The Wedding Planner
Paula Safran-Addington, Director of Catering and Destinations
Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa, California

Whether it's a wedding or a vow renewal, you're in good hands with the Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa. Paula Safran-Addington, like other planners interviewed in this monthly column, has passed the Marriott International Wedding Certification Program. Paula has arranged many vow renewals at the resort; for tips on setting up a vow renewal, click here.

What aspects of your property are most attractive to brides?

Desert Springs, JW Marriott Resort and Spa is a luxury, full service, one-stop, resort-destination property, cradled in the valley of several mountain ranges. The property is surrounded by the manicured greens of two championship golf courses, accented by colorful flowers and miles of pristine waterways.

From the moment our brides arrive at the Resort on their wedding day, to the moment they arrive via private boat across the lake to the ceremony site, all of their needs are met: Pampering Spa treatments, hair and makeup to all of the intricate wedding details, Desert Springs prides itself in creating a memory for a lifetime on their very special day.

What are the most popular wedding venues at the property, both for large and small weddings?

Pointe Romance, a beautiful peninsula that sits lakeside and across from one of the golf courses, overlooks the majestic Santa Rosa, making a romantic sunset wedding unique. The location can host a ceremony of up to 250 guests.

Other private locations for weddings are the Serenity Pond and the Spa Lawn. The still waters and magical sunsets surround these private serene venues, complete with flocks of black and white swans gliding across the waters.

What local elements can a bride add to her wedding to give it a regional atmosphere?

Palm Springs is best know for its Spanish influences, its date plantations and its connection with the old-time Hollywood glamour days. Desert Springs has long been a destination getaway for many influential movie and television celebrities.

From champagne and caviar, candlelight and roses, to fresh flour tortillas and homemade salsa and desert cactus, or the Desert's famous dates shakes, simple or extravagant, we have cuisine and style suited to the tastes of any bride.

For brides planning a weekend wedding, what nearby attractions or on property activities are of special interest for their guests?

The Coachella Valley, steeped in mystical Indian culture and the riches from the land, we afford our guests the luxury of the best the world has to offer.

From Balloon rides over the Desert at sunrise or sunset sipping champagne, open-air jeep rides into Mystery Canyon or along the trail of following the San Andreas Fault, 119 championship golf courses, world class spas and mineral springs pools, the finest art galleries and exclusive Beverly Hills-style shopping, to a wild animal park, we truly can entertain the young or the young at heart.

To plan a Marriott wedding, call the Marriott of your choice and ask to consult with the hotel's wedding event planner. For more information on Marriott Hotels, Resorts, and Suites, call 1-800-228-9290 or see www.marriott.com.

Photos courtesy Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort and Spa