Palm Springs Weddings

Desert Fashion Shoot at Windy Point

2011-07-19T06:07:00.000-07:00

My wife and I had lunch in Palm Springs with photographer Tom Brewster the other day. After lunch we drove out to Windy Point, which Tom had told us had small sand dunes and a nice view of the electric generating windmills. I wanted to shoot some dramatic high-fashion shots on sand dunes, and I was too lazy to drive 20 miles out to Bermuda Dunes.

Fortunately Windy Point was terrific. Not only were we completely alone - since weekdays aren't popular for off-road enthusiasts, but the temperature was pleasant too. In fact it was only 80 degrees in the middle of July! But naturally we got sand blasted, which is to be expected.

I am very excited by these dynamic fashion photos. There's nothing like having bright colors and high wind to help create a compelling fashion photo.

Palm Springs Weddings: Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church

2011-03-13T09:12:00.000-07:00

Palm Springs Weddings: Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church: "On January 8th Laura and I photographed the wedding of Alejandra & Jimmy McEvoy at one of Palm Springs' most lovely churches, Our Lady..."

Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church

2011-02-11T08:45:00.000-08:00

On January 8th Laura and I photographed the wedding of Alejandra & Jimmy McEvoy at one of Palm Springs' most lovely churches, Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church, on Calle Segundo. Alejandra and her parents are from Peru, and the rich colorful interior of the church added to that culture. They had about 150 guests for the ceremony so the place was packed.

After the ceremony I took the wedding party to a natural rocky area with rugged mountains in the background, for some casual photos. Then we went directly to the reception held at Indian Canyons Golf Club, with a great dinner by Leon's Bar and Grill.

A May 2011 Wedding at the IW Club in Indian Wells

2010-11-28T19:40:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to have been hired to photograph a wedding at The Indian Wells Club, in May 2011. Here's what the city of Indian Wells says about their eponymous club:

The IW Club Restaurant and Bar at the award-winning Indian Wells Golf Resort, just 20 minutes from Palm Springs, features innovative Desert Modern architecture and a dazzling array of upscale amenities that will enrich your Indian Wells experience. IW Club amenities encompass the casual IW Café, IW Club Restaurant & Bar with its panoramic dining terraces and multiple flat screen televisions in the bar area. Located within walking distance of all four Indian Wells luxury hotels, the Indian Wells Golf Resort’s IW Club is the perfect venue for a casual lunch, dinner or Happy Hour experience. Book your next dinner or golf event, the IW Club hosts tournaments from 12 to 144 players, intimate to large special events, and business or corporate functions.

Escena Golf Club Engagement Portraits

2010-10-25T05:16:00.000-07:00

Laura and I drove out to Palm Springs to meet my Charlie and Heather, wedding clients for May 2011. Charlie and Heather are from L.A., and are having their wedding in Indian Wells at the IW Club. But they wanted their engagement portraits taken at the stylish new Escena Golf Club in Palm Springs, CA.

Besides its modern clubhouse there's not much to see at Escena. But the clubhouse and its striking desert landscaping was all we needed to shoot some terrific portraits. Even the cloudy skies turned out colorfully as the sun set behind the mountain.

When's the best time of the year for a Palm Springs wedding?

2010-10-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

As you might imagine the weather in the Palm Springs, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells desert areas varies dramatically throughout the year. Anyone planning a wedding should consider the weather before scheduling an outdoor wedding in the Palm Springs desert area. Probably the most important question to answer is “when does the hellish summertime weather end?” Sadly there’s no exact date for the end of the summer. But you can bet that the 100-plus degree daytime temperatures will come to an end sometime during the month of October.

This summer was mild, and on October 3rd, 2010, the high temperature in La Quinta was 95 degrees. Although it was too hot to spend much time outdoors after 11 am, the early morning and late afternoon hours were fantastic. Our low temperature on that day was 70 degrees – so its easy to imagine how pleasant the evenings are. For some reason couples tend to plan their desert-area weddings during the month of May. As Palm Springs area wedding photographer the month of May is my busiest month. This year I photographed three beautiful desert weddings in May, and it was pretty hot. The daytime temperature hovered around 98 degrees, so the wedding ceremonies were scheduled for late in the afternoon – just before sunset. But even at that late hour it was too hot to wear a jacket.

