Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Reclaim your space by parting with things in your home you no longer use or have been damaged over time. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    The sweetest way to say "I love you" is with one of these heartfelt, homemade Valentine's Day desserts. Whether you're looking for a treat for your partner, your Galentine's crew, or the co-workers who adore your home baking, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection, filled with heart-shaped cakes, cupcakes, and cookies—plus, easy chocolate truffles and decadent mousses and parfaits. Our recipes include desserts for two to share and sweets that feed a crowd. We rate them all above a bunch of red roses any day.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    These blooms are tolerant to the chilly conditions, which will allow you to get ahead on your spring flower garden.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    The spots develop when water dries on glass and leaves behind the minerals that were trapped inside.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    From disco ball art to punch needle embroidery, these are the projects that will dominate the DIY world in the new year, experts say.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    In short, yes—should you have a skin type that might benefit from an occlusive product.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Real Weddings
  4. Wedding Styles
  5. Seasonal Weddings
  6. Spring Weddings
  7. A Chic Destination Wedding in Palm Springs
Martha Stewart Weddings

A Chic Destination Wedding in Palm Springs

contributor-nicole-harris-0316.jpg
By Nicole Harris
Skip gallery slides
Pin
george shawn wedding grooms by flowers
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

These grooms threw an intimate dinner party for friends and family in one of the cities where they first fell in love.

Start Slideshow

1 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

George and Shawn

george shawn wedding grooms by flowers
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

George Henderson didn't expect his life to change forever after dining at a Chinese restaurant in New York City's West Village. But the event planner and caterer with Creative Edge Parties was enjoying a relaxing night with friends in the fall of 2011 when he spotted Shawn Lisle. "We were seated at the same table," he says. "Before we sat I remember saying to a friend, 'Who is that?!'" George started seeing Shawn, a graphic designer at Intermix, regularly while meeting with friends. The pair became official in the winter of 2012, and George popped the question five years later.

The Manhattan-based duo jetted off to Palm Springs, California, for a chic destination wedding on March 25, 2017. Close family and friends attended the intimate celebration, including Shawn's relatives from Seattle and George's family from upstate New York. Mid-century modern touches, desert tones, ideal weather, and classic disco music created an unforgettable night at the Dinah Shore Palm Springs Estate (432 Hermosa) for the grooms and their 50 guests.

1 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Stationery Suite

george-shawn-wedding-stationery
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography
11 Ways to Add a Pop of Metallic to Your Wedding

George and Shawn printed used vintage Palm Springs postcards as their save-the-dates. Shawn then created the invitations to resemble a fashion show invite, complete with tasteful nods to the ceremony aesthetic. A palm tree motif was printed on metallic paper as a nod to some of the day's own glimmering elements. The front of the invite, which featured white ink on black matte paper, also showcased the wedding's clean and modern vibe.

2 of 20

3 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Welcome Totes

george-shawn-wedding-welcome
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography
5 Steps for Assembling Welcome Bags That Wow for Wedding Guests

Upon arrival, guests received customized tote bags with the couple's invitation text printed on the front. Contents included a Compartes Chocolates "California Love" chocolate bar, Dardimans California pineapple crisps, an illustrated map of Palm Springs, an itinerary, a bottle of water, Tattly temporary tattoos, and handmade soap from Pelle.

3 of 20

Advertisement

4 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Jetting Off to Palm Springs

george shawn wedding palms
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

When they first started dating, George and Shawn were visiting family in Los Angeles and took a solo trip to Palm Springs. There, they fell in love with each other and the location. The desert city seemed like the ideal location for their nuptials—especially since it has flawless weather in March, when George's work schedule is less busy. "A New York wedding would have felt like work to me," he says. "I wanted to get away and have it be easy and beautiful in winter. Palm Springs was a natural choice."

4 of 20

5 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Venue

george shawn wedding grooms
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

The couple chose Donald Wexler's Dinah Shore Palm Springs Estate (432 Hermosa) for their ceremony venue. The mid-century modern design of the house inspired the wedding aesthetic, and it's inherent beauty allowed the couple to plan little in terms of décor. Thankfully, the weather remained a comfortable 78 degrees with bright sun aand a slight breeze throughout the day, but there was some pre-wedding worry about the possibility of rain. "Leading up the wedding, Palm Springs was having an unusual amount of rain," says George. "I couldn't believe it. I picked the desert and it could rain." The rain held off for the ceremony, but the abnormal levels of precipitation created a rare "super bloom" in the area, causing the wildflowers to burst with magical colors.

