Christen and Billy's Bohemian Wedding Reception in Palm Springs

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Max & Friends

After getting hitched in the desert and having a short reception, Christen Mitchell and Billy DeLaney hosted a more traditional celebration the day after that was actually anything but. On day two of the wedding weekend, guests gathered at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. They spent time in the pool before meeting up for cocktails and a seated dinner.

To personalize the fête, the couple looked to their surroundings, incorporating its textures and colors, and Native American culture, which the Midwestern bride reveres and which inspired this tepee built by Moon Canyon and adorned with palm fronds, tilandsia, protea, and banksia.

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The Invitation

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Invites tipped guests off to the adventure that was to come, and also gave some suggestions on what to wear. The suite, which was mailed in a small box, was rounded out with a dream catcher.

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Welcome Bags

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Guests were greeted with munchies, sunscreen, boxed water, and a shawl to keep them warm in the high desert.

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A Special Token

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With the guest list on the smaller side, Christen wanted to create a physical symbol of the wedding weekend's intimacy. So the jewelry designer crafted a charm in the shape of the Native American symbol for permanent home. Cards thanked attendees for walking along with the couple on their journey.

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Do Not Disturb

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With friends and family there to party, custom door hangers were a fitting offering for their hotel rooms.

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Prehistoric Partying

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A giant inflatable T. rex in the pool provided endless entertainment. "Watching people wrestle this huge monster was probably the best photo op of all time," Christen recalls.

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Birds of a Feather

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Inflatable swan rafts were also a big hit in the pool.

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The Fashions

Red, Ruffled, High-Neck Wedding Dress
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Christen selected a brown silk Rubin & Chapelle dress for the party and Billy chose a Hugo Boss suit and To Boot New York shoes. Alue Optics sunglasses accessorized both of their ensembles.

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The Little Ones

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The bride's sister Tiffany Wendel, a personal stylist, dressed the bride's nephews and niece in Zara and J.Crew.

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A Bit of Shine

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The bride, her bridesmaids, sisters, and niece used metallic temporary tattoos from Child of Wild X Flash Tattoos.

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From the Ground Up

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Moon Canyon created a mandala-style floral installation by the entrance to the dinner reception.

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The Place to Be

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Before dinner, guests sipped cocktails by the pool.

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The Escort Cards

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Raw quartz, which Christen uses in her jewelry collection and mentioned a fondness for to her wedding planners and designers Bash Please, held down colorful cards outlining seating assignments.

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The Music

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A ukulele band entertained during the cocktail hour. Later, Ground Control got everyone moving by playing a range of music from '90s to hip-hop.

14 of 23

Let's Hang

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Hanging arrangements of fritillaria, agapantha, ranunculus, and amaryllis festooned the outdoor space.

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Lounging Around

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A midcentury modern lounge with hippie flair was set up using rented pieces from Yeah! Rentals.

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All in the Family

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Christen's grandma Muffy enjoyed celebrating with the couple over the weekend.

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The Place Cards

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Mini god's eyes with nametags were set out at the head table in lieu of traditional place cards.

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The Reception

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Keeping the mood light and whimsical, the reception room was decorated with handmade god's eyes hanging from the ceiling and vinyl decals in the shape of feathers on the floor.

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The Tables

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Christen wanted the tables to look like they were set with rad finds from the flea market—nothing too formal or matchy. Agates, geodes, and a mix of candles were set out along with simple arrangements of fritillaria, cacti, and ranunculus.

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On Point

Blue, Orange, and Marble Table Setting
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Brass bracelets doubled as napkin rings. Guests stacked them on their wrists and got into the spirit of the décor.

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An Open-Air Dinner

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Guests dined with the roll-up door opened to the California evening air. After dinner and dancing, everyone jumped in the pool once more.

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The First Dance

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"Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel played as the couple danced together for the first time as newlyweds. "We didn't practice, or take classes," Christen says. "We just went for it and slow-danced like we were in eighth grade."

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Sources

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Max & Friends

Photography: Max & Friends

Location and Catering: Ace Hotel

Event Planning, Design, and Stationery: Bash Please

Flowers: Moon Canyon

Videography: Shark Pig

Ukelele Band: The Tiny Strings

Music: Ground Control; The Flashdance

Rentals: Yeah! Rentals; Casa de Perrin

Photobooth: Smilebooth

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