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. Christen and Billy's California Desert Wedding
Martha Stewart Weddings

Christen and Billy's California Desert Wedding

Skip gallery slides
Pin
christen-billy-wedding-couple-061-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

The natural landscape inspired this duo's laid-back celebration.

Start Slideshow

1 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Couple

christen-billy-wedding-couple-061-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Christen Mitchell's family has been going to the desert in California since she was young. When she and Billy DeLaney moved to Los Angeles, they started exploring the area more. After falling in love with Joshua Tree, they decided to hold their April 4, 2014, wedding nearby, getting inspired by the location's colors, textures, and natural unpredictability

"We wanted to see what would happen if you moved a black-tie option wedding to a landscape that looked like Mars," says the bride of the location, Dèsert Aerie. 

1 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Bridal Bouquet

christen-billy-wedding-bouquet-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Moon Canyon created Christen's bouquet of roses, amaryllis, ranunculus, and fritillaria.

2 of 25

3 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Fashions

christen-billy-wedding-couple-061-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Billy wore a J.Crew suit and Merrin & Gussy tie clip. Christen accessorized her silk Stone Fox Bride dress with Jutta Neumann sandals, and a headpiece she made from two Litter SF anklets.

3 of 25

Advertisement

4 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Jewelry

christen-billy-wedding-jewelry-007-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Christen, a jewelry designer, created all of the pieces she paired with her dress.

4 of 25

5 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Music

christen-billy-wedding-musicians-074-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

The Get Down Boys freestyled music as the bride walked down the aisle. "It was too much pressure to pick just one song, so I told them to just go for it," Christen recalls.

5 of 25

6 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Processional

Bride and Groom at Ceremony Altar
Credit: Max & Friends

Christen entered the ceremony on the arm of her father, passing under a preexisting archway that had been spruced up with protea and wax flowers for the celebration.

6 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Ceremony

christen-billy-wedding-kiss-101-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

The couple exchanged vows they wrote themselves—and their rings (hers was Mociun, his was a c|a|m original)—under a structure built with natural wood and topped with a crocheted cloth.

7 of 25

8 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Special Keepsake

christen-billy-wedding-huppa-054-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

The crocheted textile is now in their living room at home.

8 of 25

9 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Rockin' Details

Pastel and Pyrite Table Setting
Credit: Max & Friends

Hand-painted rocks, with natural quartz scattered among them, anchored the ceremony structure.

9 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Guests

christen-billy-wedding-ceremony-086-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

140 loved ones joined them for the early-evening ceremony.

10 of 25

11 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Kiddos

christen-billy-wedding-kids-147-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Christen's nephews (in J.Crew) served as the ring bearers and her niece (in a vintage frock) was the flower girl. According to the bride, they stole the show.

11 of 25

12 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Bridal Party

christen-billy-wedding-bridesmaids-108-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Three of Christen's friends were bridesmaids and wore white dresses of their own choosing.

12 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Special Gift

christen-billy-wedding-gifts-106-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Christen wanted to give her 'maids something personal, so she designed a collection of jewelry for them. "They wore it with their own jewelry, and I loved how they mixed it to fit each of their personal styles," she says.

13 of 25

14 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pretty Posies

christen-billy-wedding-bouquets-036-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

The bridesmaids carried petite bouquets of larkspur and delphinium tied with leather cording. They also wore floral crowns.

14 of 25

15 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Groomsmen

Bride and Groom at Ceremony Altar
Credit: Max & Friends

Billy's groomsmen looked sharp in J.Crew suits in hues that matched their surroundings.

15 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cocktails and Merriment

christen-billy-wedding-cocktails-164-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Since it took a while to get to the Joshua Tree location, the couple decided to keep guests there for a low-key reception. Pharmacie crafted custom cocktails befitting the desert setting, including a margarita made with tequila, cilantro, lime, and angostura orange bitters.

The signage for the cocktail menu was designed using several symbols Christen frequently incorporates when creating her jewelry, an idea developed by the couple's event planners and designers, Bash Please.

16 of 25

17 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cheers!

christen-billy-wedding-toast-174-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

The maid of honor and best man recited personal and comical toasts, which had the crowd (and the couple) in stitches.

17 of 25

18 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Spiritual Sentiments

christen-billy-wedding-sticks-038-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Palo Santo sticks are used around the world for energy cleansing and blessings—similar to white sage, which the couple uses in their home. The sticks, which are thought to be holy and to bring peace, were a spiritual token of gratitude given to guests. 

18 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tasty Bites

christen-billy-wedding-food-172-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Bread & Water catered up a buffet of healthy and flavorful cuisine, such as a farro salad with roasted spring onion, oyster mushrooms, shaved radishes, herbs, and feta cheese.

19 of 25

20 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Centerpieces With Character

christen-billy-wedding-centerpiece-048-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Arrangements of air plants and flowers were mixed with tealights to dress up the round tables. The colors of the sunset inspired the palette for the centerpieces.

20 of 25

21 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Desert Décor

christen-billy-wedding-sticks-046-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Small sticks wrapped in embroidery floss nodded to Navajo walking sticks and added to the centerpieces.

21 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

The Wedding Cake

christen-billy-wedding-cake-161-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

The couple cut into a gluten- and dairy-free vanilla cake from BabyCakes.

22 of 25

23 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Two Is Better Than One

christen-billy-wedding-cake-163-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

A chocolate cake, topped with and surrounded by mini succulents, was also served.

23 of 25

24 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Night to Remember

christen-billy-wedding-night-184-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends
See Christen and Billy’s Reception in Palm Springs

Bash Please suggested having a neon sign reading "love is vast and infinite," which Christen and Billy instantly adored. The sign was created to be a surprise in the middle of the desert that guests could see from the reception. It was lit up at dusk, and the newlyweds walked out to pose for photos before the words, which now glow on in the newlyweds' home.

The following day, the couple and their guests continued the celebration, with a pool party and larger reception in Palm Springs.

24 of 25

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 25

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sources

christen-billy-wedding-couple-178-011-s111597-1014.jpg
Credit: Max & Friends

Photography: Max & Friends

Location: Dèsert Aerie

Event Planning and Design; Stationery: Bash Please 

Catering: Bread and Water

Flowers: Moon Canyon

Videography: Shark Pig

Cake: BabyCakes

Music: The Get Down Boys

Rentals: Elan Rentals 

Cocktails: Pharmacie

25 of 25

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    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 25 The Couple
    2 of 25 The Bridal Bouquet
    3 of 25 The Fashions
    4 of 25 The Jewelry
    5 of 25 The Music
    6 of 25 The Processional
    7 of 25 The Ceremony
    8 of 25 A Special Keepsake
    9 of 25 Rockin' Details
    10 of 25 The Guests
    11 of 25 The Kiddos
    12 of 25 The Bridal Party
    13 of 25 A Special Gift
    14 of 25 Pretty Posies
    15 of 25 The Groomsmen
    16 of 25 Cocktails and Merriment
    17 of 25 Cheers!
    18 of 25 Spiritual Sentiments
    19 of 25 Tasty Bites
    20 of 25 Centerpieces With Character
    21 of 25 Desert Décor
    22 of 25 The Wedding Cake
    23 of 25 Two Is Better Than One
    24 of 25 A Night to Remember
    25 of 25 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

    Christen and Billy's California Desert Wedding
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.