5 of 20

6 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Attire

george shawn wedding grooms
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

George and Shawn brought an impressive dose of style to Palm Springs. Shawn (left) stood out in an Alexander McQueen suit, Maison Margiela shirt, Dior shoes, and a Lanvin fabric flower on his lapel. George (right) looked handsome in a Givenchy suit, Lanvin shirt, Alexander McQueen tie (in the same pattern as Shawn's suit), Givenchy shoes, and a smaller Lanvin fabric flower as the finishing touch.

6 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Rings

george shawn wedding rings
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography
10 Unique Men's Wedding Bands

Shawn's band, which doubled as his engagement ring, is 18K rose gold with two diamonds and an enamel inlay with the word "Mr." across the surface. "Shawn is a graphic designer, and he likes the graphic element," says George, whose band was also made with 18K rose gold. Nora Kogan in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, designed both.

7 of 20

8 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Portraits

george shawn wedding grooms
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

Two hours before the ceremony, George and Shawn drove to the Doug Aitken Installation Mirage to take some portraits. The location was part of Desert X 2017, a temporary art exhibition in the Coachella Valley. Shawn calls the photo session his favorite part of the wedding, since the intimate moments with his soon-to-be husband, surrounded by nature and art, set the tone for the rest of the day.

8 of 20

9 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Ceremony

george shawn wedding ceremony
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

At 5:30 p.m., George and Shawn tied the knot as the sun dipped behind the San Jacinto Mountains. Their parents, flower girls (George's niece and Shawn's niece), and ring bearer (Shawn's nephew) processed into the ceremony to "Hey Jude" by the Beatles, performed on a piano by Dart Collective. The grooms then entered together while "Imagine" by John Lennon played in the background. They opted for a Episcopal ceremony with traditional vows and readings of 1st Samuel 18:1-4 and Romans 12:9-18. "Turning around during the ceremony and seeing all my friend and family smiling at us—it was powerful," says George.

9 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cocktail Hour

george shawn wedding guests
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktails in the estate's yard. A pianist from Dart Collective played music by Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, and more. Everyone dressed in their finest "chic cocktail" attire (the grooms provided a link to a Pinterest board with inspirational looks before the big day) and that only added to the stylish aesthetic.

10 of 20

11 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Passed Hors d'oeuvres

george shawn wedding appetizer
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography
How Much Food Should You Serve During Cocktail Hour?

Shawn and George loved all of their passed appetizers (made by roomforty): liquid-center meatballs with warm Pomodoro and panko crunch; mini beet salad with smoked burrata, housemade granola, Meyer lemon, and cabbage purse; chicken and waffle cone with maple pearls and chipotle remoulade; and bao buns with housemade duck sausage and duck pastrami with a citrus marmalade. They also had a fromage and charcuterie service with assorted Spanish and French cheeses, homemade charcuterie, pickled market vegetables, poached fruit, candied nuts, and artisan breads.

11 of 20

12 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Furry Friend

george shawn wedding sog
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography
5 Pets That Had a “Paw” in Their Owners’ Proposals

The couple's four-year-old Pomeranian, Simon, came dressed in an adorable outfit from DOG & CO.

12 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Parental Love

george shawn wedding parents
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

George's parents, who have been married for 49 years, attended their son's wedding in elegant apparel.

13 of 20

14 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Reception

george shawn wedding reception
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

The dinner took place outside, with guests sitting at one long table positioned alongside a glimmering pool. George and Shawn say that elements of their wedding inspired the reception's color palette; blue was drawn from the sky and pool, while rose gold reflected the color of their wedding bands.

14 of 20

15 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Place Settings

george-shawn-wedding-table
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography
36 Gold Wedding Ideas

The tabletop featured gold flatware, marble-print plates, delicate pink and coral floral arrangements by Baura New York, and napkins with surged edges. Shawn designed the menu, which outlined the meal of warmed lettuce hearts with cashew cheese, housemade ricotta, and herb vinaigrette; a mid-course of cedar-planked salmon; and a main course of Maple Leaf duck, prepared by roomforty.

