Where the Wild Things Wed

A Wedding Experience Unlike Anywhere Else

Looking for the perfect place to celebrate your wild love story? Say “I DO” at the Zoo! From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, The Living Desert’s breathtaking landscapes, magnificent wildlife and botanical gardens promise a day that’s beautiful, unforgettable, and far from ordinary.

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Why Choose The Living Desert

A Setting That
Stands Out

Host your ceremony near giraffes, walk through gardens for photos, and toast the evening under
the stars.

Spaces That Fit
Your Vision

Indoor and outdoor locations that work for everything from small ceremonies to large receptions.

Desert Views That Speak for Themselves

Stunning sunsets, mountain views, and wide-open skies set the tone for a memorable day.

Our Venues

Discover an oasis of unique event spaces at The Living Desert, where the beauty of nature meets unparalleled elegance. From serene tranquility and majestic vistas to modern sophistication, our versatile indoor and outdoor venues are surrounded by lush landscapes and exotic wildlife, promising to make your next gathering unforgettable. Whether it’s a romantic wedding, an intimate affair, or a grand corporate event, we invite you to create lasting memories in our extraordinary desert sanctuary.

Where Your Big Day Helps
Protect Theirs

Weddings at The Living Desert help support animal care, conservation, and education. Your event does more than bring people together, it helps protect and celebrate the
natural world.

What's Included?

• Access to scenic areas of the Zoo for your event and photos

• Coordination with our events team and vendor flexibility

• On-site parking and guest amenities

• Support for eco-conscious event planning

Testimonials

Jordan M

“I highly recommend The Living Desert for a wedding venue. First, venue itself is SO unique. There are so many areas to choose from. We had our ceremony at Chase, cocktail hour at the Giraffe Landing and our reception was at Palm. Each area was lush and large. Plenty of room for our guests. Second, the staff is INCREDIBLE. Every single one of them. Sheree and Ali were perfect venue coordinators. There to answer every question and assist with every need. Paul and Kathryn in the catering area were fabulous. They were on top of anything and everything food and beverage related. They along with our awesome chef, worked with me on the menu and made sure we were happy. Jerrod and his event staff were great too. Every person at the zoo was so helpful and sincere. It made our wedding go smoothly. I would recommend the zoo to anyone who is interested in the Palm Desert area for their big day. My guests still can’t stop talking about how fun and unique their experience was. I truly do not have any negative critiques for the zoo or the staff.”

Sara

Everyone said its the best wedding they have ever been to!

 
Honestly, can’t say enough good things about The Living Desert. The staff was great (and when you book here, there end up being A LOT of people involved) and the atmosphere was unbeatable. We got to feed giraffes and high five porcupines on our wedding day…WHAT! Such an unforgettable day and we feel so lucky to have had it at a unique venue.
Hannah S
I recently had my wedding at the Living Desert Zoo and I cannot say enough how much I loved the whole experience. Stacey Watson, the special event coordinator, worked with us every step of the way. Though she was often hard to get a hold of, she really delivered during all aspects of the wedding. You can really customize your day, be it by the areas you choose or the animal encounters you have! We had our wedding ceremony in the Chase area off the Chase Administration Building and our wedding reception in the Irvine Patio area just a short walk away. The price was very very reasonable and many things come with the reserving the space, like the chairs and tables. I’ll post plenty of pictures, but really I can’t express how amazing it was to have our wedding here! Thank you all!
Amy D

A friend alerted me that one of our photos was on the venue site, which was a great reminder to write a long-overdue review. The Living Desert gave us the most beautiful, fun and memorable day of our lives! We set out to strike a certain balance—we wanted low-maintenance planning, while ensuring our guests had the time of their lives. The Living Desert delivered in a huge way. Everything went off without a hitch, and they blew our expectations out of the water in every single way. From the critical elements like the food down to the smallest logistical detail, the staff showed extraordinary creativity and professionalism. We have heard from more than a few guests that it was their all-time favorite wedding. Obviously we’re biased, but we 100% agree!

Five years later, a loved one will call me and lead with “I was thinking about your wedding when…” followed by one of the many priceless memories that were made that day. I cannot thank the Living Desert enough for getting our marriage off to the most wonderful start imaginable!

Ready to Say “I DO” at the Zoo?

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You can also email us at [email protected] to book your event.