Joshua Tree wedding photography
Morgan Pirkle - Kept Record // Wedding + elopement Photographer Serving couples in the Joshua Tree Area
Creative, photojournalistic wedding imagery for the rad couples of Southern California and beyond! If you’re considering getting married in the magical desert of Joshua Tree just South of SoCal, I can’t recommend it enough. Not only have I had the amazing opportunity to photograph couples getting married here, but I actually eloped here myself! So I can say firsthand that it’s a truly incredible place to promise your life to your best friend. If you stopped on this page, you’re probably considering having your wedding in Joshua Tree, 29 Palms, Palm Springs, Indian Wells, or Yucca Valley. All of those are super rad and I’d be honored to follow your adventure to any of them!
p.s. love the desert but looking for something outside California? Check out this post from a Las Vegas Destination Wedding, or visit this page for information on eloping in Moab, Utah!
This page is basically a guide dedicated to my mad love affair with Joshua Tree.
You’ll find examples of photography at Joshua Tree weddings, suggestions for wedding vendors and venues in Joshua Tree, and a few introductions to some of my favorite things to do on a visit!
wondering What exactly is so special about Joshua Tree?
"Somewhere in America, about two and a half hours inland from the Los Angeles sprawl, is another America. A stranger one.” - legendary chef and author Anthony Bourdain
Joshua Tree is known for the iconic, “arms raised” trees (FYI they’re not actually trees) that’s at once unusual, breathtaking, and humbling. These strange desert creatures grow despite the obstacles all around them and we’re left in awe of their presence. Some are even estimated to be about 1,000 years old. As of 2020, they were even included in the California Endangered Species Act in a historic vote.
Not into trees so much? Don’t worry: this unforgettable desert escape has a fascinating history far beyond its unique landscape! For musicians, writers, and artists, Joshua Tree is something of a Mecca. For decades visitors have made pilgrimages to create in this otherworldly landscape, somehow a day-trip away from LA and at the same time seemingly on another planet altogether.
where to stay in Joshua Tree, California
Airbnb Ideas for LODGING Getting Ready, Ceremony, or Reception in joshua tree
Whether you’re looking for a space for two people or twenty, there are tons of options when it comes to Joshua Tree Airbnbs. Even if you’re not having any photos done at the Airbnb (always ask permission with the host first!), these options have tons to offer in terms of style, space, and amenities!
UNIQUE + LUXURY STAYS IN JOSHUA TREE
DOG-FRIENDLY STAYS IN JOSHUA TREE
If you’re planning a Joshua Tree wedding or elopement, I’d definitely consider staying a few extra days and making it a true adventure! Stay in an airbnb for a few days (maybe even rent another one out for close friends + family!), hike at the park and camp at one of the Joshua Tree campsites, walk down through all the shops (whether you’re mid-century-modern or rustic, you’ll find something new to take home!). OR plan a trip up the coast! Your options are endless. There’s so much to do and it’s so much fun to take your time and enjoy it!
the best time to visit Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree National Park has about 2.8 million annual visitors. WHOA.
The park is open year round, but temperatures are most comfortable in the Spring in Fall (but that’s when the rest of the millions of visitors will probably be lining up their trip, too.) Summers can be super hot, with an average temp of 90 degrees from June to September - but sometimes reaching above 100. Sunscreen, shade, and light clothes are key.
Winter is actually a great time to visit, because of the cooler days! It’s more overcast from November to February which can change the mood of photos. Mornings and evenings are super chilly -- if you’re eloping there in the winter, layers are your friend. Our sunrise elopement had me in goosebumps, so I recommend now that if you’re wearing light clothing to sneak layers however you can, even by wearing nude fleece-lined leggings! In winter, snow may cover the higher portion of the park (which totally blows my mind honestly). So you may get a little snow, but the temperatures are definitely bearable and you’ll likely get to cut costs on hotels/airbnbs in the off-season!
To reduce the amount of eager bystanders at your intimate park wedding ceremony, consider having it around early morning/sunrise, or plan it for sunset when many people have already left.
where to eat + drink in Joshua Tree:
To start your trip Anthony Bourdain style, hit up Pappy + Harriet’s in Pioneertown for a shot of tequila + a plate of ribs. If you’re more like me, and start your day with copious amounts of coffee, head to Joshua Tree Coffee Company instead. For our “French Press Unity Ceremony” during our elopement, we brewed coffee from this exact shop! For lunch you’ll want to check out Frontier Cafe. Then for dinner, drive down to Crossroads and DON’T LEAVE without getting the Portabello Mushroom Burger!
joshua tree wedding venues
Here are some of my favorite Joshua Tree Venues
Joshua Tree National Park - I know, I know, I’m biased. After my elopement in Joshua Tree National Park, how could I not be!? Exchanging vows during a sunrise ceremony surrounded by massive boulders and miles of desert was surreal. For engagements and weddings of any size, the National Park Service does require a special use permit; you can find more info on that here! It’s been such a joy to share my love of Joshua Tree National Park with couples like Bryan and Sayaka, Estephania and Piero, Tony and Joy, Amy and Zac, and so many others!
