Top 10 Best Small Wedding Venues in Arizona for an Intimate Celebration
- gillianerea
- Dec 26, 2025
- 6 min read
If you’re planning a small wedding in Arizona, you’re in luck. This state is overflowing with venues that are both jaw-dropping in scenery, but also have eclectic charm, and warm desert light (my dream). From cozy mountain lodges to historic hideaways and luxury resorts, there’s something for every couple who wants their day to feel unique, intentional, and deeply personal.
I’m Gillian Rea of Gillian Rea Photo & Design, and for the past 10 years I’ve been photographing weddings for couples who want more than just the “standard” wedding pictures. My approach is docu-editorial (a blend of storytelling photojournalism and refined editorial artistry) so you not only see how your wedding looked, but truly feel what it was like.
And here’s the good news: Arizona has no shortage of venues that perfectly match that same spirit. Below are some of my favorite small wedding venues in Arizona—places that make space for intimacy, personality, and those in-between moments you’ll want to remember forever.
1. The Paseo | Apache Junction
Set against the Superstition Mountains, The Paseo feels like peak Arizona: desert views, dramatic skies, and plenty of room for both ceremony and reception outdoors. Perfect for couples who want their wedding portraits framed by cacti and mountains. A gated entrance leads to a lush lawn with dramatic mountain views, a 4,000 sq ft pavilion, and charming suites for getting-ready. (Just keep in mind: summer heat can be intense here!)
📍 3753 N Apache Trail, Apache Junction, AZ 85119
2. The Willow Wedding & Event Venue | Surprise
A family-owned desert oasis with six acres of space and endless mountain backdrops. Affordable, intimate, and designed for couples who want the full Arizona desert experience without the Scottsdale price tag. From ceremony to reception, it offers Mexican-style architecture, mountain views, elegant suites, catering, bar, DJ, and event coordination — all in one seamless experience.
📍 31241 N 159th Ave, Surprise, AZ 85387
3. Enchantment Resort | Sedona
Nestled in Boynton Canyon, this resort is pure magic for couples drawn to Sedona’s red rocks. With smaller ceremony sites like Enchantment Circle and Village Terrace, it’s ideal for intimate weddings that still feel elevated. Multiple ceremony lawns and ballrooms (like Agave and Anasazi), personalized menus, stunning casita suites, and even micro-wedding trail options make it suitable for both intimate and mid-sized celebrations.
📍 525 Boynton Canyon Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336
4. Cloth & Flame | Phoenix
Not an exact venue in the traditional sense, Cloth & Flame creates one-of-a-kind desert weddings in breathtaking Arizona locations. This creative team finds jaw-dropping desert hideaways to host weddings that feel wild, whimsical, and wildly romantic. Think dining under the stars with Saguaros as your witnesses. For couples who want something unforgettable and non-traditional!
📍 734 W Polk St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
5. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North | Scottsdale
Luxury in the desert. With spaces like Troon Lawn overlooking the Sonoran Desert, this is perfect for intimate weddings where you want to spoil your guests and enjoy resort-level service. It feels polished, yet relaxed — ideal for couples who want a high-end but laid-back experience.
📍 10600 E Crescent Moon Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85262
6. El Chorro | Paradise Valley
Southwestern historic charm meets modern comfort... an Arizona classic at the base of Camelback Mountain. With four unique spaces (including the Herb Garden and Casa Paloma), El Chorro blends history, luxury, and desert beauty. A favorite for couples who want both romance and character. This venue includes courtyards, a cascading waterfall terrace, herb garden, bocce lawn, and multiple versatile locations for ceremonies and receptions — each with its own character.
📍 5550 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
7. Villa Siena | Gilbert
Old-world Italian romance meets Arizona. Courtyards, grand ballrooms, and architecture that feels like Tuscany. Ideal for couples who want a timeless, European-inspired backdrop without leaving the desert.
📍 890 W Elliot Rd Ste 104, Gilbert, AZ 85233
8. Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens | Phoenix
A lush, unexpected escape in the middle of Phoenix. Think fountains, hidden pathways, and greenery everywhere. Lush courtyards, classic architecture, and four intimate spaces for gathering (both indoor and alfresco). Perfect for couples craving an intimate garden wedding with secret-garden vibes.
