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A Couple Aspired for the Ultimate Palm Springs Dinner Party for Their Wedding—and Their Vendors Delivered

February 12, 2025 | justine

Jenna and Michael had one main goal for their wedding: to create a celebration that felt more like an unforgettable Palm Springs dinner party than a traditional wedding. Inspired by local favorites like Melvyn’s and Mister Parker’s, they envisioned a stylish celebration that was effortlessly chic, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated. The Parker’s iconic charm and a talented vendor team brought their vision to life. Jenna shared, “We knew that if we were going to ask our families to come all the way out to Palm Springs, it had to be special, and The Parker delivered exactly that.”

They focused on three key priorities during planning: amazing food and drinks, working with a great planner, and creating a beautiful design with the right atmosphere. These elements ensured their wedding felt true to who they are as a couple.

What We Loved About Jenna and Michael’s Wedding:

  • The photography, captured in both digital and film by Junebug vendor Matthew David Studio, brought a timeless and cinematic quality to their wedding gallery.
  • The use of patio umbrellas during the ceremony was both stylish and practical, ensuring guests stayed comfortable while enhancing the overall aesthetic.
  • Jenna’s gown featured an elegant scarf detail, a refined touch that elevated her bridal look.
  • The couple opted for no bridal party, keeping the focus on their celebration while maintaining a lively and intimate atmosphere.
  • The after-party was a highlight, with silver mylar balloons, disco balls, and an electrifying atmosphere that kept guests dancing well into the night.

Featured Junebug Vendor:

Matthew David Studio

Jenna and Michael started their day with a private first look in The Parker’s gardens. In the serene setting of lush greenery, they exchanged heartfelt vows that set a deeply personal tone for the rest of the day.

The couple’s portraits showcased their venue’s stunning grounds. From manicured hedges to mid-century architecture, every location complemented their stylish attire and the Palm Springs aesthetic. The couple’s relaxed energy came through in candid moments.

The ceremony took place beneath sprawling olive trees, with sunlight filtering through the branches. Guests sat on classic white chairs under scalloped patio umbrellas that added a Palm Springs touch. At the altar, a circular platform adorned with greenery and pastel blooms blended beautifully with the natural surroundings. “We wanted our guests to feel comfortable and immersed in the moment,” Jenna said. Thoughtful details, like hand fans displayed in a vintage champagne bucket, added to the guest experience and showed the couple’s attention to detail.

In a touching nod to family and legacy, Jenna also found a unique way to honor her late father, who had passed in 2022. Determined that he would still be part of her special day, Jenna and her maid of honor wrapped their bouquets in her father’s cherished bow tie and cummerbund—a subtle yet powerful reminder that his spirit would forever walk with them.

Music was at the heart of Jenna and Michael’s Palm Springs dinner party celebration, setting the tone for every unforgettable moment. “Our DJ Chris Paul gave us the best advice early on: your ceremony music—both the processionals and recessionals—will set the vibe for the entire night,” Jenna recalled. 

With a deep love for soulful tunes, the couple crafted a musical journey that paid homage to classic Motown and R&B, infusing their day with timeless elegance. The ceremony began with the warm embrace of The Charmels’ “As Long as I’ve Got You,” perfectly echoing their commitment to each other. Michael made his grand entrance with Drake’s “Best I Ever Had,” igniting the crowd before the ceremony even got underway. When Jenna walked down the aisle to Frank Ocean’s “Godspeed,” the mood shifted from exuberant celebration to heartfelt emotion. And as the newlyweds made their way into their future together, Willie Hutch’s “I Choose You” with its cinematic horn intro served as the perfect, soul-stirring send-off.

The reception, held in the courtyard, was illuminated by string lights. Long tables dressed in white linens featured gold accents, textured centerpieces, and glowing candles for a warm, inviting atmosphere.

“We wanted the reception to feel like a Palm Springs dinner party at our dream home.” Personal touches included antique brass bowls holding custom wedding matches, rust-colored fringe lamps flanking the bar, and a vinyl record display—all reflecting their unique style without the stress of DIY.

The after-party, the couple’s most memorable part of the celebration, turned The Parker’s ballroom into a disco wonderland. Designed by Luna Design Studio, the space featured silver mylar balloons, shimmering tinsel, and disco balls. DJ Chris Paul kept the energy alive with music and videos, while late-night snacks and cocktails kept guests fueled for the dance floor.

“Jessica and her team from Beeloved Events went above and beyond. They made sure everything ran smoothly and took such good care of us.” A standout memory was when their planner gave them a private tour of the glowing reception space before guests arrived—a moment Jenna and Michael will always treasure.

Jenna and Michael found that having a clear vision and working with the right vendors made all the difference. Early conversations with potential vendors helped them find trusted recommendations, as the same names kept coming up.  Social media also gave them insight into each vendor’s style, making it easier to choose those who aligned with their vision. Sticking with local vendors not only cut down on travel costs but also meant working with a team that knew the venue inside and out, ensuring everything flowed seamlessly.”

