A Classic + Creative Wedding at Casa Cody in Palm Springs

This isn’t your typical Palm Springs desert wedding. 

Carrie + Adam wanted their wedding weekend at the historic Casa Cody—the oldest operating hotel in Palm Springs—to have all the intimacy of a gathering at a private villa. Together with planners from One Darling Day they dreamed up a celebration full of creativity with tons of old world charm and classic vibes.  

“We looked at so many different venues but the second we stepped foot at Casa Cody, we knew it was the one,” say Carrie + Adam. “It had everything we were looking for—a beautiful classic property with a rich history and, best of all, rooms for sixty of our best friends to stay with us for the entire weekend. It was the perfect venue for a poolside reunion in addition to a beautiful wedding.”

Carrie’s an interior architect, and Adam’s a creative director in branding and advertising, so they put their combined creativity to work and designed the invitations and all of the wedding day paper goods themselves!!

We kind of can’t get over Benjamin Wheeler’s stunning photographs of Carrie + Adam’s day and the way they give such a perfect peek into every romantic moment. 

How fabulous is the invitation suite that Carrie + Adam created together?! Already in love with this color scheme.

“I wanted something really classic and romantic to go with the venue,” says bride Carrie of her chic and simple slip dress from A La Robe and its beautiful vintage lace collar. On a dress shopping trip to Loho Bride it didn’t take long for Carrie to know she’d found the one. “The A La Robe dress was the second dress I tried, and it felt perfect.”

Carrie’s classic low bun look was created by Angeleno Beauty as well as her soft and glowy makeup.

This bridal bouquet, a gorgeous combo of classic and super unique blooms in rich warm tones, is one of many floral creations that Still Carnations contributed to Carrie + Adam’s day.

We love a chic wedding sandal! Carrie’s strappy white block heels from Reformation are perfect for a celebration out under the hot desert sun. Shop the Ramize Sandal from Dolce Vita for a similar look!

“When it’s your wedding tuxedo you call in the big guns,” says Adam of his classic and elegant wedding day look. “I knew that the only guys I could trust with it would be the talented gentlemen at J. Mueser in New York. At the first fitting we discussed desert heat, classic Hollywood, understated elegance, and a soft shoulder. We landed on a gorgeous midnight navy dinner jacket in a raw Dupioni silk paired with a classic black barathea trouser. Everything was expertly cut and hand-sewn–the quality and detail sparked the confidence to work the room and nail the first dance.”

Take a look through our list of the 39 best simple wedding dresses for a stunning bridal look if Carrie’s charming slip dress has you feeling inspired.

The pops of terracotta in the bridesmaid bouquets look so stunning against these mismatch muted green dresses! Explore our collection of sage green bridesmaid dresses in every style if you’re loving this bridal party color palette.

Check out our tips for how to nail the mismatched bridal party look like Carrie’s besties did.

Adam rocking a pair of sunglasses with his wedding tux was bringing total James Bond energy. Take a look at our list of the 37 best sunglasses for men to find the right pair of sunnies for your wedding day look.

The Ceremony

The beautiful San Jacinto Mountains and blooming bougainvillea are really all the ceremony decor you could ever need. Look through our roundup of the best outdoor wedding venues in Southern California if Carrie + Adam’s sunny ceremony has you falling in love with the idea of a Golden State celebration.

Here’s how the couple described their breathtaking outdoor ceremony: “Late-afternoon on a glorious day in Palm Springs. Sun dipping down behind the mountains, a slight breeze, the bougainvillea at peak bloom. It was perfect. Our friend Sean was our officiant, which felt very personal and special to us. To have someone we know so well run the ceremony and communicate our journey as a couple from a first hand perspective was something we knew would feel real and memorable. Carrie’s cousin, Sarah, a decorated poet and writer, had prepared a passage that brought the house down.”

“Once we were standing up there together,” Carrie says, “I forgot anyone else was there but the two of us.”
“I felt shockingly calm and confident,” says Adam. “Once I took my place at the altar everything felt natural and relaxed—but I had to keep my focus on Carrie. Apparently all of my groomsmen were ugly-crying behind me, which is probably for the best that I couldn’t see because I would have lost it as well.”

Our Musical Choices
			
Processional: “Watch Me” by Labi Siffre
			
			
Recessional: “Head Over Heels” by Tears For Fears
			
			
First Dance: “I’d Have You Anytime” by George Harrison
			
		

The Reception

We love an iconic wedding guest fashion moment! If you want to look this fierce the next time your friends get hitched in the springtime check out 49 wedding guest dresses for spring or shop this red gingham maxi dress from ASOS and this chunky pearl necklace to recreate the look!

Adore Folklore supplied the black guest seating and eclectic mix of long banquet tables and round tables that transformed this courtyard.

Even more killer wedding guest style!! Loving that powder pink Chanel clutch.

Personalized cocktail napkins like Carrie + Adam’s are such a fun way to put your stamp of even the smallest detail of your big day.

So into the bright burst of color that these orange taper candles add to the tablescape.

The tablecloths in chic neutrals and napkins in muted blues that BBJ La Tavola provided were the perfect backdrop for all of the warm tone floral centerpieces.

Loving the modern stoneware place settings and warm bronze flatware from Catalog Atelier.

Cylindrical wine glasses are a great way to use drinkware to add some modern energy to a table setting.

Over the Rainbow Desserts created this towering three tier wedding cake with pale orange floral accents for Carrie + Adam. Love that just the middle tier is naked iced!

“We had always wanted the reception to feel like a really great dinner party with all our best friends,” says the couple of their reception vision. “We had the food served family style on long banquet tables, with toasts from the father of the bride, maid of honor, and best man. Lots of dancing to follow – Dart Collective brought a live brass section!”

Take a peek at our list of 129 first dance songs for your wedding for every style if you’re still searching for your special song.

Carrie + Adam’s guests enjoyed food and drink from MIHO at the outdoor reception.

Ribbed champagne coupes are having their-well deserved moment and we hope it never ends.

All of these glowy, romantic lanterns and string lights were the work of Signature.

Check out our collection of the 17 best champagne glasses that are absolutely stunning to prepare your barware for your next celebratory toast!

Just a moment to gush about Benjamin Wheeler and the masterfully organic and candid way that he captured Carrie + Adam’s celebration. Every shot is a brilliant mix of light and dark, motion and stillness. And we’re in love with the combo of rich color and b+w.

Such a great pic of Carrie’s moment on the dance floor with her dad. Take a look at our list of the top 103 father daughter dance songs to play at your wedding if you need ideas!

Congrats, Carrie + Adam!! Your classic and creative Palm Springs wedding day was beyond charming! GWS wishes you all the very best!