For This Couple, a Black-Tie California Wedding Was the Only Way to Go

The Attire

Mia fell for her Monique Lhuillier satin wedding dress' classic, formal feel—she paired a sheer, high-necked cape with the ball gown to create a romantic, vintage look, she says.

Patrick wore a black shawl collar tuxedo from the company he founded, The Black Tux.

Dramatic Details

Mia's bridal gown featured a large, dramatic bow on the back. She wore several borrowed jewelry pieces, including her great-grandmother's diamond watch and her grandmother's diamond and sapphire earrings (as well as her white beaded purse). "My grandma was such an important role model [to me], so I really wanted her around on the wedding day," the bride says. "Jewelry was my way to keep her physically close on the big day."

Pretty Pumps

She also wore white Sophia Webster heels and a veil by Monique Lhuillier.

The Ceremony

Despite the fact that their wedding took place in the desert, it poured rain on Mia and Patrick's big day. "But we were able to tent the ceremony area and update the wedding plans and layout of the evening a little earlier in the week to accommodate for the weather," Mia says of the averted crisis. "The [Parker Palm Springs] is all outside, so there was a moment of panic, but the pitter-patter of the falling rain around our vows was truly unforgettable and made everything more special."

Mia and Patrick chose a clear tent. A white chuppah by Nuude Botanica was designed to look like "an overgrown white rosebush," says Mia. "I still remember the smell of roses."

The Wedding Party

Bridesmaids wore different dresses in the couple's color palette, while groomsmen donned white dinner jackets and black pants from The Black Tux.

Ceremony Details

Mia and Patrick's friend officiated the ceremony. "They crafted a beautiful ceremony centered around our relationship," says Mia, adding that their officiant interviewed family and other friends to make the service even more personal. The duo wrote their own vows, which they read to each other for the first time at the ceremony as a surprise.

The Guests

While most of Mia and Patrick's guests came from Los Angeles, some came from as far as New York, England, France, and Turkey, the couple says.

Personal Touches

"My dad worked with Pat's mom to pull together photos from our childhood," says Mia. "They created a flower cart decorated with moments from our youth and with family for everyone to see." The couple also displayed their guest book on the station.

Escort Cards

The couple placed their escort cards on a table topped with a chinoiserie punch bowl filled with orchids and cherry blossoms.

The Reception

The reception was held inside the ballroom of the Parker Palm Springs. Guests entered the dinnertime reception and were greeted by striking chandeliers; they cast a glow over rectangular and round tables covered with deep neutral linens and an assortment of flower arrangements.

Mix and Match

Mia and Patrick thought the tablecloths' hue evoked "the '70s vibe we were going for," Mia says, "but still served as a pop against the pink and cream hues of florals." Pink Mozzafiato chargers added a pop of color to the table, too.

The Centerpieces

Mia describes the centerpieces as "lush and romantic." Each table was also topped with pink and green taper candles.

Table Numbers

The couple kept the table numbers simple: They matched the menus and invitations.

The Menu

Dinner kicked off with an heirloom tomato appetizer. A friend who owns an organic bread company baked a six-foot-long challah for guests to share.

The Dessert Setup

A dramatic lounge served as the backdrop for the white wedding cake.

The Cake

The couple's three-tiered Exquisite Desserts confection was "incredibly romantic," says Mia. Comprised of chiffon layers lined with lemon curd and mousse (and covered in buttercream frosting!), the confection was a hit with guests—before and after it was cut. The show-stopping dessert featured both hand-painted and gum roses that matched the rest of the event's florals.

Lounge Areas

Lounge vignettes were also placed in the lobby and bar area, as well as outside. Their plush seating, coffee tables, and flower arrangements helped guests feel at home. "People were using them all night," Mia says.

The First Dance

Mia and Patrick love disco, so they chose "More Than a Woman" by the Bee Gees for their first dance. They delighted guests by dancing to choreography for the first 90 seconds of song. "When we finished, everyone poured onto the dance floor for some more disco," says the bride. Later, their DJ threw in a mix of 90s pop and was eventually joined by a sax and trumpet player.

The Horah

The couple also danced the horah, a Jewish wedding tradition.

An Outfit Change

The Black Tux designer, Brice Pattison, worked with Mia to create a custom ivory silk suit for the late-night party, which took place at a 1950s steakhouse called Mr. Lyons. "I felt so amazing in it!" says the bride.

At the end of the evening, the couple sent guests home with silk handkerchiefs emblazoned with a custom pattern "featuring some of our favorite items in our lives—including flowers, our 1969 Ford Bronco, and dog, Gill!" notes Mia.

Sources

Photography, Katherine Ann Rose

Location and catering, Parker Palm Springs

Event planning, COJ Events

Flowers, Nuude Botanica

Videography, Isabel Cinemathique

Stationery and calligraphy, Jonathan Wright & Company

Cake, Exquisite Desserts

Music, Dart Collective

Rentals, Found Event Rentals

Bride's gown and veil, Monique Lhuillier

Bride's shoes, Sophia Webster

Hair and makeup, Judy Haft

Groom's suit and accessories, The Black Tux

Menswear, The Black Tux