Ashleigh + Michael are “go with the flow” people.
Their wedding planning goal was to create an easygoing celebration that felt fun, bright, and full of happiness. “We wanted the whole day to be like one big fancy house party,” Ashleigh + Michael say, “so we planned it with that vibe in mind.”
These two teamed up with Chloe from Events by A & C and created a relaxed and sunny wedding day at a beautiful private residence in Palm Springs, and it had a couple totally show-stopping elements we are so excited to share with you!
One is that DRESS! We cannot get enough of Ashleigh’s bright and beautiful yellow wedding dress!
Another is the FLOWERS. Ashleigh’s mom and grandmother were both florists, and the passion must run in the family because Ashleigh herself is a crazy-talented florist, too! She and her San Diego based floral design company Terra Cotta Studio are no stranger to the SoCal wedding and event industry and to helping couples achieve their dream wedding day floral aesthetic. This time though, she got to play wedding florist for herself! Terra Cotta Studio combined forces with florists and dear friends from Le Champagne Projects and Fox & Flora and created the out-of-this-world ombré arrangements and installations that made this event so special!!
Let’s take a look at the beautiful photos that photographer Kami LaLonde took of Ashleigh + Michael’s big day!!
Ashleigh’s vibrant, one-of-a-kind yellow wedding gown was custom made by Mi Casa Bridal. “Being in the wedding industry, all I see day in and day out is white wedding dresses and they all start to look the same to me,” Ashleigh says. “I wanted a dress that stood out and was memorable to me as well as to Michael.”
Loving these cute and colorful two-tone pink and orange looks that Ashleigh’s bridal party rocked for the getting ready portion of the day!!
If you’re gonna go colorful with your bridal look, why take your partner’s fave colors into consideration, too?? “I chose to wear yellow because Michael always tells me he loves it when I wear yellow,” says Ashleigh. “I don’t wear yellow very often but when I do he always notices so I wanted to wear something that he would really like. I designed the whole dress with him in mind.”
What did we tell you about the flowers!? And this bouquet full of bright whites, pastel yellows, and wild sprigs of greenery is just the beginning.
Ashleigh’s long blonde locks were styled by Braids By Brooklyn and Becky Gardner created her peachy makeup look.
The Ceremony
This gorgeous ceremony arch made use of all kinds of floral magic: monochrome arrangements, dangling floral garlands, AND that amazing ombré installation.
Plus it has the vibrant red flowers of the garden as a backdrop!!
Loving the modern vibes of these matching corrugated pedestal and vase.
Lucite guest seating is so great for outdoor ceremonies. It keeps the space feeling so wide open and organic!
Who says a pup can’t be your plus one!?
Check out our fave creative ways to include your dog in your wedding day.
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding Bride: The most memorable part was standing at the ceremony, holding Michael's hands and realizing that his boutonniere was on backwards. HA! JK! (sort of) Being in that moment and thinking how after 10 1/2 years this all was really happening. It was so surreal. The other part that was the most memorable for me was dancing with my step dad, not our "father daughter dance" but at the reception in the rave warehouse. We used to dance together often in our living room when I was growing up to all different types of music on his loud DJ speakers (he is a DJ). He is such a great dancer and really gets so into it! He's very theatrical and his love for music really comes out through his amazing dance moves. It's always a great time dancing with DJ Lil' Cease!
Groom: Obviously the most memorable moment was seeing my bride walk down the aisle. She was so beautiful and smiling ear to ear. But beyond the obvious, as she walked down the aisle, I felt relief. Everyone and everything was in its place, all the planning, all the errands, all the decisions. All the stress was gone in this moment and I could relax and enjoy our wedding.
Michael’s custom three-piece blue suit came from Zeglio Custom Clothiers.
Our Musical Choices Processional: "The Calling" by Eric Clapton and Santana
Recessional: "The Calling" by Eric Clapton and Santana
First Dance: "Tennessee Whiskey" by Chris Stapleton
These mix-and-match champagne bridesmaid dresses perfectly compliment Ashleigh’s yellow look! Take a peek at our list of the most stunning champagne bridesmaid dresses in every style.
If you’re wanting to go off the beaten path a bit wedding-style-wise, consider using a stylist like Ashleigh + Michael did! “Angel of By Angel Tan guided Michael and I through the entire process of creating a custom suit and dress,” the couple says. “She brought us to her recommended designers and voluntarily attended every meeting we had to ensure that we got exactly what we wanted.”
Ashleigh’s more traditional long, white, lace-trimmed veil is such a fun balance for her more non-traditional wedding gown. Check out our collection of the best wedding veil for every bridal style if you’re on the fence about veil length and look!
The Reception
These banquet table floral centerpiece arrangements are an ombré DREAM!!!
One huge plus of planning a wedding while working in the wedding industry? “Most of the vendors are friends that are just really good at what they do and have become our close friends throughout the years in this industry,” the couple says. Ashleigh calls them “friendors!”
A key element in achieving this gradually color-shifting place setting situation are those organic, frayed-edged linen napkins in this orange and yellow palette.
To create the wedding’s “go with the flow” vibe, Ashleigh + Michael collaborated with planner Chloe from Events by A & C to ditch the idea of a classic wedding day timeline. “Chloe was put up to the challenge of our rare request of no “timeline”. She made the day run so smoothly without us feeling like we had to be rushed or pressured. The entire day and evening happened organically.”
Grab a set of taper candles in different citrus-y colors to recreate this gradient tablescape on your own.
This super-cute bar front featuring Spoonflower’s “Palm Floral” wallpaper was a graphic touch that embraced the whole day’s color world!
How PERFECT are these mismatched vintage amber glasses?!
Our Advice To Those Planning Now Relax and always keep in mind that this is all happy, fun things! Not stressful things! It can get so overwhelming but at the end of the day this is all positive and you should enjoy every moment of the process. Do one thing at a time instead of thinking of all the things you need to do all at once. That is when it becomes chaotic in the brain. Always remember, it will all get done. Trust your vendors and enjoy the experience.
Ashleigh + Michael’s delicious ombré-on-the-inside wedding cake was created by the bride’s sister, Brittany Dinan. The desserts were by Azúcar.
Congrats, Ashleigh + Michael! Your relaxed, ombré wedding day was beyond sunny and bright!! Best wishes from GWS!
photography: Kami LaLonde // venue name: private residence, Palm Springs, CA, USA // planning: Events by A & C // florals: Terracotta Studio // wedding dress: Mi Casa Bridal // hair stylist: Braids By Brooklyn // makeup artist: Becky Gardner // groom attire: Zeglio Custom Clothiers // videography: Rick Sa Productions // cake: Brittany Dinan // desserts: Azucar // music: Tha Dali // florals: Le Champagne Projects // florals: Fox & Flora // stylist: By Angel Tan
