Palm Springs Elopement

Three hundred weddings and Palm Springs elopements. That is not a typo.

Palm Springs is my home. I know where the light hits best at 5pm in October. I know where to get the best Mexican food after a ceremony (it’s TacQuila). I know that Workshop Kitchen is worth every penny for a wedding night dinner. I have shot in 119 degree heat in the Coachella Valley, watched more brides and grooms jump into a pool fully dressed than anyone on earth probably, and can tell you exactly which windmill road to take at golden hour to avoid the tourist traffic.

This is not a guide I googled. This is 10+ years of living and working in the desert as a Palm Springs elopement photographer.

Here is what I know after 300 plus sessions here. Palm Springs does something to couples. The San Jacinto Mountains, the light, the warm air, the energy of the city. People arrive a little stressed from the drive and within an hour they are completely relaxed, laughing, present. That is when the best photos happen, and that is when eloping in Palm Springs starts to feel less like skipping a wedding and more like having exactly the right one.

This guide covers everything you need to plan your Palm Springs elopement. The best elopement locations, how to get your marriage license, what time of year actually makes sense, honest pricing, and everything in between.

Let’s get into it.

10 Best Places To Elope In Palm Springs

Palm Springs has an almost unfair number of incredible elopement locations. Open desert landscapes, botanical gardens, private estates, boutique hotels, mountain peaks. The options can feel overwhelming fast, so here is how I always tell couples to think about it first.

Do you want total privacy at a gated property where you have the space entirely to yourselves? Or do you want the raw, wide open beauty of the desert landscape with nothing between you and the horizon? Both are incredible, they just feel completely different on your elopement day. Here are my personal favorites.

1. Casa De Monte Vista

Casa De Monte Vista is one of my personal favorites, and honestly one of the best kept secrets in Palm Springs elopements.

The property sits in the historic Old Las Palmas neighborhood, one of the most storied streets in all of Palm Springs, and yet you are five minutes from everything on Palm Canyon Drive. That combination of total seclusion and central location is genuinely rare.

The owner is a guy named Joe. Eccentric, warm, handles everything personally. There is a door from Antonio Banderas’ house just sitting on the property as a conversation piece. That pretty much tells you everything you need to know about the vibe.

What I love most about shooting elopements here is the privacy. The property is fully gated and surrounded by florals and native plants. Nobody is walking past. Nobody is accidentally ending up in the background of your photos. Just you, the towering palms, and the San Jacinto Mountains behind you.

The space works for just about every kind of couple. There is an open ceremony lawn perfect for a more traditional wedding setup, but there are also smaller tucked away corners throughout the property that are ideal for an intimate elopement or micro wedding where you just want something quiet and personal.

One of the best elopement locations in the Coachella Valley. Full stop.

Check out an intimate destination wedding at Casa de Monte Vista Here!

2. Ace Hotel & Swim Club

If your vibe is laid back, a little hipster, and effortlessly cool, then the Ace Hotel is your place. This is one of the most iconic elopement locations in downtown Palm Springs, and honestly one of the most fun venues to shoot at.

You can get married right by the private pool with that vintage trailer as your backdrop, then wander the property for portraits that feel completely different from anything else in the city. The white walls, the retro swim club energy, the eclectic details everywhere you look. This place gives me something new to work with every single time.

The real standout, though, is the Commune Wall. Every year the Ace commissions some of the most talented artists in the country to completely redesign it. Past artists have included Block Shop Textiles, Chazwick “Chaz” Bear, and Laura Berger. What that means for you is a one of a kind backdrop that no other couple has ever used in quite the same way. Your elopement photos will be one of a kind, tied to that exact moment you were there.

And the location could not be more convenient. Basically everything worth doing in Palm Springs is off Palm Canyon Drive, and the Ace sits right in the middle of all of it. After your ceremony you are steps away from the best restaurants, bars, and shops the city has to offer.

Check out a Palm Springs elopement at Ace Hotel & Swim Club Here!

3. Moorten Botanical Garden

If you and your partner are the kind of people who get excited about a giant cactus, Moorten Botanical Garden is your elopement spot.

This place is unlike anything else in Palm Springs. Over 3,000 species of desert plants from the Mojave to South Africa, all packed into one incredibly photogenic acre in the heart of the city. The winding paths, the towering cacti, the greenhouse that has been featured in Brides, Green Wedding Shoes, and pretty much every major wedding publication worth reading. This location never gets old for me.

The ceremony happens on the garden lawn, which feels like a genuine private oasis even though you are right in the middle of downtown Palm Springs. The botanical garden has this lush, otherworldly quality that makes your photos look like nothing else in the desert.

Check out a Palm Springs elopement at Moorten Botanical Garden Here!

4. The Saguaro Hotel

The Saguaro is the most colorful building in Palm Springs, and honestly it is not particularly close. If you have spent any time on Instagram looking at Palm Springs elopements, you have already seen this place without knowing it.

The bold geometric color blocks, the pool with those ridiculous San Jacinto Mountain views, the terrace that can accommodate everything from a two person elopement to a micro wedding of 200. The design elements throughout the property were made for photography, and every corner gives you something different to work with.

