Palm Springs Cactus Botanical Garden Wedding At Moorten

Looking for a unique outdoor wedding venue in Palm Springs? Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium is a spot you absolutely have to see. Tucked right off Palm Canyon Drive, this hidden gem is one of the most rad wedding venues in the desert. Especially for couples planning a small wedding or Palm Springs elopement. Honestly, Moorten sits right up there with some of my personal favorites like Casa de Monte Vista and Korakia Pensione.

After 15 plus years photographing Palm Springs weddings, I still get asked about Moorten Botanical Garden all the time. So I put together this guide covering everything you need to know, from what the space actually looks like to what your wedding day experience will feel like here.

A huge thank you to the couples who generously allowed me to share their private moments with you. These are real photos from real weddings and elopements at Moorten, and my hope is they help you get a genuine feel for this stunning venue. Fair warning, some of this is older work so be kind. But the garden? The garden has always been beautiful. Let’s get into it.

Moorten Botanical Garden Iconic Greenhouse

The iconic greenhouse at Moorten Botanical Garden is undoubtedly one of the coolest spots for engagement and wedding photos in Palm Springs, California. Nestled on Palm Canyon Dr, it’s a must-visit spot for those looking for rad wedding photos that ooze Southern California desert charm. Over the years, the greenhouse has been the backdrop for hundreds of romantic weddings. And you know what? To this day, I still love photographing couples inside it. However, you need to be careful walking in there as the walkways are tight and cacti are everywhere. In fact, I have been pricked more than once in the greenhouse LOL.

Not only does the greenhouse provide a unique setting, but it also offers a respite from the late afternoon or evening sun. This can make a difference when temperatures hit triple digits like they routinely do even in September and October! Below are a few more photos of the greenhouse from previous weddings and engagements I photographed.

Fun Fact: Moorten Botanical Garden has hosted thousands of events and over 1,200 weddings since opening!

Moorten Botanical Garden Wedding Cost

The rental fees to get married at Moorten Botanical Garden are as follows:

Additional options include rehearsal at $250 per hour and additional time at $500 per hour. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure the date, with the balance due before the wedding or event.

You’ll find the owners to be as kind and accommodating as you could wish for. Additionally, the rental fee at Moorten Botanical Garden is quite affordable, partly because the gardens remain open during your ceremony. While some enjoy the smiles of garden visitors as they walk through in wedding attire, it may not suit everyone’s taste, especially if you desire a more private Palm Springs wedding. However, the garden area designated for ceremonies is secluded and intimate, which is why the guest list is limited to no more than 100 people.

Moorten Botanical Garden Wedding Features

Moorten Botanical Garden is one of those Palm Springs wedding venues that genuinely will stop you in your tracks. Let me explain. The outdoor garden venue is located on one acre packed with thousands of cacti and succulents from around the world, and yet, somehow the whole place still feels cozy and intimate. As a Palm Springs wedding photographer this place is an absolute dream to shoot in.

Walking through Moorten feels like traveling through entirely different worlds. Baja California Peninsula, South African Succulent Karoo, agaves, bombaxes, aloes, incredible rock and crystal collections, fossils, gold mining relics. Every corner of this garden gives you something unexpected and beautiful.

Located just 1.5 miles from downtown Palm Springs, Moorten Botanical Garden is surprisingly accessible. Street parking is available and guided tours can be arranged ahead of time. But honestly, for wedding couples the garden speaks for itself. There is no backdrop quite like this one in all of Palm Springs. If you want something wild, romantic, and completely unforgettable, Moorten Botanical Garden deserves a serious look.

Eloping At Moorten Botanical Garden Palm Springs

My closing advice to anyone planning an elopement in Palm Springs is simple: Explore! There are so many unexpected places to take amazing photos or hold a ceremony in Palm Springs that the best thing to do is get out there and explore the city firsthand!

If you are interested in checking out more Palm Springs destination weddings, check out a Frank Sinatra house wedding that I photographed last fall. Or for more outdoor weddings, Scott and Kate’s epic Cree Estate wedding! Also, check out some Palm Springs elopement photos below!

Frequently Asked Questions