A Glam Desert Wedding at Frederick Loewe Estate in Palm Springs, California

When Anna Tou (37 and the creative director at Chipotle) and AJ Keifer (36 and a studio lead at Salesforce.com) decided to wed, the location was a relatively quick decision. “Since we're both New Yorkers by way of San Francisco who grew up in Minnesota, there was no way we were going to find a wedding location to easily accommodate a large number of our guests,” Anna says. “Instead, we decided to pick one of our favorite places, Palm Springs, California.” The couple hosted their 85 guests at an outdoor ceremony reception in the rose garden at Frederick Loewe Estate, which offered a naturally beautiful backdrop for their wedding’s glamorous black-and-white palette. “No property in Palm Springs could compare with Frederick Loewe Estate,” Anna says. “It has a blinding white and glass house nestled like an oasis overlooking an unending, panoramic view of desert and sky. Aesthetically, we took inspiration from the property and city—focusing on desert plants, midcentury-modern furniture and clear acrylic accents.” After the ceremony, guests dug into the crostini bar before taking their seats at long wooden banquet tables under string lights. For dessert, guests were given individual cakes. “Pick what's most important to you and your future mate, and spend your focus there,” Anna says. “Don't worry about checking the box on every tradition, and don't worry about what others want you to do, even if they're your close loved ones. Today of all days is truly your day.” —Carolyn Meers