Krysta is a creative enthusiast and photographer based in Tucson, Arizona. She also runs a music and art space with her husband called Topaz.
When Joel and I first started dating, he asked if I’d model for his Etsy shop, Zia Vintage. Though I’m typically more comfortable behind the lens, the compliment buttered me up enough to give it a go. Trying to model for a guy I’d had a crush on for months was really nerve-racking and chock-full of awkward sexy faces, but eventually I figured out that if I just shook my head around enough, everything would melt into a mass of flowing hair. We started traveling together, and I like to think I taught him a little about photography – his portfolio has grown into an amazing book of landscapes and odd places in the middle of nowhere. Joel rubbed off on me too – I opened up Pines and Palms Vintage, my Etsy shop for vintage housewares.
We spent a lot of time together taking photos for his shop: me modeling, him photographing. One day while we were in the middle of a photo shoot, he strategically snuck a ring in the pocket of the jacket I was modeling. And with that, the wedding planning began.

We were always positive about two things when it came to the wedding: we wanted to get married in a desert landscape, and, due to our shared vintage aesthetic, we wanted the wedding to have a timeless vibe. We settled on something simple and small: an intimate ceremony and dinner in a botanical garden in Tucson, Arizona, with just our families and a few friends.

Dress shopping was impossible; I went to every bridal shop in Tucson and left defeated. The wedding was getting close, so I settled on a dress that was just okay. About two weeks before the big day, I took a stroll into a local vintage shop called How Sweet It Was; hanging up on the wall was a delicate, lace floral piece with little tassels on the sleeves. It was lightweight and beautiful with a slightly southwestern vibe, and the saleswoman told me it was an early 1900s Victorian undergarment. There were a few light stains, some tears, and a couple of missing buttons, but it fit. I knew I was going to be married in this gorgeous, run-down underwear dress if it was the last thing I did!

A bunch of our best friends pitched in on the day of the wedding. For music, Joel brought his record player and we all played DJ throughout the night. It was really sweet to have that familiarity and love around us. The cake was my gift to Joel. It is the ugliest thing you’ve ever seen, but he’s obsessed with apple fritters (it’s his weak spot in an otherwise healthy diet), so I had a giant, forty pound fritter made especially for him. Even though it looked like a poop cake, it brought a big smile to his face.

The only decorations we planned were the flowers: a ton of spring peonies, mixed with draping eucalyptus. However, our florist got his dates confused, and I found out about the mix-up just when the ceremony was supposed to be starting. Looking back, the non-exsistent flowers broke the ice and allowed me to live in the moment, rather than having expectations of what a wedding “should” be. Plus, jasmine was in bloom. It blooms for about a week every year here in Tucson, and it was in full force on our wedding night. Lucky us.

We ended up saving a ton of money on our wedding because it was so simple, so that summer, we did what we really love: traveling. We went to Iceland, and then Belize. It was obviously a really great honeymoon, because now we’re having a baby (whoa!). I’ve had to stop modeling for Zia Vintage for the time being due to baby bumps, but we’re both still traveling and leading the lives we always wanted.
All photographs by Kat Borchart.
128 comments
Mel Zuydgeest from StunwithFun said 5 years ago
Love the dress and the simplicity of it all. After all, in my mind at least, your promise to each other is all that really matters. Enjoy your life together and the new one that is soon to join you.
Karina from KRUELINTENTIONS said 5 years ago
Stunning! xo
Ann Cosgrove from acbcDesign said 5 years ago
What a great story - congrats on making your day so special!
Susan Jizba from TheWeaverOfWords said 5 years ago
Such a wonderful way to start off Valentine's Day with such lovely & romantic story for such a beautiful couple! Thank you for sharing!
Nancy Campbell from SoulRole said 5 years ago
the dress is AMAZING and what a sweet story!I am glad you were able to let go and be in the moment after the flower mix-up...it will be a lesson that continues to serve you as you get ready to birth your first baby!Congratulations you two,almost three!Aloha
Kelly from KikuPaper said 5 years ago
Love the laissez faire aspect of this wedding. Trying to control every aspect of your wedding to fit your vision can be a recipe of disappointment.
stonehorsedesigns from stonehorsedesigns said 5 years ago
Love your story! Such an inspiration!
