Arizona Wedding Venues We Love – it’s one of the first things we discuss with our couples.

Arizona is home to an incredible list of wedding venues ranging from desert backdrops to lush forests.  People who get the impression that Arizona is only a desert wasteland, are always shocked on their first visit. Most comments are in some form of “I had no idea Arizona looked like this!” Ranging from desert venues, barns, wineries, forest wedding venues with pine trees, luxury resorts, industrial warehouses, art galleries, gardens and even farms, Arizona has it all!

Tell me about the weather?

Arizona is known for its weather! In the summer we are known best for our sourcing heat in the valley, but a short 2 hour drive up North puts you immediately in cooler temperatures ! We would say it is possible to get married in Arizona year-round, making it one of the best states to have a wedding in! Many couples travel from different states for destination weddings here, especially if they are looking to have an outdoor wedding. As Arizona wedding photographer and videographers, we have had the pleasure of photographing at many of the incredible venues in Arizona.

During fall and winter (October- January), the Phoenix areas have some of the best weather in the country for outdoor weddings! There is little to no chance of snow or rain and temperatures average between 50-75 degrees. Peak wedding season in Arizona is October through May when temperatures are incredible! During summer, when Phoenix & Tucson are very hot, Northern Arizona, like Sedona or Flagstaff have much milder temperatures ranging between 70-90 degrees.

We put together a list of 21 favorite venues in Arizona, in no particular order! With the list of venues in Arizona being almost endless in the Scottsdale, Tucson & Phoenix, Arizona areas, it is hard to narrow them down. We’re here to help and want to help you find an amazing and skilled team to help bring your dream wedding to life. Some couples are still looking for advice or options and may be deciding between a few that they love! We have a whole blog post about our top favorite things to make sure your wedding venue has, so now we are going to highlight some of our favorite venues we think do a great job!

So, here we go!

*All images are captured by Stephen & Melissa – please do not use without credit or permission

Royal Palms

Royal Palms is notorious for romance and is a premier Phoenix wedding venue. Royal Palms Resort and Spa is a historic wedding venue located in Phoenix, Arizona. Here you are magically transported to a different world. One of our favorite locations in town, tucked right in the heart of Phoenix, is the iconic Royal Palms. It is truly like another world here.

This venue boasts multiple stunning ceremony backdrops, antique fountains, lush bougainvillea, hidden iron gates and breaktaking reception spaces. As you drive down iconic palm lane, you are instantly transported to an Arizona oasis. From jaw dropping views of camelback mountain, to the iconic palm driveway, we love this venue with all of our heart.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa can accommodate up to 180 guests over their multiple event spaces depending on the size of your wedding day. You will be in awe at every turn.

Check out a full Wedding Day at the Royal Palms HERE

View their website information HERE

JW Marriott Camelback Inn

Located in Scottsdale, AZ, JW Marriott Camelback Scottsdale is an Arizona wedding venues hotel venue that hosts weddings and special events. Set against a backdrop of Camelback mountains, this property offers a stunning setting for celebrations. With over 127,500 square feet of event space, this hotel is ideal for couples who want to celebrate their day with all of their loved ones around them. This venue is one of a kind. With some of the original buildings dating back to the 1930s, it hosts multiple ceremony and reception locations and spacious property to spread out. The ability to stay on property is always an added bonus and makes for the perfect weekend wedding location.

View their website information HERE

Check out a full Photo + Films Wedding day at JW Marriott Camelback HERE

Grayhawk Golf Club

Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Grayhawk Golf Club is an Arizona wedding venues ideal for couples dreaming of a classic country club celebration. Featuring both indoor and outdoor event spaces, the property offers gorgeous views and spacious areas.

The venue offers a picturesque setting for weddings of all types and sizes. Designed to accommodate 20 to 300 guests, there are multiple locations on property depending on the size and desired style of your day. For a celebration entirely in the open air, the venue offers several patios, ranging from private, intimate pockets to grand outdoor living spaces.

