Wedding | Jessica & Samuel

Tell us a little about yourselves!

I’m a San Francisco native and interior designer, and my husband Sam is from Santa Barbara and works in finance. We met at the dog park when his Bernese Mountain Dog wandered over to my Shih Tzu — his perfect wingman. A week later, margaritas turned into our first kiss at Alta Plaza Park, the same place we first met.

Things moved quickly, but it always felt natural. On a grocery run, Sam casually asked me to move in while we were standing in the produce aisle. Four months later, we were living together, and about a year after that, he proposed on a coffee walk in Sausalito. As When Harry Met Sally says, “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” That’s been our love story from the beginning — romcom energy all the way.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We first imagined eloping in Paris, but quickly realized how important it was to share the day with our families. Palm Springs felt like the natural choice. My family has vacationed there for generations, and Sam’s parents are now retired in the desert, so it carried meaning for both of us.

It also gave us the exact setting we were dreaming of: mid-century architecture, Old Hollywood nostalgia, and a desert backdrop that looked straight out of a film. For our ceremony, we chose a private mid-century modern home that was nearly all glass, surrounded by lush gardens. Every line and material was intentional — terrazzo floors, clean modernist details, and walls of windows that blurred indoors with outdoors. It created the sense of being inside a time capsule, which aligned perfectly with our love of design and storytelling.

For the reception, we wanted something equally steeped in history but with a glamorous edge. Melvyns, the Palm Springs institution once frequented by Frank Sinatra and recently reimagined by Kelly Wearstler, was the perfect fit. White tablecloths, vintage black-and-white artwork, and moody chandeliers. Together, the two spaces told a cohesive story: modernist architecture paired with Old Hollywood charm, both deeply tied to Palm Springs’ history.

How many guests did you have?

We had 20 adults and 3 children. All immediate family.

What was your budget? 

We weren’t aiming for extravagance, but we cared deeply about the elements that would feel lasting. For us, that meant fashion we loved, an unforgettable meal, and photography with an artistic edge. Everything else I designed myself, which meant we didn’t have to outsource and the details stayed personal.

Tell us about your outfits!

I wore the Candy gown by Sarah Seven, embellished with tiny jewels and drop pearls, with a removable silk skirt and a silk-trimmed veil. Roger Vivier pink heels with crystal bows and a matching heart-shaped purse tied the look together. Even my nails carried the theme, each one adorned with small crystals echoing the pearls scattered across my dress.

Sam wore a classic white Brooks Brothers tux and bow tie. His wedding band belonged to his grandfather. It is engraved “Mary to Sy, 1952 Rome,” the year and place his grandparents married, which makes it incredibly special and something we hope will be passed down for generations.

Our inspiration was 1960s Hollywood glamour. I wanted to channel a bombshell Old Hollywood Barbie, and Sam leaned into Don Draper. We even encouraged our families to dress in Mad Men–inspired looks, and everyone understood the assignment, which made the whole weekend feel like a vintage film.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

We cared most about creating an experience that felt transportive and cohesive, where every detail worked together. From the invitations to the last toast, we wanted our guests to feel like they had stepped into another era and to remember the night just as much as we would.

We also knew we wanted to cut a lot of traditions. Instead of my dad walking me down the aisle, he got ordained and married us at the restaurant while everyone relaxed with a drink in hand. We exchanged vows privately in the garden while our families watched from inside, and had our first dance casually after dinner. It was easy, not staged — exactly how we wanted it. Ultimately, it was about throwing the best dinner party ever.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Photography was always our biggest priority. We knew this day would live on through images, so finding someone who could capture it with an artistic eye was essential. We were not interested in anything overly posed or staged. We wanted the photographs to feel like stills from a film, with the exact vintage sensibility of the 1960s. The moment we found Miranda Tate, we knew she was the one to bring that vision to life.

Equally important was creating an atmosphere that truly reflected the era. Every choice was deliberate. I hunted down vintage Lucite penguins for our tablescape — they’re our spirit animals, and since penguins mate for life, it felt symbolic. Our guest book was a 1960s Palm Springs architecture coffee table book, and our red velvet and cherry cake was served on my grandmother’s silver tray. We added mid-century candlesticks in silver, velvet-and-Lucite ring boxes from the decade, and I designed all the paper goods myself — from invitations to matchbooks — so everything tied together. Even the cake topper was a vintage Barbie and Ken, straight from the sixties.

We also knew the arrival had to fit the story, so my in-laws surprised us with an authentic 1965 Thunderbird to drive from the house to the venue. It set the perfect cinematic tone. And because handmade touches were equally important, I collaborated with Caitlin Rounds Antiques to create custom cocktail glasses and cake plates that doubled as gifts for our guests. It was the balance we wanted: curated vintage mixed with personal artistry.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Cue “I Did It My Way” by Frank Sinatra. Weddings today can feel like productions. Between the countdowns, unrealistic pressure, and endless content, the focus often drifts away from love and into expectation. We knew we wanted the opposite.

Instead of leaning on tradition for tradition’s sake, we cut anything that didn’t feel true to us. Keeping it simple gave space for the moments that mattered most. Our wedding was small enough that every toast felt personal and every moment landed. My mom even turned her speech into an experience, teaching us to mix Old Fashioned's while explaining that the ingredients of the cocktail are also the ingredients of a good marriage. Those are the kinds of memories you only get when the atmosphere allows for connection.

More is not always more. Sometimes the most beautiful weddings are the ones stripped back to what they really mean — a celebration of love, family, and the beginning of a marriage. Forget the trends, forget the pressure. Do it your way. That is the real magic.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Our photographer, Miranda Tate, was extraordinary. Not only is she an artist, but she has a warmth that put everyone instantly at ease. She struck the perfect balance between guiding us when needed and disappearing into the background when the moment called for it. That is exactly what you want in someone documenting your wedding.

Our florist, Ashley of Espirit Floral Co., completely understood the vision. I wanted calla lilies, but sculptural and unexpected, nothing overly bridal. Because we planned everything in just four months, we never did a trial. The first time I saw the flowers was when I walked into the restaurant on my wedding night — a leap of trust that turned out beautifully. Ashley exceeded every expectation, even adorning fruit with pearls to echo the details of my gown.

The staff at Melvyn’s also deserves a mention. Our waitress felt like family by the end of the evening — attentive, fun, and completely in tune with the room. That energy made dinner feel effortless.

My makeup artist, Face by Raymie, brought a calm presence to the house while we were getting ready. She made everyone feel beautiful without overdoing it, which is exactly what you want on a day like this.

And my sister-in-law, a talented hairstylist from Vancouver, styled everyone’s hair. She also stayed by my side all night — fixing my veil, touching up my makeup, and keeping everything in place until the last song. I truly could not have done it without her.

Photographer & Videographer: Miranda Tate @mirandatatephotography | Planning & Styling: by Jessica (Jam Creative Studio) @jamxcreative | Flora: Espirit Floral Co @espritfloralco | Ceremony Location: Private Residence | Reception Location: Melvyns at the Ingleside Estate @theinglesideinn | Celebrant: Jessica's Father | Makeup Artist: Face by Raymie @facebyraymie | Hair Stylist: Ivy Tatlock & Lauren Wilson @ivytatlock @hairextensionsexpert  | Catering & Beverages: Melvyns at the Ingleside Estate @theinglesideinn | Stationery: by Jessica | Dress & Veil: Sarah Seven @sarahseven | Suit: Brooks Brothers @brooksbrothers | Engagement & Wedding Rings:  Rocks with Soul @rockswithsoulsf | Shoes: Roger Vivier @rogervivier | Wedding Party Attire:1960s Mad Men Themed