Five Beautiful SW Desert Wedding Destinations
Camp Sarika at Amangiri Resort in Canyon Point on the border of Utah and Arizona.
There is something magical about desert weddings: the canyons, broad horizon, light and colors make such a magical moonscape background to gather friends and family for an out-of-this-world celebration. If you’re on the hunt for a destination wedding venue in the deserts of the Southwest, here are five fabulous options in the wild west that offer both luxury and epic scenery. Hold on to your Wranglers and take a gander!
Amangiri
The view from a room at Amangiri.
Amangiri blends into untouched red-rock country, claiming 600 acres of the vast and majestic Colorado Plateau, the original Wild West. In this desert landscape of canyons, mesas, ridges and gorges, the modernist Suites of Amangiri and the tented Pavilions of Camp Sarika offer an inspiring welcome to one of the world’s most dramatic secluded settings.
Our favorite luxury escape in the SW desert makes an extraordinary backdrop for weddings. Only minutes from Lake Powell and a drivable distance from a number of Arizona and Utah’s National Parks, there is much to see and do. As one of the Aman resorts: Amangiri offers 5 star quality in a remarkable, design centric package that both draws inspiration from, as well as frames, the local scenery while showcasing architectural innovation. The resort boasts a spa (with flotation therapy, a number of plunge pools and treatment rooms), a yoga pavilion, library, art gallery, terraces, dining spaces, chic communal lounge spaces, guided hikes, a fitness center and a whole lot more. If you’re a modern minimalist at heart with an appreciation for impeccable design and the wild vastness of the desert, this place will be the ultimate choice.
The joshua tree house TUCSON (Posada)
Aerial view of The Joshua Tree House in Tucson, also known as Posada.
Forty minutes outside of Tucson, on the edge of the Saguaro National Park, lies The Joshua Tree House Tucson (AKA Posada on the Venue Report): a charming desert inn with five perfectly poised suites and sprawling acres of cacti and arid climate shrubs. The house has a hot spring, pool, patios, yoga room, chef’s kitchen, native plants, hiking trails and stunning communal spaces that invite relaxation. Artistic details are prevalent throughout the inn, as it was lovingly designed by husband-wife creative duo. This remote property would be a fantastic choice for a very intimate micro wedding, as it hosts twelve people onsite.
enchantment resort
Enchantment Resort is nestled into the red hills of Arizona’s Boynton Canyon area.
The dramatic red rocks of Sedona’s Boynton Canyon and The Enchantment Resort’s beautifully designed adobe style casitas set the tone for an experience of awe, adventure and relaxation. The resort is twenty minutes from Sedona and conveniently located near numerous canyon trails (for hiking and biking), scenic sights and natural pools. On property you can find pools (a number of suites of their own), trails, dining options, dark desert night skies for stargazing, patios with fireplaces, tennis, a plethora of wellness options (spa treatments, massage, yoga, fitness, etc) and more. There’s something for each and every one of your guests here. A sunset ceremony on the patio with the canyons as a backdrop sounds dreamy to us!
CASTLE HOT Springs
The greenhouse: Castle Hot Springs is not only a small independent resort but it is also a working eco farm.
This boutique, all inclusive resort tucked away in the hills of the Sonoran Desert, an hour outside of Phoenix, feels like an oasis haven from a different time. Castle Hot Springs (recognized by Condé Nast in 2020) has been a resort hotel since the late 1800’s, no doubt due to the natural hot springs that are in the canyon on the property. The springs heat the pool, irrigate the farm and lawns and water is piped into each of the casitas’ outdoor plunge pools. Guests are welcomed to enjoy the culinary experience of in-house farm to table cuisine, take dips in the hot spring or in the pools, rest in the mid-century modern style casitas, adventure on the trails or on nearby Lake Pleasant or take part in activities such as paddleboard yoga or lawn games. This private oasis, with thirty rooms, would make a delightful locale to welcome your nearest and dearest for a destination wedding. Dining al fresco between the rows of old palms sounds like a reception dream.
The Ritz-Carlton Dove mountain
The tranquil pools of the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain just outside of Tucson.
The quiet mystery of the Arizona desert pairs with anticipatory service and luxury amenities at this Marana hotel. Close to Tucson yet secluded amid the Tortolita Mountains, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain appeals to adventurous travelers who seek solitude. Follow a morning hike with fresh juice made from oranges you picked along the way and loosen muscles with a gemstone massage after a round of intense golf.
This five star Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain Resort offers bountiful comfort and numerous amenities in this freshly designed, sprawling property. The mountain views, spa, pools, five star restaurants and activities for everyone makes a joyful setting to gather your guests. The resort has experience hosting large weddings (including Indian weddings) and has many locations that could be utilized for celebrations. We love a reception on green with the sunset kissed mountains in the backdrop!
Happy dreaming and planning friends!
XO- The GATHER Girls