By focusing on food, design, and planning, they created a Palm Springs dinner party that felt effortless and authentic. With a team of vendors they trusted, they were able to relax and enjoy the day, knowing every detail was in good hands.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Matthew David Studio
Event Planning – Bee Loved Events
Venue – Parker Palm Springs
Floral Design + Rentals – Luna Design Studios
Officiant – Fr. Geoff Farrow
DJ – DJ Chris Paul
Invitation Design – Minted
Hair Styling – Jose Neira
Wedding Dress – LOHO Bride
Groom’s Apparel – Canali
Menus + Escort Cards – Tasha Rae Designs

 

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Tips For Creating Digital Engagement Announcements That Are Uniquely You

February 10, 2025 | marissa
recently engaged couple celebrating on beach

All photos provided by Lovebird

Congratulations! You’re engaged, and now it’s time to share the exciting news! Traditional paper announcements are still popular, and social media is an even more common way to share the news—but digital engagement invitations offer a customizable and eco-friendly way to celebrate with your loved ones. But how do you create an engagement announcement that feels truly special—one that’s personal, heartfelt, and unmistakably you?

The secret lies in more than just a beautiful design. By incorporating thoughtful details that reflect your relationship, proposal story, and unique style, you can create an announcement that feels as meaningful as the moment itself.

Make Your Digital Engagement Announcement Uniquely You

1. Share Your Proposal Story

One of the most memorable ways to personalize your engagement announcement is by including your proposal story. Whether it was a carefully planned surprise or a spontaneous moment, sharing the details makes your announcement feel authentic. With Lovebirds new digital engagement announcements, you can include a heartfelt message—or even a short video recapping how it happened! 

Ideas to make your announcement personal:

  • Write a short but engaging recap of the proposal.
  • Add a video message of you both sharing the moment.
  • Include proposal footage if you have it!

2. Choose a Design That Reflects Your Style

Your engagement announcement should feel like you. If you already have a wedding aesthetic in mind, this is a great opportunity to incorporate those elements as a subtle hint. But if you’re still figuring out your wedding details, don’t stress! Instead, focus on a design that reflects your personal style as a couple. With Lovebird’s hundreds of design suites, you can choose an option that feels natural to you—whether that’s timeless and elegant, modern and sleek, or playful and fun.

3. Create a Personal Video

One of the best things about digital engagement announcements is the ability to add video! And your video doesn’t have to be just about your proposal story—it can be whatever you want it to be. Maybe it’s a highlight video of your relationship, a clip of you two in the car right after the proposal moment, full of nerves and excitement, or even footage from your last vacation together. Whether you have the time and skills to produce a beautifully edited video or you just want to share a candid, heartfelt message, you can’t go wrong. With Lovebird’s video feature, your digital announcement can feel truly personal.

digital engagement announcement

 

A Step-by-Step Guide to Delivering Your Engagement Announcement

1. Decide When to Send Your Announcement

Timing matters! With Lovebird’s brand new digital engagement announcements, you can privately share your news via email or text before making a public post.

 Here’s a general timeline:

  • Immediately after the proposal – Share the news personally with immediate family and closest friends via call or message.
  • Within a few days to two weeks – Send out your digital engagement announcement to a wider circle of loved ones.
  • After the formal announcement – Feel free to post on social media if you’d like!


2. Craft the Perfect Engagement Announcement Message

Your message should sound like you. Whether formal, playful, or sentimental, here’s a template to help you get started:

“We have some exciting news to share… we’re engaged! We’re beyond thrilled to start this next chapter together and can’t wait to celebrate with you all soon!”

Or, if you’re letting a video do the talking, this little tidbit is all you’ll need:

“Watch this short video to see how it all happened!”

Lovebird allows you to personalize your message, keeping it as simple or detailed as you’d like. 

3. Send It in a Thoughtful Way

Rather than a mass text or email, make your engagement announcement feel special and polished. Lovebird’s platform allows you to:

  • Send personalized email or text announcements to loved ones
  • Track who has opened it so no one misses the news
  • Ensure a cohesive design that matches your wedding aesthetic


4. Follow Up with a Save the Date

With Lovebird’s elegant wedding guest communication tools, everything from your engagement announcement to your wedding day updates can be managed seamlessly in one place. Once your wedding date is set, inform your guests by sending a digital save the date with Lovebird. Since everything is managed in one place, your guests will have a seamless experience from engagement to wedding day.

 

Why Lovebird Is the Ultimate Tool for Engagement Announcements

With Lovebird’s digital engagement announcements, you get more than just a beautiful digital experience—you get a thoughtful, streamlined way to share your big news while keeping all wedding guest communication in one place.

Want to learn more about Lovebird’s full suite of wedding planning tools? Check out this post for a deep dive into all the ways Lovebird can simplify your wedding journey.

And as a bonus—when you upgrade to Lovebird’s Full Suite, you also get access to Memento, a video wedding guest book and shared album platform, ensuring all of your wedding guest footage is in one place.

