It Doesn't Get More Pretty in Pink than this Palm Springs Hotel Wedding

Ashley and Evan hold some bragging rights not many married couples do: They’re high school sweethearts. “I can now openly say I’ve been obsessed with him since we were 15 and 17, both with braces and questionable haircuts,” Ashley jests. After 15 years together—through college, living overseas, starting careers, and adopting two dogs—Evan asked Ashley to be his forever partner while island-hopping in Hawai‘i.

Their weekend-long wedding celebration at Avalon Hotel & Bungalows Palm Springs was “the ultimate backyard party, not too pretentious, not too serious, just very fun and inclusive,” Ashley says. “We wanted the wedding to feel like us—nontraditional, nonstuffy, nondramatic.”

Exhibits A and B: The groom’s sister was the officiant and dinner was served family style at communal tables. Nontraditional but yes dramatic: the dance party that ended with the groom ripping off his shirt and losing every single button, just like the Incredible Hulk. Hey—as the bride puts it, “Evan and I love a good party!”

What Matters

“Remember, it’s about the people. Don’t let the unimportant details taint the experience for you—the font style on the handmade maraca gift favors will not change how you feel on your wedding day, I promise.”