WELCOME
We and our families warmly invite you to join us on
April 27, 2024 at Smoke Tree Ranch in Palm Springs, California, where Nick and Sophie will exchange vows in her granny's backyard under clear blue skies and tall desert flowers before plying you with tacos and margaritas.
We understand that attending a destination wedding involves extra effort and expense, so please know there is absolutely no pressure to attend. For those who might not be able to make the journey, we look forward to celebrating together another time!
Kindly RSVP by March 1, 2024
OUR STORY
Nick Rabinowitsh and Sophie Wenzlau met at the top of Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park when Sophie asked "some random cute guy" to take her picture. They hiked together for the rest of the day and quickly fell in love. Was it magic in the air of Yosemite that weekend, or great PowerPoint presentations at the environmental law conference they were both attending? We may never know that, but we do know they're both nerds.
They've been hiking together ever since, through the highs and lows and immense beauty and occasional mud puddle, supported by so much love it's overwhelming.
You're an important part of our story and we can't wait to celebrate together!
THE
PLAN
Friday, April 26
The Welcome Dinner
WESTERN BURGERS: 6:30-8:00 PM
Join us anytime between 6:30-8:00 for a casual dinner from an In-N-Out food truck near the pool (see map), plus lawn bowling, ping pong, and corn hole. Eat whenever you're hungry! Swim if you're so inclined! Our attire will be loosely Western/Southwestern (boots and bolos) - join in if you want!
BONFIRE: 8:00-10:00 PM
Bonfire, s'mores, and cowboy ballads near the lawn bowling green.
Saturday, April 27
The Big Day
THE HIKE: 8:00 AM
Please do whatever you want this morning, but you're welcome to meet us at the Wenzlau house at 8:00 AM for a hike to the top of Smoke Tree Mountain. We'll walk to the trailhead from the house, so no need for a car. If you plan to drive to the Ranch, please park near the pool and either walk to the house or let us know you'd like a ride by adding your name to this google sheet as there is limited parking at the house. The hike is roughly 5.5 miles round trip. Bring water and sunscreen!
8:15 AM: Departure time.
THE CEREMONY: 5:30 PM
Please arrive at the Wenzlau house around 5:30 PM for the
6:00 PM ceremony (click link for google map to the house).
It will be short, sweet, and standing room only. It could be very hot, so wear whatever will make you feel most comfortable. If you plan to drive to the Ranch, please park near the pool and either walk to the house or let us know you'd like a ride by adding your name to this google sheet, as there is limited parking at the house. After the ceremony, the dad mobiles will shuttle anyone who would like a ride down to the pool area for the reception. While we love your kiddos, the ceremony will be adults-only due to limited space in the backyard (with an exception for babies). Kids are, however, welcome at the reception. Let us know if you need help finding childcare for the ceremony and we'll do our best.
Note that if it is extremely hot we may defer the ceremony until 6:30 PM (and ask that you arrive around 6:00 PM); we'll let you know ahead of time.
THE TACO PARTY: 6:30-10:00 PM (see "reception" on map)
There will be tacos, margaritas, the world's best wine, and the best people! Kids are welcome - we'll be on a big grassy lawn with room to run and play. The sun dips behind the San Jacinto Mountains around 7:00 PM (we think) and sets around 7:30 PM, so it should start cooling down around then.
THE AFTER PARTY: 10:30 PM-2:00 AM
We reserved Tonga Hut, a fun tiki bar downtown, for those who want to stay up late with us! We'll plan to start calling Lyfts and Ubers around 10:15 PM (it's about 3 miles / 10 minutes away).
Sunday, April 28
The Morning After
9:00-11:00 AM: If you'd like to join us, we'll meet at the pool around 9:00 for coffee, baked goods, and a morning swim.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Time: [INSERT TIME HERE]
WHY SMOKE TREE RANCH?
