A French, Parisian Cafe-inspired wedding in the American Riviera

The Weekend

Susan and Telly married at Hotel Californian with a design inspired by their favorite restaurants - Bar Cecil in Palm Springs and CouCou in LA - dark, moody, chic, and playfully unexpected. With the venue spanning three areas, the experience shifted throughout the day: garden ceremony, Parisian bistro cocktail hour, then a smooth transition into nighttime lounge energy for dinner and dancing.

A black, white, and brown palette leaned into the ballroom’s architecture and paired beautifully with walnut bars. Escort cards doubled as polaroid-style guest photos while sunset cocktail hour delivered live music and abundant stations, including a sushi bar, then dinner featured a custom menu highlight: Steak Frites.

Personal touches carried the night: coffee cart with custom logo foam art and handwritten notes at each place setting. Guests departed with baklava and rugelach as a nod to each of Telly and Susan’s heritages, alongside quiet details, like Telly’s embroidered tux and Susan’s nod to her mother’s 1980 lace wedding look, that made the celebration feel intimate and lasting.