The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding in Palm Springs
AS SEEN ON BRIDAL MUSINGS
As a frequent snowbird flocking to the desert for both shameless spa getaways & wild wedding fun, I know quite a lot about getting married in Palm Springs.
I fell in love with Palm Spring weddings a decade ago shooting some of my very first couples in the desert paradise (as it happens, I shoot often at the oh-so-cool Ace Hotel & Swim Club!) There’s a certain magic that Palm Springs offers to couples that, thankfully, is easy to articulate.
Picture this: you say “I do” in a private mid-century estate, surrounded by succulents, impressive Saguaro cacti, colorful bougainvillea & waving date palms under guaranteed sunshine. Then, a technicolor sunset falls over your poolside cocktail hour while some of the finest caterers offer Latin-inspired fare. The party goes well into the night thanks to gorgeous weather & tantalizing libations of tequila & mezcal.
Convinced? Lucky for you I’ve put together this “wedding-in-a-box” guide which basically plans your entire Palm Springs wedding. Yep, I offer to you the insider details for the best venues, planners, photographers, florists & so much more…
How To Get There
Unless you’re lucky enough to live in Southern California, Palm Springs will likely be a destination for you & your guests. Luckily, landing in this desert oasis is quite easy!
1. Fly directly into Palm Springs – As a popular destination, Palm Springs has a super easy airport in the heart of town. While perhaps more expensive (West Coast travelers can often find flight deals!) you’ll save money on renting a car thanks to how small the town is. With Lyft & Uber’s affordable prices and many hotels offering free bicycles and shuttles, you’ll have no trouble getting around town.
2. Fly into Los Angeles (or even San Diego!) & drive – For cheaper flights, you can fly into Los Angeles or San Diego and take the two-hour drive to the desert. (Just make sure your journey isn’t during rush hour!)
Having your own car and an adventurous spirit will mean you can take excursions to nearby Joshua Tree National Park! I often use the app Turo on wedding trips to save money & time normally spent as car rental counters.
Where to Get Married & Stay
In my humble opinion, the best reason to get married in Palm Springs (aside from the weather) is the number of gorgeous wedding venues fitting for any style of bride & groom. You can find quirky boho rentals, gorgeous garden estates, mid-century hotels, Spanish-style villas & country-style ranches.
These are my 10 absolute favorite wedding venues in Palm Springs…
The Ace Hotel & Swim Club – I’m telling you, The Ace Hotel & Swim Club absolutely lives up to the hype! The hotel group synonymous with ‘cool’ renovated this mid-century pool house into a dreamy, desert oasis equipped with enviable chill vibes. With great food (their diner Kings Highway is my favorite breakfast in town!), Insta-worthy pool parties, colorful artwork & experienced wedding team, you’ll be too busy enjoying yourself to have a moment of wedding worry.
The O’Donnell House & The Willows Historic Inn – If you’re googling “best wedding venues with views” here’s your Palm Springs answer. Uniquely tucked on the edge of the San Jacinto Mountains, this lush wedding retreat offers incredible views of rugged mountains and the palm oasis below.
Smoke Tree Ranch– Once a desert retreat for none other than Walt Disney, Smoke Tree Ranch offers an impressive level of privacy for your wedding weekend. With cottage accommodations spread across the vast properly rugged property (it’s all for looks!) & numerous spaces to choose from for each wedding event, you’ll feel like you rented an entire town in the Wild West for your wedding day.
Parker Palm Springs – If you’ve told any Palm Springs-ophile that you’re wedding venue hunting they’ve likely asked: “Have you been to Parker Palm Springs?” The hotel is a classic choice in the best way possible – if you want an experienced venue that can ‘do it all’ Parker Palm Springs can likely make your wildest wedding dream come true thanks to their incredibly experienced wedding team (just look at this elephant entrance!)
Villa Royale – If you’re looking for a space that embodies everything we love about Palm Springs, Villa Royale might just be it. The luxurious boutique hotel evokes daydreams of swanky private getaways of Hollywood’s finest thanks to its Spanish style architecture, mid-century modern decor, secluded garden, turquoise pool & tantalizing new restaurant ready to cater your party.
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