Located right in downtown Palm Springs, the Saguaro is centrally positioned for everything the city has to offer. Wedding packages and elopement packages are available, which makes planning your day here pretty straightforward, and the venue is flexible depending on what kind of celebration you want.

One more thing worth mentioning. The nachos at the tequila bar inside are genuinely one of the better things you will eat in Palm Springs. After your ceremony, do yourself a favor. Oh, and this is also a rad spot for Palm Springs engagement photos.

Learn more about planning a desert wedding at the Saguaro Hotel Here!

5. Palm Springs Windmills Photoshoot

Look, people have opinions about the windmills. Some love them, some find them industrial and weird. But hear me out.

The open desert stretch along North Indian Canyon Drive where those towering windmills line the landscape is one of the most dramatic and unique elopement backdrops in all of Palm Springs. There is nothing else that looks like it anywhere in California, and it’s one of those locations that consistently produces images that stop people mid-scroll.

The area is private, easy to access, and only about ten minutes from downtown Palm Springs. No permits, no crowds, no strangers wandering into your shots. Just you, the open desert landscape, and hundreds of spinning windmills doing their thing in the background.

One useful detail for couples considering a summer elopement. The wind out here is real, and it actually works in your favor. Those high desert winds bring the temperature down significantly compared to the rest of the city, which makes the windmills one of the more bearable summer elopement locations in the Coachella Valley. Your hair will be moving, but your makeup will survive.

Golden hour here is something else. The warm light, the long shadows, the scale of the windmills against that wide open sky. Worth considering even if you think you are not a windmills person.

Get directions to the Palm Springs, CA windmills Here!

6. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

This one is genuinely wild, and I mean that in the best way.

In February you can be sitting by a pool in Palm Springs drinking a cocktail in 80 degree weather, and thirty minutes later be standing at the top of the San Jacinto Mountains at 8,516 feet with snow on the ground and 50 degree air. Same day. That is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway experience, and honestly there is nothing else like it anywhere in the world.

If you want real mountain scenery for your elopement, the views from the top of Mount San Jacinto State Park are breathtaking in a completely different way from anything else in the Coachella Valley. Think pine trees, snow capped peaks, and panoramic views stretching all the way to the desert floor below. The light up there is unlike anything I shoot at sea level, which makes it one of my favorite spots for elopement photography near Palm Springs.

At just under $37 per person to ride, this is also one of the most affordable adventure elopement locations in the area. The gondola rotates 360 degrees on the way up, so every angle gives you something worth photographing. And yes, there is a real chance they will play Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” on the ride. That has happened, and yes, it’s exactly as good as it sounds.

If your elopement day needs to feel like a genuine adventure, the aerial tramway deserves a serious look.

Learn more about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Here!

7. Coachella Valley Preserve

This one does not get nearly enough attention, and honestly I am okay with that because it means fewer people when we show up.

The Coachella Valley Preserve sits in that quiet stretch of desert between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park. Towering fan palms, open sandy trails, and that raw Mojave energy that feels completely removed from the rest of the city. The elopement photos below give you a good idea of what this place looks like. We had champagne, great energy, and zero strangers wandering into the shots, because this spot simply does not get the tourist traffic that other Palm Springs locations do.

That lack of crowds is one of my favorite things about shooting here. You can slow down, get creative, wander into corners of the preserve that feel completely yours. There is no rushing, no competing with other photographers, no strangers in the background. Just the desert, the palms, and whatever you want to do with the space.

Oh, and getting married here is essentially free. The preserve asks for a small donation, but there are no venue fees and no permits required. For a California elopement location that looks this good, that is pretty remarkable.

If you want something off the beaten path that still feels quintessentially desert, this is the one.

Learn more about the Coachella Valley Preserve Here!

8. Palm Springs Visitor’s Center

This is one of my all time favorite spots and also the most underrated elopement location in all of Palm Springs. Right off Highway 111 as you enter the city, the area around the visitor’s center gives you more variety in a small radius than almost anywhere else we shoot.

The Welcome to Palm Springs sign is literally right there, which makes for an obvious and fun shot. The old gas station nearby has that classic mid-century modern architecture that is so quintessentially Palm Springs. Open roads stretch toward the aerial tramway with the San Jacinto Mountains as the backdrop. And then there is just the open desert itself, wide, quiet, and gorgeous, with those mountain views in every direction.

As a Palm Springs elopement photographer I have shot here close to 100 times and still find new angles every visit. The light here in the late afternoon is particularly good because the mountains catch the sun in a way that makes everything glow.

Getting here is simple. Park at the visitor’s center, walk out into the desert until you find a spot that feels right, and let the landscape do the rest. No permits, no fees, no drama.

One important heads up though. Do not park there past operating hours or you will get a ticket. I know this from personal experience, more than once. Learn from my mistakes and check the hours before you go.

Learn more about the Palm Springs Visitor’s Center Here!

