Getting Married In Sedona

Ideas & Inspiration

Getting Married In Sedona

For Arizona brides looking for the ultimate in romance, there’s no place more perfect than Sedona. With its majestic red rock canyons, bubbling creeks, vineyards and bustling arts scene, beauty abounds in the charming northern city, especially for those who’ve always dreamed of a glorious outdoor Arizona wedding.  

Besides the natural beauty, adventures of all kinds lie around every corner in Sedona. Whether you’re looking to relax and indulge in some luxurious spa treatments or explore the city with a hike or Pink Jeep Tour, there are attractions to suit any bride and bridal party. Read on for our picks of Sedona’s best wedding venues.

TLAQUEPAQUE
If you’re looking for that perfect space for a romantic, more intimate wedding, look no further than Tlaquepaque, an arts and crafts village modeled after the traditional Mexican village of the same name.

“What makes our venue special and unique is absolutely the setting—the charm, the ambiance, the vegetation and the old-world style of Tlaquepaque,” says general manager Wendy Lippman. With its vine-covered walls, sycamore trees, cobblestone walkways, garden nooks, shops and art galleries, Tlaquepaque is truly enchanted—and enchanting—in every way.

The village features a quaint chapel for wedding ceremonies and several reception spaces affording gorgeous red rock views. The chapel can accommodate up to 45 guests, while the reception areas can host up to 100. To ensure privacy, Lippman says Tlaquepaque only allows one wedding reception per evening, held after 5 p.m. when the adjoining shops have closed. The chapel itself can host up to two wedding ceremonies per evening.

For nights when the weather won’t permit an outdoor wedding, Tlaquepaque also has a ballroom perfect for receptions. Brides can also enjoy access to a private primping room for the bridal party, accommodating up to four people.

Unlike resort weddings, at Tlaquepaque brides can choose from a list of pre-qualified caterers and bring in their own alcohol, as long as a bartender is hired.

L’AUBERGE DE SEDONA
“Weddings are not just planned at L’Auberge de Sedona, they’re designed,” says event coordinator and certified wedding specialist Meghan Rudolph. “From breathtaking views of the red rocks to the soothing sounds of Oak Creek, L’Auberge offers a rare co mbination of natural beauty and country European elegance that make it a popular choice for weddings.”

Brides looking for a high-end resort experience will love the amenities at L’Auberge. The resort staff makes sure your day is full of thoughtful details like champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a rose-petal turndown service for the bride and groom on their wedding night. Couples will also enjoy two wedding specialists on hand throughout the big day.

The luxury hotel has several outdoor terraces and indoor spaces available for the ceremony and reception and several packages available for any size wedding. Rudolph recommends choosing one space by the creek and another with red rock views so the wedding party can experience the best of both worlds.

The catering is handled in-house at L’Auberge, and Rudolph notes that the menus are highly customizable. “Brides can bring in their own cake,” she says, “and we often create specialty cocktails or source wines to feature the various regions the couple has visited.”

EL PORTAL SEDONA HOTEL
Small weddings are the specialty at El Portal Luxury Inn, a quaint adobe-style hacienda. El Portal can accommodate weddings of up to 40 people in the central courtyard, which has views of the red rocks and an enclosed garden. The space is usually available for ceremonies only; but if you book the entire inn’s 12 rooms (some including enclosed patios) for the wedding, El Portal can host the reception.

For brides who book the entire inn, pets of any size are allowed. There’s also a 900-square-foot bridal suite (available for an extra fee), which includes luxurious amenities like 12-foot ceilings, a Jacuzzi and, of course, gorgeous views.

Catering can be outsourced or couples can choose to work from a list of preferred caterers. Alcohol at the reception must be purchased from El Portal.

Owner Steve Segner notes that for brides looking to host just the ceremony at El Portal, nearby Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village is less than five minutes away and is often available for receptions.

El Portal is a popular destination for wedding parties to use as a “headquarters” in between other activities during their Sedona stay, Segner notes. “People who have big weddings often have the bridal party stay here, and El Portal becomes where they meet for breakfast each day.”

DANCING APACHE LODGE
Brides looking for romance and privacy will find that and more at Dancing Apache Lodge. This quaint lodge and special event space, just 20 miles outside of Sedona, offers guests the ultimate in seclusion, along with pristine views.

“You’ve got 20 to 25 acres of your own private sanctuary,” says Olen Petznick, owner of Dancing Apache Lodge. “You’ve got a large private lake, beautiful rose gardens, vineyard walks and the lodge; when you go shut the gate, you realize you have your own private compound for the weekend.”

Indeed, the privacy that Dancing Apache Lodge affords is one of the big draws for brides. The entire grounds, including the lodge, are reserved specifically for special events, so there’s no chance of being rushed out because another wedding party is on the way.
Petznick notes that most brides book the lodge for the weekend and have their ceremony at one of three popular and picturesque outdoor spots: the waterfall, rose garden or lakeside gazebo.

Weddings of up to 150 guests can be accommodated, while the four-bedroom lodge itself can sleep up to 14. Many bridal couples choose to book the lodge’s guestrooms for the wedding party and close relatives.

When it comes to the reception, brides are free to bring in their own wedding planners and catering. “This place pretty much sells itself when brides see they can have this beautiful property to themselves and not be tied down to specific vendors and caterers,” Petznick says. “All in all, it ends up being a pretty cost-effective way to have a wedding.”

AMARA CREEKSIDE HOTEL & SPA
“Amara is the stage on which to create your vision, where every detail can be tailor-made to suit your tastes,” says April Bates, events and catering manager at Amara Creekside Resort & Spa.

The AAA four-diamond property is one of only four Sedona resorts overlooking beautiful Oak Creek. It offers two spaces for both outdoor and indoor ceremonies: Oak Creek Courtyard, which features al fresco dining and an outdoor location for a champagne reception; and the Meditation Room, which includes double French doors that open into a spacious balcony.

Located in uptown Sedona, Amara is a popular location in part because of its proximity to local shops, restaurants and art galleries. It offers a shuttle service for guests to and from the shopping and dining area, making the boutique property an attractive pick for brides seeking a weekend wedding with plenty of nearby entertainment for guests.

Amara can accommodate weddings of up to 100 guests in its terraces and gardens. The resort also has a full-service luxury spa that many brides and bridal parties indulge in. Couples will also enjoy luxuries like champagne in their suite, breakfast in bed, a couple’s massage and views of the creek from their room.

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