Edyta and Jared's Carmen Miranda-Themed Rehearsal Party

Updated on September 20, 2018

The Couple

Palm Springs, California, set the scene for the multiday wedding getaway of Edyta Szyszlo and Jared Grellner. Saturday, guests arrived and relaxed in the resort town. Sunday, there was swimming, tram rides, horseback riding, biking, and other activities available for them to enjoy. And when Sunday night rolled around, the fun kicked up a notch with a Carmen Miranda-themed backyard bash, with plenty of color, costumes, and carousing, before the bride and groom became husband and wife the following day.

See Edyta and Jared’s Palm Springs Wedding

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The Setting

With a few days of festivities planned before their "Matri-Monday" wedding, the couple showed off their big-day venue a day early. The private estate was the wedding-day reception site but doubled as the rehearsal party's locale, too.

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The Fashions

Edyta wore a French Connection short-sleeved white shift dress with silver sequins and rose gold sandals. Jared donned seersucker pants, a chambray blazer, and polka-dot shirt, all from J.Crew. He rounded out his ensemble with gray Prada kilted shoes, a custom brooch, and a Zelma Rose pocket square.

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A Handmade Topper

Known for her fruit-laden headdresses and flamboyant flair, Carmen Miranda sure had style. Using silk flowers picked up from a local craft store, hot glue, and a scarf, Edyta made a custom headpiece inspired by that style for the occasion.

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A Fun Dress Code

The pair's invitation included a "wedding vacation" booklet outlining the four days of play, including this poolside party. It encouraged guests to "come Carmen Miranda style" and Edyta and Jared later emailed mentioning that everyone should google or watch videos for sartorial inspiration from the Brazilian performer.

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In True Spirit

Many of the female guests also made their own toppers, and selected colorful garb to get into the theme of the night.

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Festive Accents

Cheree Berry Paper designed the bright cocktail napkins, which were foil-stamped with "Chica Chica Boom Chic."

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The Drinks

Rum punch was dressed up with straws boasting fruit-shaped honeycomb paper toppers, which were set out in pen cups accessorized with pom-pom trim. Several San Francisco-based beers were also served.

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His Favorite Thing

"Everyone really made a point to participate in the Carmen Miranda dress code and spirit of the tropical party," Jared says of his favorite part of the night.

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The Fun Crowd

All 34 loved ones invited to the wedding also attended this celebration. The casual affair felt like a house party, with music streamed from the speaker system, and everyone pitching in to grill the food and make salads. A photo booth was set up inside to capture another side of the fun.

"Seeing all our friends and family mingle the night away in a fabulous Palm Springs home together was my favorite part of the night," Edyta says. "Cooking together, dancing, chatting, cheers-ing away with no fussy traditions, and having a place for everyone to gather around the outdoor fireplace after a family-style meal was perfection."

On the menu for dessert in the desert: Paletas (Mexican popsicles) in tropical flavors such as coconut, strawberry, and mango.

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