Planning a wedding at Cactus Joe’s Desert Garden and Nursery promises to be a truly enchanting experience, immersed in the timeless beauty of the desert. Nestled just outside Red Rock Canyon, this unique venue offers couples the opportunity to exchange vows surrounded by the rugged charm of the desert landscape, creating a backdrop that is as stunning as it is memorable. With its towering cacti, whimsical artwork, and breathtaking vistas, Cactus Joe’s provides the perfect setting for couples seeking a wedding that is both rustic and elegant. Whether you envision an intimate ceremony under the desert sky or a lavish affair amidst the charming greenery of the nursery, Cactus Joe’s offers a truly unique and unforgettable backdrop for saying “I do” and celebrating the start of your journey together.
About The Cactus Joe’s Wedding Venue
12740 Blue Diamond Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89161
Just under 30 minutes west of the Las Vegas Strip, Cactus Joe’s Desert Garden and Nursery has a rich history deeply rooted in the beauty of the desert. This 7-acre desert nursery was founded over 30 years ago. It is a family-owned business, and it initially began as a humble nursery specializing in desert plants and succulents. Over the years, Cactus Joe’s grew into a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike, renowned for its extensive selection of cacti, succulents, and desert landscaping expertise. To this day, Cactus Joe himself, the owner, can be found in the gardens helping his customers.
As the years passed, the nursery evolved into more than just a place to purchase plants; it also became a beautiful place for events and weddings. The beloved nursery is a unique wedding venue that captures the essence of the desert’s rugged beauty and timeless allure. Today, Cactus Joe’s Desert Garden and Nursery stands as a testament to their vision, offering couples a one-of-a-kind setting to exchange vows amidst towering cacti, vibrant succulents, and breathtaking desert vistas, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Wedding Ceremony & Reception Spaces
Cactus Joe’s boasts both indoor and outdoor event spaces surrounded by the vast beautiful vistas of Red Rock Canyon. This allows couples to choose the unique setting that best suits their vision for their special day! Outdoor ceremonies in the Cactus Nursery take place amidst the beautiful desert plants and art. Desert Love offers a stunning Red Rock desert backdrop. For couples who prefer an indoor ceremony, the rustic chic chapel and two cozy greenhouses offer charming alternatives.
After the ceremony, guests can gather in one of Cactus Joe’s versatile reception spaces to celebrate the newlyweds. The whole property offers stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape, eclectic artwork, and plenty of seating areas and cozy nooks for guests to explore, relax, and mingle. With vendor flexibility and no special recreation permits required, Cactus Joe’s provides the perfect environment for a celebration.
CACTUS NURSERY
Exclusive use of the 7 acre nursery gives couples the freedom to choose the perfect corner of the garden for their unique vision. The most commonly used spaces for ceremonies within the Cactus Nursery are CJ’s Chapel, Center Nursery, and Cactus Mound, but every corner of the garden offers beautiful and unique options.
CJ’s Chapel
The rustic hand-built chapel found on the west side of the nursery is the perfect alternative to the iconic chapels of Vegas. There is room for up to 20 guests inside the cozy chapel. It features natural wooden beams and rustic hand built chapel benches. With space for 50 seated guests, the courtyard just outside the quaint wedding chapel is the perfect option for couples wanting a dreamy sunset ceremony.
Cactus Mound
Complete with unique metal statues, towering cactus skeletons, and palm greenery, the Cactus Mound provides a beautifully picturesque location to tie the knot. The raised garden provides a lovely backdrop in the center of the nursery accommodating up to 30 seated guests. Because it also sits in front of the smallest greenhouse, it is the perfect place to move right into an intimate dinner for 12 in the greenhouse.
Labyrinth Lawn
An additional space to the side of the chapel highlights a giant and one-of-a-kind stone labyrinth. Able to accommodate up to 30 of your closest loved ones, the cozy lawn is best suited for intimate parties and seated dinners.
Greenhouse
Each of the greenhouses offer a unique and romantic experience for both ceremonies and receptions. Because the heat of Las Vegas summers is extreme, the greenhouses are only available in the cooler months, but offer welcome alternatives when the weather becomes a significant factor. The greenhouse nurseries can accommodate up to 145 guests.
Center Nursery
As the name suggests, Center Nursery is found in the middle of Cactus Joe’s. The flat square space can accommodate 145 – 200 guests for an outdoor ceremony or celebration with easy access to all the exciting features of the venue. Outdoor receptions take place under the desert sky, with ample space for dining, dancing, and mingling beneath the stars.
DESERT LOVE
Cactus Joe’s also offers the opportunity for a breathtaking open desert wedding with their Desert Love venue space. The 5 acre event space sits just across the road from the Nursery and has the ability to seat up to 100 guests for a ceremony and up to 40 guests for a seated dinner. The desert views of the Gorgeous Red Rock Canyon create a serene and picturesque backdrop for exchanging vows. The coveted sight of Joshua Trees also adds a charming touch. As their premiere wedding site, Desert Love is sure to impress.
