‘Tis the season for celebrations and big announcements. While this time of year is known for the holidays, it’s also the most popular time to get engaged, which means it’s also time to start thinking about wedding venues for the big day.
According to WeddingWire’s 2019 Newlywed Report, 19 percent of proposals happen in December compared with seven percent in January and eight percent in February. In addition, 40 percent of couples start to plan their wedding within a month of getting engaged and first steps are setting a date, researching venues, determining a budget, even whether or not you need table covers wholesale. Speaking of wedding dates, nearly 40 percent of weddings take place in the Fall, with October as one of the most popular months to tie the knot.
If you just got engaged (or have a feeling a proposal is coming soon) and are looking for the right venue for your wedding in 2020 or 2021, Arizona has an abundance of wedding venues to choose from that will fit your style, preferences and location with incredible photo opportunities.
Whether you envision your big day as intimate or grand, outdoors or indoors, traditional or modern, here are 10 of Arizona’s most unique wedding venues that will help make your wedding day memorable for years to come.
The Clayton Venues
Couples can choose between the modern and contemporary The Clayton on the Park or the rustic, industrial design of The Clayton House. The Clayton on the Park in Scottsdale is a unique alternative, modern venue. Their second floor gallery with floor-to-ceiling windows and park view are perfect for a ceremony, cocktail hour or dinner. The Terrace, a private outdoor space with bistro lights, is an extension of the reception space that can be used for a cocktail hour, late night desserts, or anything else you’d like. The famous LOVE sculpture is steps away from the venue and is the perfect backdrop for photos.
The Clayton House is a different take on the traditional ballroom with a modern mix of refined industrial design with rustic accents. This venue has three spaces like The Rafters for rustic weddings with wooden rafters and exposed block walls, The Great Room for an indoor/outdoor experience, or The Porch with two walls of glass windows and bistro landing outdoors.
Features:
• The Clayton on the Park can accommodate 50 to 150 guests; The Clayton House can accommodate 150 to 300 guests
• Unique and modern, interconnecting spaces
• Landscaped, covered patios
Stillwell House and Garden
Established in 1901, this historic venue in downtown Tucson is family owned and operated. Stillwell House has the two-story Twiggs house, which is a flexible event space with cathedral ceilings, brick walls, and a sweeping staircase with romantic gardens throughout the estate. If you’d prefer an outdoor ceremony or dinner, the Courtyard features lush floral grounds, mature shade trees and romantic lighting. The venue also has a newly remodeled cantina featuring a dance floor and an antique bar from Tucson’s Original Old Pueblo Club, perfect for a cocktail hour or cake-cutting.
Features
• Can accommodate up to 300 guests in its three event spaces
• Outdoor courtyard and garden space
• Estate with welcoming and intimate atmosphere
Tanque Verde Ranch
This nationally-acclaimed resort and ranch in the expansive Tucson desert oasis offers many options for your wedding venues. They have scenic outside spaces such as the Rincon Terrace with views of the Saguaro Forest and the Rincon Mountain Range; Lake Corchran, with abundant mesquite trees and a lake with a deck to capture photos; Cactus View with a large wood deck showing off the Sonoran Desert; Mesquite Arch for photos; Front Lawn with towering trees and cacti along a horse corral lined backdrop; Cottonwood Grove, which has a dance floor, picnic tables and a fire pit plus a chuck wagon bar; Old Homestead, a historic stone building on a hill that overlooks Tanque Verde Ranch; and desert view terrace.
And inside spaces like the Saguaro Room that has a grand staircase, natural stone fireplace and a flagstone-lined outside patio and their most recent space, The Barn, which features an exterior event lawn, rustic bar and massive dining room with panoramic sliding doors.
Each of the spaces offers a different ambiance ranging from the outdoor feel of the Saguaro Forest to the romance of sunset and candles.
Features
• Ten wedding spaces that can accommodate up to 200 guests; The Barn can accommodate up to 350 guests
• Offers catering and option to create custom menu
• Activities and lodging for guests like yoga, swimming, hiking, horseback riding and more
Tre Bella
The modern and contemporary space in Mesa is affordable and all-inclusive with buildings that are over 100 years old. Their spaces offer a downtown urban vibe with original hardwood floors and exposed brick walls. They include: The Bianca, The Blu Cielo, The Piazza reception hall, The Stanza, The Courtyard- an indoor/outdoor space, The Lounge and
They have four wedding packages that range from exclusive use of the venue and any space for the ceremony, cocktail hour or reception, to the use of two select spaces, all with venue services like bride and groom’s suites, ceremony rehearsal, a wedding coordinator and service staff, food and beverage, and event rentals and decor.
