Joshua Tree Elopement

After photographing Ada and Todd’s intimate Los Angeles City Hall wedding, we met up again a few weeks later for a breathtaking Joshua Tree elopement session. They wore their wedding attire once more, and Ada also brought her stunning traditional Chinese wedding dress—adding a meaningful cultural touch to their desert portraits.

One of my favorite parts of the day was exploring the iconic Cholla Cactus Garden at sunset. Watching the desert light filter through the spiky cacti made for some of the most magical photos of their session.

Why Elope in Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most unique and scenic places in California to elope. Known for its rugged boulder formations, wide-open desert landscapes, and the iconic twisted Joshua trees, this national park offers a backdrop unlike anywhere else. Couples who want something adventurous, intimate, and deeply connected to nature will fall in love with the experience of a Joshua Tree elopement.

Highlights include:

• The Cholla Cactus Garden, especially at golden hour.

• Keys View, with panoramic overlooks of the Coachella Valley.

• Hidden Valley, filled with massive rock formations and winding trails.

Every corner of the park feels like a new adventure—and perfect for photos.

Permits & Planning for Your Joshua Tree Elopement

If you’re planning to elope or have wedding portraits in Joshua Tree National Park, you’ll need a photography permit. Processing usually takes about 10–15 days, so be sure to apply early. [Click here for permit information.]

Keep in mind:

• Distances between locations can be long. For example, it took us about 35 minutes to drive from the big boulders to the cactus garden.

• The desert is hot, dry, and remote—bring plenty of water and plan for extra time.

• Outfit changes can be tricky since bathrooms are limited, so plan accordingly (Ada was a total pro at switching between her wedding dress and traditional gown!).

Arriving early ensures you’ll have time to explore multiple spots and catch that incredible desert sunset.

Ada & Todd’s Elopement Experience

What made this elopement session so special was how personal Ada and Todd made it. Combining their wedding outfits with Ada’s traditional attire allowed them to honor both their modern celebration and cultural roots. Surrounded by the stillness of the desert, they shared quiet moments together while I captured their connection against the vast landscape.

Scroll down to see more from Ada and Todd’s day—including portraits at LACMA in Los Angeles, taken right after their ceremony with close friends.

These were taken at City Hall right before they said I DO!

We took these right after the couple’s city hall ceremony. It’s usually EXTREMELY crowded at LACMA so we got very lucky. It also helped that it was a Thursday afternoon in December.

Here’s a map of where the Urban Lights are located.