These world-renowned sparklers put the "ice" in price.
Updated May 03, 20236 Wedding Venues in Joshua Tree, California For a Totally Unique Celebration
A round-up of top wedding venues in Joshua Tree, California.
by Megan Lierley
Updated Jul 15, 2021
If you're dreaming of a boho-chic wedding with muted desert tones and have Coachella on your wedding mood board, it doesn't get much better than Joshua Tree, California. Two distinct deserts—the Mojave and the Colorado—come together in this national park known for the distinct-looking Joshua tree. Located 45 minutes from Palm Desert, about an hour from Palm Springs, and just under two-and-a-half hours from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree is accessible while still a completely unique Southern California destination where you and your wedding guests can feel like you're in your own private world. Since it is a desert, you'll want to think about the time of year as temperatures can get into the high 90s/low 100s in the summer months. There also aren't tons of venues to choose from in Joshua Tree (which is part of its charm!), but we rounded up the most eclectic, unique, and visually stunning venues we could find for your desert wedding, and we don't think you'll be disappointed.
Sacred Sands in Joshua Tree, California
Just one mile from Joshua Tree National Park, Sacred Sands is a five-acre property with a Mojave Desert landscape and sweeping mountain views. The boho-chic style venue offers your choice between a courtyard outdoor reception or the ballroom for smaller parties (and we're pretty sure you'll want to do the ceremony outdoors in the breathtaking ceremony circle). There are four guest suites on the property that your wedding party will surely fight over—the Moroccan-inspired and artfully designed rooms come with an outdoor shower and bathtub. If you're hoping to make wedding planning as easy as possible—and who isn't?—Sacred Sands offers several packages including an all-inclusive elopement, 25 guest all-inclusive, and more. You can also choose to add upgrades such as caterers, craft beer, videography, extended live music, and/or additional florals and dessert. Sacred Sands is a desert oasis that offers privacy, gorgeous views, and a stunning landscape for enjoying your wedding day under the stars and in style.
Hicksville Trailer Palace in Joshua Tree, California
Don't let the name fool you—Hicksville Trailer Palace is funky, cool, and the perfect backdrop for a stylish and totally unique destination wedding. Just a 15-minute drive to the town center of Joshua Tree, Hicksville Trailer Palace is situated on seven acres of desert landscape. While surrounded by the muted colors of the mountains and desert, the venue itself is full of color and personality. To save your date, couples are required to book the entire property, which in addition to the wedding ceremony and reception locations, consists of 11 vintage trailers. Pricing ($2,500 for a one-day event; $4,000 for two) covers up to 50 guests, with an additional $10 fee per additional guest up to 200 people. From there, you'll meet with a pre-production team to dream up your special day. Your package includes a dance floor, bar trailer, carnival lighting around the pool, and logistical details such as parking and trash removal. For your guests who aren't huge on dancefloors, there won't be a boring moment at your fun-packed outdoor wedding. Onsite at Hicksville are arcade games, a BB gun range, shuffleboard, archery, mini-golf, and more. After your guests have danced—and mini golfed—the night away, you and your wedding party can retire to the super fun and creatively decorated trailers (like The Skipper, which looks like a pirate ship sitting in the middle of the desert).
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
Tumbleweed Sanctuary, Garden and Labyrinth in Yucca Valley, California
If you're looking for a wedding weekend that promises to reconnect you and your guests with nature, look no further than Tumbleweed Sanctuary, Garden and Labyrinth. The venue, which sits on eight acres of high desert, encourages guests to reconnect with the natural healing energies of the land, including their signature labyrinth. The ancient symbol of the labyrinth symbolizes wholeness and encourages strengthening the center of intention, integrity, and integration with a shared commitment to the greater good. Host your wedding reception indoors in the beautifully converted historic church building or outdoors under string lights and the stars. Couples rave about the fact that the venue provides everything down to decor, and the flexibility and generosity of the venue managers. Tumbleweed Sanctuary can host up to 100 guests and while there is no accommodation on-site, it is seven miles from Joshua Tree and 30 miles from Palm Springs, where your guests can choose from plenty of hotels and Airbnbs.
FOR YOU
Le Haute Desert Aerie in Pioneertown, California
Nestled in the Mojave Desert, every inch of Le Haute Desert Aerie is carefully designed and handcrafted by its artist owner. With 40 acres of fine art and natural landscape, there is still plenty of room to make the event space feel like yours and craft your own experience from Le Haute Desert Aerie's many unique settings. The venue's design is inspired by Tibetan, Indian, and Moroccan styles with many patterned furnishings and vivid colors that pop against the desert backdrop. Unique to the venue is a spring-fed lake, so you can add paddle boarding and on-site hikes to your wedding weekend agenda. Add fire pits, a wood-fire pizza oven, and no curfew (!), your guests will never want to leave this magical property. Once you've danced the night away, retire to the Morocco-inspired main guest house—one of the more glamorous venue accommodations we've seen!—where you and your new spouse can stay in the master suite. The house has room for two more couples and a number of airstreams and glamping tents are available for the rest of your wedding party. With a capacity to host up to 300 guests, this is one party—and venue—your guests won't soon forget.
Morada in Joshua Tree, California
Described as a "desert luxury Spanish estate," Morada is custom-built and outfitted with top-of-the-line finishes and furnishings. Just 10 minutes from downtown Joshua tree and 15 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, Morada is a beautiful oasis where your guests can reconnect with nature in style. With sweeping views, a large pool, jacuzzi, wood-burning fire pit, gas fire pit, and BBQ, Morada is perfect for an intimate wedding with a small wedding party who wants to soak up time together in a stunning and beautifully appointed location. When celebrations wind down, there are two different accommodations on site. The main house features three bedrooms and two baths while the detached studio, The Hideaway, sleeps four with one bathroom. If stylish vibes, privacy, and tranquility are at the top of your must-have list, check out Morada.
Nowhere California in Joshua Tree, California
Just outside Joshua Tree National Park in Wonder Valley sits Nowhere California, a self-proclaimed "desert social club" that sits on 15 acres. With 1,400 square feet of covered purchases bordering a 32-foot pool and multiple outdoor living rooms, Nowhere California is a perfect venue for a relaxed and fun-filled wedding weekend. A poolside bar is ready to serve up a full bar for your reception (and daytime poolside lounging) and will gear up the next morning with espresso and snacks. If you're wondering what your guests will do in the desert all day (besides hike, swim, and enjoy one another's company!), the Nowhere Custom Motorcycle Garage boasts a home theater and vintage arcade games. Also onsite? An outdoor yoga studio, a 25-foot trampoline, and a small but mighty rock mountain to climb. After your ceremony and reception, the property can sleep up to forty of your guests in one of its guest suites. And for the newlyweds, there's the 528 Bridal Suite, which includes a wall built of romance novels, a kitchenette, cozy covered porch, and luxurious bathroom with a tub and a marble shower.