In the winter months heat is not the problem, the wind is. Sand storms can kick up and make quite a mess here in the winter months, (I have a pitted windshield to prove it). Blowing sand can reduce visibility and make it hazardous to drive. The area most affected by blowing sand is along the I-10 freeway corridor. This area is wide open and flat, and the wind howls through the pass which separates Mt. San Jacinto and Mt. San Gorgonio, stirring up the sand which lays all along that route. Evidence of the power of these sandstorms can be seen just north of Thousand Palms, where one of the highest sand dunes in the United States rests. Less-exposed desert areas are less affected by wind storms, least of all the Palm Springs and La Quinta cove areas, because they are sheltered by the surrounding mountains.

In general the best months to plan a Palm Springs area wedding are from November to April. That’s the “high season” when the desert region hosts thousands of visitors and has the majority of big tennis and golf tournaments. It’s a safe bet that the weather will be great during those months – sunny with daytime highs around 75 degrees.

An Incredible Wedding at The Hideaway

2010-06-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

On May 30th, 2010 Laura and I photographed the wedding of Robert Kearney and Kelly Mosier at The Hideaway Club in La Quinta, California. The Hideaway Club is an exclusive golf club and spa which looks as though it was transported from Andalusia, Spain. The clubhouse is surrounded by a luxurious golf course with million dollar homes positioned on each hole.

I'd met Kelly a couple of years earlier when she'd flown me to San Francisco to photograph her engagement pictures. So I knew just how crazy and spontaneous she was. Kelly's family is wealthy and this wedding looked like it was going to be a complex one for the coordinator, Cathy O'Connell, to organize. Kelly planned on arriving at the ceremony in a helicopter, (with me riding along for photos). The dinner wasn't going to be in a ballroom, or patio, or even out on the golf course but in actually out in front of the club in the driveway. Which actually made sense because there was a big fountain out there and the large circular area was ringed with lighted palm trees.

But when Laura and I arrived at 3pm it was 103 degrees. About a dozen people were hard at work setting up tables and cooking stations outside. I recognized Luna Salomon, from Arrangements Floral and Party Design, right away. She and her husband were sweating as they set glass vases and antique lanterns onto each table.

At 5:30pm I joined Kelly and her dad and we drove out to the helicopter, which was parked near their house. David, the pilot and owner of Dedicated Helicopters Inc., strapped us in and we took off. As we gained altitude I found that from I co-pilots seat I couldn't turn around to shoot pictures of the bride and her father behind me. So I put my camera on my shoulder and shot backwards using a 15mm fisheye. A few minutes later Cathy called and said that the groomsmen were lined up at the ceremony, and told us to deliver the bride. We landed about 100 yards away in a dramatic style. I followed Kelly and her dad as they approached their guests. The wedding was just a blur after that. The twilight hour was just magical out in the desert and I shot dozens of slow-shutter shots so I could capture some of that beautiful light and the blurred movement of the guests. All together Laura and I shot almost 2,000 images which we'd later edit down to 600. It was one of the most memorable weddings of our lives and we were grateful and honored to have been hired to photograph it.

Contact Robert Marcos at (760) 504-4787. Cathy O'Connell at (760) 777-8420. Luna Salomon at (760) 776-1144. Dedicated Helicopters at (760) 898-9601

Indian Canyons Golf Resort Wedding

2010-06-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

On May 29th 2010 I arrived at the Indian Canyons Golf Resort, to photograph the wedding of Cassandra Deblock and Michael Kurcher. The couple and most of their guests were from London, so the warm weather must have been a shock to them. I had met Cassandra at the Hilton Palm Springs hotel a couple hours earlier to photograph her preparations. The couple had anticipated the warm weather and had wisely chosen to start their ceremony at 5pm - after the sun had gone behind the mountain. The ceremony site was spectacular, on a green right next to a large pond, with a huge fountain jetting up in the center. Even though it was late in the day many of the guests chose to watch the ceremony from under the shade of some Mesquite trees. The cocktail reception was one of the longest of my career - over two hours! But the clubhouse was beautiful and it was also very comfortable outside once darkness fell.

A Wedding at Rancho La Quinta CC

2010-05-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

On May 8th 2010 I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Jennifer Blakeslee and Roger DaSilva, at the beautiful Rancho La Quinta Country Club. The couple had hired Laurie Lund, of the Events Department, to coordinate their wedding. Laurie had everything perfectly arranged when the guests and I arrived. It's a hard time of the year to predict the weather in the desert, it can be 75 degrees and windy, or 100 degrees and baking. As it turned out it was 95 degrees with a light breeze. Laurie had several hundred iced drinks lined up for the guests to cool off with. Also interesting was the fact that the couple had chosen to provide a lineup of excellent Spanish wines during the cocktail and dinner hour. The wines were organized by region, and servers were standing by with a variety of olives, shrimp, and various hard Spanish cheeses.

