CURATE CONTENT RETREAT
February 25 - 27, 2025
Desert White House
80125 Ave 49, Indio, CA
Join us for an unforgettable 3-day experience in the desert, designed to inspire, connect, and elevate your business. You’ll enjoy two fully styled, luxury editorial shoots to capture the content you’ve been dreaming of, along with time to recharge and refocus with a little R+R with your highly esteemed peers. We’ll conclude this incredible retreat with a distinguished all member CURATE cocktail party you won’t want to miss.
Set at the stunning, brand-new Desert White House in Indio, CA, this is your chance to expand your portfolio, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the desert. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, connection, and celebration.
Meet Your Hosts
Robin Ballard, founder of Curate and celebrated wedding designer, and Niki Rhodes, visionary photographer and passionate teacher, are joining forces to host an unforgettable workshop. With Robin’s expertise in crafting breathtaking, photogenic events and Niki’s talent for capturing authentic, emotional moments, this workshop is designed to inspire and elevate creatives, blending the art of design and storytelling into a seamless experience.
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Robin Ballard Events
For over a decade, Robin Ballard, founder of CURATE, has been celebrated as an exceptional designer, creating artfully crafted weddings that not only prioritize the couple's experience but are also stunning to photograph, as evidenced by the breathtaking events produced by CURATE over the past year.
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Niki Rhodes Photo
Niki Rhodes is a gifted photographer and inspiring teacher, known for her ability to capture authentic, emotive moments while empowering others to hone their creative vision and storytelling skills.
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ALL ABOUT THE
Content Retreat
At OUR CURATE Content Retreat, our mission is to provide elevated, high-level designs for your portfolio while offering a space to recharge with like-minded industry leaders + creatives alike!
Immerse yourself in curated experiences, expand your portfolio, and connect with peers in an inspiring and supportive environment.
In our fast-paced wedding industry, it’s easy to lose balance and burn out. At CURATE, we’re passionate about helping you pause, recharge, and rediscover the joy that fuels your work while preparing for the year ahead.
MOOD BOARDS
Creative Direction
Pantone's 2025 Color of the year:
Mocha Mousse
Content Shoot Includes:
Ceremony, Reception, Styled Flat Lay Details, & Model couple to shoot with a car
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
BRIDES 2025 Color of the year:
Verona Sunset
Content Shoot Includes:
Ceremony, Reception, Styled Flat Lay Details and Second couple for portraits
february 25 - 27, 2025
CURATE Content Retreat Itinerary
DAY 1:
12:00 PM
RETREAT CHECK-IN BEGINS
1:00 PM
CONTENT SHOOT OFFICIALLY BEGINS
4:00 PM
BREAK
CHANGE FOR DINNER
5:00 PM
SHOOT CONTINUES:
GOLDEN HOUR PHOTOS
5:40 PM
SUNSET
6:00 PM
DAY ONE CONTENT SHOOT CONCLUDES
6:30 PM
DINNER BEGINS
8:00 PM
LATE NIGHT POOL HANGS AND CONVERSATIONS
DAY 2:
8:00 AM
BREAKFAST AND MORNING POOL HANGS
10:00 AM
CONTENT SHOOT DAY TWO BEGINS
12:30 PM
LUNCH
(STATIONS STILL AVAILABLE FOR CONTENT)
2:00 PM
BREAK OUT SESSIONS
4:00 PM
PREPARE FOR CURATE COCKTAIL PARTY
5:00 PM
ALL-MEMBER CURATE COCKTAIL PARTY
8:30 PM
ALL MEMBER EVENT ENDS
9:00 PM
LATE NIGHT POOL HANGS AND CONVERSATIONS
DAY 3:
8:00 AM
FAREWELL BREAKFAST
11:00 AM
CHECK-OUT
*SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Early Bird Ticket: $2500
50% due at booking, 50% due February 3rd
** Early Bird is for the first 7 attendees. Use code DESERT
Price increase to $3,400 for the remaining 7 spots.
Investment
Experience 2 days of 2025-inspired design with stunning ceremony and reception set-ups, styled flatlays, and model couples for photoshoots. Enjoy an intimate opening dinner for meaningful conversations, followed by late-night swims or fireside chats under the stars. Your ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering ample opportunities for connection and community-building with CURATE members and local creatives. The event wraps with a farewell breakfast, with optional off-site venue tours available based on attendee interest.
WHAT TO EXPECT
+ Limited Availability: Only 14 photographers, videographers and content creators for an intimate and curated experience
+ Real Wedding Vibes: Featuring a real couple (bride & groom) alongside 4-6 models portraying wedding guests
+ Stunning Styling: Luxurious bridal gowns, fine jewelry, exquisite decor, floral designs and rentals to inspire and elevate creativity
+ Meticulous Storyboarding: Every detail planned to capture the essence of a real wedding day to build your luxury portfolio
+ Exclusive Insights: Feedback on portfolio presentation, promotional strategies and social media account audits from Robin Ballard and Niki Rhodes who together share a total of 28 years in the industry
+ Behind-the-Scenes Perks: BTS headshots by Niki Rhodes, and video content from our content creator partner for you to walk away with streamline and up to date personal branding content for socials.
+ 1:1 Marketing + Business Consultations: Sit down with CURATE’S founder, Robin Ballard—a successful entrepreneur who has created multiple six-figure businesses. Topics include social media, business strategies, creating an extra stream of income, planning your eventual exit from the industry and more. Gain the tools to attract your ideal clients, stay passionate about your business and avoid burnout!
+ Industry Party: Meet, network and collaborate with CURATE members and local desert creatives on Wednesday evening which will close with a fabulous party you will not want to miss!
The Venue
The Venue
DESERT WHITE HOUSE
80125 Ave 49, Indio, CA 92201
A midcentury-modern wedding & event venue in Indio, CA, with a penchant for avant-garde celebrations.
FAQs
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This retreat is designed exclusively for 14 photographers, videographers + content creators in the CURATE community.
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Everything will take place on the Desert White House grounds. We will utilize the outside grounds and the highlight the inside of the historical home.
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No problem. You can access the town of Indio by Hwy 10 if you'd like to drive. If you need to fly, the Palm Springs airport is only 30 mins north of Indio.
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You can stay on-site in one of the modern designed bedroom on-site. The property has 4 rooms with a king bed available for attendees. If you are not able to stay on-site, the desert offers some amazing hotels, resort and fun air bnb's within 5-20 mins from the property. We will also be locking down a room block in January at a nearby hotel for overflow.
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Both! We want you to enjoy the outdoors, pool and views. The weather is a perfect 75 in February in the desert. The content shoot will be indoors and outdoors. The venue has a large estate that we will have access to for all 3 days, so you are welcome to relax inside as well.
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Not to worry, we will provide a fully CURATED packing guide including the popular outfit mood board, which will be emailed to all our attendees in January. We will have down time by the pool, photographing of course, and to end the content retreat- a stylish industry event.
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Day 1 will include a seated dinner on-site. Day 2 will include Breakfast + Lunch on-site. Ending Night 2 will a CURATE wide party which includes dinner! Thankfully there are plenty of restaurant options just a few minutes away from the property for anything you may need. The estate also has a full kitchen for any food prep needed, feel free to bring your favorite snacks and drinks!
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All CURATE members are welcome to attend. Tickets will be sold separately for CURATE members to attend the cocktail party to close out our retreat. Local creatives of the desert will also be invited to attend. This event is included in the retreat costs for you.
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Only 14 attendees will be able to join the retreat + the styled shoot.
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We've designed this special day for adults only, so we appreciate your understanding to avoid distractions for our attendees.