After a beautiful 10-year relationship as girlfriends, Meghan and Courtney decided they were ready to make each other their wife! A relationship with this much history is always sure to make a splash, and Meghan and Courtney were no exception.
The couple decided to enlist The Walk Down the Aisle to design their mid-century modern affair in Palm Springs, California. The Lautner Compound served as the perfect venue for their vision! Courtney, a graphic designer, put her creative skills to work to create custom elements like wedding signage and gifts for their guests. The beautiful day was then photographed by Carmen Lopez Photography resulting in dreamy, love-filled memories.
Reflection of Love
One of the many wonderful advantages of having a creative partner is the ability to use their talents to create the most beautiful personal touches. In Meghan and Courtney’s case, Courtney’s graphic design background enabled her to create a customized font and designs for each element of the wedding.
Look at that color! Meghan looked absolutely stunning in her dress by BHLDN and was perfectly complemented by her bridesmaids in velvety rust and burgundy dresses.
We absolutely ADORE this look! Courtney looked exceptional in her custom-made suit in this dreamy caramel shade.
Custom engraving on the collar added an extra personalized element that will last a lifetime.
A First Look at Forever
Nothing gets our hearts fluttering quite as much as an emotional first look. Courtney could barely contain her excitement as she anticipated turning around to see her beautiful bride for the first time.
A Union of Two
Processional: Something In The Way She Moves by James Taylor (Instrumental); Stand By Me by Tracy Chapman
Recessional: I Love You Always Forever by Betty Who
First Dance: In My Life by The Beatles
The funky font and colors transported guests straight into the mid-1960s as a fun nod to their wedding’s theme.
We always envisioned a mid-century modern California desert vibe, so we knew we had found our perfect venue the moment we laid eyes on the Lautner Compound (designer Tracy Beckmann has truly elevated the space beyond belief!). We drew a lot of inspiration for additional style elements from the venue itself.
A "wow" moment for the both of us was definitely when we turned to walk down the aisle and saw all of our guests for the first time. This was the moment when pre-ceremony nerves turned into pure joy and excitement; the moment it became real that this day was about us, and that all of our favorite people were there to celebrate with us! We also really enjoyed our time together at the sweetheart table. We had the best view of the band and the sun setting over the desert mountains. I feel like this time allowed us to slow down for a minute, take everything in and savor the moment. And lastly, the dance floor was everything we wanted and more!
This beautiful group of friends and loved ones were able to laugh and smile all throughout the day!
Guests were treated to a first-class experience with the musical accompaniment of Dart Collective.
We’re huge live music and food & drink people, so we both knew that having a live band and hiring the best catering & bar would make the day so much more meaningful to us. And we were right. Dart Collective & the Dart Family Band were insanely epic, and MIHO catering/bar absolutely killed it!
Try to decide what aspects of the day are going to be most meaningful to you and focus on making those things the very best they can be. Ask for vendor referrals from other professionals in the industry whenever you can and trust those recommendations. We were lucky to be able to hire a spectacular team of vendors who had worked together many times before, so it made the planning/design/execution go so smoothly and the final result looked stunning - way better than we could've ever imagined. Finally, if you can, hire a planner. It's 1000% worth it. Trish and her team from TWDTA were phenomenal from day one - a group of complete rock stars who helped to not only make our wedding exceptional but who worked tirelessly to execute everything seamlessly so that we didn't have a worry in our minds on the big day.
Sunset and Good Vibes
The couple’s reception decor was kept minimal, but fresh. Fall-toned chrysanthemums brightened the bare wooden reception tables.
We adore the styling of this place setting! Dinner was served family-style for an intimate and cozy vibe. In addition to the menus, Courtney designed the custom labels for the guest’s thank you gifts – candles inscribed with their wedding’s logo, date, and a nod to the venue’s location.
When asked about the results of their special day, Meghan and Courtney said, “There was never a moment when we felt like we had to worry about the quality or execution of anything, so that allowed us to be completely in the moment living it up with each other and our guests”.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
photography: Carmen Lopez Photography // venue name: The Lautner Compound, Desert Hot Springs, California, USA // event design: The Walk Down the Aisle // planning: The Walk Down the Aisle // florals: Layered Vintage // wedding dress: BHLDN // bridesmaid dresses: Baltic Born // hair stylist: Elwynn + Cass Beauty Concierge Service // makeup artist: Elwynn + Cass Beauty Concierge Service // catering: MIHO // furniture rentals: Planks and Patina // music: Dart Collective / Dart Family Band // lighting: SD Social Lights // courtney's attire: Klein Epstein & Parker // invitations + signage: Minted // furniture rentals: Signature Party Rentals // menus + place cards: Courtney Teed
Never thought Orange could look that nice!