Joshua Tree Wedding Photographer
Joshua Tree…a land of mystical boulder stacks and giant yucca.
Of all the places we have traveled, Joshua Tree holds a special attachment. In fact, after years of full-time travel, we decided to settle here in a home among the Mojave Desert. There’s something to the dry air here that smells of creosote, the blooming cactus flowers in spring, the chilly nights, and wide open desert landscape.
It is an absolute wonder of a place, a feeling that’s impossible to describe. There’s a mystical draw to the area, and it’s why artists and outcasts seem to flock here.
For couples who want something a little outside the norm, for those who break traditions, for those who are drawn to the wide open expanse of the Mojave desert. Joshua Tree is such an ideal place to get married.
How to get married in Joshua Tree National Park
If you’re eloping or having a small group of family & friends with you for your wedding, the wild landscape of the National Park makes for a stunning backdrop for your ceremony. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also easy + affordable. Weddings in the park cost a whopping $120 for a permit for a designated site.
You can apply for a wedding permit online here. Designated wedding sites include Indian Cove, Cap Rock, Split Rock, Quail Springs, and several other epic sites filled with boulders and Joshua Trees. Each site varies in how many people and vehicles it can accommodate, so check their website before applying for a permit!
Where to stay in Joshua Tree California
Joshua Tree is a huge hub for incredible Airbnbs. Some of the most amazing airbnb’s we’ve ever seen are in this area. There’s something to the desert landscape that draws architects, designers, and artists. There are ranch-style homes straight out of the 50s, vintage airstream trailers, and modern architectural feats that blend seamlessly into the landscape. As a bonus, many of these places can work well as a spot for an intimate reception or dinner outdoors with the family and friends. Here are a few of my favorite Airbnbs!
And if you would prefer a hotel for you and your guests, there’s the Joshua Tree Inn, Mojave Sands, Ramsey 29, 29 Palms Inn, and Sacred Sands.
Best Time of year to Visit Joshua Tree
As you can imagine, the Mojave desert gets pretty warm in the summer time. However, the weather is especially gorgeous in the Spring and Fall. March-May yeilds an incredible spring bloom, especially after a wet winter. The Joshua trees begin to fruit, the cholla cactus begin to flower, and the wide array of colorful desert wildflowers blooming is a site worth seeing. Spring tends to be the busiest time of year for the park, but for good reason. The fall is beautiful as well because the temperatures die off and so do the tourists. Summer is hot during the day, but because it’s so dry here, the temps cool off significantly around sunset and after dark!
Winter is so nice too. You get dry sunny days, even though at night it can be chilly. Winter is the best time to visit to avoid crowds and be more likely to snag one of the coveted campsites in the park. And if you’re lucky, you might be there on one of the rare days that it actually snows in the high desert!
Weddings + elopements are best done on weekdays to avoid the weekend surge of traffic from LA and San Diego. Mondays-Thursdays are ideal!
Best Wedding Venues in Joshua Tree california
If you’re having a larger wedding, the National Park might not be the best place to have a ceremony as its largest wedding location only accommodates up to 100. But the good thing about the whole area around Joshua Tree is that there are plenty of amazing private venues that look and feel a lot like landscapes you’ll find in the National Park. Here are my favorite spots!
Can I take Engagement Photos in Joshua Tree national park?
Joshua Tree is an absolutely gorgeous place to take engagement photos. You do still need a permit, and it’s the same $120 permit you apply for with a wedding. The locations are the same, though with engagements you likely have a bit more freedom to hike around a bit since you won’t be in a wedding dress/suit.
Why the mojave desert?
I visited Joshua Tree for the first time ten years ago when my brother was stationed at the military base there. I was immediately enchanted, and have since gone back on many personal trips – one of which was on the way out to our wedding in Big Sur. And when we hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, we went through the Mojave desert, skirting just around the park.
Nate and I have traveled all over the world and despite our best efforts, we have never found another place like Joshua Tree. The high desert feels like home.
Joshua Tree is a place we love dearly, one we frequent often, and one we would love to share with you.
For more inspiration, here are a few of our favorite shoots from Joshua Tree.
Nate & Megan / Cedar & Pines are award winning wedding photographers based in Southern California. Their work consists of outdoor elopements and intimate weddings in nature, inspired by landscapes and complimentary to the colors in the environment. They live and work in Joshua Tree California and travel often to Southwest Colorado, Moab Utah, and other destinations worldwide.