Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Real Weddings Wedding Styles Seasonal Weddings Fall Weddings A Retro-Modern Yellow-and-Blue California Wedding By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 27, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Bride and Groom Jose Villa Since its heyday in the 1940s and '50s as a haven for privacy-seeking Hollywood stars, California's resort-dotted Coachella Valley has symbolized escape. But for Washington, D.C., residents Tali and Michael, hosting their wedding in Rancho Mirage wasn't a retreat but a return. "My grandparents have spent part of the year in nearby Palm Springs for 30 years; I've gone there on vacation all my life," Michael says. Family has been important to the couple from the start. In 2010, Tali, the founder of a gift and hospitality box company called Welcome and Wishes, and Michael, who works in real estate development, were set up by their two younger sisters, college buddies who discovered that their older siblings lived within 10 blocks of each other. "Neither of us had been on a blind date before, so it was lucky we both agreed to it," Tali says. Much to the sisters' delight, the two hit it off immediately, and by October 2013 they were engaged. Tali and Michael's connections to both people and place informed nearly every detail of the wedding weekend, from the citrus-filled escort-card display (a nod to the fruit Michael's grandparents grow and often ship to the couple) to the Coachella music festival–themed after-party, complete with flower crowns and "Cohenchella" wristbands, which recalled the concerts the two had attended. Tali's family rabbi flew in from Cleveland to officiate the Jewish ceremony before 250 loves ones, on November 16, 2014, and the couple exchanged vows under a chuppah sewn by Tali's grandmother and embroidered with the names of her cousins who had wed beneath it. Cocktails were served poolside at The Ritz Carlton, Rancho Mirage to the strains of a Frank Sinatra tribute singer before everyone moved to the ballroom for a California twist on a kosher feast, including a choice of loup de mer or salmon, and agnolotti with truffled sage butter. Music and dancing followed, and when the Cohenchella after-party kicked off, in front of a backdrop of the festival's iconic Ferris wheel, it was like coming, well, full circle. "The best part was being in a place so special to my grandparents, and to us," says Michael. A place that now has one more amazing memory. 01 of 16 The Stationery Jose Villa "We wanted a nontraditional look that said, 'This is going to be fun!'" says Tali of the illustrated suite by Swiss Cottage Designs, which used both offset and letterpress printing. 02 of 16 Welcome Goodies Jose Villa The first project for Tali's company, Welcome and Wishes, was creating the gift bags stocked with snacks, beach totes, and maps of the couple's favorite local haunts. 03 of 16 The Fashions Jose Villa Before the ceremony, the bride, in Monique Lhuillier, and groom, in J.Mueser, took a photo in his grandparents' backyard, flanked by bridesmaids in long navy gowns. 04 of 16 The Jewelry Jose Villa To complement her rose gold pavé Marissa Perry diamond engagement ring and diamond bands by Alexia Leigh and Adam Keshishian Jewelers, Tali borrowed a pair of Boone & Sons diamond drop earrings from Mike's mother for the big day. 05 of 16 A White Bouquet Jose Villa Tali carried an all-white bouquet by Mindy Rice, made of peonies, ranunculus, freesia, and maidenhair fern. Tucked inside: a keepsake swatch from Michael's grandmother's own wedding veil, which she'd parceled out to all of her grandchildren and their brides. 06 of 16 Beautiful Boutonnieres Jose Villa The groomsmen picked their boutonnieres of ranunculus and freesia buds from a display of navy nametags, hand-calligraphed by Handink Calligraphy in white ink. 07 of 16 A Monogrammed Aisle Jose Villa The lacquered aisle was personalized with stencils based on the monogram created for the invitations. 08 of 16 The Flowergirls Jose Villa The bride's nieces, dolled up in Crewcuts dresses, carried peony-and-fern bouquets down the aisle. 09 of 16 A Citrus-Filled Seating Display Jose Villa A bumper crop of lemons in a Plexiglas case framed the display of seating assignments. 10 of 16 Mid-Century Lounging Jose Villa Yellow was the primary color for Tali and Michael's cocktail reception, a continuation of the citrus motif from the couple's sunny escort-card display. Here, a retro-style lounge area for guests to relax in. 11 of 16 The Reception Jose Villa White lacquered tables held centerpieces that included tulips, hydrangeas, and maidenhair ferns. 12 of 16 A Graphic Reception Table Jose Villa A geometric-patterned runner, pierced porcelain lanterns, and gold flatware set a retromodern tablescape. 13 of 16 Love Birds Jose Villa Life-sized porcelain parrots and glimmering gold starburst napkin holders played up the reception's distinctive, Dorothy Draper-inspired vibe. 14 of 16 The Cake Jose Villa Tali and Michael's strawberry-shortcake-flavored layers, decorated with a modern, geometric trellis motif by Charm City Cakes, took the event's sleek style to the next level. 15 of 16 The First Dance Jose Villa With Ray LaMontagne's "You Are the Best Thing" as their accompaniment, Tali and Michael tentatively made their way through their first dance as a married couple. "We took lessons beforehand, but we both have two left feet," Tali says. "I was really excited when we finished it—I felt like I could finally breathe and have fun." 16 of 16 Sources Jose Villa Location, The Ritz Carlton, Rancho MirageEvent planning and design, Shannon Leahy EventsCatering, Savore CateringFlowers and event design, Mindy Rice DesignPhotography, Jose VillaVideography, Blue Kite CinemaStationery, Swiss Cottage DesignsCalligraphy, Hardink CalligraphyCake, Charm City Cakes WestCeremony strings and horns, and reception band, West Coast MusicCocktail-hour music, Luca Ellis DuoAfter-party music, Mike Goldfarb aka DJ SherpaRentals, Blueprint Studios; Classic Party Rentals; Rrivre Works; Yeah RentalsBride's gown, Monique LhuillierBride's engagement ring, Marisa PerryBride's shoes, Jimmy ChooHair, Pauline KardemarkMakeup, Thierry Pourtoy of Palette on the GoFlower-girl dresses, J.CrewGroom's suit, shirt, and tie, and other menswear (suits and ties), Doyle and MueserGroom's shoes, Edward GreenGroom's watch, IWC SchaffhausenLighting, Images by LightingTransportation, Cardiff Limousine & TransportationCustom Fabrications, Revelry Event DesignersPhoto booth, TomfooleryRehearsal dinner and welcome party design, Ed Libby & CompanySound, Design SoundStylist, Maradee WahlWelcome boxes, Welcome and Wishes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit