Unique Places to Get Married in the Southern California Desert
Off-the-Beaten Path Wedding Spots for the Adventurous Couple
We all love our favorite places. From Joshua Tree to Yosemite and in between, California packs some serious heavy hitters. But there’s no lack of beautiful places in the Golden State, which means there are so many off-the-beaten-path spots to explore. That’s where you come in!
Maybe you enjoy the desert but hate the crowds. Or maybe you love national parks but want to branch out to a new location for your wedding day. In any case, here are a handful of unique places to get married in Southern California.
Get Married in the Mojave Desert
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I drove through the Mojave National Preserve for the first time. The view was stunning. Believe it or not, the Mojave National Preserve has the highest concentration of Joshua Trees in the world! And the trees are noticeable different than ones in Joshua Tree National Park, located just two hours away
But that’s not all. The Mojave Desert hosts sand dunes, lava tubes, stacked boulders, and all sorts of beautiful stuff. If you’re looking to have an adventurous elopement in a place that feels remote and wild in all the best ways—Mojave Desert is where it’s at!
Get Hitched Amongst the Trona Pinnacles
Enjoy off-roading down long, bumpy roads? Trona Pinnacles is a small, remote spot in Southern California that seems otherworldly. The pinnacles themselves jut up from the otherwise flat ground, making for a gorgeous backdrop, especially for sunrise or sunset weddings.
Adventurous couples can even do a little off-roading, if that’s your thing. But you can also find solitude in Trona Pinnacles, so it has something from anyone.
Let’s Elope in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego is a dreamscape. The sweeping desert views and big sky offer stunning backdrops for wedding photos. I’d argue Anza-Borrego beauty matches Death Valley National Park. Slot canyons, badlands, the springtime super blooms—it’s incredible.
Anza-Borrego State Park is well known for its sculptures. Come for the famous dragon sculpture, stay for the dinosaurs, elephants, grasshoppers—you name it. Anza-Borrego is a cool spot, offering the right amount of weirdness and wildness for an adventure couple getting married.
Strange Weddings at the Salton Sea & Salvation Mountain
The Salton Sea and surrounding areas are one of the weirdest spots in the already weird state of California. And I use that term affectionately!
In its 50s/60s heyday, the Salton Sea was meant to be the pinnacle of resort life. But that didn’t last—environmental changes left the sea shallow, salty and surrounded by desert. But one of our favorite parts about these seemingly destroyed desert areas is that the art community comes in and makes these spots weird, like Salvation Mountain and East Jesus. Salvation Mountain is just a short drive away from the Salton Sea. This is the colorful creation of artist Leonard Knight. Words don’t do it justice, so check out the photos. If you’re looking to have a wild and weird wedding, this is definitely it.
Wild and Weird Weddings in Southern California
Are you the wild and weird couple who’s looking for a desert adventure for their elopement or wedding? Look no further—you’re in the right place. Book your wedding photographer and elopement planner today and have the perfect desert wedding!
