While I get to explore some of the most beloved venues in all of Palm Springs, I don’t know if it gets any more classic than Spencer’s Restaurant. This vintage spot has hosted parties that have welcomed everyone from Erroll Flynn and Zsa Zsa Gabor to Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. And while the vibes are immaculate, the aesthetic is what sets this venue apart from the rest! As a Palm Springs wedding photographer, I got the chance to go behind the scenes and discover what makes this spot so magical, and now, I’m here to tell you all about it! Here is what you can expect with a Spencer’s Restaurant Palm Springs wedding! 

About The Spencer’s Restaurant Palm Springs Wedding Venue

701 W. Baristo Road, Palm Springs, California 92262

It’s hard to find a spot that’s more authentic Palm Springs than Spencer’s. This award-winning restaurant is nestled alongside the San Jacinto Mountains and was built to show them off in all their glory, even incorporating stone into the midcentury modern interior so it feels like you never leave nature. 

The restaurant dates back nearly a century to the 1930s, when it was built by the Palm Springs Tennis Club. Right away, it began to attract stars like Katherine Hepburn and Bob Hope. When the club fell on some hard times, philanthropist Harold Matzner knew he had to save it. He purchased the property in 2000 and named it after his Siberian husky, Spencer. The restaurant was a part of a push to revitalize the city, and obviously, it worked! Today, you can stop in with your pup, enjoy some exceptional food, and celebrate a vital piece of Palm Springs history! 

Details of the Grounds

Spencer’s is conveniently located within walking distance of several Palm Springs hotels. This gives you the ability to rent out a spot for the week and have a space where you can get ready for your day in style. Then, you can catch a cab or take a walk and get some pics along the way. 

Most ceremonies at Spencer’s happen outside. They have several lawns that were created to be completely secluded from the rest of the town. Throughout your ceremony, you are going to have the mountains as your backdrop with panoramic views of the palm trees at your side. The verdant gardens are going to give you a photo-worthy spot to exchange your vows while surrounded by your family and friends. 

Next up comes your cocktail hour, where you’ll have no shortage of glamour! The venue lets you reserve the poolside for this portion of your day. Your guests can sip on colorful cocktails as they relax beside the water. If you’d prefer a greener space, the venue will work with you to set up a cocktail hour on the lawn. 

Once it’s time for your reception, the interior is the perfect spot! A little vintage and a little glitzy, this is a backdrop your guests won’t forget anytime soon. The venue is built into the mountainside, letting the San Jacinto mountains serve as your guest of honor. While the room embraces the midcentury modern aesthetic with its architecture, the space itself is pretty blank, giving you the ability to effortlessly incorporate your style. There’s also a parquet floor for when it’s time to show off your moves. The venue can hold up to 150 guests, and you’ll have access to the reception area for up to 6 hours! 

Photography Opportunities

When I got to shoot Matt and Daniel’s Palm Springs wedding, we spent so much time exploring Spencer’s Restaurant and finding different backdrops. Just like the couple themselves, this wedding was chic and bold with style that shone through every picture! Once they finished getting ready, we headed outside to the restaurant, where they took some pics in front of the cacti before moving onto the stone stairs leading up to the restaurant. 

The ceremony lawn was one of the best places to get formal pictures with the entire group. It’s perfectly flat and accessible, while the vibrant landscaping gives you a gorgeous backdrop. 

During the cocktail hour, I snuck away with the couple to grab some pics in front of the iconic Spencer’s logo on the exterior of the restaurant. They spent some time walking down the nearby road with the rolling mountains on prominent display. Then, it was time for their reception, where their mirrored suit jackets caught the light in all of the right ways. Their flowers (provided by the geniuses at My Little Flower Shop) also fit the vibe perfectly! 

Wedding Details

Spencer’s Restaurant is an incredibly inclusive Palm Springs space ready to give you everything you need for your wedding. With their wedding package, they will include tables for your entertainment, chairs and dining tables, bar services, and delicious complimentary champagne citrus spritzers for before the ceremony begins. Once it’s time for your reception, they’ll take care of all the champagne for the speeches, and they’ll handle all the bar services to keep the party going as late as you’d like. 

Now, let’s talk about the food. Get ready for your guests to talk to you about the dinner for years to come! Spencer’s will take care of the catering through their four-star restaurant. They draw inspiration from the French-Pacific Rim, offering you experimental meals that will set your day over the top. 

Above all else, this venue is amazing to work with! They will make sure you have everything you need for your dream wedding and help you find the best options. Additionally, they’ll celebrate your love no matter what it looks like. There’s a reason why this restaurant has become such a staple amongst the LGBTQ+ community! 

Glitz And Glamour Await Your Dream Spencer’s Restaurant Palm Springs Wedding

If you are looking for the best spot for your wedding, I just know you are about to fall head over heels in love with the Spencer’s Restaurant Palm Springs wedding venue! Now, you just need to find the right photographer to help you capture it. If you’ve been wandering around this website thinking about how much you love the style, then I would love to chat more! As a Palm Springs wedding photographer, I love working with couples to capture their bright and vibrant celebrations. If you’d like to know for sure whether or not I’m a match, let’s chat! Send me a message today so we can connect. 

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Venue: Spencer’s Restaurant in Palm Springs
Florist: My Little Flower Shop