When they first met at a Super Bowl party in Texas, Adriane “Ace” Harper was a breath of fresh air for Matt Sorum. The drummer for hard rock bands Guns N’ Roses and more recently, Velvet Revolver, frequently met women who were very aware of his celebrity. Ace, a singer and backup dancer for groups such as Duran Duran, seemed to have no clue. So, naturally, he asked for her phone number.
According to Ace, when they returned to Los Angeles and he called, she honestly did not remember who he was. “I was playing hard to get without even knowing it,” she says. Because of their age difference and her reluctance to start a serious relationship, Matt had to be very persistent. “But he won me over,” says Ace. Within six months, they had fallen in love, moved in together, and she began to tour the world with Matt and his band.
“IT’S SUPER SPECIAL FOR US TO HAVE ALL THOSE MOMENTS CAPTURED WITH OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.”
The couple decided to plan their wedding themselves, selecting everything from the hue of the napkins to chairs and cushions, flowers and food. “Matt has traveled and seen the beautiful things of life,” says Ace. “He has impeccable taste.” Since their everyday lives exist in the edgy world of rock and roll, they chose a romantic Old Hollywood theme for their special day.
Matt discovered the “magical” Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs while looking for an inspiring place to write songs for an album. “It felt tranquil, spiritual and removed from it all,” says Matt. “So I called Ace and told her I’d found the place to get married.” They rented the entire hotel for the three-day celebration.
Large format invitations were so “stellar,” according to the groom, that no one could say “no,” including John Stamos, Jane Lynch, Steven Tyler, Juliette Lewis, Dave Navarro, Gina Gershon, Billy Idol and fellow bandmates Slash and Duff McKagan. Matt, of course, planned all the music.
Ace walked down the aisle on the arm of her dad to “All You Need Is Love” played by a quartet. “I’ll never forget seeing Matt’s face with the mountains and palm trees in the background,” she says. The “spiritual” ceremony included a friend reading a poem and another singing.
Performing in front of Ace’s professional dancer friends was nerve-wracking, but Matt got high marks for their fully choreographed first dance as a married couple. Then, as guests sat down to their poolside meal, they were treated to Old Hollywood entertainment by the Aqualillies synchronized water ballet troupe.
Memorable moments included a champagne toast with the aptly named Ace of Spades champagne and a dessert table with cupcakes in ten flavors, macarons, cake pops, a praline toffee dessert shooter, brownies and more.
“When people asked who would be our band, I told them I was putting all our friends to work,” says Matt, who organized their guests into the night’s house band. The dancing started with a DJ, but transitioned into a rocking live music event. Ace, who is part of the band Diamond Baby, sang a Rolling Stones cover.
Never into following traditional pathways, Matt and Ace “pre-honeymooned” in Paris before the wedding. Then, after friends and family headed home, the couple spent a few more days in Palm Springs relaxing, followed by a week in Laguna Beach with their French bulldogs.
WEDDING TALENT
Location and Caterer: Colony Palms Hotel, Palm Springs, CA; Cake: Over the Rainbow Cupcakes & Desserts, Palm Springs, CA; Event Design, Planner, Floral Design, Linen, Rentals and Lighting: Artisan Event Floral Décor, Palm Springs, CA; Stationery: Jonathan Wright and Company, Los Angeles, CA; Wedding Dress, Veil and Shoes: Monique Lhuillier; Groom’s Tuxedo: John Varvatos; Groom’s Shoes: Dior; Engagement Ring, Wedding Bands, Bride’s Jewelry and Cufflinks: Alan Friedman, Beverly Hills, CA; Entertainment: Aqualillies, Los Angeles, CA; Entertainment: DJ Morty Coyle, Los Angeles, CA