Some credit the mountain views and towering palm trees, the classic, amenity-laden resorts, or the sunny climate they can depend on for a high-style, indoor-outdoor celebration.
Yet most brides and grooms who choose Greater Palm Springs to host their big day — above all other destinations in the world — say that planning their wedding here didn’t feel like planning at all: It felt like anticipating an exciting and romantic once-in-a-lifetime vacation.
Skilled local planners make it their business to ensure that it’s so. Stress, rush, and hassle have no place at a Coachella Valley affair, where the vibe is easy, relaxed, and custom-designed for making memories with friends and family. What’s more, couples who give in to the valley’s scenic magnetism quickly realize they have far more variety in terms of size, price, and ambiance than they could have imagined.
From luxury golf resorts and designer hotels to historic inns and wide-open spaces that catch a warm desert breeze, Palm Springs and its surrounding desert cities seem to have been created for saying “I do."
On the Green Golf Resorts
Photo by Jennifer Yount photography
Mission Hills Country Club.
Lush, emerald fairways with jaw-dropping views of mountain panoramas are a given at the area’s wide array of resorts with at least 18 holes right on site. Guests can create a full vacation without ever hopping in a car, thanks to restaurants, tennis courts, spas, pools, programs for kids, and, of course, plenty of challenging opportunities for bogeys, birdies, and aces.
Envision a ceremony on an intimate terrace, alongside a sparkling lake, or near a splashing waterfall in the garden. Chandeliered ballrooms with highly polished dance floors make a graceful backdrop for the first evening of your new life together. A dedicated wedding planner personalizes each event to meet your every whim.
You'll Fall in Love With:
Classic Club
Desert Falls Country Club
Desert Willow Golf Resort
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Indian Canyons Golf Resort
Indian Wells Golf Resort
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
La Quinta Resort & Club
Miramonte Resort & Spa
Mission Hills Country Club
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa
Boutique Glamour: Chic Hotels
Photo by Christine Arnold photography
Parker Palm Springs.
Celebrities who haven’t yet purchased a piece of Palm Springs–area paradise often discreetly check into these stylish retreats, which also happen to offer some highly attractive wedding settings, both indoors and out. Beyond at least one signature restaurant and cocktail lounge, these social, scene-making hotels excel in taking the party to the next level with plenty of eye candy and uncommon amenities — from spa packages and billiards to poolside cabanas and DJs.
You'll Fall in Love With:
Ace Hotel
Arrive Palm Springs (opening in 2015)
Avalon Hotel Palm Springs
Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs
Parker Palm Springs
Riviera Palm Springs
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
The Saguaro Palm Springs
Time Warp: Midcentury Properties
Photo courtesy of beau monde villas
Twin Palms Frank Sinatra Estate.
In what just might be the modernism capital of the country, architecturally significant venues abound. Ease back into the heyday of midcentury bliss and host a swingin’ affair with poolside cocktails, low-slung furnishings, and an irresistible retro soundtrack. Design buffs can plan their big day at a midcentury modern home rental or one of the iconic hotels restored to reflect this stylish era and its flair for indoor-outdoor living.
You'll Fall in Love With:
Arthur Elrod’s Escape (estate)
Century Palm Springs (hotel)
Del Marcos Hotel * Desert Riviera Hotel
Desert Hills Hotel * Frederick Loewe Estate
Gene Autry Residence at Parker Palm Springs
Hotel Lautner
Orbit In and The Hideaway
Palm Springs Rendezvous
Twin Palms Frank Sinatra Estate
William Cody Estate in Southridge
Romantic Charm: Local Landmarks
photo by matthews david studio
Spencer's Restaurant in Palm Springs.
Lovebirds have a soft spot for the Spanish architecture, quiet pathways, and lush landscaping of these elegant venues that embody Old Palm Springs. Intimate guest lists are an ideal fit for these enchanting hideaways — some of which date back to the 1920s and ’30s. Add your personal touch to the photogenic ambiance that’s ready-made for romance, and linger a little longer to kick off the honeymoon!
You'll Fall in Love With:
Andreas Hotel & Spa
Casa Cody
Colony Palms Hotel
Ingleside Inn
Korakia Pensione
Le Vallauris Restaurant
O’Donnell House
Spencer’s Restaurant
Triada Palm Springs
Villa Royale Inn
The Willows Historic Palm Springs Inn
Offbeat Celebration: Unusual Spaces
photo by dorry wynham/celebrations of joy
Pioneertown in the high desert.
The element of surprise infuses weddings that stray from tradition at these creative locales. Eclectic and original, they offer an exciting alternative to the expected dinner-and-dance routine. Take over a museum by night, slip off the grid in the rustic cabins of the high desert, express your artsy sides in a white tented photo studio, or whisk your guests up the scenic mountainside in the world’s largest rotating tramcar. Now that’s dramatic!
You'll Fall in Love With:
Animal Sanctuary
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs Art Museum
Pioneertown
Regency Ranch
Snapshot Palm Springs
Sparrows Lodge
Impressively Private: Grand Estate
photo courtesy of colony 29
Colony 29.
Hole up in ultimate exclusivity at one of the area’s most beautiful private homes. Away from the crowds, you’re free to set the pace and design the atmosphere for your weekend-long wedding event. Behind tall hedges and double doors, enter into a lavish escape, complete with a private pool and spa and a kitchen equipped for a chef or catering company to serve you and your guests. Whether you opt for a historic property with its own tennis court, a modern masterpiece, world-class residence, or hillside compound dotted with cottages, you’ll enjoy days and nights in a dreamy place to call your own.
You'll Fall in Love With:
Bougainvillea Estate
Casa de los Arcos
Casa de Monte Vista
Casa Leonardo
Cielo Estate
Colony 29
Cree Estate
Desert Ridge Estate
Henry Mancini Estate
The Solomon Estate
Thirteen Palms
Villa Carmelita
To browse additional private rentals:
Natural Wonder: Outdoor Weddings
photo by howard wise
Laut 47.
The Coachella Valley flaunts some of its best assets care of Mother Nature’s glorious landscapes. The panoramas are as big and bold as they come when you step outside of four walls to say your vows amid the natural splendor. Vast views, consistently gorgeous weather, and a myriad of places to plan a picturesque, al fresco occasion draw outdoorsy couples across the globe each year. This true destination for those who adore the endless blue sky and clear starry nights includes gardens, canyons, rugged terrain, and peaceful estates.
You'll Fall in Love With:
Corona Yacht Club
Empire Polo Club
Laut 47
The Living Desert Zoo & Botanical Garden
Indian Canyons
Jackalope Ranch Restaurant
Joshua Tree National Park
Moorten Botanical Garden
Smoke Tree Ranch
Tahquitz Canyon