9. Kimpton Rowan Hotel In Downtown Palm Springs

If you want your elopement to feel like a full weekend experience rather than just a ceremony, Kimpton Rowan is worth a serious look. Stay on property, have your rehearsal dinner at the hotel, get married, and wake up the next morning without having to go anywhere. The whole thing just flows naturally when everything happens in one place.

The ceremony spot overlooks downtown Palm Springs and the views are seriously impressive. Whether you want something intimate with just the two of you or a small micro wedding with your closest people, the space works beautifully for both. The on-site event planners are helpful and will work with you to piece together the day you actually want rather than pushing you into a cookie cutter package.

One honest note though. I am not on the preferred vendor list, because some of these old snobby hotel wedding venues only want to work with their industry friends rather than the best wedding artists in the city. So if you are set on this venue and want to work with me, have that conversation with them directly upfront. Some properties are flexible about it, and some are not. Worth asking before you book.

The rooftop views alone make this one of the most visually impressive elopement locations in downtown Palm Springs. Just go in with eyes open about the vendor situation.

Learn more about Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs elopement packages Here!

10. Palm Springs Airbnb

Palm Springs has two things in abundance. Sunshine and absolutely kick ass properties.

An Airbnb elopement is honestly one of my favorite setups, and here is why. People are just more comfortable in a space that feels like home. No venue staff hovering around, no timeline pressure, no strangers nearby. Just you two, a beautiful mid-century modern property, and the whole day to enjoy it.

The creative possibilities here are pretty much endless. Blooming bougainvillea climbing the walls, a hammock with a glass of wine, the pool at golden hour, an outdoor dining table set for two. Some of my favorite Palm Springs elopement photos have come from Airbnb sessions, because the relaxed energy shows up in every single frame.

And yes, there is a solid chance I will talk you into jumping in the pool at some point. That has happened more times than I can count, and those are always the best photos of the day.

Palm Springs Airbnbs range from cozy bungalows to full blown architectural masterpieces with mountain views and infinity pools. Whatever your style, there is a property out here that fits it perfectly. Find one that speaks to you, and we will make it work.

Check out 10 of the most stylish Palm Springs Airbnb properties Here!

Why Elope In Palm Springs?

Honestly the better question is why would you not.

Palm Springs sits at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. The desert landscape, mid-century architecture, and warm California light make it one of the best elopement destinations in the country.

The weather from October through April is exceptional. Warm days, cool evenings, and that golden desert light that makes everything glow.

The city is also one of the most welcoming in California. The LGBTQ community has deep roots here. That openness shows up everywhere, and every kind of couple is celebrated equally.

And compared to a traditional wedding? The math is not even close. Skip the $40,000 banquet hall. Ditch the seating chart nobody agreed on. Get married somewhere gorgeous instead, eat great food, and spend the money on experiences that actually mean something.

How To Elope In Palm Springs

Planning your Palm Springs elopement does not have to be complicated. Here is exactly how to do it.

How To Get A Palm Springs Marriage License

Getting your marriage license in Palm Springs is actually pretty straightforward. Here is exactly what you need to know.

First, head to the Riverside County Clerk’s office. Both of you need to show up in person with valid photo ID. Neither of you needs to be a California resident, which makes Palm Springs a genuinely easy destination for couples flying in from anywhere in the world.

One of the best things about California is that there is no waiting period. That means you can pick up your license and elope the same day if you want to keep things simple and spontaneous.

The license is valid for 90 days, so you have plenty of flexibility in your planning timeline. Just make sure your ceremony happens before it expires.

You will also need a licensed officiant to make everything legal. A friend can get ordained online through the Universal Life Church in about five minutes, which is a great personal option. Or, text me and I can point you toward some of the best officiants in Palm Springs who actually know how to make a ceremony feel like yours.

For more details, call the Riverside County Clerk’s office directly at 951-486-7000.

Finally, if privacy matters to you, consider the confidential license. Unlike a standard license, the confidential version keeps your marriage record accessible only to the two of you.

Palm Springs Elopement Packages

You decided to actually enjoy your wedding day. Great decision.

Eloping in Palm Springs means no family drama, no bloated guest list, no financial hangover that follows you into your first year of marriage. Just you, your person, and one of the most beautiful desert cities in the world. The only thing left to sort out is who is going to document it properly.

No hidden fees, no surprises. Coverage is customized based on what you actually need rather than forcing you into a rigid tier that does not fit your day.

Not sure what you need? Text me at 951-704-9503 and we will figure it out together in about two minutes.

How Much Is A Palm Springs Wedding Officiant?

Officiant pricing varies depending on the date, day of the week, and time of year. A weekday elopement in December will cost less than a Saturday in October during peak season. For a real world example, here is what Let’s Get Married by Marie charges:

Beyond the price though, a good officiant makes a real difference. They handle the legal details, shape the ceremony around your actual story, and keep everything moving smoothly on your elopement day. Ask your photographer for a referral or check Yelp for reviews. Pick someone you genuinely vibe with.

FAQs

Are you looking for a Palm Springs wedding venue for a small or large wedding? Then check out this article on the 10 Best Palm Springs Wedding Venues Here!