Green Acres Ranch
of Joshua Tree
WEDDINGS
We accommodate a couple of small weddings of up to 80 people at the ranch each year. We love our great guests, and are thrilled that they can enjoy their special day there and anniversaries for years to come.
We have been very lucky with our wedding couples. They have been very respectful of our property and left it as they found it, if not better.
VIEWING THE PROPERTY
We are first and foremost a lodging, and always try to respect the privacy of our guests, so viewing the property can sometimes be a challenge. If one of the two cabins is rented, we ask that you give that cabin its space, and especially don't wander behind it. If both are rented, the best that we can offer is that you survey the ranch from outside the front gated area. If the ranch is unoccupied, you have free reign to look all around, but more than likely, the cabins themselves will be locked.
ORGANIZATION
We do not directly participate in any aspects of weddings, but we will answer any questions we can. We simply provide the setting for ambitious and organized do-it-yourselfers!
CATERING
There are a few local places and people who may be able to help with your catering needs. We haven't had personal experience with these caterers, but we are investigating good leads!
CATERING by DESIGN
(760) 345-4421
MOJAVE MONACO
http://mojavemerilee.wix.com/desertchef
mojave.merilee@gmail.com
Chef Merilee Kuchon creates contemporary classic fine food, and will assist in the epicurean planning and production of your private Joshua Tree event..
COST
$5000 (assuming no damages)
Includes:
Property event use.
Four night rental fee (both cabins for four nights, from 3pm on first day to 11am on last)
We require a 50% deposit upon booking, with the balance paid at latest two months prior to the event.
In the event of cancellation: Six months or more before wedding date, full refund. Within 4-6 months of date, $400 fee. Within 2-4 months of date, $600 fee. Within 2 months of date, $800 fee.
ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER:
$500 damage deposit
refunded when the property has been checked and deemed damage-free after event.
$X porta-potty rental (one per 30 people suggested)
$X table and chair rentals (the ranch does not have mass seating)
$X generator rental (if music band or other excess power needed)
IN SHORT:
You pay $5500 up front, and receive $500 back if the property is undamaged and nothing heavy is out of place.
You pay for all associated rentals (porta-potty, tables, chairs, linens, etc).
ACCOMMODATIONS
Both cabins are ideally suited for two people, but if you want to pack-in, three people could sleep in the Cactus Flower cabin (1 on couch or air mattress), and 4 could sleep in the Roadrunner (1 on couch, 1 on air mattress).
We allow up to 6 tents (12 campers) at no extra fee. However,few campers should expect to use the indoor showers, as our well and septic system doesn't have the capacity to handle many people.
No additional charge for your doggies.
DIRECTIONS
We are at 64577 Cactus Drive. But Cactus Drive does not physically exist at our property (it ends about a half mile away)! When telling anyone what street we're located on, it is best to say "On Sunkist Road, just off of Highway 62". Here are the directions on our website.
ELECTRICAL POWER
We have outlets in a decent number of spots around the property. If your DJ or band will be drawing more than 18 amps altogether, we can make some suggestions, including a generator. Below is a diagram of the exterior outlets. Note that the same number indicates the same circuit, so each number set can altogether only handle approximately 1500-1800 watts (ie, fifteen 100W lightbulbs).
PARTY SUPPLY RENTALS
We don't have personal experience with these rental places, but they may be able to help you with tables, chairs, lighting, linens, porta-potties, outdoor heaters and other rentals. The best options may be further from Joshua Tree, in more populous cities like Palm Springs and Redlands. Also consider checking with your local party rental businesses to see if they deliver to Joshua Tree. Check YELP reviewsto help you decide on vendors.
Classic Party Rentals
760-343-5110
72-009 Metroplex Drive, Thousand Palms, CA 92276
Electric Car Distributors
760.346-5661
Will deliver an electric golf cart to the ranch, useful for ferrying guests to and from cars.
Emanuel Party Rentals
760.365.8147
55536 Santa Fe Trl Ste C, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Empire Party
(909) 822-8820
17069 Valley Blvd Ste B, Fontana CA 92335
Event Design Lab
951.570.4079
123 Cajon St, Redlands, CA 92373
J&M's Party Rentals
909.435.4659
548 Orange St, Redlands CA 92374
Party Plus Rentals
909.796-3388 | 1.800.734.2511
24831 Redlands Blvd. Loma Linda, CA 92354
Looks to have a wider selection, but 1 hour from the ranch.
Peña's Bridal & Party Rental
760.365.5361
56149 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Signature Party Rentals
http://www.signatureparty.com/contact.html
760.863.0671
82-689 Avenue 45, Ste AIndio, CA 92201
Starlite Party Rentals
760.365.2281
7350 Acoma Trail, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
PHOTOGRAPHERS
We don't vouch-for or have personal experience with these photographers, but we want to highlight local area artist-professionals who seem promising...
Ksquared Photography
Katelyn Kipfer is for those couples with a sense of adventurous love. She values the personal connection with her clients, and that bond helps her capture beautiful genuine moments.