Cactus Moon Retreat - This is the first Joshua Tree Venue I ever shot at! It’s really wonderful because there’s two buildings on the premises, a pool, and plenty of outdoor space to host a ceremony + reception. I remember it very distinctly because I had to sew a rip in the groom’s pants moments before the ceremony began! I loved this space because it had breathtaking views, lots of room to move around, and it wasn’t too far from the National Park. The two buildings worked perfectly as individual spaces for the bride and groom to get ready nearby without any chance of seeing each other.
photos below I shot as a second shooter for Eden Strader.
The Lautner Compound - There are a few different properties on The Lautner Compound named for legendary architect John Lautner (sorry, I know you were hoping it was the werewolf Taylor Lautner - I hate to disappoint!). The ones really up for consideration are The Park, meant to host events of 200-300 guests, or The Lautner, which would be an amazing spot for couples’ wedding portraits following the ceremony or group photos of the wedding party.
Tumbleweed Sanctuary + Garden - I loved shooting at Tumbleweed Sanctuary + Garden in Joshua Tree! It’s super close to the National Park, but honestly it’s so pretty you won’t even want to leave. Just a few steps away from the ceremony site, you’ll be absolutely enclosed in the Joshua Tree desert, the sun setting behind the mountains and surrounded by the whimsical, prickly Joshua Trees. This venue has a rustic, geometric arch at the ceremony site which I adored. It didn’t take away from the immaculate landscape just behind it, yet it added that extra something. I love the idea of adding in bohemian, colorful rugs to add extra texture to the space.
29 Palms Inn - If you’re looking for a desert venue that has tons of history, art, and nature then look no further! At 29 Palms Inn, you’ll experience all of that and more. The property has a series of traditional adobe bungalows + cabins - some dating back to the 1920’s. It’s pet-friendly, too, so if you’re bringing if your best man is actually your friendly dog floof, Fido, then not to worry! Certain cabins are available for well-behaved dogs.
Serenity Escape JT - Desert. Pool. Jacuzzi. Mid-Century-Modern Glam. It’s all here folks! This cozy Airbnb may look small but it’s incredibly spacious! What I loved most about shooting here was the general flow and openness of the home. The living room offered a great space for the getting-ready portion, as it was filled with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling glass door. The home is situated very centrally on the property, with space in every direction. On one side is a bright and welcoming pool with a nearby jacuzzi (did anybody say afterparty?!). Towards the back of the house is a large space that can hold several lengthy tables and a DJ setup. The concrete dancefloor is already set up so that’s one less thing to worry about!
See some photos of the popular Airbnb below!
High Desert House Airbnb - This cozy airbnb is such a beautiful spot for an intimate wedding! There’s a pool and jacuzzi in the backyard, gorgeous sunset views of the desert and mountains, and lots of lounging area for all your guests. The architecture brings a level of modernity + simplicity, which contrasts so well with the warm textures and colors inside!
The Living Desert Zoo + Garden - There are tons of options at The Living Desert Zoo + Garden, which I absolutely love. Tour the Coachella Valley venue to see six unique ceremony sites and seven reception options! You can dance the night away under an array of towering palms at the Palm Garden Patio or exchange vows in the lush garden at the Lurie Reception Patio. I’m a girl who LOVES options and y’all - this place has got em.
Pioneertown is just a few miles away - here’s a super pretty Pioneertown wedding for inspo!
So you’re running off to elope in the desert? i did the same thing!
photos by Vic Bonvinci
Before shifting my business’ focus away from larger, traditional weddings and instead towards intimate weddings and elopements - and then expanding as a photography educator - my husband and I eloped! In January 2018, my husband and I eloped in Joshua Tree National Park. The unconventional process of eloping was incredibly insightful (and at times, difficult) but the intimate experience of promising our lives to each other - unheard by a single other person on earth - was one of the most profound, defining moments of my life. Now I love getting to help other couples in navigating the process with way less stress!
Hey y’all! I’m Morgan, the hands + the heart behind kept record.
