We sure love seeing creative gals and guys really go all out when it comes to tying the knot. Bride Rachel, designer + creative director at One Part Gypsy is one of those creatives. (PJ even proposed with a rose-cut diamond, knowing she’d want to design the ring!) She spent over a year planning and DIY-ing for the wedding, a desert oasis tribute to their California lifestyle for their East Coast families to enjoy.
Shout out to the bride’s friend + our guide member Jen of Fondly Forever Photography for the photos!
Aren’t her ‘maids so cute?! Their venue, El Cielo Estate had lush landscapes, mountain backdrop, palm trees, and all the best accommodations (read: pool party) for a Memorial Day Weekend wedding.
Rachel walked down the aisle to the bass line of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young and their first dance was a nod to their native state, Vermont with Moonlight in Vermont.
Rachel, on the flowers…
I wanted everything to be fragrant and wild feeling, so olive bough, fresh herbs, peony, dahlia, garden rose, freesia and jasmine adorned our chuppah and made up our floral arrangements. Jasmine is my favorite flower and up until the last moment we weren’t sure if it would be available with the heat. I’m so glad it was! Since my Dad couldn’t be there to walk me down the aisle, around my bouquet I wrapped a vintage locket that I started wearing after his death. It holds the first and last photos of us together.
PJ’s fave moment: Seeing Rachel walk down the aisle toward me just tore me up. I remember that my vision faltered for a few moments, realizing that we’re here, this is happening, and she’s serious… Selfishly one of my favorite shots is my face at that moment. It’s not one I want to print and frame in the family room, but I cherish that memory and want that photo framed in a special private place.
And Rachel’s: I get so nervous in front of crowds that it was only after we got past the first dance that I felt like I could really let loose and enjoy the party. When I think back to my favorite memory, it’s the last song of the night, Young Forever, with all of us on the dance floor, singing our hearts out, the night complete and our hearts so full.
Rachel says, You spend so much of your wedding day with your photographer, it’s really important to have someone you connect with. Since so much of the wedding was hand-done I wanted to make sure we had photos of all the tiny details. I felt fortunate to have Jen of Fondly Forever Photography by my side and know I was getting all the right shots.
Congrats to Rachel + PJ!
Photographer: Fondly Forever Photography / Venue: El Cielo Estate / Event Coordinator: Twine Events / Event Design: Bride Rachel of One Part Gypsy / Personal + Chuppah Florals: Madison Workshop West: / Tabletop Florals: One Part Gypsy / Hair: Allison Zarrabi of Shear Insanity Salon / Makeup: My Girls on Film Studios / Invitation Designer: One Part Gypsy / Cake: Jamaica’s Cakes / Catering: EAT Marketplace & Catering / Rentals: Signature Party Rentals, Sweet Emilia Jane, & One Part Gypsy / Officiant: Agnostic Weddings / Ceremony Musicians: The Get Down Boys / Reception DJ: JP Mcleod / Bride’s Dress: Custom / Shoes: Ivy Kirzhner / Headpiece: Hushed Commotion / Custom Ring: One Part Gypsy / Other Accessories: Accents Jewelry / Groom’s Suit: Custom from Evolution of Style / Shoes: Cole Haan / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Caletto Mini by Nightcap Clothing / Bracelets: The Neshama Project in Venice