OUTSIDE ACCOMMODATIONS for YOUR GUESTS
There are many nearby places where your guests can stay.
The nearest luxury hotels can be found in Palm Springs.
-For the Adventurous-
The Bonita Domes are truly unique, and very inexpensive
Spin and Margie's is literally across the "street", and has five cabins. We highly recommend them for your guests, and doing so greatly lessens the chance of annoyed non-wedding desert visitors (i.e. someone calling the sheriff to complain about that darn loud music!). Call well-ahead to book them.
The Harmony Motel is a little bit hippy and rustic.
Wedding guests also enjoy staying at the Joshua Tree Inn.
The 29 Palms Inn is great, with a nice pool and restaurant.
There are many other rentals in and around Joshua Tree on Airbnb or VRBO.
-For the Tight Budget-
Bonita Domes are truly unique, and very inexpensive.
The Cactus Patch is a short walk up the road, and can sleep up to six (in one apartment-style space). We also recommend booking them to reduce the chances of annoyed non-wedding desert visitors.
The High Desert Inn is one of the cheapest around.
The Safari Motor Inn is no prize, but it's cheap. The owner is reportedly a nice guy.
-For the Standard Hotel Folks-
Hotel 29 Palms Inn & Suites
Country Inn 29 Palms
PARKING
Angle-parking along the service driveway can accommodate about 29 vehicles. Approximately 9 additional vehicles can be parked (image below), for a total of about 37 cars. If there are more cars, we there is undeveloped lot directly across the dirt road from Green Acres Ranch. This is not our property. It is essentially abandoned, so you would be using it at your own risk.
If the empty lot is used, add some signs to direct your guests. Care must be taken to be considerate to the neighbors adjacent to the lot. Please keep any cars at least 40 feet away from their fences. The best idea is to station helpers to direct the cars where to park. Some parties rent a golf cart to ferry people and supplies.
VENDOR REQUIREMENTS? CORKAGE FEES?
No.
WEATHER
These are generalities and there will always be exceptions, but...
Spring and Fall are best. Mid-March to late April is the sweet spot of Spring. Late September to early November is the sweet spot of Fall. The Fall months are usually less windy than Spring.
Winters are chilly during the day, and uncomfortably freezing at night. Summers are uncomfortably hot during the day, but warm to perfect at night.
OUR PESKY RULES
Part of the fun of having a wedding in Joshua Tree is the great sense of freedom and uniqueness. But we do have some basic guidelines, the goal of which is to leave Green Acres as you found it, or even better!.
1. THE SIZE OF THE WEDDING WILL BE CONFIRMED BY EYEWITNESS
Our caretaker or neighbor will make an unobtrusive check to confirm that nothing is on fire and that the size of the party is as promised.
2. PORT-A-POTTIES ARE A MUST
There are rental companies that serve Joshua Tree. Our cabins have septic tanks, so it is very important that only the guests staying in the cabins (max of 4 people in the Roadrunner cabin and 3 in the Cactus Flower cabin) use the cabin restrooms. We suggest 2 port-a-potties for wedding parties over 40 people.
Signs should put up on the cabin bathroom doors to direct guests to the port-o-potties (sample to come).
3. SUPPLY YOUR OWN WOOD FOR OUTDOOR FIRES
If firepit fires are desired, wood must be brought/purchased by the wedding party.
There are a couple of places to buy firewood in Yucca Valley. We can work with you to have the wood delivered in advance of the event. Expect prices of at least $125 for a half-cord, which will provide plenty of fire for the night. Bundles of 8 logs can also be purchased at various stores for about $7 each. Expect to use 3-5 bundles per pit for the night. Here are some providers:
Joshua Tree Firewood
Select Seasoned Firewood
John Wilson
760-401-1119
4. YOU'RE ON TRASH DUTY
Trash should be preferably hauled away by the catering staff, if possible.Otherwise, all trash must be bagged (tied closed) and thrown in our dumpster by the large white water tank next to Sunkist Road. If the dumpster gets filled, the bagged trash may be left to the right of the dumpster. We unfortunately have no recycling pickup.
Please pick up all cigarette butts and trash them (not in our fire pits).
Wine bottles can be left in a pile by the big ol' truck (we can repurpose them for artistic purposes), or thrown away.
5. TENTS/CAMPERS ARE ALLOWED BUT LIMITED
We allow up to 6 tents (12 campers). However, we ask that they use the port-o-potties as our septic tank system can't handle high guest capacity. Furthermore, our self-supplied water system cannot handle more than a few showers per cabinper day.
6. WANDERING FURNITURE MUST RETURN TO ITS HOME
If any furniture is moved, please put it back where it was (to the best of your memory). Otherwise, we have to pay people to go do it for us, which gets taken out of the deposit.
7. KIDS MUST BE SUPERVISED
If there are any toddlers or young kids, they must please be watched closely. There are lots of pricklies and other dangers out there.
8. COORDINATOR / POINT PERSON(S) MUST BE ASSIGNED
We need a reliable line of communication. The coordinator must be present for (or delegate someone to be present for) any party rental supply pick-up.
