A Casual, Moody Desert Wedding in The Valley of Fire in Overton, Nevada

When Australian couple Sarah Kerswell and PJ Sullivan eloped at The Valley of Fire in Overton, Nevada, they let the desert locale take center stage. “Baz ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was a major inspiration,” Sarah says. "I’ve always loved that movie and how it managed to bring together the landscape with bold, gothic colors.” To that end, the pair decorated with deep hues and bleached cow skulls. They also set out black jackets with “Til Death” on one and “Do Us Part” on the other. Sarah wore a long-sleeved gown with intricate details and a custom-made quartz crystal crown, and PJ wore a vibrant blue suit. The bride’s dark, moody bouquet matched the rest of the wedding arrangements. The casual ceremony took place among red rocks formations, and it was anchored with a simple wood backdrop and navy drapery. At the reception, guests sat at long wood tables accented with modern décor. They also ate pizza from a wood-fired pizza oven and a fondant-covered cake.

Our favorite #MakeTradition Moment: “Eloping was the best thing we ever did. No drama, no fuss and just the most wonderful memories,” the bride says.