How Interior Designer Angela Grace Planned a Guest-Centered Wedding in Palm Springs

When interior designer Angela Scaletta first set foot on the grounds of Korakia Pensione, she knew. Nestled in the sun-drenched heart of Palm Springs, the Moroccan-inspired boutique inn had a romance and charm that lingered long after her stay. “Something about it just clicked,” she recalls. “I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was where I wanted to get married.”

Fast forward to a golden September weekend, and that instinct had blossomed into a deeply personal and effortlessly elegant celebration—one that felt more like a weekend-long dinner party than a wedding. Surrounded by their closest family and friends (and their dog, Scout), Angela and her husband Dustin hosted a destination affair that honored their story, their sensibilities, and their unwavering devotion to one another.

*Interior designer Angela Scaletta and her husband Dustin at their wedding venue, Korakia Pensione.*

A Story That Begins and Begins Again

Their journey began at a New Year’s Eve party, where a casual introduction sparked something unmistakable. “There was an instant connection that felt both exciting and completely natural,” Angela says. In a poetic turn of fate, the proposal came full circle—at the stroke of midnight on another New Year’s Eve, overlooking the San Francisco coastline they loved to walk together. “It marked the next chapter of our lives,” she says. “A new beginning.”

Designing for Experience, Not Just Aesthetic

Despite her professional eye for interiors, Angela approached wedding planning from a refreshingly guest-centric perspective. “I was more focused on the experience than the design,” she says. “Things like personalized welcome gifts, a meaningful menu, and making sure our guests—who all traveled to be with us—felt celebrated and comfortable.”

The design, however, spoke volumes in its restraint and romance. Inspired by Korakia’s warm, textural backdrop, the couple leaned into a palette of soft pinks and greens, incorporating unexpected florals like proteas and creative arrangements by Annie Armstrong of Best Day Ever Floral Design. Lanterns, candlelight, and thoughtful details echoed the magic of the setting without overpowering it.

Heartfelt Touches

The ceremony was rich with emotion—marked by a simple tribute to Angela’s late mother, who was honored with a fresh lei placed lovingly on the chair where she would have sat. The couple’s dog, Scout, served as a four-legged ring bearer and photo companion. Espresso martinis (the couple’s signature cocktail) made an appearance after dinner, and what began as a two-person speech lineup turned into a cascade of heartfelt words from friends and family, leaving few dry eyes.

Even the desert heat couldn’t wilt the joy. “It ended up being unseasonably warm,” Angela admits. “But Claudia [Casanova, of One Darling Day] handled it beautifully—iced lavender towels, misters, and a timeline shift made everyone feel comfortable.”

Vendor Wisdom Worth Sharing

With planning support from Claudia, Angela chose her creative team from a thoughtfully curated list. “I trusted her completely,” she says. Highlights include photographer Veronica Rafael of A Heart String, who captured the day with emotional precision, and F10 Catering, whose food was “better than I even dreamed.” But perhaps most impactful was the team at Korakia itself, who treated the entire guest list with genuine care from start to finish.

Advice for Planning Couples

Angela’s biggest takeaway? Don’t sweat every single decision. “Even with a planner or designer, it can feel like a full-time job if you let it,” she notes. “Find someone you trust and let go. Focus on the things that truly matter.”

For Angela and Dustin, what mattered most was creating something meaningful—not just beautiful. And in every flicker of candlelight and every shared laugh under the desert sky, they succeeded.