By Barbara Beckley
Ultra chic. With curved architecture and glass walls opening to views of championship greens and beautiful desert mountains. The perfect backdrop for every social occasion.
Sip shaken-not-stirred martinis or French champagne, with delicious nibbles and meals at the second floor VUE Grille & Bar. Golfers call it “the 19th Hole.” Arrange a beautiful wedding or standout event in spectacular outdoor and indoor venues. Play championship golf with friends and colleagues on two designer Troon courses.
Like a posh private club (but it’s public), your Indian Wells Golf Resort (IWGR) experience begins with a stunning waterfall, glass-walled Grand Lobby, and dramatic staircase in the 53,000-square-foot clubhouse. Outside, sizeable manicured lawns and The Pavilion provide lavish event options. And Clive Clark’s 18-hole Celebrity Course, and John Fought’s 18-hole Players Course – both consistently ranked in the top 10 of Golfweek’s “Best Top 30 Municipal Courses in the U.S.” – offer challenging play.
“The Pavilion and spectacular lawns make legendary weddings,” Jenny Poland, IWGR event sales manager, told me over a yummy lunch of Wild Mushroom Tortellini, with roast wild mushrooms, baby spinach and Parmesan cheese sauce, at the VUE Grille & Bar.
I could see The Pavilion in the distance through the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling, nearly 280-degree window views. (Insider tip: the VUE is undergoing a top-to-bottom redo this summer and promises to be even more fabulous when it opens in Fall 2024.) The 5,600-square-foot Pavilion includes a private lounge with ensuite bath and dressing area perfect for pre-ceremony bridal prep, Poland continued. A ballroom for 400-plus guests for the reception, and 375 for the dinner. For smaller guest lists, The Pavilion’s south patio fits up to 84 sit-down guests, and 100 for receptions.
Taking a golf cart from the VUE to The Pavilion, the event lawns seemed to never end. A fun aside. No matter the size of your wedding or function – golf carts transport guests between the lawns, The Pavilion and the Clubhouse, adding a joyful “amusement park ride” touch to the experience.
The East Event Lawn, at 25,000 square feet, is among the largest and most flexible in Greater Palm Springs, according to Poland. Easily to believe as it accommodates 1,000-plus for receptions, and up to 600 guests for sit-downs. The 6,000-square-foot West Event Lawn seats 150 for banquets, and up to 400 for receptions. Brides and function planners can choose open air – the desert weather is usually sunny and starry – or lux tents with chandeliers and extravagant décor.
Not to forget the stunning Clubhouse. Exchanging vows on the Grand Lobby Staircase landing or using it to make a grand entrance is picture perfect! Followed by the reception, dinner, and dancing in a choice of elegant Clubhouse venues. The Celebrity Ballroom accommodates up to 144 dinner guests, and 250-plus for cocktail parties. The Indian Wells Room welcomes up to 40 for dinner, and 50-plus reception guests. Scenic party patios include the North Patio, for 80 and 150-plus; the South Patio for 100 and 200-plus guests; the Players Patio for 200 seated, and receptions of 300-plus; and the VUE Private Dining Patio, with a spectacular veranda for 90, and up to 175 for the reception.
Cuisine and drinks can be included with the wedding. A dedicated onsite banquet captain and team can take care of everything from set-up to breakdown, Poland explained. For meetings, IWGR offers all-inclusive custom-created food and beverage packages such as the Eagle Fare, including breakfast, morning break, lunch, and afternoon break. Think charcuterie boards, fresco cheese enchiladas, finger sandwiches on brioche.
Golf for meetings and events, of course. But weddings? “Yes. Many brides and grooms definitely include golf,” enthused Poland. “It’s a fun and easy way to be creative.” Perhaps treat your guests to a pre-event game of Shots in the Night, IWGR’s unique-to-the-desert nighttime laser putting green, with music, a full bar, food truck, and lawn games. Or stage the wedding welcome party at Shots in the Night. You don’t have to be a serious golfer to have fun here.
“Some couples put on a full-blown golf tournament with big groups from the wedding party. Grooms often take their groomsmen for a golf outing before the wedding,” Poland added.
Accommodations? Easy peasy for wedding guests, and meetings and event attendees. The IWGR is adjacent to Indian Wells’ top four luxury resorts: the Hyatt Regency Villas and Spa , the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa , and the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa .
