Claire and Eric’s Old Hollywood Palm Springs Wedding

By Erica Nichols

Not everyone believes in fate. Then again, not everyone knows Claire and Eric’s story.

While it was an app that brought them together for their first date, the couple actually crossed paths at a wedding for two of their closest friends a year prior. They didn’t know each other, nor did they even formally meet, but the coincidence was enough to continue their conversation after that first date—and all the way up to their wedding date.

Wed at at Ingleside Inn in Palm Springs, Claire and Eric admit using a boutique hotel as a venue comes with a bit more to coordinate. But thanks to the help from Cara Goset of Michelle Garibay Events, and the rest of the couple’s appropriately-named “Dream Team,” the locale lent them total creative freedom to bring to light whatever they envisioned.

Alongside their closest family and friends, they rented out all 30 rooms of the inn to make for an intimate weekend-long experience. The ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception each took place in different locations on the property.

“We wanted a romantic and classic theme that matched the Old Hollywood and Spanish vibes of our venue,” Claire says. “So we went with whites and greens, with mauve and rose gold accents.”

Everything from the dress—a traditional Matthew Christopher creation—to the cake from Laura Marie’s Cakes that they served the day-of (and the next morning for breakfast!) seemed to come together seamlessly.

Looking back, Claire says some of her favorite moments were an impromptu group dance with all of the attendees and the ceremony. Oh, and one particular photo displayed front and center: A snapshot of them coincidentally standing side by side at that aforementioned wedding of their mutual friends. Seems like proof enough that these two were destined for happily ever, indeed.