Bring on the Confetti: Bright + Bold Palm Springs Wedding with a Tropical Twist

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Tucked away in the suburbs of Palm Springs is a gorgeous, laid-back estate called The Cree Estate. It’s here where Suzie and Lauren decided to celebrate their love, creating a destination wedding weekend getaway with their friends and family. Planned by The Events Department, it was bold, colorful, and seriously FUN. #LoveWins is a mantra that was celebrated on their very special day. Like their bold and bright love, they decided to incorporate the bright pinks, peaches, and golden-hued colors of desert flowers to accentuate the luxurious venue.

Suzie spills a bit more about the inspiration: Lauren and I have always had so many great memories in Palm Springs and wanted our wedding to show our individual taste, as well as our vibe as a couple. We wanted a casual but chic style, with hints of Old Hollywood and Mid-Century feels. Anyone who knows Lauren will tell you she is cool, calm, and collected with TONS of swag. And I would say I am more of an outgoing chatter box who loves excitement and new adventures. The Palm Springs aesthetic drew us in from day one, with muted desert tones and mountain views, juxtaposed with bright and bold tropical palm trees and exotic florals.

Prepare for the party of the century in Palm Springs! Let’s dive in to these photos from Alexandria Monette!

The Details

palm invitation design

kate spade heels

Um, we might just have to get our own pair of these adorable Kate Spade sandals!

wedding rings

The Glam Gals

first look

Can you imagine a prettier place for a first look?!

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Lauren and Suzie KILLED it with their wedding day attire. Lauren’s all-white suit was custom made by Sharpe Suiting and we’re just *slightly* obsessed with it. She complemented her suit with a feather pin + colorful boutonnière. 

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Dig this shot so much!!

Lauren and I love to host parties, more specifically — pool parties, so choosing a venue with pools was a must and with our wedding, we achieved hosting our most epic pool party yet!

leather jacket bride

Suzie looked absolutely DIVINE in her Hayley Paige gown, that she paired with an equally luxe hairstyle and a bouquet of brightly colored proteas + split-leaf palm leaves.

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

STYLIN’ to the MAX.

flower girls

The Vows

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

We decided that writing our own vows and reading them aloud to each other, in front of the community of people who've lifted us up from day one, was the most important part of the day. The sense of support and encouragement was nearly palpable and from what I hear (and the photos show) there were abundant tears of joy flowing. One unique aspect to our vows is that we used the opportunity to let our friends and family know that we vow to be there for them and asked them to continue support us throughout our lives. We believe that it truly does take a tribe.

Also, we took dance lessons for our first dance (we are both nurses and have never taken a dance class in our lives), which made for a very nerve racking but exciting start the to reception. Hearing the guests cheer and root for us through the dance and seeing the smiles on our faces at the end was SO worth it!

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

The Wedding Party

confetti exit

To include their guests in all the wedding fun, they provided hot pink sunglasses to everyone for a rad group photo after their ceremony. So fun!!

bridesmaids

To add to the bright + cheerful spirit, guests were encouraged to wear pinky peach + orange hues — which were picked up by the tropical florals that Jensens Florist created!

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

On an intimate level, really try to remember this day is about your love. Trust yourself and make choices that feel right to you even if it's not on trend right now. Even if you're not a Pinterest junkie or style guru, you know yourselves. It's hard not to worry about your guests (because you love them) and details, but none of it would be happening if your love and commitment weren't there.

From a practical standpoint, get an awesome photographer who make you feel like you are walking on clouds and DON'T PROCRASTINATE. Find an organizational tool that works for you. We used Zola.com, which kept track of everything for us and saved our lives. It allowed us both to be involved in tasks even when we were't together. Also, accept help and don't be afraid to call in favors. The people who love you are really happy to help you. Oh, and don't be afraid to change your mind. We completely changed our flowers and tablescapes 2-3 weeks before our wedding and we are SO happy we did. I will never forget how scared I was to call the florists and tell her, but she was so easy going and ended up telling me after that it was her favorite wedding she'd ever done!

The Tropical Reception

escort cards

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Tables were lined with palm fronds, monstera leaves, rattan chargers, himmeli (the geometric shaped pieces) to create a tropical Mid-Century feeling.

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

We Found Love by Rihanna blew up in 2012 — the summer we met — and became our anthem. Every time we hear it, good memories of first dates and first kisses come flooding back.

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Latch (piano and violin instrumental) by Sam Smith

Recessional: We Found Love by Rihanna

First Dance: I Choose You by Sara Bareilles

Minimal Palm Springs White Wedding

What an event! As a favor to all of their guests, L+S gave out Human Rights Campaign lapel pins with the equality sign. Because who doesn’t want to boast their support for equality with a colorful pin?

Keep on rockin’, you two. From the team at GWS, congrats!!

photography: Alexandria Monette Photography // venue name: The Cree Estate, Palm Springs, California, USA // planning: The Events Department // florals: Jensens Florist // wedding dress: Hayley Paige // wedding dress boutique: JLM Couture // bride's shoes: Kate Spade // hair stylist: Glam By Nawel // makeup artist: Daniel Bundy // paper goods: Minted // handmade details: DIY Signage by Suzie's Sister // catering: Westwood Catering // cake: Exquisite Desserts // desserts: Exquisite Desserts // tabletop rentals: Signature Rentals // furniture rentals: Signature Rentals // linen rentals: Signature Rentals // music: DJ Chris Paul // white suit: Sharpe Suiting // shoes: Manolo Blahnik // wedding jewelry: Excalibur Jewelry with Danny Sanchez

Explore: