LOOK 1: Designer Style Meets Rustic Natural Beauty
Photographer: Chris Miller, Imagine Imagery, 760-989-0931, www.imagineweddingsevents.com The talented crew from our cover shoot headed to Smoke Tree Ranch, a guest ranch founded in 1936. Its removed locale and tranquil setting combine with tennis, swimming, and horseback riding set around a cluster of comfortable cottages. “The desert offers a unique experience for a bride,” says Palm Springs Life Fashion Editor Susan Stein, who coordinated the ensemble. “Each location blends a bit of fantasy with incredible natural beauty. It’s a place where brides instantly feel their most beautiful, on a day that starts a new chapter in their lives.” A ballgown-inspired designer dress by Oliver Tolentino then called in top local pros Chip Tuvman for the makeup design and Joy Fields for a few knockout hairstyles. (Everyone knows bridal hair and makeup are just as important as the dress!) “We’re seeing a very Victorian feel here lately,” Fields says. “Brides are interested in lots of lace and dresses with softer lines worn without a veil,” which allows for dramatic hair. She’s even taken requests for classic braided styles like the one shown here that add Victorian flair. “Some are calling it ‘rustic chic.’“ Fields says vintage themes resonate in Palm Springs, where historic venues offer a close-knit environment for small weddings and second marriages. “Makeup is still very soft but with a smoky eye, which introduces a modern touch and accentuates the bride’s eyes in photos, especially coupled with eyelash extensions.” It seems batting those lashes never goes out of fashion. |
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LOOK 2: Romantic Old Hollywood Meets the Royal Romance
Photographer: Katie McGihon, Max and Poppy, 760-989-0931, www.maxandpoppy.com Villa Royale Inn set the stage for this vintage-inspired look coordinated by Leticia Adams of Signature Bridal and Tuxedo. The secluded boutique hideaway dates to the private 1940s residence of an Olympic figure skater. Bubbling fountains in hushed courtyards lie only minutes from downtown Palm Springs, though many would never know it’s there. Adams wanted to capture the trend of romantic, vintage weddings that look to Old Hollywood glamour for modern inspiration. “The chic elegance of this vintage-inspired lace gown exemplifies the feel many brides are searching for,” she says. “The lace sleeves, made popular again by Kate Middleton, add a touch of class while the deep V-neck and empire waist lend a modern twist and subtle sexiness to the classic silhouette.” Adams says Palm Springs enchants brides “who want an Old Hollywood vibe or royal style on a small scale, mixed with the romance and serenity of the desert scenery.” To complement the birdcage veil, hair stylist Joy Fields of J. Russell! The Salon created loose waves to frame the face, while Judy Twine of The A List Makeup Studio chose a passionately red lipstick, a beauty trademark from a timeless era. As a finishing touch, The David Rohr Floral Studio in Cathedral City delivered a European-style, hand-tied red rose bouquet. The simplicity of the exposed stems flatters the traditional flowers that are particularly well suited to warm desert weddings. Behind the lens, Katie McGihon of Max and Poppy noted that couples have been seeking a “complex and exciting mix of photography, from traditional and photojournalistic to a recent surge in requests for photos with more of an editorial, fashion-inspired feel.” |
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