Real Weddings/Rustic Weddings

A Stylish Valentine’s Day Wedding At Colony 29, Palm Springs

Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 5

Give us all the Palm Springs weddings!

Seriously, we can not ever get enough of this midcentury modern, cactus-filled, palm tree paradise. I’ve given you all my Ultimate Guide to Planning a Palm Springs Wedding, and I can’t wait for my retirement days relaxing by the pool with a glass of Chardonnay on my Palm Springs horse ranch.

Okay, forgive me for that brief daydream. Let’s get into some real-life, Palm Springs beauty.

Julie & Sham planned this stylish Colony 29 wedding in only four months (gasp!) Marrying on Valentine’s Day during “Modernism Week”, the couple asked their guests to dress accordingly, in 50s & 60s attire. The result was not only two extremely fashionable brides but a guest list dressed oh-so-well.

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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 24

Our Love Story

We met at our birthday party for a mutual friend. She was my first love at first sight.

I had the ring hidden in my pocket waiting for the right time when we were alone at Yellowstone National park. We had just been searching for a black bear and when I said “Jules stop…” I scared her so much she couldn’t catch her breath because she thought I saw a bear.

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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 23
Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 2

The Venue

Our wedding venue was Colony 29, known as “The Last Great Place on Earth.” The location is in Palm Springs, California on a perfect sunny Valentine’s Day outdoors in a 7-acre venue up against the San Jacinto mountains.

The outdoor wedding amphitheater is flanked by custom gazebos, professional lighting, And a lush green lawn. Its tranquil locale, iconic architecture and panoramic views makes it truly a desert oasis. In order to book a wedding here, you must book three nights in the venue which includes six beautiful homes to accommodate 21 guests which are all set up against the mountains with three outdoor pools, outdoor bathtubs all secluded, outdoor fireplaces, waterfalls and streams, and lastly an adult treehouse.

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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 3

The Dress & Attire

Jules wore a tux from Trina Turk and I wore a long flowing white wedding dress with a headpiece of flowers made specifically for me by my wedding planner Tom Simmons.

At the time we were getting married it was Modernism week in Palm Springs so our guests were asked to dress accordingly which would be the 50s and 60s attire.

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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 13
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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 8

Favorite Moments

Watching my wife Jules smile and be so happy. Also, having our closest friends and family there. Our Frenchie was a ring barrier and his best friend Doobie the Chihuahua of the flower dog. They were escorted down the aisle by my best friends. Our wedding singer was an American Idol contestant, Marisa Corvo who stunned our guest with her amazing voice.

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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 9
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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 12

The Flowers

Our wedding flowers were stunning. Jules’ favorite color is purple so we picked purple and white. Three Bunch Palms was our florist.

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The Details

Two of my favorite details was the chandelier freestanding as if it was hanging by itself up against the mountains and the barn doors that sat at the entrance at the ceremony site.

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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 17

Advice to Other Couples

We planned ours in four months and that was really hard. I would suggest taking at least six months to do your research and planning.

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The Cake

Our cake was from Over the Rainbow and was made by Roman who has had his cakes featured in many magazines. Our cake was Boston Cream Gluten Free. You’d never know it was GF.

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Stylish Same-Sex Palm Springs Wedding – Colony 29 – Ryan Horban Photography 16

The Honeymoon Plans

We had booked South Africa, Victoria Falls, Cape Town, Chobe National park in Botswana for Safari, as well as London. Our trip was canceled by our travel agents because of COVID-19. Hopefully will be able to go this next year.

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