La Quinta Resort Wedding
La Quinta Resort Wedding Photography - Carrie and Dan’s Rustic Glamour Celebration
Nestled at the base of the dramatic Santa Rosa Mountains in California's Coachella Valley sits La Quinta Resort & Club, a legendary destination that has been creating unforgettable wedding memories since 1926. This historic resort, originally named La Quinta Hotel, represents the epitome of desert luxury and romance, making it one of our absolute favorite venues to photograph. Recently we photographed Carrie and Dan’s stunning wedding. Planned by our beautiful friends Hannah and Cindy of Elite Events, with florals by another wonderful friend, Inna from Butterfly Floral, the wedding featured a stunning natural wood and floral chuppah adorned with cherry blossoms, creating the perfect blend of rustic charm and glamorous elegance. The ceremony took place against the resort's iconic mountain backdrop, while their reception transformed one of the historic ballrooms into a botanical wonderland with overhead orchid installations and dramatic branch centerpieces.
A Rich Tapestry of Hollywood History
When entrepreneur Walter H. Morgan first opened the doors to his 1,400-acre desert retreat on December 29, 1926, he envisioned a beautiful sanctuary designed for pampering and solitude. Originally built with 20 guest casitas, an open-air glassed dining room and three courtyards, the resort quickly became a favorite hideaway for Hollywood elite including Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, and Shirley Temple. Film director Frank Capra frequently visited, writing many of his award-winning classics including "It Happened One Night" and "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" from his private casita. Ginger Rogers married Jacques Bergerac in front of the resort's waterfall in 1953, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a regular guest who enjoyed the golf courses. Today, this storied venue continues that legacy of elegance, offering couples an enchanting backdrop where timeless romance meets desert sophistication. Did you know that La Quinta and Beverly Hills are the only two cities in the world named for hotels that pre-date the cities themselves??
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Spaces at La Quinta
For outdoor ceremonies, couples can choose from multiple scenic locations. Carrie and Dan chose the Morgan Lawn for their ceremony, framed by the dramatic Santa Rosa Mountains. With floral design by Butterfly Floral, and a surprise appearance by Elvis, it was one of the more stunning Palm Springs wedding ceremonies we have photographed.
Other wedding ceremony venues include La Casa, with 7,700 square feet of unique outdoor space in a historic former private residence setting, and The Grove, both providing intimate settings with, again, stunning mountain backdrops. The resort's famous waterfall, where Ginger Rogers was married, remains a romantic focal point for couples seeking a truly magical and historic ceremony location. With average temperatures in the mid-70s even in winter months, La Quinta offers spectacular outdoor wedding opportunities year-round.
La Quinta Wedding Reception Venues
The Fiesta Ballroom stands as the crown jewel—an ornate and distinguished 16,940-square-foot space that can accommodate up to 1,800 guests and be divided into smaller sections for intimate celebrations. This is where Carrie and Dan held their reception, beautifully designed by Hannah from Elite Events and Inna from Butterfly Floral. Check out the photos - it’s stunning. Another reception option is the Frank Capra Ballroom, named after the famous director, offers 5,952 square feet of old-Hollywood charm with the flexibility to be configured for various event sizes.
Desert Adventures & Local Attractions
The Coachella Valley provides endless entertainment for wedding guests looking to extend their celebration. Popular activities include hiking the trails at La Quinta Cove, exploring the boutiques and restaurants of Old Town La Quinta, and visiting the Sunday Certified Farmers Market (October through April). Adventure seekers can enjoy off-road UTV tours through the Colorado Desert (we love Desert Stewards!), visit the 60-foot waterfall at Indian Canyons, or explore the dramatic slot canyons formed by the San Andreas Fault.
Culture enthusiasts will appreciate the Palm Springs Art Museum and the unique artwork at Salvation Mountain. Golf lovers have access to world-renowned courses throughout the valley, while spa enthusiasts can indulge in treatments at multiple resort locations. The proximity to Joshua Tree National Park and the vibrant arts scene of downtown Palm Springs ensures guests will have plenty to explore beyond the wedding festivities.
Why We Love Photographing at La Quinta Resort
As wedding photographers who have photographed many weddings at La Quinta Resort, we are uniquely familiar with the light and interplay between the resort's Spanish Colonial architecture and the dramatic desert landscape. Over the years we have locked down a few spots around the property for authentic wedding portraits that are natural and unforced, yet dramatic and cinematic because of the background and light. La Quinta is unmatched when you think about the desert light, mountain backdrops, Spanish architecture, luxury and Callaway Gable.
Elite Events and Butterfly Floral
We highly recommend Hannah and Cindy from Elite Events for your Palm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta Resort wedding planning. They are highly experienced in this area, and are two of the best people you will ever meet. Their company is based in Seattle, but they have a second home PS! And, look up Butterfly Floral for your ceremony and reception design - Inna is the best!
La Quinta Resort & Club Venue Information
Address: 49-499 Eisenhower Drive, La Quinta, CA 92253
Phone: (760) 564-4111
Website: https://www.laquintaresort.com/
Ready to discuss La Quinta Resort weddings? Contact us to see more and get inspired for your own celebration in California's most legendary desert venue.
