing that everything looked just like how I had pictured it. It’s really scary to put so much planning into something, and then completely hand it over to someone else, and Desert Willow knocked it out of the park. It was just like how I had envisioned the reception to look like. EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT”

Justin: “I loved taking the group pictures! Finally seeing Christina walk down the aisle, driving off in the car and of course when we finally got to relax”