I’m a wedding photographer, a desert elopement bride, a coffee addict through and through, and a dog mama to two sweet husky rescues named Lucy and Pepper. I mainly photograph weddings in Southern California, but my bags are always packed + I’ve always got a full tank of gas in my Jeep to serve you anywhere in the U.S.!
understanding joshua tree
from a photographer + former elopement bride’s perspective
Nobody describes Joshua Tree (or, well, anything) like Anthony Bourdain:
“Somewhere in America, about two and a half hours inland from the Los Angeles sprawl, is another America.
A stranger one.”
Being out in the desert is this simultaneous feeling of being entirely alone, but at once being intricately connected to everything around you.
This location, located east of LA near Palm Springs and San Bernadino, offers the most breathtaking, endless views of the desert, dotted by the infamous Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia). In the 1930’s, FDR pronounced this area, about the size of Rhode Island, to be a national monument. There was a large debate about naming it after Minerva Hoyt, a conservationist, but because the Parks Department did not name Parks after living people, it was called Joshua Tree instead. In the 1990’s it was officially designated as a National Park. This area has magnetically drawn artists and musicians over the years, and it’s no question why: the peaceful yet harsh landscape serves as an inspiration to every visitor.
Whether you’re planning a longer visit or just a weekend stay, there’s plenty to do in Joshua Tree!
THINGS TO DO IN JOSHUA TREE:
Joshua Tree is a mecca of antique stores. If you’re seeking a break from the sun, make sure to check out these stores for antiques + collectibles: Pioneer Crossing Antiques, Ricochet Vintage Wears, Mother Lode Antiques, and The Station.
There’s a huge art scene as well, so you may be interested in Noah Purifoy’s outdoor gallery or doing a Joshua Tree Art Walk.
For nightlife check out Toucan’s Tiki Lounge Drag Show, and live music at Pappy + Harriet’s or Lander’s Brew.
And of course, one of the biggest draws to Joshua Tree each year is the Joshua Tree Music Festival! Each Fall, musicians, artists, yogis and more come together for a one-of-a-kind desert experience.
The thing I love to do MOST in Joshua Tree is to explore the National Park. There are two distinct landscapes that kind of mesh together: Joshua Tree is the place where the Colorado Desert (known as the low desert) and the Mojave Desert (known as the high desert) meet. Throughout the park, there are some really incredible places to visit + so many interesting scenic views. Barker Dam is my personal favorite place in the entire park!
ready to plan your own joshua tree wedding or elopement?
Morgan Pirkle loves pineapple on pizza, has never seen an episode of Stranger Things, and spends her free time hiking or cuddling with her two husky puppies, Lucy + Pepper. She’s a wedding + elopement photographer specializing in documenting emotional, candid moments and making her clients feel good in front of the camera (dad jokes + corny puns included with every collection). When clients work with her, they can relive their wedding day over and over through warm, nostalgic, documentary-driven images full of connection + authenticity.
Five stars aren't enough. STOP your search for a photographer because you've found her.
If you want to look back at your day and remember how you felt, see what other people were seeing that maybe you weren't, and instantly be transported back to a particular moment, hire Morgan. If you want a friend and a hype woman who happens to be amazing with a camera, hire Morgan! We were given Morgan's name from another photographer way back in 2019. Photography was one of the top priorities for my wedding day, and we were instantly drawn to the natural, candid nature of her photos. We met for the first time in Malibu for our engagement photos, which we absolutely adored. Morgan knows how to make anyone feel comfortable in front of a camera, even when doing silly walking photos or kissing in front of random passerby's. Our "big" wedding got postponed due to COVID, but we chose to get legally married on our original date in August 2020. Even though only a handful of people were going to be there, we knew we wanted Morgan to capture the day. Luckily, Morgan is an expert on elopements herself and not only agreed to take our photos, but essentially became our mini planner as well! Once we established our location, Morgan drove up to Santa Barbara wine country, took amazing photos, then packed up and moved to Utah THE NEXT DAY! Not to mention, she sent us our sneak peeks by 9am the morning after our elopement!!! We were absolutely blown away by her support and dedication in making our elopement feel romantic and special. We finally had our long-awaited "big" wedding in October 2021. With two full galleries and hundreds of emails exchanged over two years, we couldn't wait to work with Morgan again. As with the two times before, she made us feel incredibly comfortable on our wedding day and captured so many beautiful moments. Our family and bridal party were so complimentary of working with Morgan on the wedding day and of her photos. We haven't even gotten the full gallery yet but based on the sneak peeks, I know that I'm going to cry!! Thank you, Morgan, for preserving countless memories through your beautiful photos.