Some of my favorite places to see two people share their forever vows are outdoor wedding venues. I love nature — from cacti and wildflowers to massive groves of trees and fields of grass — and I think it’s such a special thing to celebrate your love surrounded by the beauty of nature. I could be a little bit biased here, but for me there’s no better place to find a breathtaking outdoor wedding venue than in Arizona. Think about it: stunning mountain and desert backdrops. Endless groves of trees. Unbeatable Arizona sunsets and un-interrupted views of the stars. With the best parts of nature, these wedding venues simply can’t be beat.
Choosing the right venue is crucial when it comes to the wedding photos of your dreams. The right wedding venue sets the mood, tone, composition, and lighting for your captured moments and memories. While I do my thing capturing your day like your oldest friend, the venue you choose is the backdrop to your story. A great wedding venue can help make your wedding dream come to life.
Here are the best outdoor wedding venues that this beautiful desert state has to offer, perfect for the engaged couples who want to celebrate their love surrounded by just the right amount of mother nature.
p.s.
if a big, traditional, long-guest-list wedding isn’t your thing and you’d rather run away to the red sedona mountains or say your vows in the grand canyon, that’s cool too. check out my guide on where to elope in arrizona here.
* unless otherwise indicated, the photos below are NOT MINE & are taken with verbal permission from the venue’s website galleries *
The Paseo
mesa, arizona
One of the most stunning desert venues in Arizona and one of my personal favorites in my portfolio is The Paseo. A gorgeous indoor-outdoor space nestled at the foot of the stunning Superstition Mountains, located at 3753 N Apache Trail. This is one of the best outdoor wedding venues that you can get here. You can bring your own alcohol and save some money, boo. Or take advantage of the Paseo’s on-site rentals and custom quotes. Whether you host your entire wedding here or just the reception, it’s sure to be a magical combination of glass windows, an Arizona sunset behind the mountains, and twinkling string lights above the dance floor. You can’t go wrong with this venue!
See more of The Paseo venue here.
Hidden Gardens at Boojum Tree
phoenix, arizona
The Secret Garden at Boojum Tree, located at 16026 N 36th St in Phoenix, Arizona, is an outdoor wedding venue to be remembered. Enchanting, award-winning and breathtaking. Boojum Tree is the perfect outdoor wedding venue for the couples who want a little bit of other-worldly-magic on their wedding day – whether it’s for the ceremony, reception or both.
Read more about this incredibly spiritual, unique and untraditional wedding venue here.
Desert Botanical Gardens
paradise valley, arizona
It’s hard to find a location more unique for a wedding than the Desert Botanical Gardens at 1201 N. Galvin Parkway in Phoenix. And with indoor and outdoor options for ceremonies and receptions, award-winning caterers, and stunning desert art and backdrops, the 140-acre Desert Botanical Garden is a charming and unforgettable. This local fave is versatile, one-of-a-kind, reasonably priced, and large — with a capacity for 250 guests.
Read more about a Desert Botanical Gardens wedding here.
Schnepf Farms: The Meadow, The Big Red Barn & The Farmhouse
queen creek, arizona
At 24810 E Rittenhouse Rd, Schnepf farms offers the perfect mix of fun, iconic, traditional, classic, and enchanting. Whether you choose to start your forever in the meadow, the big red barn or the farmhouse, you can be sure that your guests will have a magical time surrounded by peach trees and pines.
Read more about all Schnepf Farms has to offer here.
Andaz Resort & Spa
scottsdale, arizona
Located at 6114 N Scottsdale Rd, the phenomenally beautiful Andaz Resort is the perfect mix of timeless mid-century modern design and majestic Sonoran desert landscape. One of my favorite outdoor wedding venues, the Andaz effortlessly combines outdoor reception and ceremony spaces with breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain and the Praying Monk. Completed by an elegant indoor ballroom, big grassy areas perfect for large floral displays, and walkways lined with palm trees, the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows might just be the perfect spot for your ceremony, reception, and late-night celebrating.
Find out more about Andaz here.
The Farm at South Mountain
phoenix, arizona
Located at 6106 S 32nd St, The Farm at South Mountain was voted one of the best outdoor wedding venues in Arizona by several industry magazines in past years. With its expansive grove of pecan trees, large grassy groves, bright blooming flowers and enchanting elegance, The Farm is a stunning, romantic, European-style venue. On 10-acres of expansive land, this venue features two separate outdoor locations to accommodate any wedding size or shape. Dine among the trees, dance under the stars, and be a part of a night truly worth remembering.
Read more about the award-winning experience here.
DC Ranch Country Club
scottsdale, arizona
The DC Ranch Country Club, located at 9290 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, almost feels like romantically running away and getting married in Europe. The Country Club at DC Ranch offers an enchanting courtyard with old world charm and romance vibes, panoramic desert views, and a sun-drenched event lawn perfect for any ceremony. Between their garden flowers, wood-burning fireplace, and peaceful fountains, the country club truly creates a quiet, extraordinary wedding experience.
Find out more about the DC Ranch Country Club here.
The Venue at The Grove
phoenix, arizona
The Venue at the Grove, located at 7010 S 27th Ave, has acres upon acres of space, with over 30,000 lights to keep it exciting and enchanting. For the couples who want a big wedding to feel intimate and romantic, this outdoor arizona wedding venue could be for you. Who doesn’t love an Arizona sunset behind a grove of pecan trees unlike any other ceremony space? And then you get a choice between an indoor or outdoor reception, but you can be sure that twinkling lights will take your breath away as soon as the sun has set.
Find out more about The Venue at The Grove here.
