New Year’s Eve Wedding in the Desert: Lizzie + Dan

Desert wedding

A New Year’s Eve wedding is just so genius. Lots of your guests will have time off work to travel, everyone is in a celebratory mood (and have been for weeks), and you can pretty much guarantee it will be much more fun + memorable than any NYE party ever could be. Lizzie + Dan chose to get married in the desert over the New Year’s Eve holiday because they have been vacationing out there at that time with a close group of friends for the past 6 years, so the place holds a very special meaning to them. With a no-fuss design plan consisting primarily of pretty, punchy blooms (by the talented Brown Paper Design team), these two let their rad Palm Springs venue, The Ace Hotel & Swim Club, do the talking and focused on just having a good time. We say, they definitely had the right idea!

Lizzie + Dan’s awesome photog, Rebecca of Birds of a Feather shares, Since they’ve been together for almost 10 years, they didn’t want a big showstopper of a wedding – just a really great dance party and an intimate celebration with their nearest and dearest. All the music was performed by friends, the backdrop constructed by Lizzie’s college roommate and her husband and the ceremony was officiated by her sister.

poppy bouquet

silver clutch

first look

Ace hotel wedding

poppy bouquet

ace hotel wedding

ace hotel wedding

black dress bridesmaids

Loving that Lizzie’s winter bouquet still feels bright + fresh against the neutral desert backdrop. Colorful poppies + ranunculus and textural viburnum berries and greens are to thank for that!

poppy bouquet

wedding party

groomsmen wearing hats

ace hotel wedding party

vintage door airplant ceremony backdrop

ace hotel ceremony

ace hotel ceremony

ace hotel ceremony

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

It's a toss-up between 1) walking down the aisle during the recessional as 80 of the most important people in our lives gave us a standing ovation, and 2) the small earthquake that happened during our vows. (Actually we didn't feel it, but enough people have mentioned it that we may as well have.)

ace hotel ceremony

new years eve desert wedding

desert bride

new years eve desert wedding

L + D lucked out big having Rebecca of Birds of a Feather as a dear friend. She captured the whole day so beautifully (at 8 months pregnant!), but these portraits of the newly married duo are definitely our favorite.

black tux groom

wavy locks

new years eve desert wedding

new years eve desert wedding

new years eve desert wedding

new years eve desert wedding

poppy desert centerpieces

poppy centerpiece

bright berry centerpiece

Such fun florals, complete with succulents and banksia as a nod to the desert surroundings.

ace hotel desert forals

ace hotel reception

Our Musical Choices

Processional: The Only Living Boy in NY – Simon & Garfunkel

Recessional: Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You – Bob Dylan

First Dance: Thirteen – Big Star

first dance

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

From Lizzie: Remember - Soon, this will all be over. You’ll get to be married to your favorite (hopefully) person and move on with your life.

From Dan: Once you know where you want to do it, don't wait too long. We planned ours in 3 months, and we are really bad at planning. You can too!

photography: Rebecca Fishman of Birds of a Feather // venue name: The Ace Hotel & Swim Club // florals: Brown Paper Design // wedding dress: Saja // bridesmaid dresses: various (picked their own) // hair stylist: Crystal Liz // makeup artist: Crystal Liz // groom attire: Top Man // paper goods: Prim & Pixie // catering: The Ace Hotel & Swim Club // cake: Over The Rainbow // desserts: Over The Rainbow // music: Wesley, Red Shoe LA // event planner: Hallie Slade of La Boheme Events

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