A Backyard-Then-Steakhouse Wedding at Mr. Lyon's in Palm Springs

A Desert Backyard Ceremony in Palm Springs

Guests arrived to spa water passed on trays, and the ceremony began in the yard. Jim's family walked in first, then Vill's parents, to Pachelbel's Canon in D. The bridesmaids came down in mismatched black and deep-green dresses, each carrying a dried palm-and-pampas fan instead of a bouquet. Then Vill came out from the house to "Can't Help Falling in Love," and the whole yard got to its feet as she reached the aisle.

Sarah Wang officiated, the palms and the mountains standing over the whole thing. Vows, rings, a kiss, and they turned and headed back up the aisle to Queen's "You're My Best Friend." Even the family dog turned out for it — a cream doodle in a little bow tie, watching from the doorway.

“They married in their own backyard, then made a whole night of it across town.”

Champagne in the Yard, Then the Drive to Mr. Lyon's

The champagne came out the moment the ceremony ended. Jim and the groomsmen popped the bottles and the whole backyard raised a glass before anyone moved. Then the couple slipped off for portraits in the late desert light while the guests helped themselves to cake, cut right there in the yard and served before the group made the drive across town.

November in Palm Springs runs the afternoon light long and warm, mild enough that everyone stayed outside — guests spread across the yard, some dropping onto the green velvet couches by the pool with a drink, the San Jacinto mountains going hazy behind the palms. Vill's dad stood for a portrait with Jim, and family circled through while the couple worked their way around. Ricky's Party Rentals had set the yard with tables and linens, the same setup that had held the ceremony now rearranged for the wait before dinner. Forty-two people in a Palm Springs backyard in November is an easy crowd to hold, and no one was in a hurry to leave before Vill and Jim came back from portraits.

Dinner at Mr. Lyon's, the Palm Springs Steakhouse

Everyone headed to Mr. Lyon's for the reception. The steakhouse first opened in 1945 as the Lyons English Grille, its Conservatory room done in green marble and greenery with a fireplace out on the terrace. Vill and Jim made their entrance to "Teddy the Toad," and dinner followed. Their first dance brought the room in, and the floor stayed busy well after the last speech.

The speeches came after — a thank-you toast from the couple, words from Vill's dad and Jim's uncle, then the bridesmaids and groomsmen. When the dancing wound down, Vill and Jim and their closest people carried the night on to an after-party.