One of my FAVORITE weddings yet! I had the best time ever with Natalie + Patrick at their destination wedding in Palm Springs, California. Nat + Pat were neighbors in Portland, Oregon and they eventually hit it off and fell in love. After their first date, there was no turning back. They knew they would marry each other. When I talked to them about their dream wedding day, they said that they loved Palm Springs and just wanted to bring 100 of their party people and celebrate in a beautiful, warm place. Natalie and I bonded over our love for warm photos and places of course.

They got married at the Cree Estate which is a gorgeous historic venue in Palm Springs. They have two huge pools, a tennis court, a house you can stay in for the weekend, plenty of spaces to have your ceremony, diving boards, hot tubs, big beautiful palm trees, all the most gorgeous things you can imagine for a venue.

Venue: The Cree Estate
Event Planner: Shaune Wise | Palm and Pine Events
Florist: New Creation Floral
Beauty: CM Bridal Beauty
Main Catering: Savory Roads Catering
DJ: Bass and Bliss

THE GETTING READY PORTION
Natalie + Patrick got ready separately. Natalie, of course, with her girls and makeup team. Before we got her in her dress, we got some glamour shots next to the pool. Patrick was with his guys and they even pranked him and helped natalie with a gift she got for him. First, a Smirnoff Ice for him to chug, then a versace wallet and some chocolate he loves.

The Details – lots of citrus and colorful florals

THE FIRST LOOK AND BRIDE + GROOM PORTRAITS
Natalie + Patrick chose to do a first look with each other. After the first look, we did some bride + groom pics around the venue and did the bridal party portraits too.

THE CEREMONY
Oh my goodness, I’ll never get over the ceremony. They had Patrick’s 95 year old grandfather officiate the wedding and he gave the sweetest speech about how much he loves his wife and wishes the same longevity of marriage upon Nat + Pat. There were lots of fruit added into their ceremony arch and aisle florals. They read their vows and exchanged ring and then danced back down the aisle.

THE RECEPTION
First, we started off with a cocktail hour, and since we already got the portraits out of the way, Nat + Pat hung out with their guests during the hour. Once dinner was served (their favorite, Paella), they had speeches from parents and their MOH and Best Man. Nat + Pat kicked off the dancing with each other and then their parents, and then everyone joined it. They had late night In-N-Out brought in and an ice cream cart for dessert.