California 10 Year Anniversary Trip

In celebration of a decade of marriage, Tom and I flew to sunny San Diego and beautiful Palm Springs, California. It was the perfect anniversary trip: both meaningful and romantic. I love that we were able to document our visit because moments like this should be captured! Love is worth celebrating and I’ll forever cherish these memories. Of course, it helps that the location provided such a stunning backdrop. 

Palm Springs was glorious. Since our trip was in November the weather was mild, perfect for our Canadian preferences. We had the pool completely to ourselves, which suited us just fine. It felt like our own private oasis. My coral swimsuit and the lace cover-up are both from Cupshe – don’t you just love the vibrant burst of colour among the cooler tones of the pool and the palm trees?

Palm Springs has everything you want for fine art photography. Lush green palm trees sway against a backdrop of white desert sands. The iconic Palm Springs windmills boast a mesmerizing blend of rugged mountains and sun-kissed valleys, while the city itself is full of mid-century modern charm. We rented bikes and toured the city, taking in the greenery climbing the white-washed walls and the blossoms clinging to every corner of every building. We stayed at the Alcazar Palm Springs Hotel, enjoyed a downtown rooftop dinner at Azucar Palm Springs, brunched at FARM, and visited the Palm Springs market. Tom and I have a love for gardening and growing our own food so it felt like luxury to enjoy the incredible California flowers and all the fresh produce. 

San Diego was equally as inviting. We stayed at the Hotel Marisol Coronado, a hotel with quiet charm, perfect for an anniversary destination or an intimate getaway. I love the spanish-colonial influence that you find in San Diego architecture. The red-tiled roofs, arched doorways, and wrought iron balconies are absolutely picturesque – they invoke old world romance. Since the Hotel Marisol Coronado is only a block from the beach, we enjoyed breathtaking ocean sunsets just steps from our hotel room. We rented a car and drove along the peninsula, taking in the coastal views and all the little oceanside towns. We stopped in Carlsbad, visited La Jolla Cove, and watched the sea lions basking on the beach. Between crystal clear coastal inlets, white sandy beaches, and stunning panoramic views, it was a destination photographer’s dream – an ideal location for anniversary or engagement sessions. I’m so glad we celebrated our 10th anniversary here! The dresses I’m wearing are from Jessa Kae and Morning Lavender, two of my favourite boutiques. They both have a stunning collection of beautiful dresses – everything you might need for engagement or anniversary photos. Also, the hair and make-up team I hired were absolute angels to work with. Look up the Sitting Pretty Beauty Team if you’re in need of a little glam while in Palm Springs! Sending a special thank you to one of my photo besties, Lyndsay from Minted Photography for capturing these special moments for us!