Scottsdale, Arizona has sunshine and gorgeous desert views, along with luxury resorts and unique event spaces – making it the perfect place to look for a wedding venue! Whether you’re planning a big celebration or a more intimate wedding, you’ll find something that’s right for your day. To help you find where you want to say “I do,” here are 8 of the best wedding venues in Scottsdale.
Wedding Venues in Scottsdale
Troon North Golf Club
Troon North provides a contrast between lush greenery and golden desert views. Beyond the ceremony lawn, you get views of the Sonoran Desert, towering saguaros, and rugged rock formations that make it an unforgettable backdrop.
Ceremonies usually take place outdoors, with a grass aisle leading to a terrace framed by desert plants. The reception space has floor to ceiling windows, so the scenery can be part of your celebration even once you move indoors!
Guest capacity: up to 200
Hotel Valley Ho
Conveniently located in downtown Scottsdale, the Hotel Valley Ho is a unique, colorful wedding venue that exudes a retro-chic vibe! The hotel originally opened in 1956, but has been restored to keep that style, with some contemporary additions.
There are several ceremony and reception spaces here, so you can make your day your own! The Palm Court Lawn is surrounded by palm trees and midcentury modern architecture, and is the perfect place to say your vows. Afterwards, you can host your reception on the rooftop, with sweeping views of the city and of Camelback Mountain!
Guest capacity: up to 200
The Clayton House
The Clayton House is one of the best wedding venues in Scottsdale for a customizable space that you can make your own. The Rafters is a unique ceremony space with wood ceilings and industrial metal beams. The ceremony space then flows into The Porch, perfect for cocktail hour, with the connected Lounge that has a built in bar. From there, The Hangar has concrete floors, high ceilings with metal beams, and big windows to let in plenty of natural light – the perfect place to dance the night away!
Guest capacity: up to 350
Mccormick Ranch Golf Club
Mccormick Ranch Golf Club has mountain views, lush greenery, and even a few lakes! The ceremony site is right on the shores of the lake, with Camelback Mountain in the distance, providing a unique backdrop for your vows. The West Lawn Pavilion is the perfect place to host your reception, with floor to ceiling glass doors. There’s also the more intimate Clubhouse for small celebrations!
Guest capacity: up to 325
Mountain Shadows Resort
Located just north of Scottsdale is the Mountain Shadows Resort. The resort pairs modern design and luxury with stunning desert scenery, with dramatic views of Camelback Mountain.
The ceremony lawn is surrounded by cacti and other desert flora, with the mountain behind you. For your reception, there’s the Camelback Mountain Overlook, a rooftop deck decorated with string lights and of course, those breathtaking desert views. There’s also an indoor reception option, the Paradise Ballroom, with big windows and an outdoor terrace.
Guest capacity: up to 300
Desert Foothills
One of the best rustic wedding venues in Scottsdale is Desert Foothills, surrounded by saguaros, mountains, and the wide open desert sky. This venue feels secluded and tucked away, giving you a peaceful place to celebrate with your loved ones.
The Sunset Vista provides a ceremony space surrounded by saguaros, and vast desert views. There’s a courtyard for outdoor receptions, as well as a cozy barn for indoor celebrations. The barn is decorated with twinkle lights and wood beams, giving it a romantic, welcoming vibe.
Guest capacity: According to their website, they can host intimate gatherings or celebrations with over 1,000 people!
Gainey Ranch Golf Club
The Gainey Ranch Golf Club was previously a horse ranch, and today, it’s one of the best wedding venues in Scottsdale for luxury and gorgeous views. The main ceremony space is the green lawn, with trees surrounding it and a gorgeous view of the mountains. For smaller ceremonies, you can get married on the waterfall patio or the ballroom patio.
Indoor receptions are held in the ballroom, with views of the lakes, the golf course, and the McDowell mountains through the floor to ceiling windows.
Guest capacity: up to 200
The Boulders Resort and Spa
The Boulders Resort and Spa is a unique resort, known for the boulder formations that surround it. It’s a secluded, peaceful place, and a spa retreat as well as a wedding venue, allowing you to relax before the big day.
Ceremonies here are held against the backdrop of dramatic boulders, while receptions can be in the outdoor courtyards and terraces, or in the indoor ballroom. There’s a golf course, spa, and more on site, making it one of the best wedding venues in Scottsdale for a full wedding weekend.
Tips for Choosing a Wedding Venue in Scottsdale
There are so many gorgeous wedding venues in Scottsdale, so narrowing it down can definitely feel overwhelming! Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you plan.
Think About Your Guest Count
Before falling in love with a venue, it can be a good idea to decide how many people you’re planning to invite. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a set in stone guest list just yet, but your options for wedding venues will look different depending on if you’re planning on inviting 50 people, or 500. Most places can accommodate intimate weddings, but for bigger celebrations, you’ll need to make sure that the places you’re looking at can host you!
Define Your Style to Narrow Down Wedding Venues in Scottsdale
Another way to narrow down your options is to figure out what kind of vibe you’re going for on your wedding day. Are you picturing something rustic and cozy, or more sleek and modern? Scottsdale has barn wedding venues, luxury resorts, golf courses, and more – so if you have an idea in mind for what you want your day to look like and what kind of experience you want it to be, that can help you figure out where to look.
Inquire Early with Wedding Venues in Scottsdale!
Wedding venues often book pretty far in advance (often a year or more), so it’s best to start looking for a venue as soon as possible. Inquire with venues that you like, and if you can, see them in person to really get a feel for the space!
Your wedding date will also affect how busy a venue will be or how fast it’ll get booked. October through April are the most popular wedding months in Scottsdale, because of the cooler weather, and of course, weekends are when most weddings happen.
Scottsdale Wedding Photographer
Once you’ve chosen a wedding venue, the next step is finding someone to document your day! As a Scottsdale wedding photographer, I’ll capture the photos, but also help you plan your timeline around the desert’s golden hour, recommend the best photo spots, and more. If you’re ready to start planning your Scottsdale wedding, contact me!
