Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We’re both old souls. We love classic movies and music, vintage everything, and we dream of living in the golden age of Hollywood (so much so that we moved there). Frank Sinatra’s music has played a major role in our lives and has, in many ways, been the soundtrack to our love story. Elena always knew she had to get married at his home. Plus, Danny grew up in Palm Springs, so it just felt like fate to get married at Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate.
How many guests did you have?
115 guests!
Tell us about your outfits.
Elena: I ended up choosing the dress I never thought I would even try on. I said I wanted something timeless like Grace Kelly with a modern touch like Carrie Bradshaw. A stylist from En Blanc pulled an elegant, minimal ballgown from Anne Barge and it was the only one that made my mom cry. It took my breath away when I put it on. I loved that it was classic with a structured neckline. I chose a stunning old world-esque Italian lace blusher veil from Anne Barge that reminded me of my Noni’s wedding look. I wanted to feel like she was with me as I walked down the aisle. The blusher detail was Danny’s request. I added simple pearl earrings from Jennifer Behr, a pearl bag from Vanina, and bow heels from Kate Spade—staying with a classic bridal feel. The goal was to create a look my future daughter or granddaughter would still want to wear. Danny: I chose my suit based off a few things: First, I couldn’t let Sinatra down. Two, I wanted Elena to think I looked classy. My tuxedo was from Mr Porter , it had a classic shawl neckline and served as a base to add a few personalized details. I wore a gold roadrunner broach, in honor of my dad who passed away a few years ago. I also added a mother of pearl horseshoe broach for good luck and as a nod to my mother of pearl wedding band. I wore a white silk bow tie from Brioni to stand out from my groomsmen, I embroidered “Til Death” on the sleeve of my tuxedo shirt, and I wore black leather house slippers from Bode with gold floral accents.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We wanted every single detail of our wedding to feel like us—every font, song, color, ritual, design, food item, etc. We were so intentional about letting the entire weekend tell the story of who we are as a couple. We envisioned the opening scene of The Godfather—like an intimate gathering of friends and family—and having our guests feel like they were escaping to another time and place with us for the evening. Most importantly, the day had to be overflowing with love and laughs, and it really was.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
The playlist. We worked on it for a year and we had specific music for every part of the day from getting ready to pre-ceremony, to dinner, to the champagne tower at the end of the night with one rule: not a single song recorded after the ‘70s was allowed to be played.
The dinner setting. We wanted the vibe to be “family style”. Elena is Italian and wanted dinner to reflect her family parties growing up, with plates being passed around and people sitting close together at long tables. Singing along to “That’s Amore” with Frank DiSalvo during dinner really took it to the next level.
Desert-inspired details. We chose palms and bougainvillea as our florals with mid-century design details throughout.
A movie montage. We’re major cinephiles so we projected a video featuring some of our favorite romantic movie moments and ended by recreating a scene from the film High Society for our first dance, with none other than Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly.
Gin martinis at the altar. No explanation needed.
A getaway car. We’ve always loved the scene in “It’s A Wonderful Life” where they drive away from their wedding with a Just Married sign and the cans tied to the back of the car. We had to do it.
Our first look at the altar. We never wanted that moment to happen before the ceremony, we built the surprise in our minds for so long and it was the most beautiful feeling ever. Truly magic.
Any tips for couples getting married, particularly during the pandemic?
First and foremost, plan way ahead and lock down your key vendors as soon as you can. Then, make sure to create a vision together and share your story through all the details of your wedding. Most importantly, dream big. Reach for the stars. Create the celebration only you two could create. Whatever you want to do on your day, make it happen! You only get to do this once. Take moments throughout planning to laugh, take walks together, drink some wine. Do the things that remind you why you’re getting married in the first place. Lastly, have fun and soak it all in. Seriously, all of it. This wild, crazy, beautiful chapter goes by in the blink of an eye.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
We were so lucky with our vendors. They all felt like family and added so much joy to our day.
Our coordinator, Trish, from The Walk Down The Aisle was our wedding spirit guide and second mom for a year. She was with us every step of the way and helped our day come to life even better than we pictured.
The hair and make-up team, Page Beauty. They were so kind! Plus, they made Elena cry when they showed her the final look. They made the entire bridal party feel like movie stars.
The videographer, Riley and Brittany at Shark Pig Weddings and the photographers, Sophie Berard and Mallory Kerouac (second shooter). They are all so unbelievably talented, kind, and barely had us pose at all for any photos or videos. They made the day feel natural and completely calmed any insecurities about being on camera.
The graphic designer. Whitney Nettles created all of our decals, menus, napkins, matchboxes, etc. She created the most stunning work that fit the vibe better than we could have dreamed.
Photographer : Sophie Berard @sberardweddings | Videographer : Shark Pig Weddings @sharkpigweddings | Ceremony + Reception Location : Frank Sinatra’s Twin Palms Estate Palm Springs, California @frank_sinatra_estate | Celebrant : Nick Laparra @nicklaparra | Entertainment : Frank DiSalvo @frankdisalvo777 | Styling, Flora + Ceremony Space : Luna Design Studios @luna_design_studios | Planner : The Walk Down The Aisle @thewalkdowntheaisle | Hire : Signature Party Rentals @sigpartyrentals + Luna Design Studios @luna_design_studios | Makeup + Hair : Page Beauty @Pagebeauty | Groom's Hair : Torrey Davis Page Beauty @hairbytorreydavis | Catering + Beverages : Wheat + Fire @wheatandfire | Gelato : Gelato Granucci @gelatogranucci | Stationery : Whitney (Anderson) Nettles @whitneynettles | Bartending: Mint Bartending @mintbartending | Car Rental : Coachella Valley Classic Cars @cvclassiccars | Sound : Bad Quail | Bride's Dress + Veil : Anne Barge @annebarge from En Blanc @enblanc_la | Bride's Heels : Kate Spade @katespadeny from Bode @bode | Groom's Tux : Mr Porter @mrporter | Engagement Ring : Vrai @vraiofficial | Wedding Rings : Bloedstone @bloedstone (Groom) + Vintage circa 1940s (Bride) | Bag : Vanina @vanina_world | Earrings : Jennifer Behr @jenniferbehr | Fragrance : Jo Malone @jomalonelondon | Sunglasses : Le Specs x Adam Selman @lespecs | Bow Tie : Brioni @brioni_official | Groom's Sunglasses : Akila @akila.la | Pocket Square : O’Harrow Clothiers @oharrowclothiers | Groomsmen : Black Tux @theblacktux | Bridesmaids : Fame and Partners @fameandpartners