Sands Hotel & Spa: The Ultimate Boutique Wedding Venue in Palm Springs

Nestled in the heart of the Coachella Valley, the Sands Hotel & Spa is a boutique desert oasis where mid-century modern design meets Moroccan-inspired luxury. With its iconic pink accents, lush olive trees, and intimate, design-forward atmosphere, this venue offers a wedding experience unlike anywhere else in Palm Springs. The property is ideal for couples who crave bold style, curated details, and a celebration that feels both elevated and playful.

From poolside dinners to open-air ceremonies framed by olive trees, every corner of the Sands is curated with intention. Its boutique scale, on-site lodging, and immersive aesthetic make it a perfect fit for sophisticated couples who view the Palm Springs area as a beloved vacation destination or second home. Whether you’re planning a full weekend buyout or an intimate design-driven soirée, this venue delivers charm, character, and unforgettable photo backdrops at every turn.

Venue Spaces

Olive Grove

The Olive Grove is a serene outdoor space framed by mature olive trees and soft desert light. With ceremony capacity for up to 180 guests and dinner seating for 80, it’s an ideal location for intimate yet impactful gatherings. The space is fully accessible with no stairs and offers a tented weather backup option (outside vendor required), making it versatile year-round. Its natural elegance provides the perfect canvas for bold florals, dramatic aisle designs, or minimalist ceremony styling.

Pink Cabana

The Pink Cabana is the Sands Hotel’s signature restaurant and event space, known for its striking décor, mid-century influences, and vibrant color palette. This stylish indoor-outdoor space accommodates 100 guests for dinner or up to 180 for cocktail hour and dancing. With a noise curfew of 2 a.m., it’s a rare Palm Springs venue that allows celebrations to continue late into the night. Fully accessible with no stairs, the Pink Cabana offers an unforgettable setting for receptions filled with personality.

Pool Deck

For couples envisioning a magical dinner under the desert sky, the Pool Deck can host up to 180 seated guests. Surrounded by the hotel’s iconic pink facades and glimmering water, the space feels glamorous. It’s perfect for modern maximalist designs or colorful Palm Springs-inspired aesthetics. The weather backup option is either a tented setup or relocating to the Pink Cabana.

Everything You Need to Know About This Venue

Venue Inclusions

The Sands Hotel provides an impressive set of inclusions, making planning seamless and design-forward from the start. Provided items include tables, chairs, linens, bistro lights, and full tabletop rentals—plates, glassware, and flatware—all curated to match the venue’s boutique aesthetic.

Pricing & Buyout Requirements

We recommend you have an overall wedding budget of at least $1000 per guest to ensure you have enough room for the venue and all other vendors. Many couples choose to do a full hotel buyout for privacy and ease. Currently, events with over 44 guests often prompt a full buyout and the venue will close the Pink Cabana to outside patrons. The hotel is undergoing an expansion scheduled for October 2026, after which the buyout threshold will increase, so a full buyout won’t be required until you exceed 80 guests.

Parking

A limited private parking lot is available on-site. Valet parking ensures enough spaces for both guests and vendors as well as smooth arrivals and elevates the guest experience.

Noise Curfew

Outdoor spaces such as the Olive Grove and Pool Deck follow a 10 p.m. noise curfew, while the Pink Cabana allows music and dancing until 2 a.m.

Rain Plan

Weather backup options vary by space:

• Olive Grove: tent is allowed
• Pool Deck: tent is allowed or move to the Pink Cabana
• Pink Cabana: not applicable due to indoor capability

Vendor Access Time

Up to 3 hours of setup time is allowed inside the Pink Cabana for furniture removal and event preparation. Additional access guidelines vary by event layout and buyout status.

Catering

All catering is in-house, featuring chef-driven menus crafted with organic, small-farm, and high-quality ingredients. Food trucks are allowed if approved by the venue.

Bartending

Bar service is provided in-house, with the Sands Hotel proudly offering the only tableside cocktail service during dinner in the entire desert region, creating a standout guest experience that elevates the reception.

Getting Ready Area

Couples have access to the on-site spa for getting ready prior to photo start time, as well as the beautifully designed guest rooms available through lodging arrangements.

Accessibility

All major event spaces are accessible with no stairs, making the venue easy to navigate for guests of all abilities.

Policies & Guest Restrictions

Adult-only property: The Sands operates as an adult-focused hotel.

Children policy: If you opt for a full hotel buyout, children are allowed in the guest rooms. If you do not do a full buyout, kids are permitted at your events (ceremony/reception) but are not allowed in the rooms.

A Wedding Planner’s Favorite Things About This Venue

The venue’s mid-century modern meets Moroccan design creates a one-of-a-kind aesthetic that additional decor can only enhance.

Multiple event spaces allow couples to host their full wedding weekend—welcome party, ceremony, reception, and late-night events—all in one location.

The Pink Cabana’s late-night noise allowance (until 2 a.m.) is extremely rare for the Palm Springs area.

Guests can enjoy a late-night pool opening after dancing, a signature Sands Hotel experience.

Boutique hotel with 46 rooms, making it perfect for full buyouts and immersive weekend celebrations.

Organic, farm-driven culinary program with exceptional in-house catering.

The venue’s bold colors, dramatic arches, and lush landscaping offer endless opportunities for stunning photos.

Ideal for maximalist couples, lovers of design, and those seeking a wedding venue that feels like a chic desert getaway.

Free Venue Question Guide

Choosing your venue is the single most important decision of your planning journey. It defines your aesthetic, budget, logistics, vendor team, and overall guest experience. With so much at stake, asking the right questions is essential.

This guide gives you the exact questions every couple needs to confidently evaluate a venue before booking a tour and during your tour, so you maximize your time, avoid surprises and choose a space that truly fits your vision.

Download here. 

Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner Before Booking Your Venue

Hiring a wedding planner before booking your venue is one of the smartest decisions you can make. A seasoned planner doesn’t just help with logistics, they act as your advocate from day one. They’ll negotiate with the venue, ensuring you don’t sign a contract that’s missing key details, includes hidden fees, or locks you into a space that won’t work for your vision. An experienced planner can save you money by identifying red flags and helping you build a realistic budget before you commit to a venue, preventing costly mistakes and future headaches (Bryce Gaston Events once saved a couple $58,000 in unanticipated fees!). Planners have insider knowledge of venue pros and cons, can help you navigate confusing fine print, and often catch red flags couples wouldn’t know to look for. Most importantly, hiring a planner early means you’re not planning blind. You have a professional on your side to guide big decisions and eliminate stress from the start.

Ready to Start Planning Your Dream Wedding? Meet Your Wedding Planner

Bryce Gaston Events plans luxurious Southern California weddings defined by meaningful details, story-driven design, and your best interests at heart. You deserve a wedding planning experience that is the epitome of excellence, driven by impeccable execution. With genuine care, expert knowledge, diligent communication, and exemplary support, we plan weddings that are just as luxurious as they are personal.

Our packages include full service planning, partial planning and 3-month out wedding management. We’re happy to customize any package to fit your unique needs. 
Inquire now to secure your date!

Photo credit: Sands Hotel & Spa