For more information about this venue please call Laurie Lund at (800) 525-7634. If you would like to speak to Robert Marcos about the photography of your upcoming wedding please call (760) 504-4787

A Desert Falls Wedding Reception in Palm Desert, CA

2010-04-01T10:39:00.001-07:00

It was cold and cloudy as my wedding clients arrived for their reception at Desert Falls Country Club in Palm Desert. Fortunately there was a roaring fire warming the cocktail area, and the guests were able to shed their heavy coats. I photographed the beautiful banquet room and then ushered the wedding party outside for some fun shots before dinner. I warmed up the color balance on my Canon 5D to make everyone look warmer (since it was freezing), and got some great shots on the golf course, with a lake in the background.

The dinner was excellent and the families and guests had a wonderful time dancing. The service at the Desert Falls was terrific, and everyone had a great time during Julie and Michael's Palm Desert wedding.

For information about the Desert Falls Country Club please call Lauren Kaufman at (760) 340.5646

A Sacred Heart Catholic Church Wedding

2010-04-01T09:45:00.000-07:00

On December 12th I photographed the wedding of Julie Bishop and Michael Dixon. The couple had their ceremony at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert, California. The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is located at 43775 Deep Canyon Road in Palm Desert. The sanctuary is built like a fortress on the outside, but is warm and colorful inside. The groom and groomsmen arrived early so they could usher guest to their seats. The bride and her attendants arrived in a limo about five minutes before the start of the ceremony. When the moment arrived the bride's father walked outside to the limo and escorted his daughter down the aisle. After the beautiful service the newlyweds and their families left for the reception which was held at the Desert Falls Country Club.

For information about weddings at Sacred Heart please call (760) 346-6502 or visit:
http://www.sacredheartpalmdesert.com/marriage_information

A Beautiful Wedding at PGA West

2008-11-04T19:08:00.001-08:00

Last week I was hired to photograph the wedding of Andrea Bruno and Mike Ritchie, a young couple from San Diego. Andrea's parents own a stylish home at the Greg Norman Course at PGA West, in La Quinta, California.

About a hundred guests filed out onto the tee box for hole one, to witness the ceremony - which happened just before the sun sank behind the Santa Rosa Mountains. I shot the formal family photos after the ceremony, while the guests enjoyed apple martinis in the clubhouse's patio area.

A marvelous dinner was served and the newlyweds danced the night away with the family and friends. It was a memorable afternoon and evening.

For more information about PGA West please contact Aleta Bateman at (760) 485-5373

The Mod Resort in Palm Desert

2008-04-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was hired by Dan and Aysha to photograph their June 21st wedding at The Mod Resort in Palm Desert. Although I knew the neighborhood - just south of El Paseo, I had never been to the Mod, so my wife and I drove past it this morning.

The Mod is an ultra-modern 12-suite hotel, at 73758 Shadow Mountain Drive in Palm Desert. It was an apartment complex in its previous life, but like another local landmark, Korakia, it's been given a thorough overhaul. The suites boast flat-screen TV's, wireless internet, and expansive light and airy rooms. The Mod's lobby is right out of Barbarella - ultra cool!

For more information please call The Mod Resort at (760) 674-1966

Spencer's Restaurant in Palm Springs, CA

2008-03-24T16:21:00.000-07:00

Palm Springs is fortunate to have an elegant 5-star restaurant resting on the side of a mountain, in the old classy part of town. Spencer's Restaurant is a local favorite for those who appreciate a cutting-edge menu and relaxed Asian-style ambiance. I am grateful to have photographed two events at Spencer's this year. The first was the wedding of Devon and Tiffany Espinosa. The second was an elegant 60th wedding anniversary for Frank and Frieda Weissman. Please click on the links below to view the beautiful photos...

http://robertmarcos.com/espinosag
http://robertmarcos.com/weissman

If you're thinking about hosting an event at Spencer's please contact their catering manager Amy Levy-Waldman, at (760) 327-3446. Or visit their website at: www.spencersrestaurant.com

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort

2008-02-22T15:05:00.001-08:00

I'm honored to be recommended by Palm Desert's JW Marriott as a wedding photographer. A resort as large and popular as the Marriott Desert Springs only refers vendors with an excellent reputation, and photographers with outstanding work.

