Plan Your Dream LGBTQ+ Wedding in Greater Palm Springs: Expert Tips and Venues
LA couple Rob Woronoff and Tom Tarr celebrated their wedding on a warm, sunny day in Greater Palm Springs. The outdoor ceremony featured Rob in beige linen and Tom in blue, with about 60 family members and friends gathered amid waterfalls and desert flora at Spencer’s Restaurant on West Baristo Road in Palm Springs. As the sun set, the event transitioned seamlessly from outdoor dinner to indoor dancing.
Woronoff describes the day as elegant and effortless, thanks to Spencer’s handling all the details. “We just had to bring the flowers and the people,” he says.
LGBTQ+ couples planning a wedding in Greater Palm Springs can recreate this experience or craft their own—from budget-friendly to extravagant. (One high-profile couple recently hosted a week-long celebration costing over $250,000, complete with a Ferris wheel and fireworks.)
Regardless of budget, Greater Palm Springs offers idyllic settings for your special day. Here are tips from local experts.
Richard Cadieux, owner and event planner at Joyful Weddings & Events, emphasizes starting with a clear vision. This can be challenging in the LGBTQ+ community, where many gay men may not focus on weddings, and many lesbians have limited experience as bridesmaids.
Once your vision is set, explore your options.
Follow Woronoff and Tarr’s example by choosing a full-service venue like Spencer’s. Or work with a connected planner like Gregory Goodman.
Goodman co-founded Weddings Warriors, a network of Greater Palm Springs wedding vendors offering direct access to venues, attire specialists, stylists, caterers, bakers, musicians, and more. He also provides flowers via his My Little Flower Shop.
Simplify further by selecting an officiant who doubles as a planner, like Cadieux, who has officiated over 1,300 weddings and can fully customize your ceremony.
For instance, Cadieux prioritizes comfort and privacy in venue selection and vow-writing. “How do you write your vows when Grandma is present and might not fully understand your life?” he asks.
Expert planners can guide you to Greater Palm Springs’ diverse wedding venues, including these hotels:
- Parker Palm Springs, a premier venue with lush outdoor spaces for a five-hour celebration, plus a complimentary suite for the couple.
- Monte Luna at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, featuring a private lawn with mountain views, palm trees, and vibrant flowers.
- LGBTQ+ resorts or Small Hotels of Palm Springs (SHoPS), which can be rented entirely for your wedding party.
Palatial estates offer another versatile choice, such as:
- The Sinatra House, Frank Sinatra’s original Palm Springs estate with four bedrooms and space for up to 150 guests around its iconic piano-shaped pool.
- The Galvan Estate, with four bedrooms ideal for intimate, romantic weddings and receptions.
“In this era of marriage equality post-Prop 8, a wedding is a wedding—just with more boutonnieres or bouquets,” says Goodman. “LGBTQ+ couples in Greater Palm Springs can create an event as elegant as any. It’s the law of the land, and this destination belongs at the top of your list.”
Ready to say “I do”? Learn more about planning the perfect wedding in Greater Palm Springs.
