Palm Desert, California Wedding At Living Desert Zoo
When I photographed Andrew and Amy’s engagement photos in Temecula, California last year, I was so stoked just to be around this couple, because they had what I’d describe as overwhelmingly positive energy. They laughed non-stop, constantly made jokes, and were awesome people to not only photograph but simply hang out with. So yeah, I was pretty fucking pumped when their October wedding at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert came around last month. And honestly, when you’re working a 12-hour-plus day photographing a wedding, it really helps working with awesome people and kick-ass wedding venues to keep those creative juices flowing. And of course it helps when the drinks are free and the party is epic. Amy and Andrew’s wedding at Living Desert Zoo had all those ingredients: kick-ass couple, guests who love to party, wild animals, cold beers, and a kick-ass band that jammed out some 1980s music until late in the evening. Honestly, Amy and Andrew’s wedding at the Living Desert Zoo was such a fun night, and I’m really stoked to share some of the photographs from their wedding. So cheers to Amy, Andrew, and 1980s cover bands.
What Does A Living Desert Zoo Wedding Actually Cost?
People ask me about this venue constantly, so let’s talk real numbers for a second. Renting a space at the zoo runs somewhere between $3,300 and $7,500 depending on which venue you pick, and that covers a 3-hour rental plus parking for your guests. Need more time? It’s about $1,950 an hour beyond that. If you’re just doing a ceremony or a cocktail hour and nothing else, the shorter rentals run $2,200 to $2,750, which is honestly a solid deal for the setting you’re getting.
Food and drinks aren’t included in that rental fee, so budget separately for those. Plated or buffet dinners land around $65 to $85 a person, and the bar can range from about $17 a person for a one-hour beer and wine setup up to $50 a person if you want a full bar running for 5 hours. Just know there’s also a 23% service charge tacked on at the end, so factor that in when you’re running your numbers. One more thing worth knowing: you’ll need to bring in a licensed wedding planner or at least a month-of coordinator, since the zoo requires it. Not a bad idea anyway when you’re getting married around giraffes.
How Many Guests Can You Actually Fit At The Zoo?
This place has more room than people expect. Outdoors, you can seat up to 200 for your ceremony and up to 250 for your reception, which covers most weddings I shoot. Indoor spaces top out closer to 150 for ceremony, cocktails, or reception, so if you’re planning something bigger, lean outdoor. There are four different ceremony spots and four reception venues to mix and match, from an elevated platform right next to the giraffe habitat to a patio with a waterfall behind the Stephen B. Chase Building. My favorite for photos is honestly the outdoor stuff near the animal habitats, since you get that unreal backdrop nobody else’s wedding photos have. The zoo’s open year-round, daily from 9am to 10pm, and it’s wheelchair accessible and LGBTQ+ friendly too, for what that’s worth to you.
Getting married at Living Desert Zoo?
Text me at 951-704-9503 or hit up the contact page and let’s talk photography.
