1. Real Weddings

A Modern Wedding With a Southwestern Style at Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs, California

Geometric patterns, Southwestern-inspired motifs and bright colors made this modern destination wedding vibrantly come to life at Ace Hotel & Swim Clu

Geometric patterns, Southwestern-inspired motifs and bright colors made this modern destination wedding vibrantly come to life at Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs, California. Mai Phung (33 and a freelance photographer) and Brian Smith (35 and a designer) had visited the venue, where they fell in love with the laid-back and aesthetic vibe that ended up being perfect for their nuptials. Brian proposed to Mai at Joshua Tree National Park in San Bernardino County, California, and incorporated a photograph of the landscaping in their wedding invitations. Mai went for a classic, romantic look with her white Maria Lucia Hohan dress with an illusion lace back, while Brian rocked a bright blue suit by Paul Smith that stood out from the wedding party look. Blue, gold, peach and white paper lanterns and tassels covered the ceiling inside the hotel reception space, where dining tables decorated with gold animal figurines were paired with gold-dipped antler centerpieces. We loved the way Mai and Brian incorporated the day's fusion style into the favors they called "tea-pees"—organic tea bags packaged inside teepee-shaped boxes with bright geometric patterns. See all the other eye-popping details that made this wedding stand out, below.

The custom-made invitations incorporated the geometric patterns of the wedding day style and a picture of Joshua Tree National Park, where Mai and Brian got engaged.
Mai and her bridesmaids got temporary gold tattoos of an arrow on their wrists, showcased here as they got ready in their colorful floral robes.
Wedding Movie Theater Sign
Variety of Gold Elegant Rings
The bridesmaids wore floor-length dresses in a variety of styles and soft colors. Liz loved the idea of the elegant, pink and pastel dresses against the desert backdrop.
Succulent and Hypericum Berry Boutonniere
Black Bow Tie and Shoes
With the help of friends and family, Mai and Brian created the backdrop for the wedding ceremony—a colorful setup with crepe paper balls at the top, and pieces of ribbon floating down to the ground.
Mai held a beautiful bouquet filled with pastel-colored flowers and plants, ranging from ivory roses to pink peonies and purple succulents.
Ace Hotel Palm Springs Outdoor Ceremony
Hydrangea and Rose Aisle Decoration
Gold-Leaf Headband Accessory
Mai's white Maria Lucia Hohan dress embodied an elegant, romantic style to walk up the aisle in. The corset-styled bodice had wrapped layers of tulle around its shape, and a gold-leaf belt added a touch of glam to the getup.
Ace Hotel Palm Springs Poolside Reception
For the reception inside Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs, California, paper lanterns and tassels decorated the white ceiling in colors of peach, gold, blue and white.
White and Blue Thank-You Card
Of all the wedding day attire, Brian's clothes were the brightest and most bold by far. He sported a bright blue jacket and pants combination by Paul Smith, paired with a button-down white dress shirt and a classic bow tie.
Charcoal Gray Groomsmen Suit
White Dog With Pink Tutu
Mai and Brian crafted gold deer figurines to mark each table at the reception at Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs, California. Each was paired with a gold-dipped antler decoration and a "well, hello there" paper sign with gold lettering.
Guests took home green, pink and white geometric-patterned boxes shaped like teepees, which had organic tea bags. Mai and Brian called the crafty gifts "tea-pees."
Elegant Gold-Leaf Belt