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DIY budget friendly Ace Hotel Palm Springs wedding: Levi + Casey

August 21, 2015
Desert wedding portraits

Just from seeing one of Casey’s two vintage silk dresses + Levi’s Ludlow tux, we know we’re in for somethin’ good. First impressions are everything, right? Chatting with Casey, we learned that it was all DIY—décor, bouquets, everything. These two love everything ACE (they are art director and curators after all!) and they did it all sorts of justice within their 10k budget, too. Lucky us, Raya Carlisle captured it all in the post.

Desert bridal bouquet Bella Shoes

Is your heart aflutter for these dreamy Bella Belle shoes? Ours too.

1960's vintage wedding dress Flamingo wedding decor Ace Hotel wedding

One of the bride’s fave moments… My best friend Colby Smith is an extraordinary singer but has terrible stage fright and instead of giving a speech (which is what I thought she was doing when she stood up at the mic) she surprised us by singing Justin Timberlake’s “That Girl” but changed the words to “That Boy”. It was incredible! We cried and cheered—it was a memory that we will treasure forever.

Mid century event furniture Flamingo signage John Galliano reception dress John Galliano reception dress Desert wedding portraits

K, are you ready for the most fun, sparkly reception ever? Here goes…

Modern gold tablescape Flamingo wedding favors Modern gold tablescape

Casey says, Thankfully, we have very talented friends who were able to decorate the walls with gold duct tape in a really creative way. My best friend’s mother, Lani Greer helped me with most of the decorations in terms of organizing and execution. She is super gifted creatively and really knows how to work a Cricut. She made all of the balloon tassels, table runners, wall streamers, and the cake. We were on a super tight budget so we had to constantly think of creative solutions and thankfully the ACE hotel was really flexible with allowing us to stick gold mylar tassels and tape on pretty much everything. The running joke in our family was that we were organizing a prom not a wedding because the décor was so fun and youthful. I had a really great time developing the concept and making the party favors. I made gold wands and spray painted champagne bottles then added vintage flamingo cards to them. I really wanted everyone to just cut loose and party.

Ace Hotel wedding Modern gold tablescape Modern gold tablescape Modern gold tablescape Flamingo cake topper
  • Desert wedding portraits
  • Vintage purse
  • Chambray tux by J. Crew
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Our biggest priority was keeping the formalities at a minimum and the partying at a maximum.

Um. Best motto ever. Btw, DJ David Tang of Eclectique DJs whipped up this custom wedding mix you can check out too. Cheers!

Photographer: Raya Carlisle / Additional Photographer: Katrina Louise / Venue & Catering: Ace Hotel Palm Springs / Planner: Bride & Family Friend Lani Greer / Hair & Makeup: Danie Aiello of Glam Lounge Artists / Florist: Bride / Cake: Lani Greer / Invitations & Website: Lindsay Lennarston / DJ: David Tang of Eclectique DJs / Bride’s Dress: Vintage 1960s from Fashion by Robert Black / Pink Dress: Vintage John Galliano / Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes / Jewelry: Vintage / Groom’s Tux: J. Crew / Shoes: Nordstrom / Cufflinks: Vintage / Bow Tie: J. Crew