Clare and Richard Kapin from VarietyArtworks said 5 years ago
So sweet! And I love the dress!
Amber Ikemoto from FromtheHeartbyAmber said 5 years ago
Very Pretty.
Fybur from Fybur said 5 years ago
perfect story for Valentine's day!
Aristocrafts from Aristocrafts said 5 years ago
Such a sweet, intimate wedding! I love the familiarity and vintage feel of it! Congratulations to you both, and congratulations on your little bundle of joy!
Hey Chica from HeyChica said 5 years ago
Your dress and bouquet are beautiful and your setting in the desert with fresh jasmine sounds amazing. Congrats on your newest little collaboration!
Deb Vasbinder from BabyCuteBaby said 5 years ago
Lovely couple - Congrats - Wonderful read for Valentine's Day!
Trevor Pratt from FrogInThePlane said 5 years ago
Beautiful
Oliveti from BeelineStudio said 5 years ago
I LOVE that dress! Perfect choice! You look radiant in it! Congrats!
Chelsea and Justin Weise from MacMaddies said 5 years ago
That is an amazing story! We have a soft spot for couple who have an Etsy shop together. :) Your wedding was beautiful! I wish there was a photo of the "poop cake" though! Congratulations!
jean from jmayoriginals said 5 years ago
nothing wrong with simple. congratulations!
Rose Waterrose from Waterrose said 5 years ago
What a lovely wedding and story...congrats and congrats on your newest member!
Rosemary Wascher from DarburyDog said 5 years ago
I think every picture of your special day is stunning, Love that dress,wow.....
Amanda Gynther from CafePrimrose said 5 years ago
Beautiful wedding! Congrats!
Linda from lovelygifts said 5 years ago
Great story and lovely wedding!
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 5 years ago
I really loved the dress story :) Amazing wedding, you two :)
Voula Kambouris from Voulashomemadeprod said 5 years ago
Love the dress ,stunning lovely wedding story ,congrats.
catie from fivetenfifteen said 5 years ago
your dress was such a great find - it's perfect! i really want to see that cake! congratulations on your baby bump : )
Sheila S from softandscrubby said 5 years ago
Love, love, love the underwear dress! You are so cute together! Congratulations on the baby!
Stephanie Thompson from SoulSundries said 5 years ago
The "Underwear Dress" is AMAZING!! lol You guys are an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I was born in Arizona, and it's great to see someone else appreciating the landscape for it's old-world simplicity. It was the perfect setting for a close, intimate wedding like yours. :-)
Caroline from AnchorRoad said 5 years ago
What a sweet story! Congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness!
JoAnn Hartwell from rustyhummingbird said 5 years ago
Congratulations, thanks for sharing your fairytale with us. Best wishes for the future......
Bale and Twine from baleandtwine said 5 years ago
gorgeous story, photos and of course dress!! Congrats on a beautiful adventure together:-)
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago
What a beautiful story and ceremony! Congratulations!!!
EricaAndKeo from MoonSnailCreations1 said 5 years ago
beautiful story and dress. everything always works out the way it should. congratulations.
Sukran Kirtis from SukranKirtisJewelry said 5 years ago
The bride is gorgeous, the story is so sweet, you guys are a beautiful couple, wishing you all the best for your future...xoxo
seasidecloth from seasidecloth said 5 years ago
Could this be any sweeter? Shout out to AZ btw, from a local up North.
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago
Fantastic story! Congrats!
Elizabeth from AtolyeMetiista said 5 years ago
Beautiful! Your dress story is great--it's amazing how things just come together! Congratulations and best wishes to you and your growing family!
PrettywithSprinkles from PrettywithSprinkles said 5 years ago
gorgeous wedding! I love all your vintage elements!
Chantrelle from trelabela said 5 years ago
Beautiful and inspiring! Thanks so much for sharing and congratulations!
Bryn Elise from UrbanEcologyHardware said 5 years ago
Your story and photos are so beautiful - best wishes to your little family!
