Tucson Wedding Reception Sites

Ideas & Inspiration

Brides are drawn to Westward Look Resort’s stunning rooftop, which is perfect for ceremonies. Built in 1912, the versatile resort features five reception options with indoor and outdoor access.

Tucson Wedding Reception Sites

Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Tucson is surrounded by five mountain ranges and acres of saguaro forests, but a wedding here can be as uptown sophisticated or back-to-nature as you desire. Venues require minimal decorating no matter which you choose, because the natural beauty of the desert provides a stunning backdrop. Here are five of the most unusual, breathtaking spots in Tucson for saying “I do.”

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
The world-renowned Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is the second-most visited attraction in the state after the Grand Canyon. A 20-minute drive west of the city through flowering cacti and other desert plants, the museum boasts two miles of outdoor paths that meander over 21 acres of desert, with more than 1,200 plant varieties and 300 animal species scurrying about (although some, like mountain lions, rattlesnakes and roadrunners, are fenced off for safety).

“We have several different areas for weddings, and each one has its own flavor,” says visitor services supervisor Linda Meschino. The lush desert garden can seat 150 guests, and there’s space for an outdoor ceremony in the Ironwood Courtyard with capacity for 200. A theater inside seats up to 270 people.

“Guests of the bride and groom who don’t live in town are always enchanted when we bring creatures and animals to the reception,” says Meschino. “They love taking photos of the owls or hawks. The ring-tailed cat is very popular and very cute. They remember this experience all their lives.”

Music has been provided by mariachi bands, harpists, a string quartet and a jazz trio. The museum encourages acoustic music, since many venues are near aviaries. Dancing is available if a rental floor is provided.

“We work closely with the bride and groom on menus,” says director of catering Gloria Ashcroft. “A popular entrée is the charbroiled chicken breast stuffed with chipotle basil pesto. The dessert trend this year is cupcakes displayed on a rack.”

The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Resort
The newest resort in Tucson is a 30-minute drive west of the city. Snuggled at the base of the mountains, the contemporary Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Resort offers more than 44,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor wedding space.

“The most unique wedding location is the 10th tee on our championship golf course,” says Jennifer Dockery, associate director of meetings and special events. “It’s surrounded by a peaceful desert landscape. Our event lawns are so stunning that no additional decoration is required.”

The main pool area has also seen quite a few receptions and rehearsal dinners since the hotel opened in January 2009. Up to 600 wedding guests can be accommodated on three manicured lawns. Indoors, there’s a dance floor, a stage for a band and room for food stations to serve 500.

“Many brides want a traditional sit-down dinner and offer food stations later in the evening with cookies and milk, tacos or sliders,” says Dockery. “People really get into the spirit of the location. Some do a dove release, others have a stage blesser; we’ve had a Native American flute player, and one couple even had a private fireworks show overlooking the canyon.”

Westward Look Resort
For a taste of Tucson history, brides can turn to Westward Look Resort, which was built in 1912 as a hacienda-style home and eventually became the city’s first resort. Its intimate rooftop terrace is the most popular spot for ceremonies, and there are five different reception options, all with indoor and outdoor access.

“My daughter Lindsay wanted a beautiful sunset wedding, so we chose the rooftop at Westward Look,” says mother-of-the-bride Cicely d’Autremont. “Guests got a glass of champagne downstairs, then came up to the roof for the ceremony. It was just beautiful.”

D’Autremont placed electric luminarias along the pathway from the parking lot to the patio ballroom, providing a romantic ambiance for the 136 guests. Since many came from as far away as Europe, she gave welcome bags with prickly-pear candy, Mexican beer, sunscreen and maps of Tucson. A week’s worth of activity options before the wedding included a stargazing party, Mexican dinner, horseback-riding and golf. Brunch the following day took place at the Desert Museum, where docents allowed a hawk and a pack rat to join the fun.

“We try to personalize the experience as much as possible,” says Mary Beth Seamands, director of sales and marketing. “We’ve had brides and grooms enter on horseback, in golf carts; one couple even brought in low, black leather sofas and made seating areas in the ballroom so it looked like a club in New York. Our No. 1 priority is making sure they enjoy their day.”

Pima Air & Space Museum
For brides flying high with excitement, there’s no better place for a wedding than the Pima Air & Space Museum. It’s such a popular space that 20,000 square feet were just added for special events, with an additional 4,500 for a new restaurant. The museum offers many options for both ceremonies and receptions, accommodating 50 to 500 guests.

“Nowhere else in Arizona can you dine under the wings of a Tomcat from Top Gun, or dance beneath the nose of the plane John Wayne flew in Jet Pilot,” said events manager Rose Fahey. “Since guests are literally in airplane hangers filled with interesting aircraft, the only decoration needed is a lighting package. With a color wash, up-lighting of the planes and a gobo [lighting instrument] on the dance floor, it truly is a magical setting.”

For newlyweds Nichalin and John Summerfield, the setting was perfect; they both love technology—Nichalin was a programmer for the Phoenix Mars project—and the couple had visited the museum several times while dating.

“We had quite a few out-of-town guests, and the museum is a well-known landmark that showcases the long aviation history of Tucson,” says Nichalin. “We had our reception in Hangar 4, which has many World War II exhibits. The centerpiece is a B-29 Superfortress bomber with a wingspan of 141 feet.”

The large open space in the center made a perfect dance floor. Guests had full access to the entire museum, and could park right outside the hangar.

The Summerfield’s catering was done on-site. “We were overwhelmed by the variety of food they could provide,” says Nichalin. “We settled on grilled chicken breast with prickly-pear glaze for a very Arizona touch.”

Tohono Chul Park
There are so many romantic spots in the Tohono Chul Park that the hardest decision might be where to say your vows. This 49-acre desert preserve is an oasis of calm in the middle of Tucson, with many water features and private gardens to accommodate up to 250 guests.

There’s one small restriction: “We want to be sure our wildlife is kept healthy, so we don’t allow anyone to throw rice after a ceremony,” says rental coordinator Jeannine Hougland. “But we do allow birdseed!”

Lila Yamashiro operates the Tea Room at the park, and says the natural beauty of the desert is what draws brides here. “We can do formal, plated dinners of filet mignon, or Western barbecues with small bales of hay on every table,” says Yamashiro. “We’re working on a medieval-themed wedding right now; I just ordered mead for the toast and pewter goblets that will become gifts for the guests.”

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