A Death Valley Wedding Adventure

Eloping in Death Valley is unlike any other wedding experience. If you love adventure, wide-open landscapes, and the idea of escaping the crowds, this place is for you. The dramatic desert scenery, colorful canyons, and endless sky make for an unforgettable backdrop. Whether you’re hiking to a quiet spot for vows or watching the stars after dark, a Death Valley wedding is all about doing things your way.

A couple stands hand in hand, looking out over the textured landscape of Death Valley's Zabriskie Point.

Starting the Adventure at Zabriskie Point

We started the day at Zabriskie Point, one of the most unique spots in Death Valley. The clear skies in April promised a beautiful sunset later in the day. As we wandered around, we took photos against the wavy ridges and found pockets of shade near the rock walls. The wide-open views let B and J look out across Death Valley. This added to the feeling of space and adventure in their moment.

Pro tip: If you want photos without other people around, sunrise is the best time to be here.

Two brides stand close and gaze into each other's eyes against a rugged Death Valley backdrop.

Two brides sitting together, smiling and holding hands, with a backdrop of sparse desert vegetation.

Facing each other with hands intertwined, two brides share a moment amidst the rolling contours of Death Valley.

Close-up of two brides holding hands, their wedding bands in focus, against the neutral tones of the desert landscape.

One bride smiling at another, touching her face, with a desert landscape in the background.

A wedding bouquet with dusky roses and wildflowers set against a rocky surface.

Two seated brides holding hands, with one holding a bouquet, in a desert environment.

Overhead shot of two brides sitting on the ground, surrounded by rocks and desert terrain.

Two brides embracing, one kissing the other on the cheek, with a desert landscape in the background.

From behind, two brides stand together overlooking the ridged landscape of Zabriskie Point in Death Valley.

Two brides walk hand in hand across the ridged landscape of Zabriskie Point in Death Valley, with mountains in the distance.

Two brides holding hands, walking through the undulating landscape of Death Valley with mountains in the distance.

Two brides performing a first dance on a rocky overlook in Death Valley, surrounded by dramatic hills.

Exploring Golden Canyon

In the afternoon, we hiked into Golden Canyon, a hidden spot with tall rock walls and winding paths. It was quiet, except for J whistling a tune while they danced in the sand. One of the best things about eloping in Death Valley? The privacy. We saw only one other person the whole time.

Want to explore more? Check out my Death Valley hiking elopement guide for more secluded spots.

Two brides are embracing in a close moment, with a rock face softly illuminated in the background.

A bride is playfully sticking out her tongue while embracing her partner in a desert canyon.

A bride standing alone against a rock face, holding a bouquet, with a contemplative expression.

A bride with her back turned, holding a bouquet against a textured rock face, with her partner's hand on her back.

The shadow of two brides projected onto a rocky desert surface, capturing their moment in silhouette.

Vows at Artist’s Palette

For the ceremony, B and J chose Artist’s Palette, a canyon where the rocks change colors with the sunlight. We first stopped at a shaded area where the walls were deep brown and red. Then, we drove higher up to a ridge with wide-open views.

At sunset, the whole place turned pink, orange, and green. They found a quiet spot, exchanged vows, and soaked in the moment. Simple, natural, and exactly what they wanted.

View from the backseat of a car with a person in the front passenger seat, looking out at the road winding through Death Valley's landscape.

Two individuals walking on a desert ridge with a backdrop of hills and sky at sunset.

Two people standing face to face, holding hands, with the colorful desert hills behind them during the golden hour.

A close-up of two individuals facing each other, exchanging smiles, with the desert landscape behind them.

Close-up of two hands, one sliding a wedding ring onto the other's finger, with soft focus on the desert backdrop.

Celebrating Under the Stars

Instead of champagne, they popped a bottle of sparkling water—keeping things Leave No Trace friendly. As the sky darkened, we stayed out to watch the stars. Death Valley has some of the best stargazing in the world.

They named the brightest star “Chicken” and followed it as they walked back to the car. A perfect way to end the day.

Two people running hand in hand through a dried-up riverbed with tall, sandy walls in Death Valley.

One individual is playfully proposing on one knee to another who is standing, both surrounded by the warm-toned rock formations of Death Valley.

Two brides are climbing a sandy ridge in Death Valley, one leading the way with the other following.

Two people stand on a desert ridge, one holding a bouquet aloft in celebration with the other beside them holding a drink, against a backdrop of soft evening light on the hills.

Two people are laughing joyously, one popping open a bottle while the other holds a bouquet, with textured rock formations in the background.

Two people are cheerfully toasting with a bottle, one pouring a drink into the other's mouth, against the backdrop of a rugged desert landscape.

Why Have a Death Valley Wedding?

A Death Valley wedding isn’t for everyone. It’s remote, rugged, and different from a traditional venue. But if you’re looking for an adventurous, stress-free wedding, it’s perfect. Here’s why:

✔️ No crowds—just you, your partner, and the landscape.
✔️ Epic locations—mountains, canyons, dunes, and salt flats.
✔️ Great for hiking, exploring, and making your wedding an experience, not just an event.
✔️ Affordable—no expensive venue, no huge guest list.
✔️ Unpredictable and wild—in the best way possible.

Two people holding lanterns stand back-to-back in a dark canyon, with one person raising a lantern to illuminate the surroundings.

A warmly lit close-up of two people, one holding a lantern, sharing a smile in an intimate moment within a dimly lit canyon.

Two individuals holding lanterns face each other, their profiles lit by the glow of the lights, in a dark canyon setting.

Two people holding lanterns walk side by side under a night sky, with a crescent moon above and stars twinkling in the distance.

An up-close view of a person holding a lantern, with their partner partially visible, showcasing a suit jacket lining that reads "Til Death."

A wedding bouquet, two rings, and handkerchiefs with the words "to my wife on our wedding day" are illuminated by a lantern on the desert floor.

Planning Your Death Valley Wedding

Thinking about eloping here? Keep these things in mind:

📌 Permits: You need a permit to have a ceremony in Death Valley. Get the details here: NPS Permit Info.

📌 Best Time of Year: Fall through early spring is best. Summers here are brutally hot.

📌 Leave No Trace: Pack out everything you bring in. The desert is fragile, and we want to keep it wild.

📌 Hiring a Photographer: If you want someone who knows the area, can handle the desert conditions, and capture every moment without making things feel staged—I’d love to help.

Silhouettes of two people against a night sky filled with stars, with the profiles of their faces just touching.

Here's to co-creating an unforgettable elopement experience.

I’m Karen, a Southern California Elopement Photographer who empowers couples to create memories that will last a lifetime. I am dedicated to providing the tools you need to create an unforgettable experience.

I help couples by providing personalized location lists, planning resources, vendor recommendations, permits, timeline-curation, and much more to curate elopement days that will be cherished forever.

Your Southern California Elopement Photographer, planning expert, and adventure pal.

I'm here to empower you to create memories that will last a lifetime.

A Death Valley Wedding Adventure