The Croft Downtown

The Croft venue is a stylish urban wedding venue located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona wedding venues. A venue space catering to weddings and other large events.

The Croft downtown offers an urban space located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. This unique venue includes two rooms with original cement floors and wood bow ceilings along with an outdoor cocktail area and large parking lot the croft downtown also provides custom event design. Their talented team work hard to deliver a flawless, functional and entertaining event that will be sure to leave you and your guests in thrilled.

Villa Siena

Villa Siena is a beautiful Italian-style Arizona wedding venue located in Gilbert, AZ. This stunning mansion is the perfect setting for a natural elegance that will captivate your guests. “With design that boasts a contemporary take on classic contemporary architecture, here you are sure to create beautiful and lasting memories your special day.

Villa Siena was constructed in 2004, inspired by the buildings and monuments throughout the central region of Tuscany, Italy. The framework of this villa represents the design elements of the Gothic and Renaissance periods in Italy, setting an enchanting atmosphere….” – The knot”

Couples can choose from a selection of wedding venue options depending on their specific requirements. The Piazza Toscana is an outdoor garden setting for ceremonies, with a total capacity of 250 guests. This enclosed space features white wooden chairs, a red carpet, and a picturesque fireplace.

Couples may use the fireplace or the vine-covered arch depending on their desired aesthetic. La Stanza Chianciano is a stunning indoor venue which is 2,100 square feet in size. This indoor setting accommodates up to 150 guests. Couples also have the opportunity to avail of the indoor cocktail area known as the La Stanza Pisa. So many guests feel as though they have escaped to Italy for a wedding day here.

The Wright House

The Wright House is an Arizona wedding venue located in Mesa, AZ. This property offers couples two style options with a unique set up that allows for separate venues on the same property. At either of the venue’s two distinctive event spaces, you feel are surrounded by lush greenery.

This family-owned establishment became a beloved Mesa wedding venue in 1991 and was once their own home. At The Victorian English Garden, the raised veranda is the ideal stage for your service. Alternatively, the gazebo offers a picture-perfect location for photographs.

For a distinctly Parisian ambiance, Provencal offers scenes of lush greenery and European architecture. Guests can enjoy an evening of dinner and dancing surrounded by the venue’s peaceful water features and ambient lighting.

The Ashley Castle

The Ashley Castle is a grand Arizona wedding venue located in Chandler, AZ. This castle was the inspired project of the owners after they came across 200-year-old doors in an antique store. The medieval aesthetic flows throughout all the interior rooms, including both grand bridal and groom suites.

Established in 2006, they have hosted to more than 1,000 events and even have the unique ability to put on spectacular firework shows! As one of the only wedding venues in the Phoenix area to allow this, guests will certainly find themselves delighted with the theatrics.

The grounds include features such as fountains, statues, columns, and pathways. An intricately crafted gazebo is nestled at the center of it all, presenting itself as a picturesque backdrop for any event. Inside, the 30-foot ceilings offer a generous sense of space, and hand-painted walls preserve an authentic-feeling medieval ambiance.

Desert Botanical Garden

Nestled amid the Papago Buttes, the Desert Botanical Garden is a beautiful natural choice to host your event. With a variety to choose from open-air pavilions, scenic courtyards, intimate gardens and historic locations for day or evening meetings or receptions, the venue is open to almost endless possibilities..

All event guests receive complimentary admission and have the ability to walk to stunning garden in between events. Desert Botanical garden offers such a variety of backdrops from their cacti fields to their sunset vista point, we adore this venues ability to make the desert look like a dream.

Stonebridge Manor

Stonebridge Manor by Wedgewood Weddings is a classic, elegant, and unique Arizona wedding venue in Mesa, Arizona. Surrounded by 4 acres of lush grounds, mature trees, and sparkling water features, Stonebridge Manor offers a perfect backdrop to create lifetime memories.