Renata and Jonathan from RenataandJonathan said 5 years ago
Such a great wedding and charming story! Congrats :)
Laura Stark from laurastark said 5 years ago
So sweet! The dress is charming and is made for you!
Kirstyn from KirstsKorner said 5 years ago
Absolutely love your dress! Congrats on your wedding and baby! :)
Genise Park from genisepark said 5 years ago
So beautiful!!! Your dress is total awesome and looks perfect on you! Congratulations may your life together be filled with lots of love.
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 5 years ago
A dream wedding if I ever saw one! Simple, special, and focused on what matters most. Congratulations and best wishes for a bright and happy future! :)
Chris from HarmonyBalls said 5 years ago
♡Lovely couple♡ ♡Congratulations♡
HandiworkinGirls from HandiworkinGirls said 5 years ago
How lovely! Congratulations! :)
Renate from 2Crafty4You said 5 years ago
Love your wedding dress and how you did your weeding, simple but enjoyable.
Janine Hamilton from EventsEclectic said 5 years ago
Amazing story, love the 40 lb fritter for a cake! Congrats on the baby, sounds like you have a great foundation for a long and happy life together. Good luck with your continued success and travels!
Jess Masters from RefinedRock said 5 years ago
Great story!
rosebudshome from rosebudshome said 5 years ago
What a wonderful "happily ever after"! Best of luck!
Ellen from OttavaDesigns said 5 years ago
Such a pretty dress! Love the style.
Michael from DarkEssenceBoutique said 5 years ago
Wow now that is a wedding that is about Love! Very nice in a day and age where folks go too far to put on a show. Props to you!
Peggy from mspege said 5 years ago
A most beautiful wedding dress!
Fields Of Vintage from FieldsOfVintage said 5 years ago
Lovely, lovely moving story.
Cindy from ShiftingYears said 5 years ago
What a blissfull and beautiful story! Congratulations on your bundle of joy!
Jennifer Serene from ViennaIsLove said 5 years ago
Cute story - perfect for valentines day!!
Jennifer Presler from IlluminativeHarvest said 5 years ago
Wonderful story!!
Joli from ChicUrbanbyJoleigh said 5 years ago
oh my gosh, totally lovely!
Evelyn and Lucy from artsyEVE said 5 years ago
What a beautifully sweet wedding! Your picture under the arch of jasmine is so wonderful! best wishes to you both!
Kimberlee from GracefullyGirly said 5 years ago
What a fabulous and heart warming love story! Simple and sweet wins the race here, that's for sure. Congrats!
Miss Ruby from RubyandCordelias said 5 years ago
This is how all weddings should be. I have a dress so similar to your amazing romantic dress. I wore it so often that I had all of the hooks & eyes removed & a zipper added so that I could get in & out of it without help : ) Beautiful love story, congrats!!!
Julie from NakedRatDestash said 5 years ago
Congratulations! I live in AZ and Tucson Botanical gardens is a great place to get married. I loooooooovvvvve your dress!
envision1prosper2 from LittleYellowMonkeyZ said 5 years ago
Such a sweet sweet tale. CONGRATS! (Luv the dress & location!)
lisa bradford from NoheaLehuaDesigns said 5 years ago
Focusing on each other - what saying "I do" is all about! Congratulations all around!!
Brooke Griffin from GideonAndBrisby said 5 years ago
Oh my gosh that dress and the floral arrangements... This is all so lovely! Never considered a desert location but in LA I'm surrounded by them!
Chrisy McConnell from ARTDECADENCE said 5 years ago
Oh big congrats on your wedding and your 'upcoming' baby! You look so lovely together...me thinks this will be a very happy union. Love the dress, the flowers, the setting, and the laid back vibe. Bravo!
Katie Franklin from LeHoneyPot said 5 years ago
So beautiful! Flowers can make a wedding, but it is really about the marriage! And all the pictures are amazing !!
Aga from AgasJourney said 5 years ago
Beautiful story. Congratulations and best wishes to you both!
Barbara Gable from CrazyLovely said 5 years ago
That is such a sweet story. You are so beautiful, and that dress! It's beautiful!
Leda Design from LedaDesign said 5 years ago
So lovely! Congrats!
