A MINIMALIST WEDDING AT THE ACE HOTEL AND SWIM CLUB

Desert weddings are some of my personal favorites. Living so close to Palm Springs, I get to shoot a handful a year, and they’re always a blast. There is nothing quite like the desert sun, bright blue skies, palm trees, mountains, and crystal blue swimming pools, not to mention that killer mid-century modern vibe that radiates off of everything in Palm Springs - especially at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs wedding.

The Ace Hotel Palm Springs Wedding

Caitlin wanted a summer wedding for the weather – Jason wanted a fall anniversary. There were discussions of small destination weddings to large full family affairs. They had visited Palm Springs a few times before, and a wine-fueled suggestion from a friend sealed the deal – they would wed in Palm Springs with the mid-century backdrop of The Ace Hotel & Swim Club. Caitlin would get summer weather and Jason a fall wedding. From there, everything thing else just fell into place. 

Valentino Wedding Shoes and Wedding Rings

Caitlin and Jason come from creative fields - Caitlin is an Art Director and Jason a Composer. They are both filled with infectious, warm energy and overflowing with creativity. Together with their talented vendor team, they transformed The Ace Hotel into the perfect wedding venue for them.

Bride getting ready at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs in Red Vintage Robe

SERIOUS DESERT GOALS WITH CAITLIN’S RED VINTAGE POOL COVER-UP

Bride getting ready at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Groom getting ready at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs

This wedding jumpsuit, with its long veil and heels, is what wedding dreams are made of… I’ll never get over the perfect way the jumpsuit frames her stunning back tattoo. Swoon. 

Bride in wedding jumpsuit with a tropical bouquet at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Bride in wedding jumpsuit with a tropical bouquet at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs

Rewind to a year earlier; Jason is at a bar with his best friend, who has a brilliant idea… They should ride their motorcycles across the country together to get him to the wedding. Over the coming months, five more friends jumped on board the ultimate bachelor party and two weeks before their wedding day, Jason kissed Caitlin goodbye, told her that he trusted her with any last-minute design decisions, got on his bike, and headed from Brooklyn, NY to Palm Springs. With any luck, she would see him on the other side of the country.

Bride and Groom Portraits at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Bride and Groom Portraits at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Bride and Groom Portraits at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs

I wanted to earn it. I wanted it to be hard to get there. Because marrying Caitlin was the easiest thing I’ve ever had to do. - Jason

Bride and Groom Portraits at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs with Groom’s Motorcycle
Bride and Groom Portraits at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs with Groom’s Motorcycle
Bride and Groom Portraits at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs in the Amigo Room
Wedding Ceremony Site at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs, Reception Details and Postcard Guest Book

Caitlin and Jason wanted a minimal look with palm fronds in lieu of traditional flowers, focusing on earth tones and pops of color. This outdoor ceremony really brings in the modern desert vibes by adding more cacti, jute, and fur rug.

Wedding Ceremony at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs

PROCESSIONAL SONG
“There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” by Vitamin String Quartet 
(The Smiths Cover)

Wedding Ceremony at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Wedding Ceremony at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Wedding Ceremony at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Wedding Ceremony at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs

RECESSIONAL SONG
“Just Like Heaven” by The Cure

Wedding Ceremony Kiss and Recessional at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs
Post Wedding Ceremony Kiss and showing new tattoo and wedding ring
Wedding Reception at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs. Table Decor, Pool, Photo Booth, Menu.

Walking into a room full of all of our friends holding the hand of my wife – and seeing just how much thought and care went into every decision she made throughout those weeks, I was gone. It was beyond my expectations, and it felt like us. - Jason

Grand Entrance to the Wedding Reception at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs

GRAND ENTRANCE 
“The Passenger” by Siouxsie and the Banshees 
(Iggy Pop cover)

FIRST DANCE 
“The Promise” by When In Rome

First dance from Bride and Groom during their wedding at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs

A CONFETTI GRAND ENTRANCE! 

First dance from Bride and Groom during their wedding at The Ace Hotel Palm Springs

The shift between the solo moment of quiet together on our patio right after the ceremony before rushing into the most amazing party with all of our favorite people in attendance and confetti flying everywhere. We made sure to spend all the moments in the present, appreciating it all together. - Caitlin

Bride and Groom dance and hug friends during wedding reception at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs
Bride and Groom listen to speeches from loved ones at their sweetheart table during their wedding
Bride gets ready to toss her wedding bouquet
Bride tosses her wedding bouquet during her reception at The Ace Hotel and Swim Club
Bride dances with friends during her wedding reception at The Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs

ADVICE TO COUPLES
Trust the people you choose to work with - have your ideas, but let them do the thing they do best. Collaboration brings out the beauty you never knew could exist.

Bride and Groom make their way through their wedding reception to their sweetheart table for a kiss under a custom neon sign at The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs

I loved shooting Caitlin and Jason at the Ace Ace Hotel Palm Springs Wedding. What a perfect day for two amazing humans.


ACE HOTEL PALM SPRINGS WEDDING CREDITS

Photographer: Mandee Johnson · Wedding Planner: LB Events · Design + Florals: Jesi Haack Design · Invitation Design, Signage + Paper Goods: Caitlin Slack · Hair + Makeup: Girl Meets Bongga · Officiant: Matt Jourdian · DJ: The Flashdance · Venue, Catering, Bar + Cake:  Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs · Photo Booth: Party Life Photobooth · Jumpsuit Designer: Corine Zach · Shoes (Bride): Valentino · Suit: Alton Lane · Shoes (Groom): Cole Haan · Rings: Hudson Valley Goldsmith

Mandee Johnson

Mandee Johnson is a Los Angeles wedding photographer celebrating candid, real moments and honest emotions along with bold, beautiful portraits. Documenting the story of your day as it unfolds on digital and analog film. traveling worldwide.

https://mandeejohnson.com/
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