In December of 2019, Stonebridge Manor joined the Wedgewood Weddings, As the nation’s largest wedding venue operators, Wedgewood Weddings has over 30 years of experience executing flawless events. With extensive grounds, multiple indoor and outdoor celebration spaces, and a choice of elegantly stylish ceremony options.

The Manor provides multiple ceremony options with the ability to rent half of the manor or the entire property to take advantage of every aspect of this stunning property. Stonebridge provides your choice of outdoor or indoor reception space, and a large outdoor white tent for.

Throughout the expansive 4 acres of impeccably maintained gardens and inside the brick, Colonial Georgian-style mansion, you’ll find endless photo opportunities for stunning wedding portraits.

Wedgewood Weddings Secret Garden

Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings is a stunning historic Arizona wedding venues in South Central Phoenix at the foot of South Mountain. The lush gardens, mature mesquite, distinctive carob, and soaring palm trees that provide shade across the beautiful green lawn. Meanwhile, the historic manor and pavilion offer charm and beautiful vintage features like hand-stamped 100-year tiles, ornate staircases, inlaid period wainscoting, oversized French doors, and original wrought-iron balconies.

With multiple beautiful ceremony and reception options, there are plenty of opportunities to make this space yours. Gorgeous, manicured gardens complemented with century-old manor and carriage houses! Step into luxury at this extraordinary wedding venue. The Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings is exquisite.

Originally designed as an extensive Roaring 20’s family estate, the Secret Garden is now exclusively operated for private events and special occasions.

Wedgewood Lindsay Grove

Lindsay Grove is nestled in the heart of Mesa, AZ and a hidden gem. This beautiful Victorian estate is a beautiful setting for your wedding day. Lindsay Grove by Wedgewood Weddings boasts lush, evergreen grounds that’s sure to delight every one of your guests. The mansion is accented with beautiful stained-glass windows and a spiral staircase.

Couples have a choice of two spacious ceremony sites. For a jaw-dropping backdrop, head to the dramatic ceremony pavilion with its stained glass window, green grass, and stage-like style. For a more natural setting, the garden site with the stone water wall and shade trees is a perfect choice. After your ceremony, your guests can enjoy cocktails and appetizers on the brick-paved patio under twinkling bistro lighting and a cozy fireplace.

The property boasts a ballroom with vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and whimsical touches as well as the option to spend the night under the stars in the warm Arizona nights with their outdoor reception option.

The Scott

“A sanctuary set against Scottsdale’s historic downtown, the newly-renovated The Scott Resort & Spa, is a fusion of Old Havana and Bauhaus eclecticism…” – The Knot.

From oasis-like outdoor settings nestled with lush tropical gardens to beautifully redesigned interior spaces, the elegant surroundings of The Scott will create a unique and memorable backdrop for your special day. They have a clean modern twist on an tropical getaway and you always feel like you have left Arizona when you stay here. The Scott Resort & Spa can hold receptions for up to 600 guests and provides a Deluxe Courtyard Room for your wedding night. One of our favorite Arizona wedding venues

Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch

Established in 1976, The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch is an Arizona wedding venue located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Originally founded as the first conference resort in the country with modern renovations, the Scottsdale Conference Center transformed into the facility it is today. Here you can enjoy the natural Sonoran Desert beauty while staying close to many local shops, clubs, and restaurants.

The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch is perfect for gatherings of all shapes and sizes. It offers picturesque surroundings, exquisite amenities, and a full coordination team. From palm trees lining the manicured gardens to the ballrooms’ twinkling chandeliers, they offer a selection of stunning event spaces to choose from, depending on your guest list and your unique vision for your day. Indoors, there are three different ballrooms to choose from. Outside features areas perfect for both open-air ceremonies and fun-filled cocktail hours.

The Wigwam

The Wigwam is a historic wedding venue in Litchfield Park, Arizona, that dates back to 1918. Interestingly, this venue originally began as a Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company gathering site. Now, it serves as an elegant site for ceremonies and receptions. On your wedding day, you will have 440 acres that have been carefully landscaped to incorporate as your backdrop. You will have a great deal of variety when choosing your ceremony site at The Wigwam.

