A La Quinta Resort Wedding Full of Intention & Golden Light
Why This Wedding Meant So Much
Some weddings feel loud with color, sound, and energy. And some, like Chris & Jane’s day at La Quinta Resort, feel more like a quiet poem—rooted, soft, and completely full of feeling.
The light. The stillness. The love that wasn’t for show but lived in every glance, touch, and in-between moment.
As a documentary wedding photographer, this is the kind of day I live for.
La Quinta Resort: A Timeless Desert Escape
If you’ve never visited La Quinta Resort & Club, it’s hard to fully explain how special it feels until you’re there. Built in the 1920s, this Spanish-style resort is tucked against the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains just outside Palm Springs. Think bougainvillea-covered casitas, glowing desert skies, white adobe walls, and archways that catch golden light just right.
It’s equal parts historic charm and modern luxury. And for couples like Chris & Jane—who wanted an intimate, relaxed wedding without losing elegance—it was the perfect match.
The Feel of the Day: Slow, Soulful, and Real
Chris and Jane built their day with so much intention. No packed timeline. No production. Just the two of them, surrounded by people who knew their story—and wanted to celebrate it in a meaningful way.
- They got ready slowly, soaking in the desert calm.
- Their ceremony was intimate and emotional, tucked into one of La Quinta’s garden courtyards.
- Dinner was under the stars with the breeze rustling through the palms.
From the light to the pacing, everything was slow in the best way.
Documenting the Day with a Candid, Documentary Approach
My favorite moments?
- Jane adjusting her dress on the patio, framed by terracotta tile and soft morning sun.
- Chris tearing up as she walked toward him.
- The way they held hands under the table during dinner, fingers locked like they didn’t want the day to slip away.
There’s something about this kind of wedding that makes room for emotion to show up honestly. It’s not about posing—it’s about preserving.
Thoughtful Vendors Who Brought It All Together
This wedding was the definition of calm and seamless—and a huge part of that came down to the incredible vendor team:
- Planning & Design: Jasmina Piper Planning & Design
Jasmina has a gift for turning vision into reality. She created a day that felt cohesive, elevated, and entirely personal without overcomplicating things. Every detail was intentional, from the floral choices to the flow of the timeline. - Venue: La Quinta Resort & Club
With multiple ceremony spaces, gorgeous guest accommodations, and stunning natural light, La Quinta is one of my favorite Palm Springs venues. It’s like shooting in a dream—every corner is photo-ready. - Photography: Teresa LoJacono Photography (that’s me!)
I take a documentary approach—focusing on storytelling, connection, and the kind of photos that make you feel the moment all over again.
When to Get Married at La Quinta Resort
The desert is beautiful year-round, but certain seasons shine depending on your vision:
| Season | Atmosphere | Best Light / Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Warm days, cool evenings | Golden tones, perfect patio dinners |
| Winter | Bright and crisp | Romantic, low-angle sunlight |
| Spring | Soft breezes, flowers | Pastels and dreamy daylight |
| Summer | Very hot (plan indoors) | Early morning portraits + sunset vows |
Chris & Jane chose late spring, which gave us glowing golden hour portraits and a cool enough evening to dance under the stars.
Tips for Future Couples Planning a La Quinta Wedding
- Use the natural architecture. The adobe walls, archways, and courtyards make for beautiful, minimalist backdrops.
- Plan around light. Golden hour in the desert is unreal—so schedule time for portraits then.
- Trust your planner. Jasmina created so much peace for Chris & Jane by handling everything behind the scenes.
- Keep it simple. You don’t need to over-style this place. Let the setting and your connection shine.
Final Thoughts: Weddings Like This Are Why I Do What I Do
Chris & Jane’s wedding reminded me why I love this work so much. It wasn’t about a big production or impressing anyone. It was about meaning. About light. About the way two people can shape a wedding day to reflect who they really are.
If you’re planning a wedding at La Quinta Resort, or somewhere else that feels personal and full of heart, I’d love to help you preserve it exactly as it happened—honestly, artistically, and with deep care.
Let’s make something beautiful together.
📸 Ready to document your wedding at La Quinta Resort?
Reach out here to check availability or chat about your vision.
My photography is a blend of art, experience, and instinct—a little bit of this, a little bit of that.
For over 15 years, I’ve been immersed in the world of photography. It all started when I was 18 and stepped into a darkroom for the first time. That moment sparked a lifelong obsession with capturing the world through my lens. It eventually lead me to the fine art space, collaborating with artists, managing studios, and working alongside galleries and museums.
Through years of studying art and photography—both in undergraduate and graduate school—my aesthetic evolved under the influence of critical theory and contemporary art. I found myself drawn to the intersection of traditional documentary photography and spontaneous, unfiltered moments of real life. My goal is to create images that are raw, honest, and deeply human.
Travel plays a huge role in my creative process. I find inspiration in the unfamiliar—letting light, movement, and emotion guide my eye. Photography is my way of making sense of the world, turning fleeting moments into lasting stories. With a camera in hand, everything becomes a canvas and a chance to reveal the unexpected.