Features
• Can accommodate anywhere from 25 guests to 200
• Diverse spaces ranging from historical exposed brick to crystal chandeliers
• Perfect location for outdoor photos with nearby murals or their fresh flower wall
Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens
This hidden gem in Phoenix will make you feel like you’re in a tropical paradise. The Mexican plaza with rustic double doors and flourishing gardens make for a dramatic ceremony entrance. Have your reception under a canopy of greenery in the tropical garden complete with fountains and even a gazebo that’s perfect for your first dance and afterward, a dance floor. The venue was created by an award-winning interior botanical designer ensuring that every picture will be stunning with gardens, flowers and colorful backdrops. They offer two kinds of ceremony and reception packages and two ceremony only packages.
Features
• Can accommodate up to 200 guests
• Outdoor venue with beautiful fountains and greenery
• Unique Mexican architectural style
Phoenix Zoo
This unconventional wedding venue will be a sight to see! If doing a daytime wedding, you’ll be able to see and have photos with some of the animals for truly one-of-a-kind photos and a unique guest experience. Their indoor and outdoor ceremony and reception sites include Lakeside, Savanna, Ruby’s House- a quaint, garden cottage, Stone House Pavilion or the Zebra Overlook that will make for an unforgettable day. Don’t forget to snap some candid photos on their carousel and say ‘I do’ among these creatures.
Features
• Can accommodate 50 to 300 for seated guests for ceremonies or 200 or more for reception-style
• One-of-a-kind photo opportunities with some of your favorite animals
• Ceremony and reception venues ranging from the quaint garden cottage to the orangutan exhibit
Ashley Castle
Have you ever dreamt of saying ‘I do’ at a castle? Now you can, at Ashley Castle in Chandler. The castle features sprawling lawns with fountains, a courtyard, stone walls, and a grand ballroom where you’ll definitely feel like royalty. They have seven different wedding packages that range from exclusive rental of the Castle with flowers, bartending service, a wedding coordinator and ceremony rehearsal, to smaller ceremony and reception options. Inside the venue, there are two Suits of Armor by the 200-year-old castle doors into the foyer. You even have the option to get ready inside in the private dressing room suites.
Features
• Can accommodate up to 300 guests
• Fountains, gardens, a statue garden and a stone and wrought iron gazebo
• Thirty-foot ceilings, marble floors and hand-painted walls with crystal chandeliers
Musical Instrument Museum
Celebrate your love of music and begin this next chorus of your life at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. The museum displays more than 6,500 musical instruments and artifacts from around the world. There is over 40,000 square feet of event space perfect for anyone’s needs. The spaces include the Founders Room, Cafe Allegro for comfortable dining, El Rio with giant windows that resemble piano keys, the Main Courtyard features a beautiful bronze sculpture with water elements and desert plants which is perfect for watching the sunset, and even the Music Theater.
Features
• Can accommodate anywhere from 50 to 1,000 guests depending on the space
• Outdoor courtyard with desert foliage and a fountain
• Founders room features optimum lighting and sound capabilities
Schnepf Farms
Say I do on Schnepf Farms’ 300 acres with peach orchards, lush green lawns and grapevine-entwined gazebos. The 2,200 square-foot Farmhouse was built in the 1950s by Ray Schnepf in Queen Creek. Your ceremony can also be held in the Big Red Barn, which is 7,000 square feet, with an industrial, rustic feel complete with 30-foot ceilings and bistro lighting. The Meadow location is best for a quiet, private ceremony, as it is tucked away in a forest full of 25-year-old pine trees. Any of these spaces would be perfect for your dream country style wedding right here in Arizona.
Features
• Wedding venues can accommodate up to 300 guests
• Enchanting and intimate country feel
• Orchard gazebo, barn courtyard and beautiful backdrops for photos
L’Auberge de Sedona
Get married among Sedona’s red rocks and spiritual vortexes at the beautiful L’Auberge de Sedona Resort and Spa. Featuring packages that range from elopement for two to six guests, intimate for parties less than 30, or up to 150 guests, this enchanting and secluded resort will bring your perfect day to life. There are multiple indoor and outdoor event spaces such as The Creekhouse- a two-level suite with five bedrooms and a large deck overlooking Oak Creek; Cottageside Lawn framed by towering sycamore and cottonwood trees; scenic SpiritSong Terrace, Creekside Reserve, an ivy-covered creekside gazebo for small ceremonies or private reception dinners or Serenity Point, a ceremony venue along the banks of Oak Creek for less than 15 guests for stunning photos.
Features
• Number of guests can range from two to 150
• Scenic and intimate venue with your closest friends and family
• Wedding venues immersed in Sedona’s breathtaking landscapes