This desert resort is anything but dry. The cool of the desert, Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, California provides wedding couples with stylish surroundings and spectacular views, including rich green fairways from Palm Desert Golf Courses and mountains that seem to touch the sky. A premier hotel, we present fine dining, sizzling night-life, resort spa, expansive pools, and a newly remodeled lobby complete with gondolas and the place to live life large, the Lobby Bar.

Mr. Ian Holt is the hotel's Catering Social Sales Manager. He's also the gentleman responsible for meeting with potential wedding clients. He's smart, personable, and efficient. Ian can be reached at (760) 341-1729 or by email at: ian.holt@marriott.com

The JW Marriott Desert Springs website is:
http://www.desertspringsresort.com

A Tuscan Style Wedding at The Miramonte

2007-12-28T05:33:00.001-08:00

Last week I had the pleasure of visiting The Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, California. Hillary Gluch is the catering manager in charge of weddings there. The resort is modern and in the style of an expnsive Italian palazio. Very open with lots of rough stone walls, bouganvilla, and polished marble floors. They hotel was remodeling the pool area while I was there, but David, their director of catering told me that once completed the new pool will be better suited for cocktail receptions and other social functions, as well as a larger and more beautiful swimming pool.

Wedding ceremonies are bellisimo in any of Miramonte’s outdoor sites. The Olive Grove is a meticulously groomed grassy courtyard ringed by mature olive trees. Strawberry-colored bougainvillea sprawls theatrically over balconies that overlook the Grove, and a magnificent fountain plays a trickling melody. In another part of the resort weddings blossom on Miramonte Green, a manicured lawn bordered by flowers in a spectrum of vibrant ball-gown hues. For intimate ceremonies couples share their vows in the Herb Garden, where a small fountain bubbles amidst fragrant sage and lavender.

To keep the rest of the festivities outdoors, venture upstairs from the lobby to the Piazza, a broad, colonnaded patio with a spectacular view of the resort, the Santa Rosa Mountains and the ever-changing desert horizon. Guests savor fine wines and Tuscan-influenced cuisine, while basking in the glow from an outdoor fireplace fashioned of creamy stone. Terracotta floors, rustic fixtures, and imported rugs contribute to the Piazza’s convivial, Old World ambiance. Next door to the Piazza is the Terrace, a fabulous outdoor option for a cocktail hour, especially in combination with the Miramonte’s four ballrooms and their foyers. The rich, earthy palette of desert sunsets and vineyard mornings reflected in the resort’s color scheme are especially beautiful in the ballrooms. Spacious and flexible, any of these grand indoor spaces makes a glamorous setting for a sit-down affair.

Brissago, Miramonte’s on-site restaurant and patio, offers a gourmet experience for a congenial rehearsal dinner or distinctive brunch—or reserve any of the other event areas for these customary wedding gatherings. Miramonte’s catering experts offer many delicious culinary themes, from Toscano to Caribbean, and pride themselves on both exquisite taste and service. A member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, this property features gracious accommodations, a state-of-the-art spa, and an uplifting atmosphere—all of which will make it hard for you to leave its serene embrace. You might as well plan on spending at least part of your honeymoon right here!

CEREMONY CAPACITY: The Olive Grove holds up to 250 seated, the Miramonte Green up to 250 seated; the Piazza holds up to 100 seated, and the Herb Garden holds up to 25 seated.

EVENT/RECEPTION & MEETING CAPACITY: Several venues hold up to 600 seated guests, including the new Mediterranean Ballroom, available January 2007.

Please contact Hillary Gluch at (877) 716-7987 for wedding information.

A Beautiful La Quinta Resort & Club Wedding

2007-12-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

La Quinta is a cute desert community about 30 minutes to the east of Palm Springs. Surrounded on three sides by the Santa Rosa Mountains, La Quinta is the home of the La Quinta Resort and Club, PGA West, Traditions, and other exclusive country clubs. I know a lot about the area because I bought a home there in 2004 when real estate prices had skyrocketed on the coast.

