5 Easy Steps for Eloping in Palm Springs

Have you ever thought of simply ditching all the choices, details and expenses of planning a wedding? Ever thought of eloping instead like I did? Elopements and 'Micro-weddings' have never been more popular. The planning is simple and the experience? More romantic (and fun!) than you can imagine. Here are some tips for taking the plunge in Palm Springs, California:

The first step is to choose your wedding date. The weather in Palm Springs is sweltering (i.e., an oven) during our summer months. The ideal times are typically in the fall or spring when temperatures are more mild. Once you've selected your date, the next step is to apply for a marriage license. You can obtain this from the Riverside County Clerk's office or wherever you reside. Make sure you also carry the necessary documents, including picture ID. Your marriage license is valid as soon as it is issued, so you can proceed with your ceremony as soon as you're ready.

The third step involves selecting a location for your ceremony. Palm Springs is such a cool choice because the location offers amazing venues, from the iconic pink-tinged light that seems to envelop the whole region, to scenic desert landscapes to hip resorts and the sweetest intimate chapels. Whether you prefer a serene spot in Joshua Tree National Park or a chic mid-century modern hotel, like The Ace Hotel where we stayed, there are so many picturesque choices. After securing your location, the fourth step is to hire an officiant to perform the ceremony. Many local officiants specialize in elopements and can tailor the ceremony to your preferences, ensuring it reflects your unique love story. We chose Victoria and Flora Pop, a pop-up wedding venue that supplied the ceremony, flowers (gorgeous!), champagne, and teardrop trailer which served as our alter. Additionally, celebratory wedding donuts were also procured from Wicked Donuts in Las Vegas. Speaking of, Flora Pop also offers Elvis-themed weddings if you prefer a traditional Las Vegas ceremony. Finally, hiring a wedding photographer is a must and one of the best decisions we made to capture our unique day. We chose the husband/ wife team at Monocle Project. They were a dream to work with and acted as our witnesses in the desert.

Lastly, plan the details of your post-ceremony celebration. Since it's an elopement, personal touches are everything in making the day memorable. Arrange for a bouquet and boutonniere, select your wedding attire, and plan a celebratory meal at one of Palm Springs' excellent restaurants. We opted for a private reception on our patio with fireplace ablaze, and 'our song' on vinyl spinning on the The Ace's provided turntable. In between sips of Veuve, we slow-danced and munched on shrimp ceviche and roast chicken from Kings Highway restaurant at the hotel.

The first day of our honeymoon was spent at the Ace Hotel pool----perfect cocktails and the resident dj playing a chill soundtrack was just what we needed followed by a couple's message at the hotel spa. The whole vibe at the Ace is that of a secret hideaway, and since no one knew where we were or what we were doing, it added to the romance and special feel of just the two of us in cahoots.

There are so many creative and talented suppliers in the Palm Springs, Las Vegas area that are available to provide an amazing and completely unique wedding!

Cheers!