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Nevada is home to plenty of parks, all of which are dotted with those stunning desert backdrops that look as if they come from another world.
It’s no wonder so many couples are choosing destination weddings to say their vows in such ethereal scenes.
If you plan a destination wedding in the desert, there’s one thing to add to your to-do list, and that is to obtain a desert wedding permit.
Any wedding ceremony held on public land in Nevada must be permitted, so the permit process is one that couples should familiarize themselves with.
Why Are Wedding Permits Necessary?
Desert wedding permits are necessary before the wedding day for a couple of reasons.
The permit outlines the terms and conditions of park use, so that couples and their wedding vendors know the rules of the park, as well as any terms that may be present.
Wedding permits also help to protect these parks and landscapes. They let park officials know just who may have been present at a national or state park at any given time should they find damage, litter or other evidence of conditions being broken.
These parks are meant to be enjoyed for generations and permits for weddings or any sort of event ensure this fact remains.
Lastly, no bride or groom wants to get married right next to another couple. When you go to get married, you want this day to be your big day — and yours alone.
A desert wedding permit ensures that only you have permitted use of a particular portion of the park at that time. It’s your wedding venue reservation!  Â
When Is A Desert Wedding Permit Required?
Wedding permits are typically required whenever a couple wishes to marry on public land, and on private land as well if required by the landowner.
Different parks and public spaces will have different permitting requirements, so it’s best for couples to research where they wish to hold their ceremonies.
Here are some of the requirements for a few of the most popular desert wedding locations in Nevada:
- Floyd Lamb Park is a city park and requires a permit for any event or gathering of more than 75 people, and permits are not limited to special event planners. Permits may be obtained through the City of Las Vegas.
- Red Rock Canyon requires a permit for any weddings held within the conservation area’s four wedding locations. Different locations or needs may lead to different fees, but the minimum is generally $115 for non-commercial group rates. Permit applications must be submitted a minimum of 30 days before the wedding, but no more than 180 days in advance.
- Valley of Fire Nevada State Park has a unique permitting requirement compared to Red Rock Canyon or Floyd Lamb Park. Permits are required and only granted to insured wedding planning professionals.
- Eldorado Canyon is a privately owned space with a permit to use the property lumped in with venue reservation costs.
- El Dorado Dry Lake Bed, like Valley of Fire, requires a permit only issued to insured wedding planning professionals.
Couples looking to have a destination wedding in the breathtaking Nevada desert might find the prospect of researching, applying for and obtaining hard copy permits stressful or overwhelming. This is where our Cactus Collective Weddings professionals come in.
Cactus Collective Weddings Takes Care Of The Desert Wedding Permit
Whether you want your wedding photos to include the sweeping vistas of Red Rock Canyon or the rich earth tones of Valley of Fire, our CCW Las Vegas venue wedding packages have you covered.
Our desert wedding packages include Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, Eldorado Canyon, Floyd Lamb Park and Dry Lake Bed. Included in your wedding package are all permits required to hold the wedding at your desired location.
In some Las Vegas desert venues, permits are only issued to insured wedding professionals, allowing us at Cactus Collective Weddings to get couples into desert venues they may not otherwise have access to.
Additionally, our professionals know the best spots in these parks and public spaces to suit your elegant, quirky, sophisticated or whimsical wedding aesthetic.
For couples planning destination weddings in unique venues, the research and application process doesn’t have to be another addition to the to-do list.
Our CCW team takes care of all of these parts of the planning process for you, allowing couples to better enjoy their planning stress-free. This is a magical time in any couple’s journey, and it should be enjoyed by focusing on the fun stuff, not feeling overwhelmed about venue permits
Are you still shopping around for the perfect venue to hold your romantic micro-wedding or elopement? Check out our many scenic locations in Las Vegas, San Diego and Black Hills.Â
McKenzi Taylor is America’s go-to elopement and micro wedding expert, often featured in small and major media outlets, such as the New York Times. With over 15 years of wedding photography experience, it was after planning her own Las Vegas elopement in 2016 that McKenzi felt her purpose shift into elopement coordination. She started Cactus Collective Weddings soon after in 2017. Since then, she’s become a WIPA board member, and has helped well over 1000 couples get hitched in style around Las Vegas, San Diego and Black Hills.
