Joshua Tree Elopement Photography Packages

Joshua Tree starry night sky at Keys view

Joshua Tree, a land of boulders and inspiration

Located just two hours from the hustle and bustle of Los angeles, Southern California’s Joshua Tree National Park is a true wilderness oasis. Eloping couples will find the stunning boulder strewn landscapes of Joshua Tree to be a wedding wonderland. Sculpted by both strong winds and the occasional torrential downpour. Imagine exchanging vows with your partner with the sprawling desert of craggy mountains, massive boulders and unique trees as your backdrop. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. With these unique features, and convenient location, make it a world class destination for eloping and vacations alike. It is simultaneously desolate and lush. A bizarre and contradictory combination that you just have to see for yourself. From its unparalleled sunrises, to its awe inspiring starscapes, Joshua Tree is an ideal destination for couples looking to elope in SoCal. And with countless hiking trails, bouldering options and stargazing you can have quite the exciting vacation as well. Truly, eloping in Joshua Tree is a magical and intimate way to say "I do."

How to say I do amongst these ancient stones

Eloping in the deserts of Joshua tree requires a little planning to get the best wedding day experience, not tot mention photos. If you haven’t been before, and even if you’re a frequent visitor, it really helps to have a guide through the elopement process. Less stress is best. So to start the process I recommend booking an amazing photographer who can both create amazing images for you on your wedding day and show you the ins and outs of the elopement process so that you have the most memorable experience possible. To that end I not only offer a range of elopement photography packages from one and a half hours to multi-day coverage, so you’re sure to find an option that fits your wedding plans, but also provide a range of guides to assist you with everything from selecting your ceremony location in the park and how to plan the best eloping experience possible. Still have questions? I’m always here to help! Click the link below to jump to the section you need!

Meet Your Joshua Tree elopement Photographer

groom holds bride close as they laugh eloping at Joshua Tree
  • WIth more than a decade of wedding photography experience, hundreds of elopements and countless days spent exploring the trails of Joshua Tree, you can rest assured you’ll have the best experience possible. Your wedding is an incredibly special moment in your lives so I’m not here to just photograph it, I want to help you make it the most incredible day possible. To that end I’m more than happy to assist you with everything from selecting locations to getting permits and finding an officiant. Whatever I can do to help make your day go smoothly I’ll do. And while we’re at it, let’s have some fun too!

  • Not only am I a photographer, I also am an avid backpacker, hiker, cyclist, and dabble in off-roading. I’ve explored the popular sights, expansive trails and little known backroads of the National Park and know where we can find the perfect spot to make your vision of a Joshua Tree elopement a reality. From the iconic sights like Keys View, to the less known mountainous Old Dan 4x4 Road, we can have an adventure that is as unique as your love story and create something special you and your loved ones can treasure forever.

  • A couple in love who are in awe of the natural beauty in this world and can imagine no greater place to say I do than in the beautiful desert wilderness of Joshua Tree. Folks willing to scramble up a boulder or two or brave the chilly air of the desert before sunrise to get that perfect photo. While my photographic skills and amazing landscape to work with helps, what makes my photos truly amazing is the people in them. You don’t need to be a model, just be willing to get creative, have some fun and relax with the love of your life as you hike into this next great chapter of your love story.

2024 & 2025 Joshua Tree Elopement Photography Packages

Planning an elopement results in better photos in Joshua Tree

All Elopement photography Packages include:

Joshua Tree elopement package content.
Joshua Tree one hour photo package
Joshua Tree three hour photo package
Joshua Tree six hour photography package
Joshua Tree all day elopement package
Joshua Tree two day Photo Package
Newlyweds walk through desert of Joshua Tree

Ok, so what elopement photography package will you need?

Determining Just how much photography coverage you’ll need for your elopement can be difficult. Many times couples initially lean towards shorter packages when perusing wedding photography offerings. For most the thought of spending six hours or more in front of the camera sounds like too much. But when it comes to elopements and destination weddings they often necessitate more time. These adventures usually entail travel time between locations, hiking, and then whatever other activities you might want to plan for the big day. The last thing you will want is to be stressed out for time.

To figure out the ideal photo coverage you’ll need for your elopement, consider what adventures we’ll be having during your experience. Plan on allocating at least an hour for every location you will want to take photos in on your big day, in addition to any hiking we need to reach those locations. And don't forget to include travel time between your locations. It's wise to add some extra time for unexpected delays, such as traffic, un-tied hiking boots, or wildlife sightings, to avoid feeling rushed on your wedding day. With this tentative itinerary in mind, you can then select the right package that aligns best with your vision.

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Joshua Tree wedding Planning Guide and Resources

Bride and groom snuggle in close amongst desert pines

What do you need to elope in Joshua TRee

The Wedding Permit - Joshua Tree National Park requires a special use permit for all wedding ceremonies held within the park borders, regardless of the size. The permit can be obtained at a cost of around $120 and is a simple process. The permit covers a two-hour period for the ceremony, and only one permit is issued for each location during that time frame. Permits are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications can be submitted up to a year in advance.

Find more wedding permit Information on The NPS website

A Marriage License - Obtaining a marriage license is easy and convenient, and can be done at the San Bernardino County Clerk’s office. Both partners must be present with valid IDs to obtain the license.

The Officiant - The final requirement for your elopement is an officiant to conduct the ceremony and sign the marriage license. You have the option to hire a professional officiant or have a friend or family member get ordained online in a matter of minutes.

Where Can you have your Wedding Ceremony in the park?