Ema Ponpisa from EmaleyAccessories said 5 years ago
That is my dream vintage wedding dress!!!! Congratulation Krysta and Joel!
Terry from Parachute425 said 5 years ago
Poop cake, underwear and jasmine. Sweet and simple. Sounds perfect! Congrats.
Holly Placzek from CrownofLifegems said 5 years ago
I too fell in love with an "underwear" dress and wore it on my honeymoon;) I love how you did so much of everything yourself! Fabulous start to an amazing life together - blessings on your new little one too;)
Nicole from Crackerjackarma said 5 years ago
Beautiful and beyond !! Cheers~ Happy journey's together.
Denise Vining from kadydesigns said 5 years ago
Beautiful dress! I love the simplicity of your wedding!! Hoping my daughter doesn't want a cookie cutter wedding. Congratulations!!
Kathy Johnson from kathyjohnson3 said 5 years ago
What beautiful story! I think Jasmine is the best smelling flower ever! How nice to have it in bloom for you! Congratulations!!
messinabella from BandBEstate said 5 years ago
beautiful wedding!
Kristin Love from LoveArtStudios said 5 years ago
Awesome Story, Beautiful Wedding!! Your reaction when the Flowers didn't show up and your realization that the Wedding was just the way it was supposed to be and that it was Incredibly Perfect with the Jasmine Flowers was Inspiring (I had a similar thing happen at my Wedding....and a similar dress story too!)!! I wish you Both an Incredible and Wondrous Life Journey together and Congratulations on the coming Addition to your Family! :)
Erin O'Rourke from Aruguletta said 5 years ago
Really enjoyed this feature -- I love the desert, and that dress! But I can't get over how many creative businesses you run between the two of you! And, I doubt you'll see this, but I was happy to see a photo taken at Arcosanti, my onetime home, on your photography site. All of your photos are stunning.
LostInTheValley from LostInTheValleyPhoto said 5 years ago
Such a lovely dress! Congrats!!
Vintage Minnow from VintageMinnow said 5 years ago
Pretty Dress!
julesjewellery from JulesJewellery said 5 years ago
I adore the dress, great find at the very last minute ! Congratulations looks like a very beautiful wedding !
bagguide from bagguide said 5 years ago
What a great story. Congrats.
Kayla from LetterKay said 5 years ago
Wow! This is gorgeous! Love the dress!
Colleen Quisenberry from LavenderRoseAcc said 5 years ago
Love your wedding story! Congrats on your marriage and baby to be!
Natalie Garton from knitnifty said 5 years ago
Love your dress and venue location. what a unique idea. May your marriage and love be long-lasting
Catherine Maria Charalambous from BouncyTree said 5 years ago
Such a stunning story. Love the simplicity, love does not need to be overly done
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 5 years ago
Congratulations!! Love your wedding dress, so elegant!
Lizl from TheSilverStudy said 5 years ago
So romantic!! Beautiful photographs!
Debra Townsend from DouglasSweets said 5 years ago
so beautiful! LOVE the dress!!
vtorys said 5 years ago
love that so much! ♥
Marisa Park from StudioRisa said 5 years ago
Sweet story!
James Ness from JamesNess said 5 years ago
What a wonderful story. Your dress is beautiful. Congratulations.
Erika Kelly from PortlandApronCompany said 5 years ago
THAT DRESS! What a beautiful wedding. The honeysuckle is unbelievable as well! Congratulations!
murwati said 5 years ago
What a beautiful story and a beautiful wedding! Love!
Anna Buitendorp from ASplendidStory said 5 years ago
Oh I love the dress, fit the feel perfectly!
Ghada Hassan from MyGDesigns said 5 years ago
What a romantic beautiful story! I love your dress and wedding. Best of luck to both of you!
Lisa from SundayOwl said 5 years ago
Oh your desert wedding is so beautiful. I love your dress and the sweet little tassels. Best wishes to you both.
Julia Nowacka from madebymeyesterday said 5 years ago
Love the love story:-) . Beautiful dress :-)
anniehugonnet said 5 years ago
avis perso excellent de beaute et no comment ok
nico02 said 5 years ago
Felicitations,
Sylvie Liv from SylvieLiv said 5 years ago
Very gorgeous dress! And a beautiful bride for sure. :)
Maria from VintageEclectica said 5 years ago
What a beautiful story and an awesome couple!!! Love love love the wedding dress!!!
