Desert Botanical Garden Wedding

The desert is home to the agave century plant, which traditionally blooms after 100 years. Our next couple chose this desert plant as a symbol of their love. The plant is featured throughout the garden, and even portrayed in Chihuly sculptures at the garden entrance. The plant was referenced in the vows and displayed on printed material throughout the event, as well. We love when a theme is carried throughout the wedding.

The bride shared so much more with us about this desert wedding so be sure to read on. You can also view the entire wedding gallery by clicking here. All of this desert beauty was captured by Hollye Schumacher Photography.

Guests were given small white bells to ring as the couple walked down the aisle during the recessional. The bells featured tags tied with twine, and said “RING ME!” How sweet of the guests to ring in the newlyweds.

Guests found their names and table assignments hanging with twine strung between a set of agave stalks Marney’s parents had carefully collected, which continued the theme of the century agave plant. The tags were hand-written by the bride on kraft card stock tags with white ink, so very lovely.

Guests sat in shabby chic white chairs at tables covered in natural green tablecloths. The centerpieces were 8″ x 8″ dark-stained boxes filled with coral peonies, purple lisianthus, yellow genista, flower shaped succulents, yellow & purple freesia, green viburnum, ladies mantle and purple lilac with floating candles highlighting throughout.Each box was wrapped with twine.

Tables were identified by cities Marney and Booth had lived in (Florence, Honolulu, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc). The city names were hand-written by Marney’s artistic cousin Michael in white lettering on kraft card-stock. Place settings were clean and crafty. A kraft menu (designed and printed by Marney) featured the agave logo hand-stamped at the top, and tucked inside a crisply folded white cotton napkin tied with twine. Marney’s mother cut rosemary from her herb garden and added a sprig to each napkin.

The homemade guest book was housed in a Russell + Hazel Signature 3-Ring Binder wrapped in white patent. Inside, natural/kraft and green sheets held green and salmon-colored (empty) envelopes. Guests chose their own blessing from any of five card sets laid out on the table. The cards are hand-stamped with custom designed graphics borrowed from one of Martha Stewart’s guest book ideas. Guests wrote a response to whichever card they chose and slipped it in an empty envelope.

Marney spent a few of her childhood years in London, and has fond memories of snapping British Christmas crackers with her family. After ordering supplies to fabricate 175, she put her parents to work helping stuff the cardboard rolls with almond roca, white LED jelly rings that flash when depressed, traditional silly colorful paper hats, and light marriage jokes like “My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met,” courtesy of Rodney Dangerfield. Marney’s sisters lead the guests in a celebratory “SNAP” to celebrate the couple in their toast.

Photographer: Hollye Schumacher Photography
Venue: Desert Botanical Gardens- Binns Wildflower Pavillion
Makeup: Corinna Cooke
Coordinator: Day of Victoria Canada
Photo booth: The Live Photobooth
Cake: Honey Moon Sweets
Caterer: Santa Barbara Catering
Cinematography: Bright Bokeh
Floral Design: Petal Pushers
Groom’s Attire: Macy’s
Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid Thread
Dress Designer: Carolina Herrera
Band: The Walkens
Stationery: Mr Boddington and the bride
Officiant: The Honorable Andy Hurwitz