PHOTO BY ASHLEY LAPRADE PHOTOGRAPHY

Whitney & Nic

Gothic Glamour
at Avalon Hotel
by Ashley LaPrade Photography

An unexpected downpour added to the striking contrasts of this ultra-modern bash. Fiercely stylish and nontraditional, the couple delivered umbrellas to guests’ rooms and outsmarted the rain under a canopy on the Avalon lawn.

Smoke-toned ghost chairs, onyx goblets, and custom chandeliers complemented the bride’s sultry bouquet. This pair broke into a choreographed hip-hop number for their first dance.

Event coordinator: Michelle Garibay

Floral design and décor:
Artisan Event Floral Décor

Rentals: Classic Party Rentals;
Signature Party Rentals

Specialty rentals and styling:
Jake Duke Studios

Chairs: Chiavari Chair Rentals

Hair and makeup:
Chelsea Nicole Makeup and Hair

Cake: Laura Marie’s

Signage and graphics: Meldeen

Napkins: Luxe Linen

DJ: DJ Chris Paul

Videographer: Miguel Garcia Studios

Chrissy & Tyler

Bright, Bold, Fun at
Ace Hotel & Swim Club
by Katie McGihon

Any girl in a gold-polka-dot wedding gown and gold glitter sunglasses knows how to have a good time. Chrissy’s bouquet popped with orange and coral blooms to match her bold lipstick. The couple’s day-to-night soirée at the Ace featured synchronized swimmers who prompted guests to jump in later for some after-party night swimming.

Event coordinator: Molly Barath

Floral design:
Arrangements Floral & Party Design

Makeup: Nancy Z Beauty

Synchronized swimmers:
The Brooklyn Peaches

Succulents: The Succulent Source

DJ: Dance All Night

Invitations and menus: Rifle Paper
Company for Paperless Post

Table runners: Original art by Heather Ross, printed with Spoonflower
and sewn by the bride

Signs and lettering: Anuja Gagoomal

Beach balls: Beachballs.com

Samantha & Joe

Bohemian Gypsies at
The Ruin Venue
by Katie Branch,
Branch and Cole

The groom is the bass player for Fitz and the Tantrums. His bride carried a feather bouquet. From the High Desert’s midday sun to strings of lights under blackened skies, this celebration spun hints of gypsy and steampunk into its sparse locale.

Guests found tarot cards as escort cards and were smudged before being seated for the ceremony. Dining tables wore old rusty cans and bud vases with feathers poking out, along with crystals, rocks, and geodes.

Event coordination and design:
Trish Jones, The Walk Down the Aisle

Table rentals: Planks and Patina

Equipment rentals:
Signature Party Rentals

Videographer:
Corey Branch, Branch and Cole

Caterer: Pizza 900

Erin & Robert

Blushing Romance at
La Quinta Country Club
by Steven Wayne Photography

With chandeliers strung from an olive tree and rose petals swirled down the aisle, bridesmaids in blush dresses carried white bouquets with wide gold ribbons. Thus began this classic spring ceremony set on the first fairway of the club’s golf course. Dinner and dancing followed in the Eisenhower Pavilion, where gold mercury glass candlesticks held flickering light.

Event coordinator: Two Tree Events

Floral design and décor:
Artisan Event Floral Décor

Hair and makeup: Jen Plus Colour

Officiant: Richard Cadieux,
Joyful Weddings & Events

DJ: California DJ

Videographer: The Emotion  Picture Studio

Kathleen & Paul

Desert Garden Party
at Colony 29
by Jim+Kelly

The vintage backdrop of this relaxed Hollywood hideaway and former artist colony needed little embellishment. Especially when all eyes turned toward the bride’s runway-worthy Oscar de la Renta green gown adorned with pink blossoms.

“As a second-marriage couple, we felt free to do things less traditionally,” Kathleen says. “No white wedding dress and everyone had a cocktail in hand during the ceremony.” Rather than walking down the aisle, she and her flower girl came down the mountainside to The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.”

