The love story of Shelby Heitman and Andrew Scott began when they met through a mutual friend, mostly by accident, but it was love at first sight for the pair. They were engaged only eight days after initially meeting. The couple realized their family and friends might think they were mad, so they thought it best not to widely share the news for several more months.

After nine years of amorous bliss, Andrew’s friend from New Zealand visited and urged the betrothed to finally marry in front of loved ones and throw a spectacular celebration for all to attend. Their biggest dilemma proved to be the location of the wedding, as they would have many guests traveling from all over the world.

“We finally agreed on a destination wedding in Palm Springs because the desert locale meant a lot to me,” the bride reveals of the exciting time. “We planned to incorporate color in unexpected ways, but still create a beautiful California vibe that would wow all those traveling from overseas.”

With the help of their professional wedding planner, David Pressman of David Pressman Events, Shelby and Andrew worked on crafting a wedding weekend, rather than focusing on just the big day itself. They consider themselves foodies and loved the idea of serving fresh foods – farm-to-table style and arranged for a grand outdoor dinner party in lieu of a typical reception format.

Another priority for Shelby and Andrew was to highlight each of their cultures, so they designed a unique menu with the guidance of a chef they adore from Utah. Chef Shon Foster embraced their idea of using local growers and created fare that showcased California produce, along with New Zealand recipe twists incorporated into the cuisine.

An impressive welcome party created the ideal environment for friends and family from around the world to get acquainted with one another, enjoy high-quality food and wine, and take in the desert views. The following day, the expansive private estate filled with palm trees, mountain panoramas, and more was transformed into a different world, bringing the couple’s distinct vision to life.

Floral masterpieces were dotted throughout – from the stunning ceremony arbor to collections of understated bunches on dinner tables – whilst the atypical color scheme was carried out to perfection and seen everywhere, beginning on stationery all the way through to tablescape details.

“We planned to incorporate color in unexpected ways, but still create a beautiful California vibe that would wow all those traveling from overseas.”

Shelby’s mother walked her down the aisle to the song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver. The bride wore a feminine gown with a dolman-style bodice and an illusion cutout. It was a sophisticated look that paired well with the groom’s choice in attire. Andrew was handsome in a custom jade-hued sports coat and ivory pants, accessorized with a traditional pounamu, a meaningful green stone from New Zealand. Their longtime friend, Skylar Yancey, officiated the short, sentimental service, which included handwritten vows penned by the couple.

The timing of the wedding coincided with the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals – a game that was particularly important to the newlyweds and other attendees. “As a New Zealander and lifelong rugby fan, it was critical to show a live feed of the game,” Andrew confides. In order to do this, an oversized outdoor video screen was installed on the grounds. To add more happiness to an already perfect day, New Zealand defeated the number-one-ranked team: Ireland. “Many of the American guests and non-rugby aficionados were completely amused by the ‘Kiwis’ obsession for the sports team,” expresses the groom.

After a memorable speech given by Andrew’s son, late-night dancing to a DJ, as well as additional merriment, Shelby made sure that everyone was offered a box of freshly made tacos. “In Shelby style, no guest would be leaving her event without something delicious to take home and enjoy,” the groom affectionately says of his new wife. Shelby urges others to be true to themselves when planning their nuptials. “Don’t follow a formula or copy others; figure out who you are, who you love, and what you want to convey about your relationship and view of the world,” she emphasizes.

This real wedding was originally published in the Winter 2025 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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