Moorten Botanical Garden Wedding
I’ve photographed weddings at Ace Hotel, Airbnbs, private elopements in the Palm Springs desert, and even destination weddings at the top of the Palm Springs tram. All of the locations were freaking awesome, but the people were even better. The point I’m trying to make is that Palm Springs has a ton of unique spots for any bride and groom who want a dreamy desert wedding. What spot is one of my personal favorites? A unique botanical garden called Moorten Botanical Garden. In this post, I’m sharing some of Noelle and Darryl’s Moorten Botanical Garden wedding photos, so grab yourself a cold one because it’s go time.
Meet Noelle from Laguna Beach and Darryl from the UK (England, for you 8th-grade flunkies). Darryl, studying aquatic animal psychology, spent hours observing dolphins at the beach. That’s where he met Noelle, playing volleyball with a group of Canadian guys. To impress her, Darryl joined the match Top Gun-style. Aces won her heart, leaving the hockey-talking dudes in the dust. Time passed, and now they’re engaged. They got married at Moorten Botanical Garden after prepping at Ace Hotel. Check out their Palm Springs wedding photos below.
Moorten Botanical Garden And Cactarium Pricing
One of my favorite outdoor Palm Springs wedding venues is Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium. Honestly, I recommend it to all my couples, whether it’s for intimate weddings or engagement photos. Here’s the current fee breakdown, straight from the venue:
Want to stay a little longer? Extra time runs $500 per hour. Another reason I love weddings at Moorten Botanical Garden is the greenhouse, seriously one of the most iconic locations for Palm Springs photoshoots. This unique setting lets any photographer get creative, something every wedding creative enjoys.
Visit the Moorten Botanical wedding website by clicking here.
Wedding At Moorten’s Botanical Gardens: My Favorite Moment
This Palm Springs wedding at Moorten’s Botanical Gardens was very intimate, and I really enjoyed the relaxed feel of the day. We never felt rushed, had plenty of time to move from location to location, and generally had an awesome time from start to finish. I really wish more brides and grooms would take a relaxed approach and go with a smaller wedding. The vibe is totally different, and it makes for so many more authentic moments.
Moorten Botanical Garden, 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
When Can You Actually Book A Wedding Here?
This is the part a lot of couples miss, so pay attention. Moorten Botanical Garden only books weddings from November 1 through May 31 each year. That’s it, no summer weddings, even though the garden itself stays open (on a reduced schedule) through the summer months. If you’re dreaming of a June or August date here, you’ll need to look elsewhere or shift your plans.
Also worth knowing: this is a ceremony-only venue. No receptions happen on-site, so you’re looking at a beautiful, intimate ceremony space here and then moving your reception somewhere else. The garden itself is open to the public until 4pm daily and closed on Wednesdays. Ceremonies can happen at any hour, though late afternoon or evening is the sweet spot for that golden desert light.
Rules Worth Knowing Before You Book
A few practical things straight from the venue that’ll save you a headache later:
- Music has to end by 9pm, and the whole event needs to wrap by 9pm too
- No alcohol before the ceremony itself
- This is a non-smoking venue, no exceptions
- You’ll need a one-day event insurance policy, and it has to cover alcohol if you’re serving any
- Kids need an adult supervising them at all times
None of this is a dealbreaker. Just good to know going in so nothing catches you off guard on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wedding Coverage: One photographer for 6 hours
All photos captured by Rock This Moment Photography
Getting married at Moorten Botanical Garden?
Text me at 951-704-9503 or hit up the contact page and let’s talk photography.