Decor + Aesthetics
Tucked away from the lights and excitement of the Las Vegas Strip, Cactus Joe’s and Desert Love Events is a perfect space for the relaxed and whimsical celebrations. Cactus Joe’s offers an eclectic and unique environment that can stand alone or create a canvas to paint your dream wedding around. The garden is full of native desert plants, quirky metal art, pottery, gems, minerals, and gorgeous views. Vibrant succulents and towering cacti bring organic charm to the nursery space while the rustic chapel and greenhouses offer unique, yet classic style. Desert Love is a perfectly stunning desert landscape that resonates with natural organic charm. Whether you want eclectic and charming, or luxurious and elegant, Cactus Joe’s allows you to create your authentic wedding.
Services
Cactus Joe’s is a full-time garden nursery, so does not provide any planning or rental services. All decor, services, and amenities must be brought in from outside sources. Vendor flexibility allows couples to create their dream wedding with the vendors and services that they choose. Whether it’s food trucks, tarot reading, or a dreamy dance floor, your wedding is uniquely yours. The only vendor restriction is that all vendors involved must be licensed and insured by Clark County, NV in the service they are providing and all events over 10 guests must have a wedding planner.
Cactus Joes is conveniently located near the beautiful Durango and Red Rock Resorts, making it an easy shuttle ride for wedding parties and guests who stay nearby. Ample parking is available and there are no stairs or hard to access areas.
All ceremonies and receptions can be booked a la carte. Every couple can plan an authentic wedding experience of their dreams. 2025 Prices start at $750 for an intimate ceremony for weekday weddings. Receptions start at $3699. Receptions include exclusive use of the nursery grounds, a restroom trailer, and 30 minutes during golden hour at Desert Love.
Cactus Joe’s Wedding Venue Capacity
Each of Cactus Joe’s event spaces can accommodate a different number of guests. Ensuring that couples can find the perfect fit for their wedding celebration. The ceremony spaces can accommodate party sizes ranging from 20-145 seated guests. Meanwhile, the reception spaces can accommodate 50-165 guests. Providing plenty of space for guests to mingle and enjoy the festivities.
Photography Opportunities
As your Cactus Joe’s wedding photographer, I’ve made note of the most perfect places on the property to capture those wedding portraits. At the end of your amazing wedding day, you are going to want to look back and remember all of the amazing memories. So here are some of my favorite locations.
- Capture stunning images amidst the majestic cacti that line the garden. This provides a unique and beautiful backdrop for your wedding portraits.
- The lush greenery and soft lighting of the greenhouse create a magical atmosphere for romantic wedding photographs. Complete with ample natural light filtering through the greenhouse walls.
- The weathered wood and rustic charm of the barn offer a romantic southwestern backdrop for wedding portraits. They evoke a sense of timeless elegance and unique character.
- Take a stroll along the desert trails that wind through Cactus Joe’s. Let’s capture candid moments against the backdrop of the whimsical desert garden and beautiful art.
- The golden hour provides the perfect lighting for capturing breathtaking sunset photographs at Desert Love, along with the red rocks ablaze with hues of orange, pink, and purple, creating a romantic and unforgettable backdrop for your wedding portraits.
Wedding Details
At Cactus Joe’s, your wedding dreams can come to life. The staff at Cactus Joes is very friendly and easy to work with, so communication is a breeze. With the Red Rock Canyon and Blue Diamond as your backdrop, you won’t have to stress about any special recreation permits or fees. You also won’t have to worry about music or food restrictions until 10 pm. And if the weather is unruly, the greenhouses provide romantically cozy venue space. Depending on the season, it is recommended and necessary to bring in A/C or heating sources to keep the greenhouse comfortable. Las Vegas summers are extreme, so it is best to schedule during the cooler months to make the most of your wedding dreams. HOT TIP: Bring in some cute parasols and wedding branded fans along with your water stations to add the extra touch of comfort for your guests.
Let’s Plan A Stunning Day At Your Cactus Joe’s Wedding
Cactus Joe’s Desert Garden and Nursery stands as a truly unique wedding venue. Offering couples the opportunity to exchange vows amidst the rugged beauty of the desert. With its towering cacti, sweeping views, and southwestern charm, a Cactus Joe’s wedding provides a stunning backdrop for saying “I do” and celebrating the start of your journey together. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate ceremony under the desert sky or a lavish affair surrounded by the vibrant colors of the nursery, Cactus Joe’s offers a truly unforgettable setting for your special day. Say “I do” amidst the beauty of the desert landscape and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Being a local wedding and portrait photographer means I’ve had my fair share of special moments to capture. But what I love most about it all is making each experience a unique one. If you’re looking for a Las Vegas wedding photographer to capture the moments, then I would love to assist you. Contact me today to start the conversation!
