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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

RECESSIONAL SONG
“Just Like Heaven” by The Cure

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

FIRST DANCE 
“The Promise” by When In Rome

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

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.

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

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