How to Elope at Joshua Tree National Park
If you have experienced a shift in your wedding plans or simply prefer an intimate celebration, eloping is a delightful option to consider. Eloping can often mean more flexibility with selecting a venue location as there is a smaller guest list. Many couples choose to adventure outdoors when planning their elopement. One of our favorite intimate wedding locations is Joshua Tree National Park! The desert view filled with unique Yucca trees offers a natural backdrop for a stunning elopement. You and your future spouse can celebrate with a small ceremony and then explore the park during photography. If you are interested in planning an elopement at Joshua Tree National Park, we are sharing our top tips to consider!
Gather the Right Paperwork
Most national parks will require specific paperwork for weddings or elopements. When creating your wedding budget, be sure to factor these costs in. In order to host an elopement at Joshua Tree, a special use permit is required. This typically costs $120 and each vendor will be required to obtain an individual permit. A general annual pass costing $55 on average is also required to visit the national park anytime. That way, you can visit Joshua Tree before your special day to view your elopement location in person!
Notify Your Guests
If you are bringing a small guest list along for your elopement, provide local hotel or Airbnb options for their stay. Also, include the shuttle location for your ceremony as guests are not permitted to drive themselves at many venues throughout the park. Even if you are choosing to invite your guests virtually, be sure to plan ahead of time so everybody can be present. Service in the park can be limited, so you will need to bring along the applicable technology to connect to your guests such as a mobile hotspot.
Choose Your Ceremony Location
Depending upon your guest list, you may choose from multiple ceremony locations listed on Joshua Tree’s website. Factor in each guest limit and vehicle requirements for your chosen location. You may even choose to host your ceremony at a separate location and then capture elopement photos inside the national park. If you are keeping your elopement to just you and your fiance, there are plenty of ceremony options within the park to choose from!
Book Ahead
Joshua Tree National Park is an extremely popular wedding and elopement location with seasonal limitations. We recommend booking your elopement at Joshua Tree as soon as possible. Tip: book your Airbnb or hotel at the same time as your venue since these locations can also become limited in space. When choosing a date for your desert elopement, weekday dates are typically less expensive with higher availability while weekends will be higher in price with limited availability. Since Joshua Tree National Park is an outdoor location, consider the time of year you are booking. Depending on the season, temperatures and sunlight time will vary.
Bring an Elopement Kit
A desert elopement means plenty of adventure! Bring along supplies so that you can enjoy the day stress-free. Aside from a bouquet and wedding attire, you will want some other items on hand. Our favorite items to pack in our elopement kit are: sunscreen, a change of shoes, reusable water bottles, protein bars, and more! There is no such thing as being too prepared, especially on your wedding day. Do what makes you the most comfortable for your dream elopement at Joshua Tree National Park.