DiTerra from DiTerra said 5 years ago
Gorgeous dress, love the texture!
Leah Croft from PureJoyVintage said 5 years ago
I L O V E your dress! So special. Congratulations on your marriage and your upcoming new addition!
Kim from PaperTraits said 5 years ago
A great story. Let nature be your background - that's simplicity at its best. As a fellow Arizonian, I appreciate your desert surroundings. Cheers to you both!
Lorrie Tranberg from YourBeeswax said 5 years ago
Beautiful story, beautiful dress and beautiful couple~ Thank you for sharing!
Sarah Sides from SarahSidesMadeIt said 5 years ago
What a beautiful bride! I am so in love with your dress! Traveling is so much better than a big wedding, I wish everyone would do that!
Reena from kisii said 4 years ago
Congratulations to you both! What a beautiful and elegant wedding dress! I love the setting you chose, and the bright and full bouquet. The photographs are stunning as well. Wishing you light and love on your new journey together.
Sung-jin, SEO from MyElevenEleven said 4 years ago
Congratulation!!! you are so beautiful :-) it's really romantic..!! thank you for sharing..!
katherine Lenz from 214EVER said 4 years ago
REMINDS ME OF THE LOVE STORY SINGED BY TAYLOR. ROMANTIC WEDDING PARTY WITH THEIR OWN HAPPINESS AND NO BLESSING, NO BRIDESMAID AND NO BRIDE MAN. EVERYTHING IS SO NATURAL. I THINK THIS IS THE REAL POWER OF LOVE. SO LET'S GO AND MOVE FORWARD INTO LOVE BRAVELY!
VintageMarketPlace from VintageMarketPlace said 4 years ago
wonderful story! congrats on the baby!
Belinda from MarciandMe said 4 years ago
I just love these wedding stories :) If I had my time over again I'd love to have an Etsy inspired wedding! Congratulations x
Milana from CaratStudio said 4 years ago
Simple, beautiful... wise!
wolfmothercommune said 4 years ago
absolutely stunning and romantic wedding dress!!!
Raj Somer from cmsomer said 4 years ago
lovely :) from one Tucson lady to another, a huge congrats.
Lizakith said 4 years ago
That dress is beautiful and that photo under the jasmine is so lovely!
Maxine Sellars from BunganzDesigns said 4 years ago
Amazing! Love your story and wedding. =)
ArleenDesign from ArleenDesign said 4 years ago
Oh so lovely!!!
Judy from founditinatlanta said 4 years ago
Beautiful story!! Love that dress it was the perfect fit !
dnato said 4 years ago
Vintage is in. . .your beautiful, special dress is so "Downton Abby" style. I feel that you are both old souls, maybe born in the wrong century, just like me :) You found each other & it's a fairy tale come true. If your baby is a girl, you might want to name her Jasmine!
dnato said 4 years ago
Since I also love vintage, this was a beautiful dress for you to wear on your special day. If you've ever watched the TV show called:"Downton Abby" you will see lovely dresses from that era that reminds me of your gown. Maybe if your baby is a girl, you might want to name her Jasmine :) Blessings, Peace & Love to the 3 of you.
Debbie Krusen from TwinAntiques said 4 years ago
What a wonderful story of found love! Best wishes as you continue your journey, and are joined by the wee one.
icelady from iceladybag said 4 years ago
dress is beautiful.I like it so much.
finnhuizi said 4 years ago
so lovely~
YZfashionbridal Inc from YZFashionBridal said 4 years ago
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
apollo tao from Davisbridal said 4 years ago
Very beautiful dress !thank you for sharing..! Sometimes , my many customers also share theri weddings,i love these story.
Avianti Jewelry from AviantiJewelry said 4 years ago
That dress! I love it! and the flowers, I think were a great choice for the theme of the wedding! Love it
Iris Qing from pearlhouselet said 4 years ago
Beautiful dress! Sweet story! Congratulations!