The whimsy of Palm Springs acted as a muse for Karley and Alex as they planned their storybook destination wedding with only their parents by their sides. With the help of planner Trish Jones from The Walk Down the Aisle, the couple transformed their rose-colored vision into something truly special, captured by Mary Costa Photography. “She thought of everything,” Karley says, “from cotton candy in our Champagne to pink disco balls — making every moment feel magical.”
Here, Karley shares how this pastel dream came to life and offers advice for the color curious.
Florals by Prism Floral Design.
What inspired the pink wedding theme?
Pink has always been my happy color! It was never a question — I knew from the start that my wedding would be a pastel dream. I never pictured myself in a traditional setting or in a white dress. The moment we decided on a microwedding, I wanted it to feel like stepping into a perfectly curated paradise of pastels, sparkle, and playfulness. And it doesn’t hurt that my partner, Alex, is so laid-back and let me run wild with it.
Was there a specific person who influenced your vision?
Absolutely! Trixie Mattel — my favorite drag queen of all time! — was a huge inspiration. Her over-the-top, pink aesthetic set the perfect tone, which is why getting ready at the Trixie Motel felt like a dream. Teuta Matoshi, my dream dress designer, also played a massive role. Her dresses are pure whimsy and romance, exactly the kind of magical, feminine, and unique energy I wanted for the day. And of course, Palm Springs itself — with its midcentury modern, candy-hued dreamscape — felt like the ultimate muse.
Tell us about your pink dress! What made you choose color over white?
White was never even a consideration for me — I wanted something so me: extravagant, sparkly, pink, and unapologetically extra. I’d been obsessed with Teuta Matoshi for basically a decade, and when I saw the dress online, it was like fate. I gasped out loud and literally missed my train stop because I was so distracted. Pink is my power color, my happy color, my everything, so it felt like destiny to wear it on my wedding day.
How did you extend the theme throughout the venue, décor, and details?
Every detail was chosen to match the pink, pastel, and playful aesthetic. Getting ready at the Trixie Motel set the tone, with its all-pink décor. My accessories were carefully curated — matching Aldo x Wicked heels and bag (a nod to my favorite musical), pink florals, and even small touches like initial charms on my shoes for a personalized feel. We even rented a pink vintage Thunderbird, adding a touch of old-school glam to the day.
How did you balance the theme with still making it feel elegant and wedding-worthy?
To me, “wedding-worthy” means creating a day that reflects both you and your partner — my dramatic yet elegant dress, Alex’s classic Lululemon suit, and the romantic desert backdrop of Palm Springs kept everything dreamy without being over-the-top. We’re adventurous, so I made sure Alex’s style and love for exploration were part of the day. His suit was effortlessly him — classic, stylish, and comfortable. True to form, Alex kicked off the morning with a scenic desert hike, and our intimate ceremony, complete with handwritten vows and a heartfelt Polish speech, made the day deeply personal.
Details like cotton candy–topped rosé and a heart-shaped cake dotted with disco balls brought the fanciful vision to life.
What was the most unexpected or creative pink element of the day?
The pink Thunderbird! It wasn’t in the original plan, but once I saw it, I knew it had to be part of our wedding day. It added the perfect retro, Palm Springs touch, and taking photos with it felt like stepping into a vintage dream.
One of the most special parts of the day?
I surprised Alex with my own rendition of “Grow Old With You” by Adam Sandler for our first dance. Just the two of us, dancing in the desert at sunset, with only our photographer there to capture it. It was intimate, heartfelt, and the perfect little cinematic moment to kick off our marriage. Cue the tears.
What advice would you give to other couples considering a theme wedding?
Lean into your vision and make it yours. People will have opinions, but if something makes you happy, go for it! Our tiny wedding, in our dream setting, with every detail feeling like us, was the best decision we could have made.
Getting ready and first look held at Trixie Motel. Ceremony held at Casa de Monte Vista. Coordination and design by The Walk Down the Aisle. Photography by Mary Costa Photography. Hair and makeup by Peony and Blush. Florals by Prism Floral Design. Vintage car by Monroe Palm Springs. Wedding cake by Over the Rainbow Desserts.
