Plan the Perfect Desert Wedding

While many Las Vegas wedding venues include neon lights and flowing champagne, another coveted wedding archetype waits in the outskirts of the city. Experts agree that desert landscapes in Nevada and surrounding states offer a truly unique, stunning backdrop for weddings.

“Nothing beats having a wedding within an arid desert landscape,” wedding planner Ashley Torsiello of Siello Weddings says. “It’s something you just have to experience to truly understand.”

Using tips and tricks from local desert wedding experts, anyone can plan their ideal outdoor nuptials in the great outdoors. 

Choose a fabulous location

Desert weddings have a certain aesthetic that makes them beautiful, and there’s no shortage of them in the West. These areas are within driving distance of Las Vegas proper:

Avi Kwa Ame: The Avi Kwa Ame monument stretches across over 500 thousand acres of land in the center of Nevada. Established by former president Joe Biden, this sacred area is home to several indigenous tribes, native animals and foliage species. 

Spirit Mountain: Spirit Mountain houses the same Avi Kwa Ame name and sits on the monument border. The area is already known for its rigorous hiking path and stunning scenery.

Wee Thump: Any nature lovers that are familiar with Joshua Tree know this part of California well. Wee Thump Joshua Tree is a centuries-old acreage that is home to some of the most unique, historical trees on the planet. Twisting, spindly trees stretching into the sky and providing one-of-a-kind backdrops for any desert wedding ceremony.

Valley of Fire: Rolling hills of red make Valley of Fire a hot destination for wedding ceremonies and is located about one hour outside of Las Vegas. Kayla Doty, owner of Cactus and Lace Weddings, says that, “Valley of Fire is truly such a unique place, and getting to experience it on one of the most magical days of your life is something special.”

Red Rock Canyon: Arguably the closest and most famous location, Red Rock houses roughly four areas that allow ceremonies to take place. Speak to a local wedding planner to explore all of the options, as this is a popular spot for saying “I do.”

El Dorado Dry Lake Bed: This venue is the slate to set up to capture happy couples with a bare — but not lacking — background. McKenzi Taylor, owner and founder of Cactus Collective Weddings says that this is a versatile location and that. “a good photographer can work wonders with this landscape. If you’re searching for something that looks and feels like a desert, you’d be hard pressed to find a better wedding venue.” 

Plan for the weather

Deserts can be intense in temperatures. Days hold immense heat, while early mornings and evenings can drop to chilly numbers. Taylor recommends starting the festivities in the afternoon, preferably in the spring or fall seasons.

“The good news is Las Vegas’s weather is pretty predictable,” she says. “The temps never drop so low in the winter that an outdoor wedding is undoable in a cute jacket or fancy overcoat, and the summer doesn’t need to scare you away either.”

Regardless, dressing for the day is imperative to wedding day comfort. Check the weather ahead of time and bring backup layers in case of inclement weather.

Dress to impress 

The seasons and theme don’t matter —anything goes for a desert wedding, especially Western themes with cowboy hats and denim. However, the desert is a dusty place. To get to the venue in spotless fashion, Taylor recommends packing some backup footwear for the trek.

“Fancy dress shoes and heels look incredible on the desert floor, but you may want some sneakers to get you there and then some heels that you can slip into for the camera,” she advises.

Hire experienced vendors

Capturing a desert wedding comes with its own nuances. Increased lighting, harsher conditions and vast settings are all factors to consider when choosing photographers, caterers and other wedding details.

“Find vendors who are used to working in such an environment,” Torsiello says. “Working outdoors in general is tough, but being in the desert has a few extra challenges that not every vendor will truly understand or be aware of if they don’t have the experience.”

Going local is always ideal for the planning stage. Research ahead for catering services, entertainment and other wedding services in the area, especially when coming from out of town. 

Decorate accordingly

Rustic, serene and peaceful, desert landscapes are a spectacle on their own, but the weather is its own guest. When decorating a venue, keeping with a minimalist style works well.

“There is a lot of sun and a strong possibility of wind [at desert weddings]. When figuring out your decor such as your florals, you will want to choose heat or sun-hearty flowers that won’t wilt ten minutes after being placed,” says Torsiello. “You will also want to avoid tall arrangements as they can — and do — get knocked over with wind. Here, less is more. Just use your surroundings as your decor and save everything else for the reception.”

Make dining a simple affair

The wedding planners’ consensus is that food should be casual. Since this is an unconventional way to wed, make the food as fun and interesting as the ceremony. Reception dishes can range from pizza to sandwiches, and sweet treats like cake and doughnuts are always delightful crowd pleasers. Of course, water is the number one recommended beverage, to combat dryness and dehydration, especially with alcohol.

Enjoy the festivities

A desert wedding offers the chance to plan a truly one-of-a-kind celebration, with variety abound to create a dream day. Plus, when in Vegas, a myriad of other activities need planning, from pre-party fun to lodging for the guests. For inspiration on luxury bachelor and bachelorette parties, navigating wedding planning stress and pairing wines, check out our other articles.