How to Elope in Joshua Tree
Eloping in a national park means that photos have an extra special something behind them. These preserved, sacred places mean that you can come back and visit your elopement location years in the future — how cool is that?!
Imagine gorgeous desert vistas, dotted with rock formations, unique flora, and views for days. Let us introduce you to Joshua Tree National Park: an incredible backdrop for your wedding or elopement!
Joshua Tree Fun Facts
Joshua Tree National Park is one of nine national parks in the state of California.
Joshua trees aren’t actually trees: they are a type of yucca plant! These beauties have an average life of around 150 years.
Over 750 plant species call Joshua Tree National Park home! The park is also home to 57 different mammal species.
The Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert meet in Joshua Tree National Park, and the two deserts have wildly different topography and ecosystems.
How Do I Get a Marriage License for Joshua Tree National Park?
Here’s our step by step guide to getting your California marriage license for your Joshua Tree wedding!
- Visit the county clerk’s office. Joshua Tree National Park straddles both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, but you can obtain your license through any county in California!
- Both you + your partner are required to be present with a valid government-issued ID; you can also fill out an application form ahead of time online to save some time!
- Marriage license fees vary by county: as an example, the fee is around $90 in San Bernardino County.
- Your marriage license is valid for 90 days from the date it was issued: so let’s get to planning!
Do I Need a Permit to Get Married in Joshua Tree?
Yes, you do need a permit to get married and have a wedding ceremony in Joshua Tree National Park. The Special Use Permit is required for all weddings, regardless of size. Here’s what you need to know:
- Apply for a special use permit.
- Pay a fee: the non-refundable permit processing fee is $120.
- Check out the designated wedding locations: Joshua Tree National Park has specific sites where ceremonies are allowed, each with its own guest capacity limit.
- Keep an eye on restrictions! No arches, tables, chairs, amplified music, or throwing of confetti/flowers.
Where to Stay in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park is bordered by the towns of Joshua Tree [makes sense!] and Twentynine Palms. You can find a plethora of unique, cute, and serene Airbnbs in these two spots! Places to stay in Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms for your elopement may be a bit pricier than surrounding areas due to their proximity to the park.
Venturing just a little further on the 62 shows off the towns of Yucca Valley and Moreno Valley.
Best Places to Elope in Joshua Tree
It’s worth exploring Joshua Tree National Park outside of your wedding ceremony, too! This vast landscape takes you away from prying eyes — and our experience shooting in this desert paradise helps us show you all of the spots worth exploring.
Joshua Tree Elopement Timeline
Here are a few examples of itineraries for your desert elopement! Every elopement is unique — so play around with what speaks to you!
- wake up at a quirky Airbnb in Yucca Valley or Twentynine Palms with your partner, and enjoy breakfast together!
- get ready in two separate rooms, each with your own photog to document those last minute details [that’s where we come in!]
- have an intimate “first look” moment on the grounds of your desert Airbnb.
- head to the location for your Joshua Tree wedding ceremony, picnic lunch in tow!
- after your ceremony, hike and explore around the park; finding the perfect spot for lunch.
- enjoy the morning at a mid century modern boutique hotel in nearby Palm Springs.
- help each other get ready: with your photographers capturing special moments such as zipping up your partner’s wedding dress!
- go out for breakfast, and then a scenic drive or hike!
- have your beautiful elopement ceremony in the national park.
- head back to Palm Springs and the dinner reservations that await you!
Some of our favorite moments have been:
- a Joshua Tree elopement where the bride and groom went bouldering together [they actually met at a rock climbing gym!
- a couple having coffee and donuts to accompany their sunrise wedding!
- a bride and groom taking a dip in a natural hot spring to round out their elopement day!
- a wedding in Joshua Tree where the couple decided to get matching Joshua Tree tattoos!
Your elopement day can be whatever you want it to be: so don’t limit your thinking! What do you and your partner like to do together, and what do the two of you hold most dear? Start there and we can help with the rest!
Joshua Tree Elopement Photographer
Being an elopement photographer in Southern California means getting to explore this desert paradise. We love Joshua Tree National Park: for hiking, camping, and weddings!
Joshua Tree National Park offers some of the most unique landscapes of any other national park. If dancing to the beat of your own drum is your thing, eloping in Joshua Tree just might be, too.