Desert Foothills
phoenix, arizona
For a breathtaking, exclusive Sonoran Desert setting with a convenient location and a true taste of the Southwest, Desert Foothills on E Jomax Rd in North Scottsdale/Phoenix should be at the top of your list of outdoor wedding venues. After you exchange vows on private land surrounded by saguaros and a golden Arizona sunset, you and your guests get to party the night away in a 10,000 square foot rustic โbarnโ that was built over 20 years ago and is made out of old telephone poles! This is the place for elegant, simple, western wedding vibes, with the amazing on-site wedding coordinators to match! Find out more here.
El Chorro: The Event Lawn, Herb Garden, Casa Paloma, & Classroom Bar
paradise valley, arizona
Framed by the wondrous beauty of Camelback Mountain, El Chorro is a truly unforgettable wedding experience from beginning to end. This Arizona wedding venue effortlessly combines four beautiful, historic venues with exquisite local and seasonal cuisine to honor both the heritage the lush valley and the importance of the celebrations hosted there. Luxurious and romantic, El Chorro offers a personalized experience with their Wedding Specialists who manage all the logistics while you focus on the fun parts.
Check out more about El Chorro here.
Sanctuary at Camelback
paradise valley, arizona
The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort, located at 5700 E McDonald Dr in Paradise Valley, offers breathtaking mountaintop views, an intimate glass enclosed ballroom and all the wedding fixings โ the perfect setting for a magnificent Arizona wedding. Their all-on-one wedding package includes valet parking for guests, full use of the resort for wedding portraits, a changing room for the bridal party. AND, if your wedding has more than 50 guests, you even receive a complimentary honeymoon suite with candlelight turndown. How amazing is that?
Find out more here.
The Arizona Biltmore
paradise valley, arizona
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and enthroned in years of local history and experience, The Arizona Biltmore is a true gem – located at 2400 E Missouri Ave. The Biltmore resort + Estates, by Waldorf Estoria, are the definition of refinement, impeccable taste and entertainment that exudes grace and style. A Phoenix Wedding at the Biltmore is a thing of stately beauty, flawless service and luxurious amenities.
Read more about this established and elegant venue here.
Enchantment Resort
sedona, arizona
The Enchantment Resort at 525 Boynton Canyon Rd in Sedona, Arizona deserves its name. This outdoor wedding venue offers several different ceremony and reception options, all stunning and perfectly nestled in the famous and unforgettable red rocks of Sedona. From desert vistas to secluded terraces and the picturesque backdrop of Boynton Canyon, Enchantment Resort is a place to create a one-of-a-kind celebration of your love and commitment.
Read more about this spiritual and soulful wedding venue here.
Mountain Shadows Resort
paradise valley, arizona
Enhance the magic of your special day with a one-of-a-kind setting at Mountain Shadows Resort, located perfectly between Camelback and Mummy Mountains at 5445 E Lincoln Dr. Between their ballrooms and scenic decks, gorgeous grounds brimming with Southwest flowers and trees, stunning ceremony and reception options, superb catering and luxurious amenities, you are sure to have an unmatched wedding experience. This is definitely another one of my favorite outdoor wedding venues in Arizona!
Learn more about Mountain Shadows here.
The Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain
marana, arizona
Located at 15000 N Secret Springs Dr, The Ritz Carlton at Dove Mountain is the perfect place of an outdoor wedding in the gorgeous Tucson desert. Exchange your vows surrounded by saguaros and wildflowers, and dance the night away under the bright and star filled night sky. Weddings at this Tucson resort find the perfect balance of desert peace and ballroom dance parties for the couples who want a little bit of everything Arizona has to offer.
Read more about this enchanting place here.
Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch
mesa, arizona
Located at 13020 N Bush Hwy, Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch is the ideal wedding venue for an intimate, relaxed and romantic wedding. The secluded and peaceful property offers a completely private location with 20 cabins accommodating up to 40 guests, two different ceremony location options, and plenty of room to explore and rest. Set by the Salt River and basking in the shadow of the majestic Bulldog Cliffs, Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch weddings are idyllic and tranquil and unlike anything else.
Read more about them here.
Slide Rock State Park
sedona, arizona
There’s nothing quite like Slide Rock State Park off of Highway 89A in Sedona, Arizona. This place is the definition of a DREAMY outdoor wedding venue. The perfect combination of affordable, beautiful, fun and unforgettable, Slide Rock State Park is a wedding venue for the couples who want a little bit of adventure, a little bit of quiet and a whole lot of mother nature. You can even change into a swimsuit and slide down the rocks to start the party.
Find out more about how to say your vows in this stunning state park here.
Tanque Verde Ranch
tucson, arizona
Tanque Verde Ranch, located at 14301 E Speedway Blvd, offers picture-perfect scenic backdrops and convenient professional planning for your Arizona dream wedding. The rolling mountains and gorgeous landscape of the peaceful Tucson desert create an unforgettable setting, while professional wedding planning staff help make your big day seamless and positively unforgettable. Tanque Verde Ranch offers a variety of indoor and outdoor options& accommodates up to 200 guests.
Read more about this venue here.
Windmill Winery: The Barn & Lakehouse
florence, arizona
You could honestly pretend you’re in Florence, Italy instead of Florence, Arizona at beautiful Windmill Winery, located at 1140 W Butte Ave. Windmill Winery boasts two beautiful and uniquely different wedding venue options: The Barn & The Lake House. Elegant and historic, with just the right amount of western charm, this is the perfect venue for couples who like a little bit of tradition and a lot of romance. Read more about this hidden Arizona gem here.
Such a different feel from weddings in New York City. Awesome reference Iโm ever out in Arizona for a wedding. Cheers!
I’m moving to Arizona and this is super helpful! Thank you very much! ๐