celebrating our first anniversary

This year was all about us. We each resolved to make each other our number one focus. We spent quality time together. Enjoyed the simple things. Friday night dinners, sunset drinks, went on little adventures (and a few big ones), we moved, experienced loss, experienced life, in many ways we're starting over again this year. But one thing remains so comforting and true, we have each other. I can't wait to see what this life and this love brings us, but until then, we'll celebrate today and one year of utter and complete bliss!

Celebrate with us! We're poppin' champs and getting teary eyed reliving our big day watching this all day!

celebrating our first anniversary

This year was all about us. We each resolved to make each other our number one focus. We spent quality time together. Enjoyed the simple things. Friday night dinners, sunset drinks, went on little adventures (and a few big ones), we moved, experienced loss, experienced life, in many ways we're starting over again this year. But one thing remains so comforting and true, we have each other. I can't wait to see what this life and this love brings us, but until then, we'll celebrate today and one year of utter and complete bliss!

Celebrate with us! We're poppin' champs and getting teary eyed reliving our big day watching this all day!

our wedding: the details

There were many decisions that went into the planning of our wedding, but I spent the most time focusing on the little things. The style that would make all the difference.  Anyone can choose a venue, a dress, flowers, the music, but it's the little things that make your wedding reflective of you and your husband.  It was important to us that if we were going to have all of our favorite people together for one whole day, that the day feel personal, understated yet appropriate for the gravity of the big day. So throughout the process, we focused on what would make the day unique to us.  What we could look back on and give meaning to.  Here are the details that made all the difference for our big day.

The Dress
I tried on so many dresses.  Too many dresses.  There became a point when I went to a dark place, "Will I ever find a dress?" Surely I couldn't be the only girl looking for a timeless, detailed yet modern dress?  I went from boutique to boutique searching for the dress.  I finally found the one when I re-tried on a dress I had tried on weeks prior and found the potential in what would be my dress.  Once I finally found the one, I asked myself "How can I make this my own?"  Removing the belt it came with, I had a custom sash made to give it just a hint of sparkle and a flirty bow to give the back a little movement and visual interest.

The Ceremony
When we decided on The Parker, it was clear we wouldn't have to do much to the croquet lawn to prepare it for the ceremony (which is exactly what we were hoping for with the perfect venue). Opting to forego the garden chairs that came with our agreement, we chose walnut chivari chairs to compliment the nature of the space.  We hung vintage lanterns in the trees, sprinkled rose petals and adorned the altar with two oversized arrangements of white blooms and lush greens.  To help set the tone for the party that would follow, we introduced nude shimmery linens on a welcome table that held our programs and hankies.  As guests arrived, they were greeted by string music humming in the background and mint lemonade hand served on silver trays.

Cocktail Hour
This is where we took the most liberties infusing our personal style.  An escort table layering textures of sequined linens and lucite trays filled with tumbled marble held our escort cards that carried our invitation suite's font.  A seating area featured pillows to match the linens and our very own coffee table and side tables were borrowed from our home.  Bars featuring gold leafed napkins, custom signage and family wedding photos helped to give it a more personal touch.

The Reception
Wanting the focus to be on entertaining our closest family and friends, we thanked our guests via custom thank you cards placed at each place setting, we set up a large dessert display featuring ours (and our family's) favorite desserts and as a favor, we asked Zach's father to harvest honey from the family farm.

As in all things in design and life, it's the little things that makes all the difference.

Need to catch up?: The Parker, The Reception, Cocktail Hour, The Big Day, Rehearsal Dinner, The Shower

*images via Jessica Kettle 

our wedding: the details

There were many decisions that went into the planning of our wedding, but I spent the most time focusing on the little things. The style that would make all the difference.  Anyone can choose a venue, a dress, flowers, the music, but it's the little things that make your wedding reflective of you and your husband.  It was important to us that if we were going to have all of our favorite people together for one whole day, that the day feel personal, understated yet appropriate for the gravity of the big day. So throughout the process, we focused on what would make the day unique to us.  What we could look back on and give meaning to.  Here are the details that made all the difference for our big day.

The Dress
I tried on so many dresses.  Too many dresses.  There became a point when I went to a dark place, "Will I ever find a dress?" Surely I couldn't be the only girl looking for a timeless, detailed yet modern dress?  I went from boutique to boutique searching for the dress.  I finally found the one when I re-tried on a dress I had tried on weeks prior and found the potential in what would be my dress.  Once I finally found the one, I asked myself "How can I make this my own?"  Removing the belt it came with, I had a custom sash made to give it just a hint of sparkle and a flirty bow to give the back a little movement and visual interest.

The Ceremony
When we decided on The Parker, it was clear we wouldn't have to do much to the croquet lawn to prepare it for the ceremony (which is exactly what we were hoping for with the perfect venue). Opting to forego the garden chairs that came with our agreement, we chose walnut chivari chairs to compliment the nature of the space.  We hung vintage lanterns in the trees, sprinkled rose petals and adorned the altar with two oversized arrangements of white blooms and lush greens.  To help set the tone for the party that would follow, we introduced nude shimmery linens on a welcome table that held our programs and hankies.  As guests arrived, they were greeted by string music humming in the background and mint lemonade hand served on silver trays.

Cocktail Hour
This is where we took the most liberties infusing our personal style.  An escort table layering textures of sequined linens and lucite trays filled with tumbled marble held our escort cards that carried our invitation suite's font.  A seating area featured pillows to match the linens and our very own coffee table and side tables were borrowed from our home.  Bars featuring gold leafed napkins, custom signage and family wedding photos helped to give it a more personal touch.

The Reception
Wanting the focus to be on entertaining our closest family and friends, we thanked our guests via custom thank you cards placed at each place setting, we set up a large dessert display featuring ours (and our family's) favorite desserts and as a favor, we asked Zach's father to harvest honey from the family farm.

As in all things in design and life, it's the little things that makes all the difference.

Need to catch up?: The Parker, The Reception, Cocktail Hour, The Big Day, Rehearsal Dinner, The Shower

*images via Jessica Kettle 

our wedding: the parker

About a month into Zach and I dating, I jokingly told one of my best friends not only were Zach and I going to be married, but that it was going to happen at The Parker, in Palm Springs.  My naivety to budgets and my confidence in our love is somewhat entertaining to reminisce about now, but it confirms I knew what I wanted, which is a huge feat for an indecisive girl like me.

Freshly engaged, I emailed The Parker only to find that my dream was a little too lofty for the reality of my budget.  With The Parker out of the picture, we quickly began venue hunting but nothing we found felt quite right.

With the reality of the situation setting in, late one Friday afternoon, Zach, my Mom and I took a spontaneous drive out to the desert to visit The Parker for the first time.

From the moment we pulled up, the valet attendees in their pink pants, the vibrant lobby and hedge lined paths hinted it was perfect.  We found our way to the Croquet Lawn and it was instantly clear, this would be where we would get married!  I was busy taking photos of the scenery, already dreaming up the decor, when I turned around to consult the other decision makers, I found Z consoling my Mom, she was bawling, "It's perfect, it's perfect!"

And it was.

So much of a wedding is influenced by the location - the decor, the dress, the tone of the entire day.  I am so happy we took that spontaneous trip and gave The Parker one last chance.  In the end, we were married under an old olive tree, among the mountains where we first fell in love. Palm Springs has always held a special place in our hearts, but now we have even more reason to visit.

Next up: The Details
Need to catch up?: The Reception, Cocktail Hour, The Big Day, Rehearsal Dinner, The Shower

*images via Jessica Kettle