Palm Springs Elopement Guide

Everything You Need To Know For Elopement Planning In 2023

Palm Springs Photo Shoot Locations For Eloping Couples

Has the wedding planning driven you so far into the depths of madness that you decided the best option for you and your loved one is to pack your bags, head out to the west coast, and elope in Palm Springs? Well, the good news is you are not alone! With warm weather and cold cocktails available nearly all year round, many couples are opting for a Palm Springs elopement over the traditional wedding. Nestled beneath the San Jacinto mountains, the desert city has a little bit of everything for couples eloping from hiking trails above the Palm Springs Aerial Tram to poolside views at private hotels. Whether you are flying into the Coachella Valley via the Palm Springs airport or driving into the city via California Highway 111, there really is no better place to get married than Palm Springs! So let’s go over some of the things you should know about planning a Palm Springs elopement, and check out the 10 best spots for elopements and micro weddings!

10 Best Places To Elope In Palm Springs

There are a number great locations to choose from when considering where to rock your Palm Springs elopement from open desert spaces to botanical gardens. However, one of the first things a couple needs to determine is if they want to elope somewhere that is private + secluded or at one of the many amazing properties or Palm Springs private estates. So let’s take a closer look at some of these trendy  Palm Springs photo spots that are perfect for couples eloping!

1. Casa De Monte Vista

This Spanish style private estate is located in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood of Palm Springs and is truly one of the more unique properties for elopements. Casa de Monte Vista has a courtyard, lawn, and garden area all of which can all make for a beautiful ceremony spot for any Palm Springs elopement. The private estate, which is owned and operated by an eccentric man with wild hair named Joe, has so many little areas that are perfect for wedding portraits. Not to mention, right outside of Casa de Monte Vista is a gorgeous view of the San Jacinto mountains along with some majestic palm trees that make Casa de Monte Vista a very popular event space. Personally, this is one of my favorite spots for Palm Springs elopements and small weddings and I think you will agree once you check it out for yourself. 

Check out an intimate destination wedding at Casa de Monte Vista by CLICKING HERE!

2. Ace Hotel & Swim Club

One of the trendiest Palm Springs photo spots, the Ace Hotel is perfect for anyone seeking that hipster relaxed vibe setting. Couples can get married by the private pool and vintage trailer then take photos throughout the hotel. One of the coolest things about having a Palm Springs elopement at Ace Hotel & Swim Club is that not only will you get rad photos, but you are centrally located to everything in the city since basically all the places and things-to-do are off Palm Canyon Drive. The white walls and retro swim club vibe are great for wedding photos, but it is the Commune Wall at Ace Hotel that really provides a unique backdrop for Palm Springs elopement photography. This is because every year the Commune Wall is redesigned by some of the most talented artists that have included Block Shop Textiles, Chazwick “Chaz” Bear, and Laura Berger.

Check out Palm Springs elopement at Ace Hotel & Swim Club by CLICKING HERE!

3. Moorten Botanical Gardens

For couples who love greenery and some cactus goodness, Moorten Botanical Garden is a fantastic location for a Palm Springs Elopement. Couples can explore desert plants from South Africa to the Mojave desert, then get hitched on the garden lawn. There are a lot of reasons why Moorten Botanical Garden is a great location for an elopement with the first being cost. For small weddings and elopements, the investment is only $1,000 for up to 20 guests and 2 hours of renting the grounds! And of course, Moorten Botanical Garden has one of the desert’s most iconic greenhouses which has been the setting for many Palm Springs elopement photos featured on Brides, Green Wedding Shoes, and other popular wedding publications.

Check out aPalm Springs elopement at Moorten Botanical Garden by CLICKING HERE!

4. The Saguaro Hotel

If color is what you seek for your Palm Springs elopement than look no further than the Saguaro Hotel. Recognized as the most instagrammable place in Palm Springs, and a popular spot for engagement photos, the Saguaro offers many wedding packages for couples looking into micro weddings or who simply plan on eloping in the desert city. The trendy wedding venue is located in downtown Palm Springs, has a colorful outdoor space, pool area that offers ridiculous views of the San Jacinto mountains, and a terrace area that can provide accommodations for roughly 200 people. However, what really makes The Saguaro the perfect location for a Palm Springs elopement are the design elements throughout the property that create a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos. Oh and the nachos at the Tequila bar inside are truly something incredible!

Learn more about planning a desert wedding at the Saguaro Hotel by CLICKING HERE!

5. Palm Springs Windmills Photoshoot

One of the most iconic Palm Springs photo spots is located in the open desert near the windmills. Honestly, most couples have a love/hate relationship with our energy-producing friends, but if you are one of those people who love the open desert (and renewable energy) then Palm Springs elopement at the windmills is certainly something to consider. First of all, the high winds really bring the temperature down to something bearable in the summer months for couples rocking Palm Springs windmills photoshoots in June-September. And not to mention, the area is private, secluded, and easy to access, only taking a 10-minute drive on North Indian Canyon Drive to reach the Palm Springs windmills.

Get directions to the Palm Springs, CA windmills by CLICKING HERE!

6. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Couples who want a little eco-diversity for their Palm Springs elopement should consider getting married on top of the aerial tramway. One of the coolest things about Palm Springs in the February-March time of year is that you can literally be sitting by the pool drinking a cocktail in 100-degree weather than 30 minutes later be on top of the aerial tramway where it is 50 degrees with snow all over the ground. How f***ing crazy is that?! The swimsuit to snowshoes transition within an hour is certainly a unique experience, but the reality is there are some truly amazing spots in the San Jacinto mountains at the top of the aerial tramway that is perfect for couples who want an outdoors Palm Springs elopement. The best part is it only costs $36.00 to use the aerial tramway, and they might even play Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” when you are heading up or down!

Learn more about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway by CLICKING HERE!

7. Coachella Valley Preserve

If you want an outdoor wedding near Palm Desert that is surrounded by Joshua trees and everything beautiful the desert has to offer than look no further than the Coachella Valley Preserve. This rad location nestled between Palm Springs, CA and Joshua Tree National Park is perfect for anyone seeking a quiet, desert elopement vibe. There are big beautiful palms, open desert spaces, and all sorts of little areas that are perfect for a photo shoot locations. The Coachella Valley Preserve also does not charge for couples to elope in the protected grounds (although they do ask for a small donation). So if you like the outdoors, hiking, and that Coachella desert energy than this is certainly a location to put on your “places to elope in Palm Springs” list. Even if you decide not to get married here you should definitely visit the location and go for a hike on once of your future romantic getaways to the desert! 

Learn more about the Coachella Valley Preserve by CLICKING HERE!

8. Palm Springs Desert Wedding

One location that may couples love for their Palm Springs elopement is simply the open desert near the visitor’s center. Any bride or groom who is planning to elope in the desert and asking, “Where can I take pictures in Palm Springs?” there is no spot easier to access, with better views, or more affordable than this spot. Simply park your car at the visitor’s center which located right off Highway 111 as you enter Palm Springs, then walk out into the open desert until you find a spot that feels like magic. On the west will be a glorious view of the San Jacinto mountains, a little east you can see the windmills in the distance, and the “Welcome to Palm Springs” sign is only about 100 yards away. Personally, I have photographed nearly 100 Palm Springs elopements and this is still one of my all-time favorite elopement shoot locations. 

Learn more about the Palm Springs Visitor’s Center CLICKING HERE!

9. Kimpton Rowan Hotel In Downtown Palm Springs 

When elopement planning, it can be helpful to work with a property that offers wedding packages that are a little more all inclusive. Kimpton Rowan is one of those properties that makes it easy for those planning elopements or micro weddings because you can:

1. Literally stay at the Kimpton Rowan after your wedding
2. Have rehearsal dinners right on the hotel property 
3. Work with the property event planners to find local wedding vendors

Each wedding package includes different options so you would want to discuss everything with the on-site wedding planner so they can help make your vision a reality. Also, remember you can simply rent the beautiful ceremony spot indoors that overlooks downtown Palm Springs and choose your own wedding vendors. Truthfully, 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. 

Learn more about Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs elopement packages by CLICKING HERE!

10. Palm Springs Airbnb 

Listen, the two things Palm Springs, CA has an abundance of are sunshine and kick ass properties. So if you are looking to have your elopement feel like one of your romantic getaways then simply go online and find one of the many awesome Palm Springs Airbnb options. We can get creative and shoot near some blooming buganvilla in the yard, or have the photo shoot be super relaxed with you two drinking some wine in a hammock. Honestly, people tend to feel way more comfortable in this type of setting so it always results in great photographs. And who knows, maybe I can get you two to jump in the pool or do something wild!  

Check out 10 of the most stylish Palm Springs Airbnb properties by CLICKING HERE!

Palm Springs Elopement Package

How Much Is A Palm Springs Elopement Photographer?

So you decided that you wanted to actually enjoy your wedding day and unfortunately, that means leaving your family and friends behind to elope in Palm Springs. AWESOME! Good decision! This is your wedding day and the last thing it should be is stressful or a financial kick to the nuts. Now that you are sold on the desert the one thing you will want to do is book a Palm Springs elopement photographer to document you and your partner in all your wedding day glory. Palm Springs elopement packages will vary depending on the hours of coverage. Here is a break down of how much that investment would be:

1. One hour of Palm Springs elopement photography $950
2. Two hours of Palm Springs elopement photography $1,850
3. Three hours of Palm Springs elopement photography $2,700

Ryan Horban is a wedding photographer in the Coachella Valley who has documented hundreds of Palm Springs elopements. His hobbies include power walking on the treadmill, petting dogs, making sweet love to his wife while Sade plays on Spotify, and photographing kick ass couples.

There are many awesome Palm Springs outdoor wedding venues and hotels, but for couples who want simplicity, there are also some unique spots in the surrounding Coachella Valley that are perfect for a Palm Springs elopement. These are locations mostly known to local wedding vendors like myself who has spent over 10 years photographing couples in Palm Springs. This Palm Springs elopement guide had to keep the list only to ten spots, but please feel free to check out these other venues that are great choices for elopements and micro weddings:

• The Lautner Compound 
• Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
• Sparrow’s Lodge
• La Serena Villas 
• Frederick Loewe Estate
• Twin Palms Frank Sinatra Estate
• Le Meridien Parker Palm Springs

Are you looking for a Palm Springs wedding venue for a small or large wedding? Then check out this article on the 7 Best Palm Springs Wedding Venues by CLICKING HERE!