If ever there was a wedding featured on Style Me Pretty that I so wished I could have attended…it would be this one. A Moroccan inspired celebration rich in food, family, wine and most of all, some of the most beautiful texture and style I think I’ve ever seen in a wedding celebration. Designed by Amy Kaneko with awe inspiring photography by Joy Marie, this wedding will make you fall in love over and over and over again. Click here to see so much more!
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From Amy of Amy Kaneko Events…When Kristen and Adam began looking for a venue in Palm Springs, they immediately fell in love with the Korakia Pensione. Unlike most venues in Palm Springs, which have a minimalist mid-century aesthetic, the Korakia has an incredibly romantic and eclectic vibe inspired by Morocco and the Mediterranean. And its bungalows and guesthouses are filled with eclectic antiques, which the pair loved. Kristen and Adam booked all 28 rooms on property so their guests could enjoy the intimate grounds all to themselves over the weekend.
Kristen and Adam were married in an intimate stone courtyard in front of 64 of their closest friends and family. A Spanish guitar group played an instrumental version of “In My Life” by the Beatles as the bridal party walked down the aisle. The bride, who descended a sweeping stone staircase to the courtyard, walked down the aisle to “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. They stood in front of a grand, antique Moroccan double door, while guests sat in a mix of vintage folding chairs and long wooden benches. Drinks served in Moroccan tea glasses and colorful woven fans helped guests stay cool in the desert heat. A central stone fountain was simply filled with bougainvillea petals to echo the vines growing around the property. (The fuchsia bougainvillea looked so beautiful in the desert setting that it was used throughout the wedding.)
After the ceremony, the large wooden doors opened, and the bride and groom’s family led the way to the cocktail reception. The decor was kept understated to showcase the natural beauty of the property. Stone ledges were simply decorated with passion vine and gardenias, while an existing fountain was filled with lily pads made of gardenias and succulents. A Polaroid camera guestbook was a hit with the guests, who took snapshots of each other and inserted them next to their messages to the bride and groom. The Spanish guitar group continued playing during cocktail hour, but played more festive music, including their specialty: flamenco fusion. For dinner, guests crossed over to the Mediterranean side of the property, where they sat at 24-foot long tables draped in natural linens. An eclectic mix of rustic wooden and iron garden chairs lent a casual but elegant air. Heirloom LA served a delicious family-style feast, while The Velvet Garden provided a visual feast of stunning flowers. The deep jewel-toned centerpieces were a splash of color and lushness in the otherwise desert surroundings. They incorporated fresh fruit inspired by the Mediterranean, such as blood oranges and grapes, with succulents, exotic leaves and lush flowers. As the sun set, bistro lights strung above cast a warm glow on the tables, and the surrounding palm trees were dramatically lit. A lounge filled with vintage furniture, including rugs and pillows was tucked away in a grove of small trees near the dance floor so guests could sit comfortably on the ground.
Wedding Photography: Joy Marie Photography / Wedding Venue: Korakia Pensione in Palm Springs, California / Event Planning + Design: Amy Kaneko Events / Floral Design: The Velvet Garden / Cinematography: Thomas Hughes Films / Catering: Heirloom LA / Rentals: Classic Party Rentals + Found Vintage Rentals / Linens: La Tavola / Lighting: Images by Lighting / Music: Roger Espinoza / DJ: Ian of Red Shoe / Wedding Invitations + Programs: Tiny Pine Press / Calligraphy: Barbara Callow + Laura Mendoza / Day-of Paper + Signs: Amy Kaneko Events / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Hair: Metin Serdan / Makeup: Noseph Trinh