Rare is a list of top destination wedding locations that leaves off Greater Palm Springs. The Southern California desert charms with its predictable (and perfect) weather, romantic Old Hollywood history, and general vacation vibe — all without flying to some faraway locale.
Event and hospitality consultant Lauren Maloney notes that folks seem to favor multiday celebrations in the desert. Planner Laura Josefina Kelly of Josefina Events agrees: “One hundred percent of my clients host at least two-day events, if not three.”
Dreaming of an extended gathering of your own? Here’s everything you need to know to host a weekend affair your guests will be talking about for years to come.
Sami and Travis tied the knot at La Quinta Resort & Club, then kept the celebration going with a day-after pool party for guests who stayed to soak up the fun.
Choosing the Right Accommodations
One perk of hosting a full-weekend event? Your wedding venue and your guests’ accommodations are often one and the same. The right setting depends on your guest count.
“I do a lot of weddings at La Quinta Resort, for example,” Kelly says. “It’s a much bigger space for the really big groups.” Larger resorts offer amenities like restaurants, bars, and multiple pools for guests who may not be hanging with the spouses-to-be all weekend.
Those planning a more private and intimate celebration might explore taking over one of the desert’s dozens of boutique hotels for a few days. “The opportunity to do a full property buyout simply doesn’t exist in every market. The valley has so many great, unique venues,” says planner Courtney Tibbets of After the Engagement. And many come with a story — from Casa Cody (the oldest hotel in Palm Springs, originally owned by Harriet Cody, the cousin of Buffalo Bill) to the Parker Palm Springs (a favorite for its Jonathan Adler design with roots that trace to the days Gene Autry owned the Angels baseball team).
For weddings — and especially weekend buyouts — smaller hotels book well in advance, sometimes a year or more. When selecting your date, be mindful of the local events calendar, avoiding high-traffic weekends during events like Modernism Week and the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.
Attracted to a small hotel with a big guest list? Look to nearby vacation rentals for extra lodging. “I did a wedding recently, and half the people were in the hotel while family [stayed] in neighboring Airbnbs. They could just walk right over,” Maloney says. “The whole thing felt easy and approachable.”
She advises saving a few pennies by leaving any extra flourish for the main event. “A lot of people think they need to bring in the lighting and the décor and make a big footprint right away,” Maloney explains. “I tell them, ‘Let people enjoy the natural beauty.’ On the [ceremony day], we’re adding flower petals, signage, all the little touches, so that guests walk in, and it feels elevated and special.”
Crafting a Weekend Itinerary
A great weekend wedding starts with a welcome dinner. Maloney recommends scheduling a Friday night gathering around 7 or 8 p.m., giving guests time to trickle in. But the evening doesn’t have to be too formal.
“Most of my guests do something like a taco truck or In-N-Out with some drinks,” Tibbets notes. “It’s just a really good time for everybody to get together and say hello.”
The next day, couples might bring in pros like a yoga instructor, sound bath facilitator, or mixologist to lead activities. Kelly often organizes a golf tournament for wedding parties, pairing guests in random groups of four for a bit of lighthearted competition.
Some couples, especially those with guests staying at the same hotel, choose to keep the day wide open. “[They] really like the opportunity to marinate in the pool all day,” Tibbets says. Whatever you plan, be sure to leave enough time for everyone to get ready before the ceremony.
Receptions typically run until 10 p.m., though if your crew is the type to keep dancing long after the grandparents and flower girls have turned in, consider continuing the festivities elsewhere. “Palm Springs has so many good after-party venues,” Maloney says. “I generally try to find either a rooftop space or a little speakeasy.”
The next morning, send everybody off with a grab-and-go breakfast of bagels or burritos. Or, if you’ve bought out a hotel through Monday, you can round out the weekend with what Tibbets calls a “hangover pool party” — an opportunity to snack, sunbathe, and recover from the night before while keeping the fun going.
Guest Experience and Logistics
A multiday blowout means more fun for everyone — but also more moving parts. Be sure to coordinate rental and vendor deliveries carefully. You don’t want your florist rolling up with a truckful of flowers at 1 p.m. on Friday only to find your venue buyout doesn’t begin until 4 p.m. “Know what time your property turns over to you,” Tibbets emphasizes.
Halim and Josh kicked off their desert fiesta with an alfresco rehearsal dinner at Casuelas Café in Palm Desert, complete with a live performance by the Paul Villalobos Trio.
If the ceremony is steps from your guests’ rooms, transportation is a breeze. But if you’re hosting across multiple hotels or rental properties, consider scheduling a shuttle to help everyone get where they need to be.
If the logistics feel overwhelming, know that simplifying can elevate the experience. Consider reusing vendors throughout the weekend. “I will utilize the same bartending company on Friday and Saturday night,” Tibbets says. “Those bartenders can learn people’s names and what they like to drink; they build a rapport with them. The same goes for music: If you’re going to have a DJ on Saturday, perhaps we have that DJ play different genres on Friday. It adds a level of hospitality that people really appreciate.”
WELCOME BAG
It’s not all about you. Let your peeps know you appreciate their investment in the best weekend ever with a goody bag waiting in their hotel room. Keep it local with these thoughtful stuffers.
Something Sweet
Brandini Toffee’s family recipe has appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s O List — and it’s all hand-churned in Rancho Mirage.
Something Snacky
Dates are the desert’s top crop. For a hit of energy and an addictive snack, try Sun Lovin’ Bites, stuffed with sunbutter and rolled in coconut.
Something Scented
Weddings can be stressful. The Body Deli’s desert sage mist, made with locally harvested botanicals, revitalizes skin and calms the mind.
Something to Keep
A cool keychain goes the distance. Peepa’s in downtown Palm Springs has several that capture the city’s midcentury spirit.
Something to Grow
A tiny succulent from Lotus Garden Center brings a little life to the hotel room.
Something to Sip
Racquet Club Spirits, distilled in Greater Palm Springs, makes vodka and bourbon whiskey in chic bottles guests will want to keep.
Something Extra
Not every hour should be scheduled. Include a cheat sheet of favorite spots — restaurants, shops, and sights — to help guests make the most of their downtime.
