Staying at the Madonna Inn every year since they started dating, the iconic location was a no-brainer for Kim and Brent when they came to planning their wedding. The kitsch and larger-than-life, maximalist aesthetic was just what they wanted.

The bride’s brother led their ceremony, which was held at the bottom of the gold spiral staircase in the ballroom. “My brother perfectly encapsulated our wedding during his speech”, Kim said. “He said that if I could project a hotel from my soul, it would be the Madonna Inn!”

Kim walked down the aisle to a piano cover of Blink-182’s Dammit, their first kiss was accompanied by Frank Sinatra’s Love and Marriage, and their first dance featured Orville Peck’s haunting rendition of Unchained Melody. “Music has always been such a big part of our relationship,” Kim said. “It was important that it played a central role in our day.”

Surrounded by pink leather chairs and rose-patterned carpets, the couple leaned into the venue’s unique style while still making their day unmistakably their own. The cake was made by the venue, the bride put the bouquets and centrepieces together herself using silk flowers, and they designed and made the own signs and temporary tattoos.

One of the hardest parts of wedding planning for Kim, was finding her outfit. She explained, “Finding the perfect wedding dress was an incredibly challenging journey. I have a background in fashion and unique personal style, so I found myself frustrated by the sea of cookie-cutter wedding dresses that seemed to dominate every bridal shop. I spent countless hours searching every corner of the internet, hoping to find a dress that truly spoke to my aesthetic. The few dresses that caught my eye were priced as extravagantly as a brand new car.”

“After hours of spiraling and feeling increasingly discouraged, I made a pivotal decision: I would make my veil the centrepiece of my look. My dress would simply need to complement the veil, creating a perfect balance. This shift in perspective was transformative. Once I embraced this approach, the right dress seemed to find me effortlessly, and a huge weight lifted from my shoulders.”

One of the biggest lessons Kim took from planning was knowing when to let go. “Just because you can do something yourself doesn’t mean you should,” she admitted. “I spent so much time on little details that could have been outsourced or simplified. It’s important to recognise where to draw the line and ask for help.”

Looking back, the couple cherished the way their wedding reflected their personalities and relationship. “It was everything we wanted,” Kim said. “Our advice is to plan for your wedding, not anyone else’s expectations. I found it frustrating when people offered unsolicited advice, such as ‘just elope’, when I said it was stressful, especially when they themselves had chosen to have a traditional wedding! Ultimately, your wedding should just reflect your love and commitment in a way that feels right for both of you.”