📍 16026 N 36th St, Phoenix, AZ 85032
9. Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia | Scottsdale
From the fairytale Castillo Lucena to the intimate Chef’s Kitchen & Herb Garden, Omni Montelucia offers a mix of luxury and versatility. Bonus: your guests can stay on-site for a true destination wedding feel.
📍 4949 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
10. Aldea Weddings in the Woods | Flagstaff
Tall pines, forest air, and cozy mountain lodge vibes. A Flagstaff gem that’s perfect for couples who want to escape the desert heat and celebrate under the stars.
📍 1080 Mountainaire Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86005
11. The Little Daisy | Jerome
A quirky hillside retreat full of history and character. Restored with Art Deco charm and panoramic Verde Valley views. For couples who want something offbeat and unforgettable.
Once a hotel in Arizona’s mining boomtown, The Little Daisy has been carefully restored into a sweeping private estate overlooking the red rocks and Verde Valley. Think Italian hillside villa meets old-world Arizona charm. With its terraced gardens, grand arches, and historic stonework, it feels worlds away from the desert below. Perfect for couples wanting that European countryside romance without leaving Arizona.
📍 300 Upper Bell Rd, Jerome, AZ 86331
12. Abbey on Monroe | Phoenix
Once a 1929 church, now a moody, historic-meets-modern event space with an open-air courtyard. Downtown Phoenix character for couples who love a mix of Gothic and contemporary vibes.
📍 222 N 2nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ
13. La Estancia | Phoenix
A 1930s Spanish Colonial villa tucked away in Arcadia. Citrus trees, palm-lined gardens, and Old Hollywood charm—perfect for private, romantic celebrations.
14. The Joshua Tree House | Tucson
For couples who dream of a wedding-retreat hybrid. Earthy textures, cactus gardens, and sunsets over Saguaro National Park. Think cozy, intentional, and bohemian.
📍 12051 W Fort Lowell Rd, Tucson, AZ
15. The Hermosa Inn | Paradise Valley
An artist’s desert hideaway turned boutique hotel. Lush gardens, adobe architecture, and cozy event spaces make it an intimate and romantic choice.
📍 5532 N Palo Cristi Rd, Paradise Valley, AZ
16. Coronado House | Phoenix
A 1920s bungalow full of character in Phoenix’s historic Coronado neighborhood. Perfect for micro weddings and city celebrations with personality.
📍 2225 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ
17. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain | Paradise Valley
Luxury, panoramic views, and a one-wedding-per-day policy. A favorite for couples who want privacy, space, and service that feels bespoke.
📍 5700 E McDonald Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ
18. Royal Palms Resort & Spa | Phoenix
Mediterranean romance meets desert landscapes. Citrus groves, mosaic fountains, and intimate courtyards make this a dreamy escape for romantic celebrations.
📍 5200 E Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ
19. Wrigley Mansion | Phoenix
An iconic Arizona landmark with 360-degree views. Historic elegance, gourmet food, and flexible spaces for weddings both intimate and grand.
📍 2501 E Telawa Trail, Phoenix, AZ
20. Mountain Shadows Resort | Paradise Valley
Modern, sleek, and scenic. With views of Camelback Mountain and stylish spaces like the Overlook Deck, it’s a dream for couples who want design-forward Arizona weddings.
📍 5445 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right wedding venue is one of the most exciting (and overwhelming!) parts of planning. My advice? Pick a place that feels like you. Whether that’s a historic hillside hotel, a desert garden, or a luxury resort, the right venue sets the stage for the story of your day.
And when it comes to capturing that story... I’d love to help ;) With a documentary approach, I blend timeless artistry with candid storytelling, so you can look back and feel every laugh, tear, and dance move.
Wedding Photojournalism for the Eclectic Bride & Groom. Gillian Rea Photo & Design is an editorial documentary wedding photographer specializing in both digital and analog film photography, based in Phoenix, Arizona. Capturing your special moments in a timeless and editorial style.
You're more than a one-dimensional human being, and I believe your photo experience and final gallery should reflect that!
Our collaboration, sharing mood boards, inspiration photos, and finding a shared language to describe what you like is what makes your photos feel like they have your own fingerprint on them!
Every couple deserves wedding photography that reflects their story, and that balance documentary-style storytelling, editorial artistry, and the timeless quality of film.