For outdoor ceremonies, couples can choose from the Front Lawn, Sachem Terrace, Wigwam Lawn & Patio, Trellis Garden, Litchfield’s Lawn, and many more sites set among the gardens and gently swaying palms. If you are planning an indoor ceremony, you have the choice of choosing from Wigwam Ballroom, Mohave Ballroom, Sachem Ballroom, Ozanne Room, Palo Verde Room, and Arizona Room.

The Wigwam will be able to comfortably accommodate up to 1,000! The options include Wigwam Ballroom, Sachem Hall, or Mohave Ballroom. Then, after your ceremony and reception are over, you and your guests are welcome to continue your stay in your choice of the 331 casitas and suites on the property. Continuing your stay allows you to experience all the activities the resort has to offer, such as golf, pools and waterslides, and fine dining. Truly a one stop wedding venue! Arizona wedding venues are truly out of this world.

Ocotillo Oasis Weddings – Wedgewood Weddings

Ocotillo Oasis Weddings is a country club-style wedding venue located in Chandler, Arizona. Even though this event location can be found in the sun-drenched Arizona desert, you will find yourself surrounded by lush green golf course views.

Ocotillo has several beautiful event spaces to host wedding ceremonies and reception dinners. The Pavillion lawn is a private oasis that provides an beautiful atmosphere for couples to exchange their vows. This location features an arched stone wall background with lofty trees, such as conifers and palms. The Garden Pavillion is large enough for 200 special guests. The room features a wood-paneled ceiling with exposed arched beams and numerous windows that filter in natural light, adding to an already romantic setting.

Check out their full wedding day HERE

Boojum Tree

Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Boojum Tree is a novel garden wedding venue. Showcasing the work of Ray Brooks, an award-winning interior botanical designer, this garden setting was made accessible to the public after immense interest from the community. Presenting a distinct atmosphere inspired by Mexican culture and expert plant design, couples and guests can soak in the color and vibrancy of this venue.

Boojum Tree contains numerous distinctive spaces and can host up to 200 guests. The 10,000-square-foot indoor tropical garden offers lush greenery, a 20-foot waterfall, and a natural ambiance. The Mexican cantina, reminiscent of the tropics, offers another outdoor venue for your cocktail hour or reception. The garden gazebo is a classic wooden structure, allowing couples and their guests to dance away outdoors. The Palm Garden includes palm trees and a rustic atmosphere, ideal for a break from dancing.

TUCSON WEDDING VENUES

Stillwell House

Nestled in the heart of Tucson’s historic downtown, the Stillwell House becomes your private venue for your special day. Behind the wood gates, is an courtyard garden for a ceremony and dinner reception. The historic main house with its cathedral ceilings and brick walls is a truly elegant for cocktail hour and dinner gatherings. Their 901 room is the perfect spot for guests to dance and enjoy cocktails and cake. All of these distinct spaces are yours on wedding day.

Family owned and operated, the Stillwell house offers incredible full service in house catering company which specializes in local regional farm to table cuisine. Custom menus and unparalleled customer service are sure to delight your guest here.

Check out their full wedding day HERE

Stardance – Tucson

Stardance Event Center is stunning wedding venue located in Tucson, Arizona. This rustic venue offers sweeping panoramic views of the Tucson Mountains and borders the spectacular natural beauty of the Saguaro National Park West. Spread over 30 acres, it is a unique venue choice for couples seeking a picturesque outdoor ceremony that is adaptable and offers plenty of space.

Located only a short drive away from Tucson’s downtown, it is a conveniently located escape from the city to calm country wilds. Stardance can host up to 500 guest and a picture-perfect ceremony can be organized outside on the grounds of the property against the breaktaking background. The 6,000-square-foot indoor reception area welcomes large parties to celebrate and have fun. A barn-style space, it is effortless rustic and welcomes couples to decorate as they see fit. Its 40-foot sliding doors lead onto the Catalina Terrace lawn.