15 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The First Dance

george-shawn-wedding-dance
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

For their first dance, George and Shawn swayed to "Crazy for You" by Madonna. They swapped out the top halves of their outfits into more casual pieces for dancing. George's shirt was designed by PLAC, while Shawn's came from Solid Homme.

16 of 20

17 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dancing The Night Away

george shawn wedding reception
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography
This Is Why Your Venue Has Noise Restrictions

Since Shawn works as a DJ, he created a playlist for dancing, featuring lots of classic disco. "Palm Springs has a 10 p.m. noise ordinance, but we had rented the house for a few days so people could linger," says George. The sparkly geometric backdrop denoted the dance floor and added a decorative touch to the site. Inside the home, Dart Collective played melodies on the piano.

17 of 20

18 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Cake

george-shawn-wedding-desserts
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

As the night turned chilly, female guests donned pashminas and guests ventured into the house for dessert. The cake, baked by Alana Jones-Mann, featured two flavors: vanilla with pistachio buttercream and vanilla with apple cinnamon buttercream and caramel filling.

18 of 20

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sweet Treats

george-shawn-wedding-desserts
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

Guests also nibbled on cake pops, macarons, s'mores, churros, and marbled white chocolate.

19 of 20

20 of 20

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sources

<p>Photography, Ben Christensen</p> <p>Location, Dinah Shore Estate (432 Hermosa)</p> <p>Event Planning, Christine V. Tran</p> <p>Catering, roomforty</p> <p>Flowers, Baura New York</p> <p>Officiant, Andrew Greene of The Church of St. Paul in the Desert</p> <p>Stationery, Shawn Lisle</p> <p>Cake, Alana Jones-Mann</p> <p>Music, Dart Collective</p> <p>Rentals, the ARK; Taylor Creative (furniture)</p> <p>George's suit, Givenchy</p> <p>George's accessories, Lanvin shirt; Alexander McQueen tie; Givenchy shoes; Lanvin fabric flower</p> <p>Shawn's suit, Alexander McQueen</p> <p>Shawn's accessories, Maison Margiela shirt; Dior shoes; Lanvin fabric flower</p> <p>George's reception shirt, PLAC</p> <p>Shawn's reception shirt, Solid Homme.</p>
Credit: Ben Christensen Photography

Photography, Ben Christensen

Location, Dinah Shore Estate (432 Hermosa)

Event Planning, Christine V. Tran

Catering, roomforty

Flowers, Baura New York

Officiant, Andrew Greene of The Church of St. Paul in the Desert

Stationery, Shawn Lisle

Cake, Alana Jones-Mann

Music, Dart Collective

Rentals, the ARK; Taylor Creative (furniture)

George's suit, Givenchy

George's accessories, Lanvin shirt; Alexander McQueen tie; Givenchy shoes; Lanvin fabric flower

Shawn's suit, Alexander McQueen

Shawn's accessories, Maison Margiela shirt; Dior shoes; Lanvin fabric flower

George's reception shirt, PLAC

Shawn's reception shirt, Solid Homme.

20 of 20

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Nicole Harris

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • A Musical Festival and a Green Couch Inspired This Couple's Whimsical Garden Wedding in California
    • 9 Wedding Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2023, According to Wedding Planners and Event Designers
    • 7 Wedding Dress and Accessory Trends Every Bride-to-Be Needs to Know About in 2023
    • Princess Eugenie Is Pregnant With Her Second Child—and Is Due This Summer
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 20 George and Shawn
    2 of 20 The Stationery Suite
    3 of 20 The Welcome Totes
    4 of 20 Jetting Off to Palm Springs
    5 of 20 The Venue
    6 of 20 The Attire
    7 of 20 The Rings
    8 of 20 The Portraits
    9 of 20 The Ceremony
    10 of 20 Cocktail Hour
    11 of 20 Passed Hors d'oeuvres
    12 of 20 A Furry Friend
    13 of 20 Parental Love
    14 of 20 The Reception
    15 of 20 The Place Settings
    16 of 20 The First Dance
    17 of 20 Dancing The Night Away
    18 of 20 The Cake
    19 of 20 Sweet Treats
    20 of 20 Sources

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    A Chic Destination Wedding in Palm Springs
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.