Michael and Emily met in Los Angeles. On the first date they took their bikes and cycled down to Manhattan Beach along the beach path until they reached the end of the pier where the couple had their first kiss. Michael, head-over-heels in love, proposed just over a year later in the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco beside a gorgeous lillypond. The newly engaged couple celebrated with champagne and phoned their families to share the news. The moment was electric until they realized they had to plan a wedding! After looking at many wedding venues in Southern California, Michael and Emily decided to plan a destination wedding in Palm Springs, California. They loved the energy and vibe of Palm Springs, eventually deciding that they wants to say, “I Do” under a willow tree at Copley’s restaurant off Palm Canyon. Below are some of the photographs from the Palm Springs wedding!
We love Palm Springs. It has a wonderful vintage feel, like stepping back in time. And it’s such an incredible landscape, with the backdrop of those imposing mountains. Plus we had family joining us from all over the world so we wanted to chose somewhere that would feel like a holiday for them too. Everyone loved Palm Springs, and it’s now an even more special place for the two of us.
Because Copley’s was a small wedding venue, we were only allowed an acoustic musician, and Michael chose an Accordion player..! We’d been to a fabulous wedding in France the Summer before, and they had an accordion, we both agreed it was gloriously romantic! Our accordion player was wonderful, for the Processional he played La valse d’Amelie, and the Recessional was Prince’s Raspberry Beret, as played on the accordion. It was definitely a unique choice.
By far and away the most special moment of the wedding ceremony was when Michael performed his vows – a song he’d composed performed on the guitar. It was the first time I’d ever heard it, and it had me in floods of tears from the very first note. He’s such a talented musician, and I’m so glad we got to incorporate music into the ceremony, it made it so much more us! That was a very amazing moment from the wedding day, but even that did not compare to the moment I realized Michael and I were officially family.
We live in Los Angeles, and planning things from afar definitely presented more of a challenge. We had to do a few trips to Palm Springs to try hairdressers, meet with the venue etc.
After all the wedding planning and coordination is complete it is important to let it go. Don’t sweat the little details on the actual wedding day because honestly no one but you will notice, and it’s not worth the stress!
THANK YOU to Alexandria Monette Photography for sharing Michael and Emily’s lovely Palm Springs wedding! We highly encourage you to check out her wedding blog because she is an incredible wedding artist!
Palm Springs Wedding Venue: Copley’s On Palm Canyon
Wedding Dress: Shareen Bridal
Palm Springs Photographer: Alexandria Monette
Wedding Rings: Trumpet & Horn
Hair: Marilyn at Rooted Hair Studio