This charming space offers views of Tucson’s city lights and the Catalina Mountain Range and allows guests to enjoy a cocktail in the fresh air. For those who would like to celebrate entirely outdoors, The Sunset Vista is a 3,000-square-foot outdoor event space. There is ample parking available on-site for guests arriving from far and wide. We love this venue and their incredibly helpful staff! Another favorite of our Arizona wedding venues list.

Check out a full Photo + Video wedding day at Stardance HERE

Tubac Golf Resort & Spa – Tucson

Finally on this list of our favorite Arizona wedding venues is Tubac. A place unlike most. Nestled among the 600-acre historic Otero Ranch lies this unpretentious resort. Here you’ll find a naturally beautiful setting that is conveniently located, yet seemingly worlds away.

Tubac Golf Resort and Spa is a classic wedding venue located in Tubac, Arizona. Tubac is place unlike most. Nestled among the 600-acre historic Otero Ranch lies this unpretentious resort. Here you’ll find a naturally beautiful setting that is conveniently located, yet seemingly worlds away. Any couple will easily fall in love with this unspoiled destination complete with a remarkable 17th-century replica mission-style chapel. The venue has a unique combination of historic and cultural atmosphere.

Tubac Golf Resort and Spa has several indoor and uncovered outdoor spaces for events of all sizes. The 3,000-square-foot Mission Ballroom can accommodate up to 225 guests for ceremony and 200 guests for a banquet reception.

The Geronimo Ballroom spans an area of 2,700 square feet and can accommodate up to 225 guests. The Otero Lawns can accommodate up to 300 guests. The Apache Private Patio is an indoor/outdoor venue that can accommodate 30 guests for more intimate events. It offers outdoor seating sheltered by a canopy of foliage and a covered patio, overlooking the gardens, green fairways, mountains, and water. The venue also offers 98 spacious guest rooms for accommodations.

The Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain

Located just outside of Tucson, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is an upscale wedding venue located in Marana, Arizona. At this iconic hotel, the beauty of the Sonoran Desert is on full display to create a breathtaking and romantic atmosphere.

Ceremonies at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain take place out under the clear desert sky and multiple ceremony spots are located around the property, including in front of the hotel’s grand outdoor stone fireplace, or on the green overlooking the desert.

Indoor receptions are held in the banquet hall. The venue also provides numerous overnight accommodations for the newlyweds and their loved ones.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain provides a wedding specialist to help couples plan and execute the nuptials of their dreams and can we just tell you, the food here is INCREDIBLE!!

Check out the full wedding day HERE

Seven Canyons Golf Club

Seven Canyons offers you the ultimate event venue for your celebration. From the moment you arrive through the gates of our private community, you are surrounded by red rock beauty. The stunning and majestic 360° views of this location will make your jaw drop.

Gorgeous indoor and outdoor event spaces provide the perfect backdrop for your rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, or reception.

Check out the full Wedding Day HERE

Venues we have are excited to work at this coming year:

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain

The Paseo

El Chorro

Saguaro Lake Ranch

The Westin Kierland

Schnepf Farms

Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa

L’Auberge de Sedona

Troon North

The Windmill Winery

What if you have never captured a wedding at my venue?

This is a great question! If we have the opportunity, we love viewing the venue layout and property before the big day! However, it does not affect our ability to capture a new wedding venue! We love new venues, new perspectives and new visions coming in! The short answer is, lighting controls almost everything we do, and with that in mind, the wedding profesional you hire should be able to handle any lighting situation no matter where they are.

Now the long answer is…the venue does not matter, every wedding day looks different! In fact, we have captured weddings in the same venue, back to back, in the same week, and they looked entirely different. It’s all about the couple, details and flow of the day. We are never aiming to recreate or replicate an identical photo from another wedding and therefore it never really matters if we have seen a venue or not, we feel comfortable in every lighting situation on a day.

We hope this helped! Please let us know if there are any other venues you would like highlighted.

– Stephen & Melissa