A Vintage-Inspired Garden Party at Parker Palm Springs
We envisioned a wedding with the feel of a romantic, vintage-inspired garden party—intimate, floral, and filled with effortless charm. Set in the lush gardens of Parker Palm Springs, the atmosphere was designed to feel like stepping into a hidden oasis, soft and inviting. The vibe was laid-back yet elegant, embracing natural beauty and a timeless sense of romance.
Blake proposed to me in Elizabeth Street Garden, just down the block from our Nolita apartment. We were on our way to what I thought was the 5th anniversary party for Public Hotel, where my sister was overseeing a construction project. Blake had arranged for the garden to stay open 30 minutes past its usual 6pm closing time. As we walked down the street, he suggested we take a detour through the garden. Suddenly, Blake began his speech and got down on one knee, and we both started tearing up. It was very sweet. Blake had flown in my family, along with his mom and godparents, who surprised us after to congratulate us and celebrate. They had gone back to our apartment to set up champagne, cake, and flowers, and then Blake had arranged a private dinner for us at Lure in Soho, which was the perfect way to cap off such a special day.
As a fashion designer based in New York City, the bride decided to design her wedding dress after trying on styles that didn’t quite capture her vision. Wanting something runway-worthy and vintage-inspired, she created a two-piece look with a silk duchesse satin corset adorned with rosettes and traditional hand-sewn cording paired with a voluminous skirt featuring intricate draping and hand-appliquéd French lace. She completed the look with a cathedral-length lace-trimmed veil. Later in the evening, she switched into a sleek bias-cut silk skirt for dancing. She also designed her welcome party dress, which was graciously gifted to her by Diane von Furstenberg. Inspired by the process of creating these two looks, she launched her bridal line, Seline Meisler, to offer brides high fashion options for their big day.
Seline, while a designer for Diane von Furstenberg, created the bridesmaids’ dresses using an iconic DVF print, recolored to fit the wedding’s romantic vibe. One dress was made from bias-cut silk chiffon, and the other from Diane's signature silk georgette, both in the same print but with different fabric qualities. These dresses were for her two sisters, who stood with her at the chuppah. She also had a group of friends as honorary bridesmaids, each choosing their mismatched looks that complemented one another. For getting ready together, Seline sourced vintage floral silk robes for all the girls.
The groom wore a custom shawl collar tuxedo from Enzo Custom with bespoke embroideries, sterling silver and black onyx cufflinks, and Carmina leather Oxford shoes. His two groomsmen complimented him in coordinating black tuxedos.
The couple embraced the culinary magic of Parker Palm Springs, highlighting seasonal ingredients sourced from the hotel’s gardens. Guests were welcomed to the ceremony with freshly squeezed lemonade made from the property’s lemons. Cocktail hour featured signature drinks like a refreshing paloma with homegrown grapefruits and a limoncello cocktail, nodding to the Italian countryside vibe. Creative hors d’oeuvres like crudo on endive and lamb lollipops set the tone for a dinner that was both fresh and inventive. The top-shelf bar kept the celebration lively, with espresso martinis stealing the show at the reception. Late-night bites of fried chicken sandwiches and grilled cheeses with tomato soup were an unforgettable hit to end the night on a delicious high note.
Drawing inspiration from her love of all things vintage, the bride collaborated with Archive Rentals to create a stunning mix of antique elements, including mismatched floral china, vintage crystal and glassware, and intricate silverware. The ceremony featured soft blush and ivory florals, with flowers lining the aisle and a floral chuppah draped in a vintage tablecloth sourced by the bride. For dinner, they walked through an arched hedge into a magical garden setting with long tables draped in Stradley Davidson off-white floral embroidered tablecloths and illuminated by string lights where vintage bud vases filled with florals and vintage vessels full of fruits adorned the tables. The bride added her personal touch with a vintage tablecloth for the cake table, completing the timeless and romantic vision.
The ceremony was led by the rabbi, who shared heartfelt stories from the bride and groom about what they love most about each other, making the moment feel deeply personal and meaningful. The couple walked down the aisle to the beautiful sounds of a string trio. For their first dance, they chose Sam Cooke’s Nothing Can Change This Love.
