gay-weddings

Wed With Pride

Your guide to Coachella Valley’s top LBGT wedding vendors and venues.

Lisa Marie Hart LGBTQ+, Weddings

gay-weddings
Skilled vendors add all the right details, whether for an elopement, intimate wedding, or grand celebration.
PHOTOGRAPH BY ESPRESSO WEDDINGS

Gay weddings are not a niche in Greater Palm Springs — they are an integral and vibrant part of the fabric of the community. Rainbow love has both historic roots and modern expression here. Couples traverse the globe to make their bond official here, knowing they will be welcome, appreciated, and celebrated.

In addition to the region’s reputation for sophisticated intimate events, a number of high-profile mass weddings have helped the valley become a destination where all kinds of LBGT knots are tied.

Nearly every vendor and venue in town might be considered “gay-friendly,” so our picks aren’t meant to be limiting. These pros have years of experience with gay-friendly celebrations and some are also gay-owned. Each one loves people in love —and appreciates a good party to toast it.

Vendors

David Andrew Salon

Well-known in the Palm Springs LGBT Community for skills in event hair styling, makeup, and undetectable spray tans for men and women.

1717 E. Vista Chino Rd. Ste. B-1, Palm Springs; 760-318-2663

Over the Rainbow
Cupcakes & Desserts


The original home of the famous rainbow layer cake also turns out fabulous custom-tiered cakes and cupcakes in an array of tempting flavors.

760-322-2253
www.romanblas.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF OVER THE RAINBOW CUPCAKES & DESSERTS
The famous rainbow layer cake is only the beginning of many custom offerings at Over the Rainbow Cupcakes & Desserts.

BoVa Design

This gay-owned floral design studio for 18 years has an accommodating motto: “No event too intimate or too small, no occasion too extravagant!”

46230 Shadow Mountain Dr.
Palm Desert;, 760 340-1858, www.bovadesign.com

Artisan Floral Event Decor
Frequently creating the entire look of stylish gay weddings at Avalon Palm Springs and other chic boutique hotels, Artisan has Palm Springs perfectly dialed.

760-778-1964
www.artisanevents.net

PHOTO BY CHRISTINE ARNOLD PHOTOGRAPHY
Artisan Floral Event Decor is a favorite of couples who wed at the historic Avalon Palm Springs.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GREATER PALM SPRINGS CVB
The rainbow exterior of The Saguaro Palm Springs complements its indoor-outdoor event spaces.

Venues

Palm Springs Wedding Chapel and Adobe House

The only full-service wedding chapel around offers packages that include a legal marriage license. The small downtown chapel is available for nuptials 7 days a week, holidays, weekends, and evenings. Many couples choose to upgrade to the romantic Adobe House. Settings for up to 80 guests range from a courtyard and charming Old California-style chapel to a romantic garden with splashing fountain.

760-895-1436
www.palmspringsweddingchapel.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF PALM SPRINGS WEDDING CHAPEL AND ADOBE HOUSE
The Adobe House offers a private setting and the tranquil vibe of Old California.

Wellness Park Palm Springs

A favorite outdoor venue of ordained, gay, interfaith minister Reverend Ron King, the park sits minutes from downtown. “Not only is it a beautiful desert-scape park, there is no fee to use it,” he says on the website, www.vowsandkisses.com. “There are grassy areas, too, though I prefer the desert areas, especially the one with a simple fountain. I have officiated here in the mornings, evenings at sunset, and even on Christmas Day.”


www.dhcd.org/Wellness-Park


DoubleTree By Hilton Hotel Golf Resort Palm Springs

Operated by the Desert Princess Country Club, this renovated resort extends an especially warm welcome with an LBGT Weddings section of their website that reads: “Celebrate your love and the repeal of Prop 8 and DOMA with a gay marriage ceremony in classic Palm Springs-style. Our experienced wedding staff is prepared to help you create the ceremony of your dreams.”


67967 Vista Chino; Cathedral City; 760-322-7000, www.doubletree3.hilton.com

The Saguaro Palm Springs

Popular with young hipsters, this pet-friendly resort also happens to have a rainbow façade. Wed poolside, fireside, or mountainside in the new indoor-outdoor Sago Ballroom & Terrace.


760-323-1711, www.thesaguaro.com/palm-springs

Officiants


Rev. Richard Cadieux of Joyful Weddings
Meet the man who is likely the most high-profile officiant in the Coachella Valley. The Reverand Cadieux crafts meaningful ceremonies tailored to each couple’s personal story. Greater Palm Springs Pride selected him to plan, perform, and coordinate every aspect of 27 back-to-back weddings performed during Pride 2013. Same-day coordination and all-inclusive elopement packages are also available.


760-320-8141; www.palmspringsweddingofficiant.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF REV. RICHARD CADIEUX
Rev. Richard Cadieux is a friendly and well-known wedding officiant among the LBGT community.

Rainbow Weddings
A team of five officiants offer wedding planning and ceremony services for all couples.

760-895-1436, www.rainboweddings.com

Same-Sex Boutique Hotels


These specialty resorts are familiar with gay weddings and are happy to help facilitate: East Canyon Hotel & Spa, Casa Ocotillo, The Hacienda At Warm Sands, Casita Laquita, Triangle Inn Palm Springs, Queen of Hearts