An Intimate Wedding at Korakia Pensione in Palm Springs

Ashley Bradbury works in partnerships at Pinterest, so it is no surprise that she used the platform to plan her Palm Springs, California, wedding to Sean Kane. But instead of going down the rabbit hole with a massive board, she kept her theme to “no theme” and planned the entire wedding in just six months. “I went in with the mindset that you have to just make a decision and go with it,” Ashley says. “Nothing is going to be the end of the world.”

What resulted was a laid-back wedding weekend at Korakia Pensione, a Mediterranean-style retreat in the oasis that is Palm Springs. The destination holds a special place in the couple’s hearts, as it’s where Sean proposed on a weekend getaway after dating for almost five years. (The couple met while working together at Gilt Groupe, when Sean asked Ashley to go on a group bike ride.) The location also offered everything they wanted for their nuptials: an effortless venue that felt more like a backyard party than a formal affair.

The couple’s intimate guest list of 61 stayed on the property, and Korakia’s natural decor set the mood, inspiring Ashley to stick to a natural elements like wood, metallics, and fruit rather than a strict color scheme and theme. Food, drinks, and music took center stage as did laughter, with plenty of inside jokes and a heartfelt yet hilarious toast from Ashley’s father. “I wanted to feel like I was hosting friends and family on a weekend away in a beautiful setting where just one of the activities was the wedding itself,” she says. “Everyone was relaxed and having a good time.”

Keep reading for all the details on Ashley and Sean's desert celebration, coordinated by Claudia Casanova of One Darling Day and photographed by Tida Svy.

Before hitting bridal salons with friends and family, Ashley went dress shopping alone. The gown she ultimately purchased—a silk sheath with intricate silver beading on the neckline—was actually the first one she ever tried on. “I just felt like it was me,” she says.

She accessorized with blue fringe sandals, a silver cuff, and crawler earrings, plus a bouquet of peonies and kumquats.

For their bride and groom gifts, the couple wrote letters to each another that they read aloud before the first look. “Having that moment to read each other’s words was really special,” Ashley says. “I am glad we chose to do it that way instead of in our actual vows.”

The couple’s dramatic ceremony backdrop—bougainvillea pouring over a carved door—was actually part of the venue; they merely added a few floral focal points, like the pink peonies that floated in the fountain. “The only thing I was insistent on was that my florals include peonies,” Ashley says.

An inside joke about pickles ignited giggles during their ceremony. The couple’s photographer had suggested that Sean whisper his favorite vegetable in Ashley’s ear during their engagement shoot, a technique to help him loosen up. The answer? Pickles. So when he started choking up while exchanging vows on their wedding, Ashley quickly grabbed his hand and said, “Pickles.”

The newlyweds exited the ceremony to the Stevie Wonder classic “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”

Cocktail hour took place by the venue’s pool, with casual, Moroccan-inspired lounge areas for guests to sip cocktails.

“We wanted it to feel like we were hosting people like we would at home,” Ashley says. “So we emphasized the guest experience, making sure the food and drinks were top notch.” The couple’s favorite Los Angeles restaurant, Father’s Office, inspired the elevated comfort food including mini beef sliders and burrata crostini.

String lights hung over the reception area, which exuded the relaxed vibe Ashley and Sean wanted for the day. “It’s very characteristic of who we are,” Ashley says. “Very tasteful yet effortless.”

A mix of candles, flowers, and fruit topped the long farm-style tables. As guests sat down, they found custom-colored tiles calligraphed with their names at each place setting. They then dined family-style on a menu that included mushroom pasta and branzino.

The couple took their first spin on the dance floor to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” From there, the music transitioned to ‘90s hip-hop. But did Ashley and Sean did have one additional musical request: The last song had to be “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie.

Ashley and Sean cut into a lemon custard and berry-flavored naked cake accented with fresh blooms.

“Trust your own instinct,” Ashley advises of wedding planning. “You’ll be able to move much faster and not get bogged down by indecision. You’ll be happier with the end product, and most importantly, it will be your wedding.”