Melissa and Joel envisioned their guests being transported to another era, capturing Palm Springs’ timeless elegance and lively spirit. Infusing the celebration with vibrant colors and carefully chosen designs, they curated an event filled with energy and charm. Thanks to their meticulous planning, every detail of their Casa de Monte Vista wedding reflected their Spanish and Old Hollywood inspirations. They not only achieved their vision but surpassed it, creating a day brimming with beauty and nostalgia.

Surrounded by majestic mountain views and swaying palm trees, their garden ceremony unfolded in natural beauty. Adorned with colorful floral pillars at the altar, the setting was simply stunning. At the poolside reception that followed, guests were welcomed by tables adorned with bold pink and red arrangements, taper candles, and elegant gold settings. 

Melissa’s wedding dress–featuring unique intricate floral patterns–and Joel’s classic tuxedo complemented the scene perfectly, adding the ideal finishing touches to their unforgettable day. On top of the breathtaking fashion that belongs in a magazine, Madison Maltby Photo beautifully captured every detail that’s sure to inspire your own wedding. This celebration is brimming with ideas you can incorporate into your big day.

The Couple:

Melissa and Joel

The Wedding:

Casa de Monte Vista, Palm Springs, California, United States

A Magical First Look Amidst Garden Splendor

Our best moment at the wedding was definitely when we had our first look. We had been looking forward to it all day while getting ready with our friends, surrounded by beautiful gardens and old Hollywood-style buildings. When Joel saw the dress for the first time, he was so amazed that he couldn’t say anything. The setting, with all the blooming trees and flowers, made it even more magical and unforgettable. We feel fortunate to have shared that special moment together.

Practical Wedding Advice from the Couple

For couples starting to plan their wedding, dare to be bold in your design choices. Let your personalities shine through every detail. Share the tasks equally, as working together makes the journey more fulfilling. Embrace DIY projects—they add a personal touch. Remember, your wedding should reflect your love story, not feel like a chore. Take risks and create something truly extraordinary together.

Celebrating Personal Style at Their Casa de Monte Vista Wedding

We’re really proud of how our artistic and detail-oriented personalities influenced our wedding design and fashion choices. It was incredibly fulfilling to see Palm Springs’ historic charm and botanical beauty brought to life through our theme, with a modern twist in our wardrobe. Our hands-on approach to DIY projects lets us add personal touches that showcase our style. Working together to realize our vision gave us a deep sense of ownership for the day. Lastly, seeing our diverse friend groups—Green Berets and Professional Cheerleaders—come together in joy and love created a truly magical atmosphere.

Why They Chose Casa de Monte Vista

We picked Casa de Monte Vista Estate in Palm Springs, for our wedding venue because its romantic, modern Spanish style instantly transported us to a Mediterranean paradise the moment we walked through the arched doorway. The lush gardens, beautiful architecture, and enchanting ambiance perfectly matched our vision for a one-of-a-kind, intimate, and unforgettable celebration.

On-Theme Wedding Attire and After-Party Style

On our wedding day, I wore the Cora wedding dress from Rue De Seine, which captured my vision of romantic Spanish style with a touch of Palm Springs flair. Inspired by vintage lace romance and 1970s elegance, the dress featured intricate floral patterns and a flowing silhouette that made me feel effortlessly beautiful. I styled my hair in a romantic up-do inspired by Pamela Anderson and opted for soft glam makeup to match the vibe of my special day. My groom looked perfect alongside me in a deep green tuxedo jacket paired with slim black tuxedo pants. For the after-party, my second dress by Helsi continued the floral theme with applique details and sequins. I added a playful touch with rhinestone floral shoes by Azalea Wang to kick off the festivities. The groom complemented this look with a white tuxedo jacket, seamlessly embracing the old Hollywood Palm Springs vibe.

Adding Personal Flair to Their Casa de Monte Vista Wedding Through DIY Touches

We added a personal and creative touch to our wedding with several DIY elements. One highlight was our flower seating chart wall adorned with the phrase “Everything’s Better in Palm Springs,” wallpapered in marigold and decorated with flower-filled boxes. We also crafted a flower box welcome sign used at both our welcome party and wedding entrance. For a playful touch that nodded to our last name “Swenson” and the movie “Dumb and Dumber,” we created personalized cocktail napkins with the quote, “Starts with an S! Swim, Swami, Slippy, Slappy, Swimmon, Sammon, Simmon, Swans, Swenson?” Additionally, we designed the menus for our family-style dinner. These DIY projects made our celebration unique and unforgettable.

Latin-Inspired Food to Match Their Spanish Venue

Our Latin-themed, family-style catered wedding featured vibrant and delicious dishes served on tables lit with romantic candlelight. The menu included a refreshing Pepita Caesar Salad and zesty Cilantro Lime Slaw, followed by mouth-watering Jalisco Style Churrasco, Calabasitas, and savory Chicken Poblano. Guests’ favorite sides included Frijoles and Street Corn, perfectly complemented by Salsa and Chips, creating a cozy dining experience. For dessert, churro donuts and homemade vanilla bean ice cream topped off the amazing meal. The food, crafted by Adriana Cocina, a woman-owned, family-run business from Temecula, California, added a personal and heartfelt touch to our celebration.

Congratulations to Melissa and Joel on their Old Hollywood-inspired Casa de Monte Vista wedding. Big thanks to Madison Maltby Photo for beautifully capturing all the special moments that this couple can happily look back on.

If you’re ready to shake things up and host a unique celebration, explore our guide for fresh inspiration. Whether you’re drawn to retro vibes or have a completely different vision in mind, we’ve got you covered with tips and ideas to make your special day truly unforgettable.