Joshua Tree Wedding: Beautiful Destination for Your Dream Day
Joshua Tree is one of the most amazing places on earth. Its tranquil desert setting is vast and serene. It features towering rock formations, sprawling branches of Joshua trees, and spectacular views of unbeatable desert sunsets. No wonder couples flock to the area as a spectacular backdrop for a wedding! So, if you’re looking for […]
Joshua Tree is one of the most amazing places on earth. Its tranquil desert setting is vast and serene. It features towering rock formations, sprawling branches of Joshua trees, and spectacular views of unbeatable desert sunsets. No wonder couples flock to the area as a spectacular backdrop for a wedding! So, if you’re looking for the perfect destination to start the next chapter of your love story, you’ll want to think about a Joshua Tree wedding!
Joshua Tree Wedding: The Ultimate Guide for Hosting Your Dream Day
What Time of Year Should You Consider?
Joshua Tree is a literal desert, and while the aesthetic is to die for, it also comes with intense desert heat. I recommend choosing your wedding date for a cooler month, like March through May or September through November, to avoid temperatures of over 100 degrees. Since Joshua Tree is also a popular spot for tourists, I always recommend getting married on a weekday when possible. I promise you’ll appreciate the privacy and intimacy!
Last but not least, I also recommend having your ceremony at sunrise or sunset. Not only will you have cooler temperatures, but you’ll also avoid more crowds AND take advantage of gorgeous golden sunlight for spectacular photos!
Where to Get Married at Joshua Tree
Finding the right location for your Joshua Tree wedding is the best part of planning! Take a look at some suggested ceremony sites below. You’ll want to consider your guest count before selecting a specific spot. Remember that you’ll likely need a Special Use Permit to get married at any of these locations.
- Hidden Valley Picnic Area – 35 people max
- Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area – 20 people max
- Split Rock Trail – 15 people max
- Live Oak Picnic Area – 5 people max
- Cap Rock – 25 people max
- Quail Springs Picnic Area – 15 people max
- Other ceremony sites
Obtaining a California Marriage License & Joshua Tree Permits
Getting your marriage license in California is a pretty straightforward process. First, you must complete an application and meet all prior requirements. Then, schedule an in-person appointment with their online reservation system to enter the San Bernardino Hall of Records or High Desert Government Center. Once your license is issued, you’ll have 90 days to have your wedding ceremony and file your license to make it official! You don’t need to be a California resident to get married in Joshua Tree. Still, if you’re traveling from out of town, you’ll want to plan ahead to get your marriage license promptly.
You must also apply for a Special Use Permit (SUP) from Joshua Tree National Park. The permit is a non-refundable $120, and you’ll need one regardless of the number of people in attendance.
Joshua Tree Wedding
One of the biggest perks of having a Joshua Tree wedding is the stunning desert scenery; that’s why you need a fantastic wedding photographer who can deliver an album full of breathtaking portraits that emphasize the sensational views and the two of you! This is where I come in. As an experienced photographer with a passion for adventure and an eye for artistry, I can help you curate a fantastic wedding album full of pictures that will become treasured family heirlooms.
A Joshua Tree wedding is enchanting, ethereal, and as intimate as it is vast. So, if you still have questions about getting married in Joshua Tree, I’m happy to help you plan to the best of my ability!