Joshua Tree National Park is a highly sought-after wedding destination for couples looking to elope in Southern California. So to preserve this landscape for generations to come the park service has selected areas to be designated wedding ceremonies inside the park. Deciding on the perfect location for your ceremony comes down to not only what backdrop you prefer but how many will be joining you on your adventure as each site has it’s own limits on guests and parking. To help you plan your perfect day, I've listed the ceremony locations below and divided them up by ones I’d recommend for your big day and ones I wouldn’t

If none of the locations speaks to you consider eloping outside the park then venture in for your photos. Wedding photos inside the national park do no require a permit so it can be a great option.

My Three Favorite Joshua Tree Wedding sites

Rock wedding alter at Hidden valley in Joshua Tree

Hidden Valley Picnic Area

By far my favorite stop in Joshua Tree and for ceremonies it is just perfection. Massive boulder piles make a desert valley that hides groves of pines in its shadows. One of the best features of this place is how easy it is to walk up some of the rock formations to get some height for stunning views of the desert landscape around you. If it’s just the two of you there are countless spots off the main trail throughout the valley for a quiet, and intimate ceremony among the granite formations. With larger groups the large rock formations outside the valley make for a picturesque wedding alter. And all of this is just a short walk from the parking lot.

Max Guest Limit - 35 people

Vehicle Limit - 8

Quail Springs Picnic Area

This little gem is one of the first points of interest when entering from the western park gate. A bity of an island of granite in a sea of Joshua Trees. This spot is popular for both its easy access and its impressive rock formations. A winning combo for an intimate elopement ceremony with your closest friends and family. I love it for how many spots a couple in wedding attire can easily climb up into the rocks. This isn’t a big space so it can get crowded quick. So I recommend planning on having your ceremony here either early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Max Guest Limit - 15 people

Vehicle Limit - 8

Wedding ceremony at Cap Rock in Joshua Tree


Cap Rock

Cap Rock is another iconic location in Joshua Tree national park. The signature rock formation here stands alone among the Joshua trees and is capped by a massive boulder cap precariously perched on top. This is probably the second most popular wedding ceremony location in the park next to Hidden Valley. The trails here loop around the rock formation and allow you to pick a spot to best capture the lighting at almost any time of day. There’s easy access and it is centrally located in the park so you can hop to other spots for photos quickly

Max Guest Limit - 25 people

Vehicle Limit - 8

Other Official Ceremony Locations

  1. Split Rock; No more than 15 people and 5 vehicles.

  2. Porcupine Wash; No more than 12 people and 4 vehicles.

  3. Queen Valley Mine Intersection; No more than 10 people and 5 vehicles.

  4. Lost Horse Parking Lot; No more than 10 people and 5 vehicles.

  5. Live Oak Picnic Area; No more than 5 people and 3 vehicles.

  6. Indian Cove Amphitheater; No more than 100 people total and only 1 vehicle. You must shuttle your guest in and out of this location

  7. Turkey Flats; No more than 35 people total and up to 8 vehicles.

  8. Rattlesnake Picnic Area; No more than 20 people and 8 vehicles.

Bride and groom pose before dead tree in Joshua Tree

When to go

Basically, avoid the summer months to avoid the heat! The summer is the off season however, so if you don’t mind exploring the park at sunrise and sunset you can make it work. Winter is my personal favorite time to explore the park

Sunset on the desert landscape of California's Joshua Tree National Park.

How’s the weather?

In the summer months it is hot day and night. In the Fall and Spring Joshua tree is pleasant to warm during the day and cool at night. Winter it can get cold during the day, even sometimes snowing and nights are freezing!

Things to do

Joshua Tree is famous for its bouldering opportunities so if you’re feeling adventurous book a climbing session with one of the many local guides and learn the ropes! For a less vertical but equally exciting time head out to pioneer town for an old west adventure ending at the local saloon.

What to avoid

Don’t underestimate the heat! Plan your trip and your wedding around the temperature. The mornings and evenings are not only cooler but you get the added benefit of the beautiful golden hour light.

Let’s plan it!

If you’re already envisioning saying I do among the towering rock formations of Joshua Tree then look below for my elopement guide to start planning your adventure. Or if you have any questions fill out the contact form and I’ll answer them right away.

Joshua Tree Wedding Vendors I love

Couple says their vows with officiant Marie in Joshua Tree

Let’s Get Married by Marie

More than 1,600 couples have chosen Marie to be a part of their grand adventure. Specializing in anti-boring weddings, Marie does a phenomenal job of personalizing every ceremony and making it the unique experience you always dreamed of.

Every wedding we have done together has been nothing short of spectacular, and she really goes above and beyond to make sure your ceremony is perfect.

Joshua Tree Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes! Joshua Tree National Park is a famous wedding destination attracting couples from all over the world. There are a number of fantastic sites in the park that you can have your wedding ceremony at. And the scenic desert landscape makes for a unique backdrop to your wedding photos.

  • The cost for a wedding in Joshua Tree starts at $120 to cover the cost of a permit. From there the cost depends on what wedding vendors you decide to hire, if you decide to have a reception, and what accommodations you choose.

  • The best month for a Joshua Tree elopement is either March or November. Spring and Fall are often the best seasons to visit the park as the Summer can be far too hot to have a wedding in the park. In Winter the park is also less crowded but the weather is on the cold side for a wedding but doable.

  • Yes. A special use permit is required for all weddings taking place in the park. The process is relatively pain free and streamlined with the $120 permit cost being payable online through a government payment portal.

  • The national Park has designated specific locations for wedding ceremonies in the park. Of those I recommend Hidden Valley Picnic Area, Cap Rock, Quail Springs Picnic Area and Split Rock. Those are the most scenic locations you can choose for your ceremony.

  • The best place to elope in Joshua Tree is inside the nearby National Park. There are however some cool sites in BLM land adjacent to the park that can make for a great destination. In addition there are a few unique wedding venues located in the town and neighboring Yucca Valley.