Classic Chic Palm Springs Wedding with Modern Touches at Avalon Hotel
Is there anything quite as chic as a Palm Springs fete? I think not. With the help of Good Times Event Planning, Kirk and Ryan celebrated their Big Day, complete with sky-stretching palms, black and white details and lush tropical elements. Justin Gilbert followed their every move for captures that will warm your soul, desert style.
What was your aesthetic vision for your wedding day?
We wanted our wedding to look traditional and classic but with chic and modern accents.
How did you want your wedding to FEEL for you and your guests?
We wanted our guest to feel just as special as we did and enjoy themselves. Everyone who attended had a special place in our heart.
How did you choose your venue?
As Angelenos, we love Palm Springs and knew right away that would be our wedding city of choice. We love the old Hollywood vibe that the Avalon has to offer. It was also important that the venue be small and intimate, it felt like our wedding party had the run of the hotel all weekend. While small and boutique, the hotel property is situated in a way that creates separate spaces for each portion of the day.
We wanted our wedding to look traditional and classic but with chic and modern accents.
How did you want your wedding to FEEL for you and your guests?
We wanted our guest to feel just as special as we did and enjoy themselves. Everyone who attended had a special place in our heart.
How did you choose your venue?
As Angelenos, we love Palm Springs and knew right away that would be our wedding city of choice. We love the old Hollywood vibe that the Avalon has to offer. It was also important that the venue be small and intimate, it felt like our wedding party had the run of the hotel all weekend. While small and boutique, the hotel property is situated in a way that creates separate spaces for each portion of the day.
What were some of the personal details that you infused to make your day feel uniquely you?
As the hotel is dog friendly, our dog Wilma was able to be a part of our day. She walked down the aisle with our officiant and sat next to us during dinner. We also had custom cocktail napkins created with fun facts about our relationship. We also brought in desserts from our favorite bakeries and ended the evening with In-N-Out burgers and fries.
Tell us about your attire!
Calvin Klein tuxedos with Christian Louboutin shoes.
Tell us about your reception decor...
We went with lush tropical foliage, emerald greens with accents of marble and gold.
Any steal-worthy details that readers should know about?
Custom cocktail napkins were super affordable and a hit with our guests. Letterbox signs are inexpensive and the perfect spot for a hashtag.
As the hotel is dog friendly, our dog Wilma was able to be a part of our day. She walked down the aisle with our officiant and sat next to us during dinner. We also had custom cocktail napkins created with fun facts about our relationship. We also brought in desserts from our favorite bakeries and ended the evening with In-N-Out burgers and fries.
Tell us about your attire!
Calvin Klein tuxedos with Christian Louboutin shoes.
Tell us about your reception decor...
We went with lush tropical foliage, emerald greens with accents of marble and gold.
Any steal-worthy details that readers should know about?
Custom cocktail napkins were super affordable and a hit with our guests. Letterbox signs are inexpensive and the perfect spot for a hashtag.
What were your wedding planning challenges?
Letting go of the reigns. As a creative director, and a bit of a perfectionist, I had a vision that I wanted to execute on my own. When it comes to the actual day, you have no capacity for that, you need to let go and allow those around you to execute.
Any advice for couples who are planning their wedding now?
No matter the outcome you will feel an enormous amount of love on your special day. So don't stress and have fun with it.
Most vivid or best memory from the day?
Our ceremony and vows, makes me teary eyed thinking about it.
Letting go of the reigns. As a creative director, and a bit of a perfectionist, I had a vision that I wanted to execute on my own. When it comes to the actual day, you have no capacity for that, you need to let go and allow those around you to execute.
Any advice for couples who are planning their wedding now?
No matter the outcome you will feel an enormous amount of love on your special day. So don't stress and have fun with it.
Most vivid or best memory from the day?
Our ceremony and vows, makes me teary eyed thinking about it.
A few more details...
