Desert wedding photos in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree

The desert east of Los Angeles gives wedding photos a look you cannot get on the coast: wide horizons, warm rock, clean mid-century lines and a night sky that fills with stars. Palm Springs and Joshua Tree National Park are about an hour apart, so many couples combine them in a single weekend. The desert also asks for more planning than a beach. Heat, permits and fast-changing light all shape the day. Here is how we approach desert weddings, elopements and portrait sessions, and what we tell couples to prepare.

Palm Springs: mid-century lines and bold color

Palm Springs is known for its mid-century modern architecture, and that style gives portraits strong shapes and a playful palette. One well-known example is the former Tramway Gas Station by Albert Frey and Robson Chambers, with its sweeping roof, which now serves as the Palm Springs Visitor Center. Residential neighborhoods have classic low homes, breeze-block walls, bright doors and tall palms.

Many of those homes are private, so we photograph from public sidewalks and never step onto a property without permission. Rental homes with mid-century design are a good option for getting ready and portraits, since you control the space. The city states that a film permit is required for filming activity on public and private property, so we confirm with the Palm Springs Film Office what applies before your date.

The windmills and open desert near Palm Springs

As you drive into the Coachella Valley through the San Gorgonio Pass, rows of wind turbines line the hills. They make a striking, graphic background, especially with low sun behind them. Much of that land is operated by energy companies and is not open for wandering, so we stay on public roads and pullouts, or look into organized options like Palm Springs Windmill Tours for closer access.

Around the valley you will also find sandy washes, rocky foothills and wide views of the San Jacinto Mountains, which give you a classic desert look without the logistics of a national park.

Joshua Tree National Park: permits and rules

Joshua Tree's twisted trees and giant boulders are the reason many couples come to the desert. The park is also clear that ceremonies need planning. According to the National Park Service, a special use permit is required for all ceremonies in any area of the park, and you must carry the approved permit during the event.

• Time limit: weddings are limited to two hours, including setup, guest arrival, photos and cleanup.
• Approved locations: the park lists specific sites, such as Hidden Valley Picnic Area and Cap Rock, each with its own group size and vehicle limit.
• Applying: applications go to the park's permit office and require a non-refundable application fee, listed at $120 on the park's weddings page when we checked in October 2026.
• Lead time: the park accepts applications at least 15 days and no more than 12 months before your date, and reviews may take about 15 business days.
• Not allowed: drones, amplified music, arches, balloons, bubbles, sparklers and releasing objects, among other items.
• Fees: entrance fees are not waived for couples or guests.

Commercial photography is a separate question. The park's business page says filming and photography permits are issued when a shoot involves props, models, professional crews, casts or set dressings. Rules can change, so we check with the park's Special Park Uses Office for each session and handle the paperwork with you.

Heat and the best seasons

Summer in the desert is serious. The National Park Service describes Joshua Tree as extremely hot in summer, notes there is limited shade, and recommends four liters of water per person. Midday sessions from June through September are hard on everyone, including your guests and your florals.

Late fall through spring is the most comfortable window for desert weddings. Days are mild, and evenings can get cold, especially in winter, so plan a layer for after sunset. If your date falls in summer, shoot at sunrise or the last hour before sunset, and keep the ceremony short.

Sunset and stars

Desert light changes quickly. The sun drops behind the mountains and the warm glow can fade faster than it does at the beach, so we plan to be at the portrait spot well before sunset. Blue hour after sundown is soft and even, and it is one of our favorite times for portraits among the boulders.

Joshua Tree National Park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2017, and on a clear, moonless night the Milky Way can be visible. Night portraits take planning: we check the moon phase, scout a foreground during the day and use a tripod. Since park ceremony permits cover a two-hour window, ask us about how a night session would fit your permit.

What to bring for a desert session

• More water than you think, plus electrolytes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for between shots
• Closed-toe shoes for walking, with dress shoes to swap in for portraits
• A warm layer or blanket for after sunset
• A small towel and wipes for dust
• A headlamp or flashlight for walking back in the dark
• Snacks, especially for long days in the park
• A printed copy of any permit

Download offline maps before you head into the park, and share your plan and expected return time with someone.

Planning a desert weekend

A common plan is getting ready and a first look at a Palm Springs rental, then a drive to Joshua Tree for a permitted ceremony and sunset portraits. Another is a weekday elopement in the park with a dinner in town after. For ideas on smaller ceremonies around the region, see our Southern California elopement ideas, and when you are ready, check your date with us.