These Grooms’ Wedding Was a Love Letter to Palm Springs

Set against the stunning desert backdrop of The O'Donnell House in Palm Springs, Michael and Sam’s joyful wedding was a heartfelt celebration of love, identity, and breaking tradition.

The sun-drenched backdrop of Palm Springs, California was the foundation for Michael and Sam’s spring wedding, planned by Jason Mitchell Kahn and captured by Danforth Neal. The pair aspired a celebration that was  joyful, emotional, and unapologetically queer, while expressing the beauty of breaking tradition. And it was all that … and more!

Palm Springs was always at the center of their love story, making it a fitting spot to say ‘I do.”

“Though we lived less than a mile apart in Los Angeles, our love story didn’t actually begin in the city we both call home—it started in the desert,” the couple shared. While separately vacationing in Palm Springs, Michael and Sam matched on Hinge, unaware they were practically neighbors back in L.A. That spontaneous swipe quickly turned into hours of conversation about their Midwest roots—Michael from Wisconsin, Sam from Michigan—and their shared love of Palm Springs.

Their first date was a hike, and within 24 hours, Michael reached out again. “We found ourselves clinking cocktails on a rooftop, ending the night with Papa John’s delivery and the kind of effortless ease that felt like fate. From that moment on, we were inseparable.”

Fittingly, it was in Palm Springs where their love came full circle. Michael proposed to Sam during a golden hour stroll through the Parker Palm Springs—a moment that perfectly mirrored the setting where their journey began

Legally married at the Beverly Hills courthouse in early 2025, Michael and Sam later returned to the desert for a larger celebration. The venue: the historic and stunning The O’Donnell House. As for what sold them? “You could see the mountains, the canyon, and downtown Palm Springs in one sweeping panorama. It was breathtaking,” they said.

Music was a defining feature of the desert-inspired celebration. As their mothers walked them down the aisle to a moving rendition of “Pure Imagination” played by the string quartet.  “It was a deeply intentional break from tradition that honored the women who raised us, protected us, and gave us the freedom to grow into the men we are today.” recalls the couple. The recessional? A celebratory “Dancing Queen.”

In a touching tribute to Michael’s late father, an empty chair was reserved in his honor, marked by an olive branch. The string quartet played “Hotel California,” one of his father’s favorite songs, while guests observed a moment of silence.

The ceremony itself was officiated by their close friend, Amy—a passionate entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ ally. During the ceremony, she acknowledged the significance of marriage equality and paid tribute to the advocates who paved the way for same-sex couples to legally wed.

Both grooms looked sharp and modern, with one in a classic black tux and the other in a sleek olive green version. Their boutonnieres featured succulents with a unique wire wrap, blending soft organic textures with a touch of edge.

The dessert table offered a playful trio of sweet treats: lemon cake adorned with fresh succulents, Krispy Kreme donuts, and mini key lime pies—each one nodding to the couple’s vibrant, joyful personalities.

And while the details were captivating, one of the most powerful moments came during Sam’s mother’s speech. “A devout Christian, she initially struggled to accept Sam when he came out. Throughout the years she has grown and shown nothing but unconditional love and acceptance,” they share. Her heartfelt words brought the room to tears as she publicly welcomed Michael into the family.

As they reflected on the planning process that led them to an incredibly gorgeous celebration, they mentioned, “Planning a wedding as a queer couple brought layers of meaning, It wasn’t just about florals or playlists—it was navigating what tradition means when so many rituals were never designed with us in mind.”

If you’re looking for a day that inspires you to reclaim tradition, celebrate identities, and is a love letter to the people and place that brought them together, this wedding is it.

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