Tell us a little about yourselves!
We met 7 years ago in San Francisco and have been going strong ever since. We both work in creative fields. Hilary is a hair stylist and Austin is a creative director. And so it was important for us to be able to express ourselves with every detail of our wedding.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
Palm Springs was one of the first trips we took together as a couple and we go back whenever we can. We love the chill, desert vibes – it’s truly an oasis for us!
How many guests did you have?
100.
What was your budget?
Our budget was initially 65k. But unsurprisingly, we went over!
Tell us about your outfits.
We were inspired by vintage Palm Springs vibes, so we leaned into Old Hollywood aesthetics but with a modern twist. Hilary chose a non-traditional 2-piece dress with a bandeau top and a voluminous, tulle skirt. Meanwhile, Austin went with a classic, tailored tux with accessories that had vintage flair (floppy bowtie ftw!).
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We didn’t want to take it too seriously! Going into the process, we knew we wanted a non-traditional wedding that felt more like a big party than a processional. Knowing the spotlight was going to be on us, we wanted to feel comfortable, so we always followed our heart and made choices that aligned with our vibe. Rather than staying true to tradition, we stayed true to ourselves.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
In the spirit of keeping things light, we chose elements that made us smile. Like a motel keychain that served as a Save The Date, an invite that doubled as a balloon and an ice luge that was carved with a giant smiley face. We also made sure there were more personal details throughout, choosing songs that hold special meaning, along with matchbooks that were printed with a sentimental phrase. Overall, we were striving for balance in everything we did – ensuring that it never got too silly or sappy.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Hire a planner. Have fun with the process. Take a dance class. Remember it’s all about you. So don’t think too hard about every little detail. Because everything works out in the end!
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Can’t say enough good things about our planner, Sabrina at Moon Realm. And our DJ, Wyatt at Supermoon DJs. Not to mention our photographer, Nate at The Shalom Imaginative – shooting on film was one of the best decisions we made. Jessica at Storylines Floral Co. nailed the vibe and blew us away with the end result. Oh, and our cake from Nicola at Picnic Baked Goods was the cherry on top!
Photographer: The Shalom Imaginative @theshalomimaginative | Ceremony + Reception Location: The Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs @acehotelpalmsprings | Celebrant: Laura Petruccelli @laurapastacheli | MC: Jim Bourke @jimmybourke5 | DJ: Supermoon DJs @supermoondjs | Styling + Planning: Moon Realm @moon_realm | Hire: Crowd Control Ent. @crowdcontrolent | Flora: Storylines Floral Co. @storylinesfloralco | Hair: Erin Wesley @wescoasthair | Catering + Beverages: The Ace Hotel @acehotelpalmsprings | Cake: Picnic Baked Goods @picnicbakedgoods | All Design + Printed Goods: by Groom Austin O’Connor @austinoco | Dress: Chosen by Kyha @chosenbykyha from Unveiled Bridal SF @unveiledbridalsf | Suit: Tailor’s Keep @tailorskeep | Shoes: Jimmy Choo @jimmychoo + Gucci @gucci | Veil: Untamed Petals @untamedpetals