Greater Palm Springs Fashionistas Dish on Spring, Summer Wedding Looks for Guests and Couples

What to wear to this season’s weddings? Start with this head to toe advice from the experts

Lisa Marie Hart El Paseo

 

Fashion isn’t relegated to just one week here in the Coachella Valley; we live in a year-round parade of style.

That’s never more true than when it comes to a desert wedding, an occasion that calls each closet to bring forth its best of the best. (Or, to accommodate a new ensemble from a quick shopping spree, which is usually more fun.)

We asked a few local fashionistas what they would like to see on brides, grooms and their guests at this season’s upcoming nuptials. Many of their suggested pieces — all available locally — would wear as well on style-conscious guests as they would for a sunny Palm Springs-area honeymoon!

 

Trina Turk of Trina Turk

photo courtesy of trina turk

Check out Trina Turk's Sarah dress — a timelessly well-structured lace sheath with a sheer panel across the neckline and shoulder blades.

 

“What should guests wear? Print and color! We have a lot of great options in our current spring collection. The Audrey and Peggy dresses both have a universally flattering silhouette that we love, as well as the more dressy styles like our lace Penny dress or the Tilly. All very desert chic!”

Editor says: Trina Turk consistently reinvents a quintessential look for Palm Springs. What’s a local wedding without at least someone rocking a new Trina Turk piece? Brides, check out her Sarah dress — a timelessly well-structured lace sheath with a sheer panel across the neckline and shoulder blades.

Trina Turk, 891 N Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-416-2856; www.trinaturk.com

 

Candice Held of Candice Held

photo courtesy of candice held

Candice Held’s dresses are ideal for hot weather.

 

“A scarf dress from my collection is the perfect wedding guest attire, especially in the desert. The silhouettes are flattering and feminine, and the prints and colors range from soft and romantic to vibrant and happy. Good vibes to bring to a marriage ceremony!

I have worn my silk scarf dresses to several weddings, and many of my customers tell me they have as well.  And, of course, Palm Springs is a beautiful place to tie the knot! My husband and I were married here, and we are hosting our friends' wedding at our home here in early May.”

Editor says: Candice Held’s dresses are wedding-ready: Eye-catching yet without upstaging the bride, and ideal for hot weather when nothing else feels quite cool enough.

Candice Held boutique, The Shops at Thirteen Forty-Five, 1345 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; www.candiceheld.com

 

Debra Hovel of Debra Hovel Footwear

photo by Leslie Nall photography

Debra Hovel incorporates sentimental tokens into each one-of-a-kind pair she creates, like bits of ribbon, jewelry, or lace.

 

“For me, weddings are all about the shoes! Not just for brides and grooms, the entire party should be wearing something memorable and wonderful to celebrate that special day. Footwear is as important as the outfits, and can be even more special than the clothing being worn.

Wedding footwear should be worthy of their own photo spread. So I focus on creating the most photogenic footwear imaginable.
Brides should have a pair of high heel shoes for the ceremony and another, more comfortable pair, for the dance and reception. Nothing ruins the look of a bride’s beautiful gown like bare feet on the dance floor. Both pairs of shoes can look so similar most people would never notice the switch.

Or, even more fun, a completely different and eccentric pair for the dance. I know a beautiful bride who wore high heels for the formal ceremony and changed to sparkling metallic gold lace-ups for the dance!

Grooms need not miss out on the fun. How about orange stingray, wine-colored eel skin, or cobalt blue metallic tuxedo shoes? Once the party is over, the shoes live on. Designed to be worn for any special occasion, their shoes can remind both the bride and groom of that magic, love-filled moment when they said ‘I do.’ What moment matters more?”

Editor says: To customize her heirloom-quality footwear, Hovel incorporates sentimental tokens into each one-of-a-kind pair she creates, from bits of ribbon, jewelry, or lace from loved ones to a “wedding wish” tucked into the heel or a poem on the interior lining. “With every step I love you more,” is one of her favorites.

Debra Hovel Footwear, www.debrahovelfootwear.com

 

Brigitte Lehnert of Flow Modern

photos courtesy of flow modern

This is a ‘modern vintage’ take on classic pearls. Each is done in a nice, matte gold finish, and the double chocker necklace especially makes a statement.

 

“I love to see guests in statement pieces of jewelry. At Flow Modern, we stock a sampling of a variety of jewelry items for different types of wedding guests that includes vintage and artist-design pieces."

Editor says: There’s nothing like making a statement through jewelry, especially to update or reinvent a favorite ensemble. Lehnert has an eye for pairing clothing with jewelry, and her ever-changing stock shows a knowledge of eras, techniques, styles, and materials. If you don’t know how to wear it or which piece looks best on you, she will!

 

I could see this ensemble or some strands of these on a young boho chic guest to a woman of any age who appreciates natural elements. These are strands of African beads made of glass from Ghana, bone from Ethiophia, and old agate beads.

 

 

For the artsy/avantgarde woman, I love this mix of the brass and organic stones. They are brutalist and cool and very on trend. Each is handmade by Bertha Esquivel of brass, crystal, and rhinestone.

 

 

These stacking bangles and rings in brass and sterling by artist Heidi Abrahamson represent my love for love mixing metals. They work with any color dress and are truly timeless.

 

Flow Modern, 768 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760-322-0768

 

Lisa Marie Hart has been writing about weddings since serving as an editor at Bridal Guide magazine in New York City in 1999. Since 2006, she has been editor of the annual Palm Springs Life Weddings & Honeymoon Planner. Away from the laptop, she creates tiered cupcake stands for weddings and celebrations at www.highteaforalice.com

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