Sophie's great-grandparents Sylvia and Wendell Kinney built a charming house on the edge of Smoke Tree Ranch in 1952 as an escape from their busy lives in Los Angeles. The house and Ranch became a special place for their children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Sophie's grandmother Sally Wenzlau ("Granny") has carefully tended to the house for many years, during which time she has grown a spectacular desert garden, created wonderful memories for her nine grandchildren, and instilled in us an abiding love of the desert and its flora and fauna. We can't wait to share her garden with you!
ACTIVITIES
SMOKE TREE RANCH
If you're staying on the Ranch, you won't get bored. Take advantage of its swimming pool, hot tub, lawn bowling green, tennis courts, pickleball courts (see green star on map above), ping pong table, basketball court, playground, and self-guided desert plant walk. See the Ranch website for more information.
We also highly recommend walking or running the perimeter of the Ranch; it's 2.5 miles, mostly on trails, with beautiful views of the mountains.
See Uncle Bob's Legendary Smoke Tree Ranch Fun Guide for more ideas, including restaurant suggestions.
PALM SPRINGS
There's so much to do in and around Palm Springs! Favorite activities include riding the Aerial Tramway, hiking in the Indian Canyons, visiting the Palm Springs Art Museum, touring famous mid-century modern buildings, and window shopping downtown. For those who want to venture farther afield, Joshua Tree National Park is a great day trip.
See Lonely Planet "A Taste of Greater Palm Springs" for more activities and restaurants.
TRAVEL
ACCOMMODATIONS
Please stay wherever you'll feel most comfortable; there are lots of fun hotel and rental options in Palm Springs!
If you'd like to stay in a cottage on the Ranch, please contact Elizabeth Landry, Reservations Manager
at 760-327-1221, or by email at reservations@smoketreeranch.com.
The Ranch has set a deadline of March 1st for cottage reservations, so book before then if you want one! Some fine print: "A one-night non-refundable deposit will be due at time of booking. In addition, a cottage is considered guaranteed for the entire duration of the reservation, unless we are notified of changes prior to April 1, 2024.” Cottages are available at the following rates; note that these rates are different from those listed online:
Studio cottage: $299 + tax
One bedroom cottage: $409-439 + tax
Two bedroom cottage: $649 + tax
Family unit: $1009 + tax
All cottages have complementary wifi and other amenities; see Ranch website for more information.
Please note that the Ranch restaurant will be closed this weekend, but there are many food options at the nearby Smoke Tree Village Shopping Center, including a Ralph's grocery store, a Starbucks, and various restaurants.
TRANSPORTATION
Palm Springs International Airport is about 5 minutes from the Ranch by car. Ubers and Lyfts are plentiful.
FAQs
Do I need to RSVP by a certain date?
March 1, pretty please.
Can I bring a date?
Please check your invite! We wish we could allow everyone to bring a date, but we're limited in the total number of people we're allowed to have at the reception. By modern wedding standards, ours will be small. We're sorry!
Are kids welcome?
Kids are welcome at all events except the ceremony due to limited space in the backyard. Let us know if you need help finding childcare for the ceremony and we'll do our best : )
What will the weather be like?
It might be very hot. In late April, the average high is 87°F and the average low is 52°F, but it could be hotter than that. Fingers crossed for mild weather!
Where should I park?
If you plan to drive to the Ranch, please park near the pool. For the hike and ceremony, please either walk to the house from the pool or let us know you'd like a ride by adding your name to this google sheet, as there is limited parking at the house.
Are the ceremony and reception locations wheelchair accessible?
Yes, and we will have a golf cart available for anyone needing assistance getting around the Ranch!
Is the wedding indoors or outdoors?
Fully outdoors
What kind of shoes should I wear?
We'll be on grass, so wear whatever you're comfortable with!
I have other questions!
Please feel free to call, text, or email us with any and all questions. The best email is sophieandnick@wenzbino.com.
Thank you, we love you!
GIFTS=YOU
We're so grateful for your time and love. That's all we need!