Congratulations to Bride and Groom, Whitney and Mitch, who hosted their wedding at the historic La Quinta Resort, a desert oasis in the Palm Dessert dating back to 1926. The theme of this wedding was “La Vie en Rose”, interpreted as a romantic, transportive, and magical evening with thoughtful touches that permeated every aspect of this wedding. As guests entered the space they were transported to a world melding classic Southern California ease with whimsical elements and pops of color. From the antique wrought iron gates adorned with pink florals, to the pop-up Spanish style chapel with cascading fuchsia blooms, every aspect thoughtfully signaled a nod to tradition with a fun and colorful twist.

The Couple: Traditional Meets Modern

The bride, Whitney, is a professional ballerina at the American Midwest Ballet while Mitch works with Physicians Mutual as an Assistant Market and Product Specialist. The pair first met while working out at the same gym. Whitney inquired with her friend (a trainer at that gym) about when Mitch usually came to work out—she then promptly adjusted her workout schedule to better align with his! After weeks of trying to get his attention, Whitney almost gave up until Mitch finally got the hint and asked her out. They immediately hit it off and have been inseparable ever since!

Whitney wanted to meld traditional and modern aspects into her wedding. For example, she and her groom chose not to incorporate a first look, saving that special moment for the ceremony. Whitney also carried a hand-stitched handkerchief with a secret pop of blue. Custom wine glasses and a special cake cutting set were also presented to the bride and groom keeping alive that classic tradition. To modernize their wedding, the couple also chose start a new tradition (one we’ve never seen before and was very special): upon the wedding’s completion, the couple snuck back into their reception after the guests had left and danced alone under the stars, a romantic and lovely way to end a day full of love and joy.

Whitney and Mitch were committed to having their wedding be a reflection of their love as well as of their families. The bride’s floral headpiece was made by her mother using flowers from her own headpiece she wore on her wedding day over 30 years earlier. Whitney’s mother also hand-painted individual tiles that were placed at each guest’s seat. She also painted a special bottle of Veuve Clicquot for the couple to enjoy at the reception that reflected the theme of the wedding through colors and intricately placed pearls highlighting their names and the wedding date. Mitch’s late grandmother had a donkey plant holder in her garden, which became central to the wedding design.

A Showstopping Ceremony

Florals were at the center of this wedding’s design, and like all aspects of the day, incorporated both traditional and modern elements. For example, the floral arrangements not only included flowers and greenery, but also fruits such as blood oranges, kumquats, oranges and ruby red grapefruit. The bride and groom exchanged their vows in a traditional Episcopalian ceremony in the Greta Garbo Courtyard after walking down a rose petal aisle. As guests entered the ceremony, they were greeted by two overflowing arrangements filled with palm leaves, roses, peonies, sweet peas, delphinium, and more. These two arrangements framed the ribboned-off aisle covered in pink rose petals that led to a large wooden cross draped with a garland of pinks, blushes and greens ending in a large overflowing floral puddle creating the stunning backdrop for the couple to say their vows.

The Reception

After the ceremony, guests moved into the garden where they were met with custom cocktails and tequila shots served alongside an adorable “tequila donkey” named Burro, all backed by the romantic soundtrack of a live traditional Spanish guitar player. For cocktail hour, the florals were kept simple and white to create contrast and pop against the bright fuchsia tablecloths. As the sun began to set and dinner service began, the theme of La Vie en Rose was emulated with hints of pink lighting set against the glowing Santa Rosa mountains as a backdrop. Guests found their seat using a custom escort card wall that incorporated a cascade of roses (one for each guest) in various shades to create an hombre effect from light pink to vibrant fuchsia.

The Greta Garbo Patio was adorned with Spanish wood tables draped with flowing chiffon runners and arrangements of pink and blush peonies, roses, sprigs of green including palm leaves and the California classic bougainvillea. Set with woven whicker mats, pink napkins, cut glass water goblets, custom watercolor menus and hand painted tiles by the bride’s mother, no detail was overlooked! In the reception, the floral arrangements for the long and round tables alike utilized blush and bright pink florals accented with wood bowls overflowing with green grapes and torn apart citrus. The idea of tearing apart the citrus rather than cutting was to further incorporate the natural element of the Spanish countryside.

Save the Last Dance

The bride, a professional ballerina, had many guests in attendance who were also professional dancers meaning the dance floor was never empty! The bride and groom danced the night away in custom Louis Vuitton sneakers and bid farewell to their guests through a metallic runner grand exit into a classic vintage golf cart. However, instead of riding off into the night, the couple snuck back into their reception after their guests had left for one final dance, just the two of them, taking in the moment under the stars.

Our favorite moment was undoubtedly the couple’s quiet moment together at the end of the night. After the grand exit, and after the guests had left the reception space, the couple returned and danced one final number together, alone, under the stars. It was an intimate moment that was truly special, something we hope other couples incorporate. Weddings go by so fast and to create a moment when you just stop, be together and take it in with no one else around after it is all done brought tears to our eyes.

Whitney and Mitch’s spectacular wedding was one we will never forget, and we are honored that this wedding was featured in California Wedding Day! Please enjoy a selection of images from this vibrant celebration of love! And to see more of this couple, check out their sunset engagement session we photographed last year, here.

La Quinta Resort Wedding Photography in Palm Springs California

This vibrant wedding was photographed at La Quinta Resort in La Quinta, California

Planning & Design: COJ Events | @coj_events
Venue & Catering: La Quinta Resort | @laquintaresort
Florals: Luna Design Studio | @luna_design_studios
Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | @brighteventrentals
Planks & Patina | @pandpinventory
Signature Party Rentals | @sigpartyrentals
BBJ La Tavola | @bbjlatavola
Photography: Todd Danforth Photography | @toddthephotographer
Videography: Side by Side Cinema | @sidebysidecinema
Bridal Gown & Accessories: Rivini by Rita Vinieris | @ritavinieris
Tara Pearls | @tarapearls
Badgley Mischka | @badgleymischka
Louis Vuitton | @louisvuitton
Bridesmaid Attire: Birdy Grey | @birdygrey
Cake & Desserts: Exquisite Desserts | @exquisitedesserts
Mexican Wedding Cookie Favor: Exquisite Desserts | @exquisitedesserts
Groom's Attire & Accessories: Brooks Brothers | @brooksbrothers
David Donahue | @daviddonahuemenswear
Louis Vuitton | @louisvuitton
Groomsmen Attire: The Black Tux | @theblacktux
Hair & Makeup: Chelsea Nicole Hair and Makeup | @chelseanicolemh
Invitations & Signage: Tasha Rae Designs | @tasharaedesigns
Dot the I Design Studio | @saratowe
Skip to my Lou Designs | @skiptomyloudesign
Spanish Guitar: Aaron Copenhaguen | @aaroncopenhaguen
DJ & Lighting: Music Media Entertainment | @djjamesgonzalez
Tequila Donkey: Benay’s Bird and Animal Rentals | @benaysbirdandanimal

Palm Springs wedding photographer Todd Danforth Photography is an LGBTQ+ and POC-owned wedding photography team specializing in capturing joyful and candid moments. As storytellers and craftspeople, we believe in the power of visual narratives. Our mission is to create honest and authentic photographs you can share with your loved ones for generations to come.