Indio Desert Bloom Session

Planning a wedding is no easy task!  We are in the process of planning our daughter Mackenzie’s wedding and it is quite daunting!  Don’t get me wrong, Mackenzie and I are definitely having fun, but it is a lot of work.  What we have found, at least from our experience, is that the two most things to nail down before you can REALLY get the planning under way are the venue and the dress.   These two decisions really determine the look and feel of the event.  Our initial vision of Mackenzie’s wedding was that it would very elegant, with lots of bling and soft flowers with hints of blush.  She has chosen to still keep some of that look but after she chose her wedding dress(which was the complete OPPOSITE of what she thought she wanted), everything (other than the groom and the venue) changed when it came to the design of the day!  Her dress has now determined the feel and the vibe of the wedding.  It’s going to be beautiful and she is going to be stunning!  It took me a minute to wrap my head around the change but it is so “her” and I love it.

The other vital piece of the wedding day puzzle is the venue.  Sometimes those planning the wedding even have to choose TWO venues, one for the ceremony and one for the reception.  This is obviously the most important choice a bride and groom can make.  This decision will determine the look of the entire day, how the flow of the day will go, how guests will be able to interact with the couple, and so much more. I have found that it is really simpler if both events can take place at the same venue. If you are planning a wedding and looking for that type of venue, then check out the lovely event in these images which took place in Indio, California at a beautiful location called The Respite.  What I consider the best part of this venue is that a bride and groom could have their ceremony and reception at the same location AND they could use the Airbnb as well in order to prepare for their big day.  There is also a beautiful pool with a waterfall!  The feel here is so relaxed, peaceful, and comfortable.  I got the feeling that any wedding that took place here would be very intimate and personal.  Located in the Coachella Desert, the Respite is perfect for that warm, calm, peacful, desert bloom feel for a wedding or other event.  Around the property you will find palm trees, flowers, and small gardens which make you feel at home and yet pampered at the same time.

Not far from this lovely venue is the Coachella National Wildlife Refuge, where couples can get AMAZING photographs!  The mountains in the background, the pastel colored shrubs, and the beautiful desert color pallette make for stunning images.  All in all, the Respite would be a wonderful spot for a wedding and when you have an amazing team working behind the scenes, creating floral arrangements, laying out tablescapes, applying make-up, choosing attire, and the event planning, it just makes it all the more memorable!  Look below for the team who created this beautiful day!

Host | Styled Shoots Across America

Concept & Planning | Heather Benge Events

Venue | The Respite

Florals | Parker and Posies

Hair & Makeup | Sunkissed and Made Up

Stationery | Invitations By Whitney

Rentals| Catalog Atlier

Linens | Nuage Designs

Wedding Gowns | Jay Applewaite

Colorful Gown | Styled Gowns

Models | @misscjgibson @_morganrooney