A Canvas of Love: Christie & Yoskay's Pastel Dream Wedding at Desert Botanical Gardens

Love Story

In a twist of fate that felt like a brushstroke on a canvas, Yoskay and Christie's love story began where art and admiration intersected: a gallery in Los Angeles. As a long-time fan of Yoskay's art, Christie was magnetically pulled to the gallery while in town for an interview.

After four colorfully enchanted years together, Yoskay (also known as Bosky) orchestrated a proposal as intimate and meaningful as his artwork, right back at the gallery where their souls first collided. The gallery owner, who had been there for their first encounter, not only captured the heartfelt moment on camera but later even officiated their wedding. While Christie had a hint the proposal was coming—thanks to Bosky's slip that he intended to propose on their anniversary—doubt crept in when he momentarily forgot the date a week prior. Was he joking? He wasn't. The proposal unfolded as beautifully as a painted skyline, and the rest, as they say, is art history.

Embodying the essence of a spring daydream, Yoskay and Christie's wedding was a romantic swirl of airy elegance and cheerful spontaneity. Inspired by Christie's lifelong love for delicate, girly aesthetics, the event was awash in jiggly pastel wildflower bouquets, which became the vibrant heartbeat of the celebration. The atmosphere was neither overly dramatic nor solemn, but rather a radiant celebration that felt as bright and joyful as the couple's love story.

“I honestly never thought I wanted to have a wedding. But when we were getting engaged, we were living in Phoenix and we thought it would be the fairest to both sides of the party coming from California and Texas, to meet up in the middle, A lot of decisions evolved from that along with being inspired by the desert scenery and I just filled out the rest with our aesthetics.”

Morning details

The morning details of the wedding were a true reflection of Christie and Yoskay's unique love story and artistic sensibilities. Christie designed the invitations herself, infusing them with her signature airy and romantic style. Yoskay, an advocate for small local businesses, commissioned a friend from Tucson to design their unique opal wedding rings—a gemstone Christie has always loved. As for special jewelry, Christie wore a stunning engagement ring from Yoskay, accompanied by earrings and a necklace that her mom generously bought during a mother-daughter shopping weekend in Arizona.

Bride getting ready

The bridal preparation was an intimate and thoughtful affair, encapsulating Christie's dedication to finding just the right elements for her special day. After visiting 5-6 boutiques, Christie found her dream dress at Wedding Belles in Chandler, Arizona. Even then, she took a few days to reflect before making the big purchase. The getting-ready photoshoot took place in an atrium room at The Desert Botanical Gardens, where a charming blue door served as the perfect backdrop for capturing these precious moments.

Accessorizing her look with a touch of whimsy, Christie chose to weave baby's breath into her hair. Her bouquet was a lush, natural arrangement designed by Garden Gate Flowers, featuring an eclectic mix of poppies, ranunculus, foxglove, feverfew, light blue delphinium, quicksand roses, white majolica spray roses, and rice flower.

Surrounded by love and support, Christie prepared for her walk down the aisle with her mom, mother-in-law, and bridesmaids. The bridesmaids were outfitted in dresses designed by Birdy Grey, effortlessly complementing the bride's own look and adding another layer of harmony to the day's aesthetic.

Groom getting ready

Yoskay chose a classic tuxedo from Men's Apparel Club, reflecting his understated yet stylish sensibilities. Yoskay spent the morning in the company of his father and close friends, grounding himself in familial and fraternal support as he prepared to embark on this new chapter of his life.

First Look

The first look between Christie and Yoskay was an emotionally charged moment, beautifully set against the backdrop of The Desert Botanical Gardens, right outside where Christie had been getting ready. When Yoskay first laid eyes on Christie in her wedding attire, his immediate reaction was a heartfelt "Awwww!" encapsulating the joy and love he felt. Christie, ever the imaginative spirit, thought, "It feels like we are playing dress up!"—a sweet reflection of the playful and dreamy nature of their relationship. The first look was not only a milestone in their wedding day but also a poignant reminder of the magical love story that had brought them to this moment.

Photoshoot before the ceremony

“We walked around different areas of The Desert Botanical Garden which is what I wanted to feature to remember the beautiful, unique desert landscape. We also did photos in from of the blue Pueblo doors. It has s much a special southwestern feel, which was meaningful since the majority of our relationship was spent in Arizona. Which was a new place to live for both of us.”

Ceremony

The ceremony was imbued with meaningful touches that captured the essence of Christie and Yoskay's relationship. Christie walked down the aisle to an instrumental version of "Moon River," a song that resonates with both of them—Yoskay frequently incorporates moons into his art, and Christie finds the song incredibly beautiful. Their niece Blake, a vibrant young girl with whom Christie shares a special bond, took on the role of the flower girl, adding her own brand of spirited charm to the occasion.

One of the standout moments was the heartfelt speech by their friend Eric, who not only filmed their proposal but also served as the officiant. The exchange of vows between Christie and Yoskay was another deeply touching moment. Adding to the ceremony's emotional weight was Christie's sister, who was so moved by the proceedings that she couldn't stop crying. All these elements came together to create a ceremony as unique and meaningful as the couple themselves.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

“ We chose different areas in the garden which included the Archer House for the pueblo architecture. Underneath the white awnings because we loved the modern artistic touch, and lastly, between the giant two Cardons in front of the pueblo where we had our ceremony. The last area is a very iconic spot in The Desert Botanical Gardens and turned out to be my favorite photos we took.”

Wedding Venue & Decor

“I chose The Desert Botanical Garden because I love that it is a non-profit organization that promotes desert conservation. It was also a beautiful venue while not being too wild/rugged so the guests could be comfortable. I loved the layout of the Ullmann Terrace where you can see a hill with lots of saguaros, which is such an icon of Arizona.”

The wedding's color palette was a soft, ethereal blend of spring pastels—white, peach, pink, and light blue—that effortlessly complemented both the couple's aesthetic and the natural beauty of The Desert Botanical Gardens. The decor was minimal yet impactful, with the focal point being the sumptuous flower arrangements. They let the inherent beauty of the venue speak for itself, creating a harmonious blend of artistry and nature. The chosen colors seemed to breathe life into the venue, reflecting the joy and love that filled the air on this unforgettable day.

Reception

The reception was as heartfelt and personal as the couple themselves, featuring meaningful touches that spoke volumes about their shared journey. Their first dance was to "How Deep is Your Love" by Got Nakamura, a singer/songwriter admired by Yoskay. The song holds a special place in their hearts as they sang it together one evening while Christie cooked dinner during their early days as a couple.

For the culinary aspect, Taste of Arizona provided the catering, while the Gardens supplied the drinks, including a special Prickly Pear Cocktail that encapsulated the spirit of the locale. The wedding cake was a delicious creation by Bonnie of Inspired Sugar, adding another layer of sweetness to an already joyous celebration. All these elements combined to create a reception that was both intimate and festive, capturing the essence of Christie and Yoskay's love and the life they were embarking upon together.

“The father-daughter dance unexpectedly turned into the most indelible moment of the wedding for me. Initially reluctant to participate, I was persuaded by a friend to give it a chance. Letting my dad choose the song was a magical decision; he selected a heartwarming remix that combined a children's tune with "What a Wonderful World" and "Isn't She Lovely." As we danced, it felt like we were gliding through the different chapters of my life, from childhood to this new beginning. When I felt my dad's tears, I was engulfed by an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude for how beautiful my life has been. The entire wedding not only celebrated my love with Yoskay but also spotlighted the deep affection shared with everyone who journeyed long distances to be with us on that remarkable day.”