A Colorful, Retro-Meets-Midcentury Wedding at Colony 29 in Palm Springs, California

Clayton (Clay) Early (36 and an actor) and Michael (Mike) Dailey (36 and an attorney) know that good things take time. What Clay calls their “classic modern romance” began on OkCupid after months of bad dates and nearly giving up on online dating. The pair’s first date at a Brooklyn bar proved that it was worth the wait. “I was instantly charmed,” Clay says. After enduring long distance, Clay proposed during a trip to Rome. The couple was willing to wait another two years to be married, for the sake of securing their venue: Colony 29 in Palm Springs. They filled the property with neon, ’60s-inspired details, from the staggered cake to the bold signage, and embraced the area’s “sense of fun and playfulness,” Clay says. That said, the ceremony also reminded them of the importance of change and time, including acknowledging “the adversity of the LGBTQ community,” Clay says. “Our ceremony was an opportunity to reflect on the past, present and future.” The signature look and color of Palm Springs architecture inspired the mid-century reception décor, from the Eames chairs to the mod potted succulents. While Mike went classic in a navy-blue tux, Clay chose a lighter shade of blue with a windowpane pattern. Guests found their seats with the help of colorful diamond-shaped cards, which echoed the stationery.  Clay and Mike asked guests to write well-wishes on vintage post cards, which they hung outside.  Clay and Mike let their wedding hashtag, #YayMikeandClay, lead the way when choosing the day’s signature phrase. “We went a little over the top with the block letters,” Clay says. “We’ll be breaking those out at future parties.” After dancing with guests to an upbeat playlist, Clay surprised Mike by serenading him with “Come Rain or Come Shine” by Chet Baker. Aqua diamond-shaped menus continued the bright feel of the day and helped guests decide on a dinner of roasted chicken or pesto-crusted salmon. Colorful mixes of pincushion proteas, peonies, cacti and succulents topped tables. Guests could cool off with canned rosé or choose between three signature drinks: an old-fashioned manhattan, spicy cucumber lemonade or Colony 29, named after the venue and made of vodka, passion fruit and soda.