Enter Lovebird’s Proposal Story Contest for a Chance to Win!

To celebrate this exciting season of love, Lovebird is hosting a Proposal Story Contest! If you have a memorable, funny, or heartwarming proposal story, submit it for a chance to win $2,500 towards your honeymoon or other category prizes!

 Categories Include:

  • The Most Creative Proposal
  • The Sweetest Proposal
  • The Proposal Plan Gone Wrong
  • The Most Memorable Proposal Reaction

Entries are open now through March 31, 2025—so don’t wait! Learn more and enter here.

Your engagement announcement is the first step in your wedding journey—make it as special as the moment itself. With Lovebird, you can create a personal, polished, and truly unforgettable digital engagement announcement that reflects your love story.

Ready to start designing yours? Create your custom engagement announcement today with Lovebird.

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Skipping the Wait of a Traditional Wedding, This Couple Opted for an Elegant Hotel Elopement

February 10, 2025 | justine

Charlotte and Khari’s love story is proof that timing is everything. The pair first met in Miami—Charlotte was celebrating her 30th birthday with friends, and Khari was on a bachelor trip. “We were instantly attracted, but we were both in relationships at the time,” Charlotte says. They kept in touch through social media but lost contact until Khari reached out over a year later. By then, they were both single and ready to take a chance on love.

When it came time to plan their wedding, the couple initially envisioned a traditional celebration. However, they quickly realized that they didn’t want to wait. “We decided to elope, but truth be told, I still wanted more than just the justice of the peace and quick pictures,” Charlotte shares. Their solution? A beautifully intimate elegant hotel elopement with just their closest loved ones, plenty of style, and unforgettable moments.

Finding the right vendors was essential for bringing their vision to life. Charlotte already knew their photographer, Junebug vendor Brownie Photography & Production, and her hairstylist beforehand. Quality of work was a top priority, and social media played a huge role in connecting the couple with talented pros.

Featured Junebug Vendor:

Brownie Photography & Production

For Charlotte, her walk down the aisle doubled as their “first look,” making the moment even more special. She wore a chic off-the-shoulder midi dress paired with sheer gloves with pearls and bird cage veil that added a classic bridal touch. “I wanted something that screamed ‘BRIDE’ but still felt like me,” she says. 

Khari complemented her effortlessly in a tan suit, opting for a modern look while steering clear of traditional black. Together, they were a vision of timeless elegance.

The ceremony was the perfect mix of modern elegance and simplicity. Baby’s breath and white roses created a soft backdrop, framing the couple beautifully as they exchanged vows. Rows of chairs, lined with terracotta and cream floral arrangements, brought a warm pop of color to the neutral tones of the room. 

After the ceremony, the couple strolled through the hotel for their first professional portraits as husband and wife. The venue’s interior, with its arched doorways, crystal chandeliers, and marble floors, offered the perfect backdrop for their photos. “We wanted pictures we could share and revisit for years to come. This was our first time taking professional pictures together, so it was a very memorable time for us.”

The reception space carried the couple’s theme of simplicity and elegance. The tablescape was minimalistic, with only a stunning display of candles as the centerpiece and reflected the couple’s refined vision for their celebration.

A charming detail at the reception was the gift table, which perfectly reflected the couple’s style. It featured a beautifully wrapped box topped with a classic bride-and-groom figurine, accented with a terracotta ribbon and pearl details. The table was further decorated with terracotta and cream floral arrangements that echoed the ceremony decor, tying everything together seamlessly. 

The couple were intentional about creating a warm and memorable evening for their guests, sharing, “We wanted to make sure we celebrated those who chose to join us with a special dinner and beautiful atmosphere.”

The evening was filled with heartfelt moments, including speeches from their fathers and a special song performed by Charlotte’s mother. The warmth and love in the room were palpable as family and friends came together to celebrate the couple’s new beginning. “We couldn’t have asked for a better space—it had timeless elegance, charm, and so many photo opportunities.” 

For Charlotte and Khari, the biggest surprise of the day was how quickly it all went by. “Time flew by so fast,” the couple says, reflecting on the whirlwind of emotions and joy. Despite that, they wouldn’t change a thing.

When asked for advice, “It shouldn’t be a stressful time. Plan according to your budget and wishes—not anyone else’s!” Their elegant hotel elopement was proof that with careful planning and a focus on what truly matters, you can create a wedding day that’s intimate, beautiful, and unforgettable.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Brownie Photography & Production
Ceremony Venue – St. Anthony, Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio
Reception Venue + Catering – Rebelle
Floral Design – Flowerscapes Rentals + Patricia Prude
Cake – Cripsy Critter Bakes
Officiant – Louis Jensen
Makeup Artist – BeautybyBree
Hair Styling – Goldie
Wedding Dress – ILEN Wedding Brand
Bridal Accessories – Lucia Stofej + Glamour Bride USA
Groom’s Apparel – H&M
Groom’s Accessories – Maison Forte
Favors – ChocoFavors + KnKarts

 

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