I found the La Quinta Resort and Club to be more of a sanctuary than a golf club. It is tranquil and serene. They have private bungalows similar to those found at the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles. The resort is sprawling, and includes a five-star hotel, condominiums, timeshares, and private homes. I would guess that it's about three miles square. And it backs up into the mountains on two sides so it enjoys a high level of privacy.

Last year I was hired by Ron and Linda Cohn, restauranteurs from San Diego, to photograph their son Jeremy's wedding. The Cohns are a lovely and generous family who could have chosen any location in the world for their son's wedding, but they chose the La Quinta Resort. They brought some of San Diego's best talent out, including Kathy Wright of Kathy Wright & Company florals, and Randy Stubbs of Silver Star Video.

About 150 black-tied wedding guests attended the traditional Jewish ceremony, which according to Jewish tradition couldn't begin until the sun had set behind the mountains. The reception was held in the Frank Capra ballroom, which was lavishly decorated by Kathy Wright. I was almost overwhelmed by the rich colors. Each table had a big "tree" of flowers coming out of a three-foot square patch of trimmed wheatgrass.

The hotel had prepared a theme drink for the event, Apple Martinis, and the more the guests drank the wilder the reception became. The live band, NRG, played until midnight, and the guests enjoyed a 5-star dinner prepared by the the La Quinta Resort banquet facility. If you're considering having a wedding at The La Quinta Resort, please call catering sales at (760) 564-5773 or email: weddings@laquintaresort.com

Contact information:

• Photographer Robert Marcos (760) 504-4787
www.robertmarcos.com

• La Quinta Resort & Club (760) 564-5773
www.laquintaresort.com

• Florist Kathy Wright (619) 299-2520
www.kathywrightandco.com

Stylish Palm Springs Wedding Sites

2007-12-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

Although inhabited by the Cahuilla Indians for almost a thousand years, it took celebrities visiting from Los Angeles to finally put Palm Springs on the map. By the 1950's the tranquil desert oasis was becoming a destination for movie stars who wanted to relax, drink martinis, and soak up some of the desert's fresh air and sunshine.

Much of that era's charisma remains today. Investors who recognized a good opportunity have purchased many of the city's older hotels, brought in highly-paid architechs and designers, and then reintroduced new boutique venues which incorporate much of the old Palm Springs' panache.

Three examples come to mind right away. Ten years ago Merv Griffin bought the old Gene Autrey Hotel and turned it into Merv Griffin's Givenchey Spa. Then the same property was bought by Le Meridien, remodeled, and then reintroduced as the swanky Parker Palm Springs, or more commonly - "The Parker". The Parker's website describes the hotel as "set amidst palm trees and landscaped gardens, the Parker Palm Springs is an oasis set in the majestic desert. Pioneered by Hollywood stars from the 1930s to 1970s, Palm Springs remains a major cultural hub with iconic architecture and stimulating artistic venues". The Parker can comfortably accomodate up to 200 wedding guests with both indoor and outdoor ceremony sites.

The 1940's era Estrella Inn was purchased five years ago, renovated, and has become the new Viceroy Palm Springs. Described as a "modern interpretation of the Hollywood Regency style, with artistically manicured grounds and three refreshing pools... perfect for a luxurious Palm Springs spa vacation getaway, special event, or intimate wedding celebration". The Viceroy can host wedding ceremonies and receptions with up to 100 guests. November through April are the best months for outdoor weddings. After April the daytime temperatures can exceed 100 degrees.

Not new but certainly worth mentioning is the tranquil Korakia Pensione. Backed up against the steep San Jacinto Mountains, this unique property is owned by a restorative architect and is popular with folks seeking a fashionable retreat. On arrival, you're invited to help yourself to a glass of Moroccan mint tea, and then settle into your Moorish or Mediterranean-style, circa 1920s lodgings. Guests are prepared a simple European style breakfast, and can hang out by the pool with the house catOver the years, the 29 units have hosted artists, silent film actors and Winston Churchill, and today you can meet celebrities---as well as common folk---around fire pits or while watching a classic film on the bocce court. All rooms have fridges and atmosphere to spare, and many come with stone showers, sunken tubs or Japanese style baths. Korakia can host smaller weddings for up to twenty or more guests.

Contact information -

Robert Marcos photography (760) 504-4787
www.robertmarcos.com

Parker Palm Springs (760) 770-5000
www.theparkerpalmsprings.com

The Viceroy Palm Springs (760) 320-4117
www.viceroypalmsprings.com

Korakia Pensione (760) 864-6411
www.korakia.com