Tucked away in the palm-lined corners of Indio, California, Tyler and Troy’s spring wedding brought together timeless glamour and laid-back joy in the most thoughtful way. The photographer, Emily Hendrick, captured every sunlit and emotionally rich moment, preserving fleeting glances, shared laughter, and quiet pauses with gentle precision. With a vintage aesthetic rooted in personal history, this wedding at the Bougainvillea Estate felt like a golden-age Hollywood story retold under the desert sky.
Location: Indio, California, USA
Style: Elegant, Old Hollywood–inspired
Time of planning: 16 months
Number of guests: 100
Setting: Estate
Season: Spring
Tyler and Troy Underwood share more than just a last name, they also share a passion for fine jewelry and a love story that began across a showroom counter. Both graduate gemologists and designers, they met while working at a local jeweler in Tyler’s hometown. Their connection grew naturally from friendship, sparked by their future officiant and manager, and deepened across the miles through long-distance love. Troy’s proposal, complete with a cheeky twist — “I can’t wait to spend the rest of your life with me” — sealed their fate in unforgettable style.
With friends and family scattered across the country, they envisioned a destination wedding that would feel like an intimate retreat. For them, the celebration wasn’t just about one day. It was about bringing everyone they loved into a space that felt like a gift. A little something extra. A lagniappe.
Inspiration & Location
Held at the Bougainvillea Estate, the wedding was inspired by the effortless chic of Old Hollywood soirées. Think Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley lounging in Palm Desert, a time when parties felt luxurious yet simple: great music, flowing drinks, fancy booze, and warm laughter under the stars.
The couple chose to lean into that vibe, stripping away any unnecessary wedding traditions and trusting the venue’s natural beauty to do the heavy lifting.
Getting Ready & Bridal Fashion
Getting ready was its own kind of party. Tyler and her bridesmaids lounged in matching floral shorts and sipping champagne under the morning sun. The energy was high, and the backdrop was so vibrant. A local merchant sourced flowers in her color scheme, and Tyler invited her bridesmaids to create their own bouquets during the bridal party luncheon — a sweet, hands-on moment that made the getting ready time even more personal.
For her wedding look, Tyler wore a pearl-adorned gown by Watters that shimmered in the California light. Her long veil, speckled with delicate 3D florals, cascaded to the ground with a quiet drama that made her bridal entrance unforgettable.
She paired the gown with Yves Saint Laurent heels and heirloom accessories from Underwoods Fine Jewelers, the family business where she and Troy both work.
Her “something old” was a bracelet from her late grandmother, worn alongside diamonds and a surprise gift from Troy: a never-worn vintage Rolex his grandfather had saved since the 1970s. The stunning ring, an octagonal halo with green stones set in blush velvet, was a nod to their shared passion for gemology.
Groom’s Look
Troy opted for understated polish in a black tux he’d worn to countless friends’ weddings: sentimental, familiar, and perfectly tailored. His look was completed with a Rolex passed down from his father, cufflinks from Underwoods, and an air of cool confidence that matched the day’s tone. There was no fuss, just a classic style rooted in meaning and tradition.
Ceremony
The ceremony unfolded on the estate’s front lawn, beneath a natural altar created by two palm trees flanked by vibrant bougainvillea. Guests took their seats on wooden chairs lined with white ribbon bows and red confetti tucked beneath, subtle touches that added just enough polish.
One of the most tender moments came when Tyler walked down the aisle with her father. The anticipation, the emotion, the quiet joy on her face, every second was etched with meaning.
As the couple had hoped, the сeremony was full of reverence and spirit. Classical hymns and personalized vows created a sense of stillness, and just as the crowd began to sing “God of Wonders,” the wind returned, dancing through the trees in perfect, unscripted timing.
"Guests wouldn’t stop talking about it all night, with many mentioning it brought tears to their eyes."
Private Moment
As the sun dipped lower, the newlyweds slipped away for a quiet stroll around the estate’s fountain garden. The light was golden, the air calm. Emily documented the moment with sensitivity and grace, capturing their quiet embrace and the soft glances exchanged between them.
It was a pause between celebration and tradition, a moment just for the two of them, wrapped in peace and that gentle hum of “we really did it”.
Dinner & Party
The reception kicked off with a spirited entrance from the couple and quickly flowed into cocktails by the pool, surrounded by string lights and upbeat conversation. Guests mingled with signature drinks in hand: Old Fashioneds, margaritas, and espresso martinis.
Dinner and toasts were followed by a show-stopping cake cutting and champagne tower, with Troy donning a bright orange cap that matched those handed out to guests. The cake was a tiered cheesecake — unexpected, unpretentious, and a hit with the crowd.
Their first dance began with a slow sway to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis. Then, the tempo kicked up with a mashup into “Land of 10,000 Dances,” as the couple launched into a fun choreographed routine. Guests quickly joined in, turning the moment into a full-on dance floor celebration that carried well into the night.
Later, a live saxophonist from Bass & Bliss joined the dance floor, weaving through the crowd with electric energy.
As the night wound down, a few final guests gathered for a last nightcap in the hot tub. Tyler mentioned she had quietly hoped for a little rain, just enough for good luck. Almost as if on cue, a light drizzle began to fall. Overjoyed, she rushed to grab an empty water bottle to save a few drops. Inspired by an idea she’d heard years ago, she plans to freeze the water and use it one day to christen their future children.
It was a small moment, almost private, but it captured the essence of the entire day: meaningful, unexpected, and full of heart.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t let social media convince you that your wedding has to be extravagant to be memorable. Once all was said and done, I worried that I hadn’t done enough or had enough, but nearly everyone I spoke to said it was the best wedding they’d ever been to. I think guests feel more relaxed and able to enjoy themselves when there isn’t decor dripping from every corner of the venue. We didn’t want our wedding to feel like a wedding. We wanted it to feel like a backyard party with our best friends.
PHOTOGRAPHERS Emily Hendrick Photography, The Powers Photo | VIDEOGRAPHER The Power’s Photography | VENUE Bougainvillea Estate | CATERING Carina’s Catering | MUSIC Bass & Bliss | JEWELER Underwoods Fine Jewelers | REHEARSAL DINNER Jilian’s