First Dance Song: Never Enough by Loren Allred
Signature Cocktails: Watermelon Smash (vodka, watermelon, mint) Whiskey Proper (whiskey, orange, pineapple, ginger beer, bitters)
Dinner Menu: Family style - heirloom tomato salad, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, salmon, new york strip
Cake Flavors: Red velvet and carrot
First Dance Song: Never Enough by Loren Allred
Signature Cocktails: Watermelon Smash (vodka, watermelon, mint) Whiskey Proper (whiskey, orange, pineapple, ginger beer, bitters)
Dinner Menu: Family style - heirloom tomato salad, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, polenta, garlic mashed potatoes, salmon, new york strip
Cake Flavors: Red velvet and carrot
From the planner Erin James... The day I met Kirk & Ryan, I adored their vision and knew I would absolutely love coordinating their wedding! They were both SO sweet and straight to the point. They knew what they were looking for and weren’t afraid to say it! Which is sometimes the hardest and most important aspect in planning a wedding.
Kirk was so thrilled to share his ideas of greenery, romance and a clean polished look, especially with someone who admired his creativity and organization as much as I did! It was so easy to get on the same page with these two, as we all agreed on making this day as personable and unique to their characters as best seen fit. From getting ready and walking down the aisle together, to incorporating their puppy Wilma Jean into their cake topper and playing Dolly during their Mother-Son Dances. I don’t think there was a dry eye in that ballroom. The venue, Avalon Palm Springs, Justin Gilbert Photography and Artisan Floral Design were key components, that helped tie their beautiful day together!
The venue had a very unique, yet organic flow. Moving from one lush, green space to the next! All very intimate and very accommodating to the overall feel, allowing guests to have a more interactive experience. Which many guests mentioned, they really enjoyed!
I knew Justin and the guys connected right away as well! He had shot their portraits once before and now was here shooting one of the most important moments of their life together! Justin was truly the sweetest photographer that I’ve had the pleasure of working with and he knew how to capture the guest’s attention, in order to get the photos he desired. He was genuine and was just as enthusiastic about Kirk and Ryan’s wedding as the rest of us!
The Artisan Team was also such a joy to work! They executed the floral design that spoke to Kirk’s vision! The grand arrangements framing the ceremony in the Regency Courtyard were absolutely breathtaking and they took such pride in laying out every piece of emerald garland and placing different dimensioned white candles every so artistically down the four grand tables, that were set across the Presidio Lawn. More details that the guests raved about throughout the evening! Kirk and Ryan’s day was everything and more!
Kirk was so thrilled to share his ideas of greenery, romance and a clean polished look, especially with someone who admired his creativity and organization as much as I did! It was so easy to get on the same page with these two, as we all agreed on making this day as personable and unique to their characters as best seen fit. From getting ready and walking down the aisle together, to incorporating their puppy Wilma Jean into their cake topper and playing Dolly during their Mother-Son Dances. I don’t think there was a dry eye in that ballroom. The venue, Avalon Palm Springs, Justin Gilbert Photography and Artisan Floral Design were key components, that helped tie their beautiful day together!
The venue had a very unique, yet organic flow. Moving from one lush, green space to the next! All very intimate and very accommodating to the overall feel, allowing guests to have a more interactive experience. Which many guests mentioned, they really enjoyed!
I knew Justin and the guys connected right away as well! He had shot their portraits once before and now was here shooting one of the most important moments of their life together! Justin was truly the sweetest photographer that I’ve had the pleasure of working with and he knew how to capture the guest’s attention, in order to get the photos he desired. He was genuine and was just as enthusiastic about Kirk and Ryan’s wedding as the rest of us!
The Artisan Team was also such a joy to work! They executed the floral design that spoke to Kirk’s vision! The grand arrangements framing the ceremony in the Regency Courtyard were absolutely breathtaking and they took such pride in laying out every piece of emerald garland and placing different dimensioned white candles every so artistically down the four grand tables, that were set across the Presidio Lawn. More details that the guests raved about throughout the evening! Kirk and Ryan’s day was everything and more!