The Perfect Gem 💎: Unique Arizona Wedding & Honeymoon Destinations

 

Thanks to incredible weather and a plethora of resort options, Arizona is a premier wedding and honeymoon destination. While the state’s well-known locales have a worldwide reputation as special places to tie the knot and kick off a lifetime of never-ending love, Arizona also hosts a bouquet of hidden gems and unique locations to celebrate in unexpected style.

 

An Adventurous Love Story at the Grand Canyon

 

Exchange vows next to this breathtaking natural wonder for a one-of-a-kind experience filled with unparalleled views. With all Grand Canyon National Park’s wedding areas open from May to October, enjoy a ceremony along the North or South Rim for a small wedding or elopement where the beauty of the canyon makes for a stunning backdrop. Experience romance on the rails when getting married on the way to the South Rim aboard the Grand Canyon Railway, which starts its journey in Williams. For this luxurious experience, charter a private train car or even the entire train. The Luxury Parlour, a private rear platform, or the luxury observation dome make perfect onboard venues.

 

Trek into the canyon for an adventurous honeymoon of exploring nature while camping underneath the park’s dark skies. Raft down the Colorado River’s massive Class VI rapids to witness countless stunning views along the river during a multi-day rafting expedition. Enjoy nature without sacrificing amenities when glamping at Under Canvas or at luxury eco-resort, Backland, both in Williams.

 

A Wine Country Celebration in Cottonwood

 

Known as the “Heart of Verde Valley Wine Country,” the charming small town of Cottonwood offers couples the opportunity to feel “drunk” – on love of course – when walking down the aisle. Lovers can kiss in front of grape vines at the lovely Alcantara Vineyards and Winery for a ceremony filled with picturesque scenery, award-winning wine and a first dance under dark skies. Enjoy staying on Main Street in Old Town Cottonwood at The Tavern Hotel, a Euro-style boutique hotel footsteps away from antique stores and wine-tasting rooms.

 

The Verde Valley wine region, a designated American Viticultural Area, gifts passionate wine-loving spouses their dream honeymoon by enabling them to explore numerous wineries and taste exquisite wines on the Verde Valley Wine Trail. Kayak down the Verde River on the Water to Wine tour where couples arrive back at Alcantara Vineyards to reminisce on their big day while wine tasting. This area is just a short drive from Sedona, where red wine flows freely after hiking the area’s red rocks and visiting vortexes.

 

Unexpected Desert Getaways

 

While Arizona is famous for its vast desert landscapes, there are hidden gem venues near the state’s biggest cities that engaged couples will be pleasantly surprised to discover. Join in matrimony at the Elvis Memorial Chapel, a vintage white chapel that glistens against the majestic Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction. Once a prop in Elvis Presley’s Western film “Charro,” the chapel’s intimate setting makes for an ideal old-school-style nuptials. Experience a desert winery wedding at the multi-award-winning Windmill Winery in Florence. Here enjoy a rustic yet elegant ceremony underneath charming aqueduct arches or a waterfront ceremony with the sun setting over the water.

 

After tossing the bouquet, new spouses can be carried across the threshold of a cosy cabin at Lost Dutchman State Park nestled at the base of the Superstition Mountains and explore the gorgeous surroundings via hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding. Venture to nearby Superior to explore more than 10,000 desert plants at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, which celebrates 100 years of sustainable efforts this year.

 

Ride Away Together at a Dude Ranch

 

Live out a wild west love story when becoming partners for life at an Arizona Dude Ranch. Say “I do” in a Western town replica or red barn at Tombstone Monument Ranch, a working cattle and guest ranch in the legendary cowboy town of Tombstone. Rock cowboy boots while walking down the aisle at the Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson for a lawn ceremony with a sea of saguaros as the perfect backdrop. Tie the knot surrounded by desert fauna at the luxurious Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, the “Team Roping Capital of the World.”

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