How to Plan Your Dream Arizona Destination Wedding: The Best Arizona Wedding Locations And Tips
- emilyfayefilms
- Jul 16
- 5 min read
Dreaming of that destination wedding feel without having to hop on a plane overseas? I’ve got you. See all the reasons why Arizona is the best place for your destination wedding (think dreamy Arizona wedding locations and that unique southwestern character) and learn how to pull off the celebration of your dreams with tips from an Arizona wedding videographer!
Why Choose an Arizona Wedding Location for Your Destination Wedding?
Arizona is one of those places that surprises people in the best way. It’s got this raw, earthy beauty that makes everything feel more intentional. If you're craving a destination wedding that feels a little wild, a little romantic, and a whole lot like you, Arizona delivers, all without the jet lag or international logistics. It’s the kind of place where your day doesn’t just look good—it feels unforgettable.
It has year-round sunshine
Need I say more? Year-round sunshine and dreamy weather makes Arizona a perfect wedding location. The best months to get married here, as a wedding videographer who has done a wedding in every month, are October, November, March, and April. These have the fairest weather and, in my opinion, the most gorgeous scenery with the changing seasons.
It has a stunning variety of landscapes and venues
Arizona has virtually every backdrop you could imagine: deserts, mountains, forests, rivers… The list goes on! And I can’t forget to mention the GORGEOUS Arizona wedding venues around. You have your pick of rustic wedding venues, modern wedding venues, historical wedding venues, and again, virtually anything you could dream of!
Unique southwestern character
Not everywhere can have the rich cultural charm that Arizona has. The southwestern character runs deep, and it shows even in Arizona wedding locations. Might I add, this reflects beautifully in wedding videos, you can literally feel the charm just from watching the clips. It gives me chills EVERY time.
Dream Arizona Wedding Locations for Your Destination Wedding
Again, there is such a wide variety of Arizona wedding venues, and they’re all so gorgeous that you could literally never go wrong. As an Arizona wedding videographer, some of my favorite Arizona wedding locations are:
Think luxury resorts, palm trees, and desert and mountain backdrops that look like they’re straight out of a movie poster. This area is a gorgeous option (with STUNNING natural scenery) if you’re going for a more elegant wedding or luxury wedding feel.
Gorgeous Phoenix/Scottsdale Wedding Locations:
Red Rock beauty, spiritual energy, and boho charm. This area is perfect for you if you’re more of an adventurous couple. Tons of elopements and intimate weddings are held here, and for good reason! It’s a quintessential Arizona wedding vibe.
This wedding day was shot at Lover’s Knoll with portraits at Merry Go Round Rock, and fully captures the vibe of a Sedona wedding.
More gorgeous Sedona wedding locations:
If you’re dreaming of a more whimsical forest wedding, this is where you’ll find the pine trees and secluded forest escapes. Bonus tip: summer weddings are a great option for Flagstaff, because you’re getting into a bit of cooler temperatures here.
Flagstaff/Payson wedding locations I love:
Tucson is where you’ll find more historic charm, Adobe architecture, and desert landscapes. Think in more of a vintage charming feel for Tucson weddings! It’s a great place to really soak up the southwestern culture in your wedding.
Great Tucson wedding locations:
Tips for Out-of-State Couples Planning an Arizona Destination Wedding
Hire vendors who actually know Arizona. The desert isn’t always predictable, and having a team that understands the light, the terrain, and the logistics of getting married here will make the whole process way smoother. Local vendors know what works, and what doesn’t, and that insight is worth everything.
Book as early as you can. Arizona’s most popular venues and vendors get snatched up fast. If you’ve got your heart set on a specific date or spot, don’t wait to lock it in. The sooner, the better.
A planner or day-of coordinator is 100% worth it. Even if you're planning most of the wedding yourself, having someone who can step in and run the show when the day arrives takes so much pressure off your shoulders. You deserve to be fully present, not stuck answering texts about where the florist should park.
The amazing vendors that played a part in this gorgeous wedding day were:
Coordinator: Cheyenne Lespinas
Photo: Elena Slesarchuk
Florals: Snapdragon Bloom Bar
Dress: Pnina Tornai
Must-Know Legal Info & Travel Logistics for Your Arizona Destination Wedding
Getting your Arizona marriage license:
Both applicants must go to the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the wedding will take place with government-issued IDs, the cost of the license in that county, and your social security numbers. Great news: there are no waiting periods in Arizona! So you can get your marriage license the same day you get married, which is super helpful if you’re planning from out of state.
The closest airports to many of the best Arizona wedding locations are PHX, TUS, and FLG. See which one is closest to your Arizona wedding location, and make sure you scope out the transportation to and from the airport beforehand!
Why Arizona Weddings Make the Most Nostalgic Videos
The landscape
No matter where you're saying your vows, deep in the desert or tucked away in the pines, Arizona knows how to show up. But at the end of the day, it's not the backdrop that makes your wedding video unforgettable. It’s you. The way you look at each other. The way your people show up for you. The way it all feels.
That raw emotion, that connection, that's what makes the magic. The landscape just adds to it. There's something so powerful about watching two people share something real and intimate against a backdrop that feels so big and untamed. It’s that contrast that makes your story hit even harder on screen.
The light
There’s just no competing with an Arizona sunset. That golden hour glow? It hits different out here. Every time I film during that light, I swear it takes my breath away all over again. It adds this dreamy, cinematic warmth to your video that you honestly can’t fake, and I’ll never get tired of chasing it.
Space to breathe and feel present
Arizona’s landscapes aren’t just beautiful; they let you exhale. There’s something about the open space, the quiet, the way the light moves across the desert or forest, that pulls you right into the moment. It makes it easier to be fully present with each other, and that’s when the most honest, emotional moments happen on film.
Emily Faye | Arizona Wedding Videographer
Did I convince you to bring your destination wedding to one of the best Arizona wedding locations? Find more Arizona wedding inspiration on my Pinterest to start planning your Arizona destination wedding today. If you’re ready to book an Arizona wedding videographer who will capture your dreamy, heartfelt moments, I’m your girl. Click here to inquire today!
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