Event planner: Mein Schatz Events

Floral design: Twig & Twine

Rentals: Casa de Perrin

Cake and caterer: Whoa Nelly

Bartenders and specialty cocktails:
The Whaling Club

Paper goods: Union Street Papery

DJ: Dart Collective

Nicole & Tom

Pink Becomes Us at
Colony Palms Hotel
by Michael Segal Photography

This couple from L.A. was engaged in Palm Springs and then returned for the wedding, which incorporated Filipino traditions. “Palm Springs felt like a destination wedding,” Nicole says. “It has such great weather. We visit all the time.” Textural calla lilies, roses, and peonies played into the bride’s ruffled gown. Her light pink scheme got its shine from gold accents like tabletop clusters of Moroccan candle lanterns.

Event planner: Artisan Event Floral Décor

Floral design and décor:
Artisan Event Floral Décor

Hair: Jose Niera Salon

Makeup: Makeup by Keturah

Officiant: David Wolgin

Sweets: Exquisite Desserts

Paper goods: Tasha Rae Designs

DJ: DJ Chris Paul

Videographer: By Design Films

Mandana & Kirk

Gold-Kissed Opulence at
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
by Lin & Jirsa Photography

Fragrant white flowers in regal proportions welcomed and amazed guests as they arrived to this bluff-top ceremony and ballroom celebration. More was more, accented by sparkling crystals and rich metallic gold, from the seven-tiered wedding cake adorned with flowers to votive candleholders in varying heights.

Event coordinator: Delicate Details

Floral design: Petals LA

Rentals: The Rental Avenue

Lighting and dance floor: TMMPRO

Band: Allen G.

Sofreh: Taraneh Ajdar, Elegant Sofreh Design

Ali & Adam

The Great Gatsby at
The Solomon Estate
by Michael Segal Photography

For a pair who met at the Sundance Film Festival and often hosts theme parties, this theatrical soirée fit like a white glove. Aerialist flappers hung from the ceiling to pour Champagne with all the glitz and showmanship of the 1920s. The couple’s art deco monogram graced the cake, ice luge, and napkin holders; centerpieces brimmed with white ostrich feathers and dripped in faux pearls. Guests mingled in black-tie, Gatsby-inspired attire, then toted home gift bags filled with travel-size liquor and a Gatsby slang dictionary.

Event planner:
Laurie Lund, The Events Department

Floral design:
Artisan Event Floral Décor

Rentals: Signature Party Rentals

Catering: Westwood Catering

Wedding cake and desserts:
Cake by Cassidy

Champagne aerial: Dream Works

Burlesque show: Bling Divas

Band: Big Lucky Band

Photo booth: Classic Photobooth

Videography: Air Wedding

Caroline & Aaron

Tropical Punch at
Ace Hotel & Swim Club
by Matthew David Studio

Gold-painted pineapples and oversize flamingos? Even the desert can carry off the carefree vibe of an island getaway. The bride and groom took their seats in rattan peacock chairs surrounded by jungle greens, tropical flowers, and bistro lights to emulate the island skies. Scrolls of black paper served as table runners, bearing the couple’s favorite song lyrics and poems penned in gold calligraphy.

Event coordination and design:
Trish Jones, The Walk Down the Aisle

Floral design: My Little Flower Shop

Hair and makeup: Nancy Z Beauty

Rentals: Signature Party Rental

Peacock chairs: Planks and Patina

Confetti wedding cake:
Ace Hotel & Swim Club pastry chef

DJ: DJ Dart Collective

Photo Booth: My Little Fun Factory

Videographer: Paraview Films

Kelsey & Adam

True Blue Forever
at Cree Estate
by Betsi Ewing Studio

Hailing from opposite coasts (Adam from North Carolina and Kelsey from Northern California), these two wanted a venue that could handle a weekend-long party for friends. Their wedding at the Cree Estate had “SoCal getaway” written all over it, from the taco buffet and late-night pizza to the churro doughnuts, ice cream cart, and pool floats.

“At the end of the night, we jumped into the heated pool with about 20 of our guests in our dresses and suits,” says Kelsey, an event planner by trade who took on most of the DIY details herself. “Honestly, it was the best part!”