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Palm Springs Cactus Botanical Garden Wedding At Moorten – 2023 Bridal Guide
Are you looking for a unique botanical garden for your outdoor wedding in Palm Springs, California? If so, Moorten Botanical Garden and cactarium is a spot you MUST see. This hidden gem located right off Palm Canyon Drive is one of the truly rad wedding venues out here in the desert. Especially, for couples planning a small wedding or Palm Springs elopement. And yes, it is up there with some of my personal favorite private family estate and chic hotel venues such as Casa de Monte Vista and Korakia Pensione. As a wedding photographer, I get so many clients asking about a Moorten Botanical Garden wedding. Therefore, I created this article to provide you with essential details about Moorten Botanical Garden as a wedding venue, answers to frequently asked questions, and recent photos from a real wedding at this stunning location. So, whether you are considering a desert elopement or a micro wedding, this guide is for you. Let’s get started!
QUICK PLUG: I am a Palm Springs wedding photographer with 12+ years of experience documenting weddings in Southern California. If you find this article helpful, like my photographs, and need a photographer for your event, feel free to message me HERE. Or text me at 951-704-9503 for information on wedding or elopement packages!
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 Features
Moorten Botanical Garden, a hidden gem in Palm Springs, is the perfect venue for couples seeking an outdoor wedding. This one-acre garden is home to thousands of cacti and succulent specimens from around the world, yet maintains a cozy, intimate atmosphere. As you walk through the garden, you’ll travel through various arid biomes, from the Baja California Peninsula to the South African-Succulent Karoo. You’ll not only encounter a vast array of cacti, but also agaves, bombaxes, and South African aloes, interspersed with interesting collections of rocks, crystals, fossils, and gold-mining relics. And while the garden is perfect for exploration, it’s also a popular and romantic setting for weddings.
- Located 1.5 miles from downtown Palm Springs with on-street parking available
- Guided tours available, but booking ahead is recommended
- Various arid biomes represented, including Baja California Peninsula and South African-Succulent Karoo
- Home to not only cacti, but also agaves, bombaxes, and South African aloes
Moorten Botanical Garden Wedding Cost
The rental fees to get married at Moorten Botanical Garden are as follows:
- 1-19 Guests: $1,000 (2 hrs)
- 20-50 Guests: $1,500 (3 hrs)
- 51-100 Guests: $1,800 (3 hrs)
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.
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!
Moorten Botanical Garden Wedding Frequently Asked Questions
Is the staff at Moorten Botanical Garden accommodating?
Yes, the staff at Moorten Botanical Garden is known for being kind and accommodating, ensuring a pleasant experience for the bride and groom. The family still owns and operates the desert wedding venue and has always been awesome to work with!
Are weddings at Moorten Botanical Garden private?
Weddings at Moorten Botanical Garden are semi-private as the gardens remain open to visitors during ceremonies. However, the area designated for wedding ceremonies is secluded and intimate, making it suitable for couples looking for a relatively private affair.
What is the maximum guest capacity for weddings at Moorten Botanical Garden?
The maximum guest capacity is 100 people. This is to maintain the intimate and secluded atmosphere of the garden area where ceremonies take place. And honestly, if you are getting married at Moorten Botanical Garden, you wouldn’t want more than that. Why? Because the wedding ceremony event space is a little small.
Can I take engagement photos at Moorten Botanical Garden?
Yes, Moorten Botanical Garden is a beautiful and unique setting, perfect for engagement photos as well as wedding ceremonies. In fact, the greenhouse inside the popular historical garden showplace is one of the most iconic spots in Palm Springs, California!
Moorten Botanical Garden Palm Springs, CA 92264
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