A Chic Dinner Party Wedding in Palm Springs

In anticipation of attending the University of Arizona in 2006, John Scheer did what any good millennial would: He created a Facebook group and invited his freshman classmates–including Tracy Nour, the fashion influencer behind @SheJustKnows–to join. “John noticed that we would be living just a few doors down from each another, so he messaged me and we ended up on iChat every night before we started school in August,” says Tracy. Of course, when they finally met IRL, they had an instant connection. Ten years later, John told Tracy they were heading to Red Lobster for their anniversary, but she was thrilled when he instead pulled into Tomoko Spa in Beverly Hills. “It was so incredible and I was so happy to be there,” she says. "Getting engaged wasn’t even on my radar." But when the staff brought out Sugarfish sushi for lunch after the couple’s massages, there was a ring box on the tray. “We spent that night at the Hotel Bel Air–John had secretly packed an overnight bag for me, including a shirt that said JOHN across the chest!” Tracy laughs. When they went back home the next day, their living room was filled with their parents and friends, all waiting to celebrate.

“We hadn’t spent much time in Palm Springs, so it wasn’t really on our radar for a wedding venue,” says Tracy. But after looking at properties all over California and John’s home state of Ohio, nothing felt quite right and they expanded their search. “The Avalon was the first hotel we saw in Palm Springs, and John immediately knew it was right for us," Tracy says. "We were even able to buy out the property for the weekend so we could have all of our 165 family and friends staying right there!” The hotel’s chic bungalows and retro accents made it the perfect setting for John and Tracy to host a totally fabulous dinner party for their loved ones. There, Lynden Lane Co. helped turn their Pinterest board into a reality, mixing in lots of greenery, navy blue, and brass accents for their December 9, 2017 nuptials.

Keep scrolling to see more of this fashion-forward wedding, photographed by Katherine Ann Rose!

A typewriter-inspired font gave the couple’s invitations a vintage feeling. They also included this font on Tracy's getting-ready robe and all of their welcome gifts: “We put bottles of red wine in each of our guests’ rooms so they could have some while they got ready,” Tracy explains.

The bride turned to RMINE to create a custom wedding gown that was everything she imagined (and more). “I knew I wanted something a little over-the-top," she says. "After all, it was my one chance to wear a princess dress!” Tracy’s gown featured a deep-V neckline, fluttering lace sleeves, and floaty tiers of tulle.

The bridesmaids all wore white dresses, each choosing a design they loved. “My best friend Simone doesn’t love dresses, so she found the perfect white pants and button down,” says Tracy. Each woman topped her updo with a crown of white blooms, and carried a single white rose.

Tracy walked down the aisle with her father, while John made his way to the altar with both of his parents. “My dad and I were surprisingly so relaxed,” the bride recalls. The pair’s dog, Rami, acted as their ring bearer, and was a little confused before he spotted John and Tracy. “He sprinted down the aisle, with our rings tied to his collar, then watched from the front row with my mom,” says the bride.

The couple added an emotional twist to their ceremony by exchanging handwritten vows. After, they shared a dramatic kiss in front of urns filled with baby’s breath (a comeback trend we've loving!).

At cocktail hour, guests headed to the bar for Tracy’s favorite cocktail, a West Side, which pairs citrus vodka with mint and lemon juice. After, everyone found their seat assignments on Polaroid-style snaps of every guest.

Soft curtains were drawn back to reveal the reception space, where long tables were set beneath glittering chandeliers.

Blue floral runners were draped over dramatic mustard velvet linens to create an unexpected contrast of colors. “We also mixed white Kelly Wearstler plates with vintage-inspired gold rimmed glasses, and put navy taper candles in gold candlesticks,” Tracy describes.

The couple thought of every detail—even adding personalized paper towels in the restrooms!

Neither Tracy nor John love wedding cake, so instead they served miniature cups of Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding, which disappeared before the couple could have a bite. “John’s dad really wanted us to do a cake cutting, so we got the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory and stuck a sparkler in it. It felt authentic to us and not so serious,” says the bride.

By the end of the night, the couple, the groom’s mom, and most of their guest list was in the pool. In fact, the hotel staff found the bride’s shoes at the bottom the next morning. “We dragged everyone in with us, and I got out in my soaking dress to jump in with every new person,” says Tracy. “We had an incredible time, and that meant our guests did, too."