Remember back to the {Drew + Sarah} engagement blog when I stated, "the wedding will be one-of-a-kind with style, personality and a heck of a lot of fun?" I could not have have said it any better!
It all started behind those yellow doors...
Keeping with the Hollywood Regency style of the hotel, which happens to be Drew and Sarah's as well, the event design process was straight forward which allowed for a lot of extra detail. We stayed with the Viceroy's pop of yellow and took it throughout the event starting with the invitations. Sorry, back that up, it all started with the canary diamond.
Who doesn't love this shoe photo? A-MAZING!
Keeping with the pop of yellow, Jenny B. kept the women's florals elegant and the men's boutonnieres modern using billy balls for the geometric aspect and a little succulent in keeping with the desert surroundings.
First Look, First Glance, The Preview, etc... Whatever you choose to call it, it is my favorite part of a wedding day. Let me explain a bit. There is nothing more romantic than locking eyes when you are walking down the aisle, but both bride and groom are so overwhelmed with all of their guests gazing, the vows they are about to recite and the commitment they are about to make. It can sometimes take away from just stepping back, drinking each other in and sharing a quiet, special, private moment to exchange a few words, hugs, kisses, laughs, and usually a few tears.
The First Glance is a production in itself: the stage has to be set, the cameras ready, the bride and groom positioned properly, and the timing has to be perfect to capture the emotions. It never fails, my groom is usually a ball of nerves, my bride is smiling from ear to ear.
And then it happens... You hear the breaths released, see their smiles grow (it is possible), and there is a need to touch each other and not let go. My couples will never understand how honored I am that they allow me to experience this with them. I asked Jenny B. to stay because she told me that she never gets to see this moment, so when it was over, I turned around to smile at her and her eyes were overflowing with tears. I knew she was touched as well.
Even after the First Glance, it can sometimes be a little hard to recover, and pull yourself back into picture mode, but these are the personal moments couples that choose to go this route experience.
Details, Details...
A June wedding in Palm Springs may not be ideal for an outdoor venue, but always keep your guests needs in mind. I do not recall the exact temperature, but the number 106 is coming to mind. We, as in the hotel, Sarah, her parent's and myself made certain that our guests would be comfortable sitting outside in the late afternoon hours. The Viceroy provided water and cool towels, Sarah and her mother furnished fans and parasols, Sarah's father brought in misters that dropped the temperature on the ceremony site by 20 degrees, and I made sure everyone was hydrated and in the shade until the last possible moment.
The Ceremony...
The wedding party...
My favorite photo...
Reception Details...
One of Sarah's first vendor choices was Phil Shane, a lounge entertainer that is pretty well known around the Southern California evening crowd. She was a bit hesitant because he does not fit the traditional wedding band stereotype, but I assured her after seeing him that their guests would love him. Sure enough, when Phil Shane stepped out to sing "Here Comes the Sun" all I heard was, "Is that Phil Shane? Oh My God, it's Phil Shane!" There was never a lull on the dance floor all night.
The only thing Drew and Sarah required of me was that I make sure that it was a party and lots of fun and I think we succeeded!
I forgot to mention Miss Penelope! The sweetest little flower girl around!
DREW + SARAH = Most fun couple around!
