Every year I am photographing more and more destination weddings in Phoenix. It is a really fun and unique experience to be able to show couples that live outside of Arizona why I love this state so much! Between our unique desert views and our mild weather in the Winter and Early Spring, and our 80% outdoor wedding venues, I can see the appeal of getting married in Phoenix, even if you don’t live here. Here are some tips for planning a destination wedding in Phoenix!
Best Time to Get Married in Phoenix
The wedding season in Phoenix is the opposite of most of the country! Our busy wedding months are February – April and October – November. While the rest of the country is dealing with snow and cold weather, we are enjoying amazing 70 – 80 degree days with sunshine! It is the perfect time of year for an outdoor wedding in Phoenix.
The second piece of this, is literally what time to get married! The sun sets earlier during these months, and it is important to take that into consideration when choosing a ceremony time. You will want your wedding ceremony to take place 1 – 2 hours before sunset (depending on if you are doing a first look). This may mean that you have a 3:30 pm ceremony time. This is pretty typical for a November or February wedding without a first look. But, it maybe a little earlier than you are used to for wedding in your area. So, just be sure to coordinate the ceremony time with your photograph and everything will be golden!
Consider Hiring a Wedding Planner
Seriously! A wedding planner can help you so much when you don’t live near the area you are planning your wedding. They will be able to help you research and lock down vendors. They can also help coordinate and maximize the days you do travel here to plan the wedding. Wedding planners can also make recommendations on the best hotels for everyone to stay at. On top of it all, they make your wedding day run just so much smoother. Wedding planners are well worth it, especially for a destination wedding.
Choosing a Photographer
The question is, do you choose a photographer local to Phoenix or one local to you and fly them out. If you choose a photographer local to you, you will most likely have to pay travel expenses to bring them to Phoenix. This may make it a bigger expense than hiring someone local. However, if you have a local photographer you are in love with, do it!
Most couples will hire a photographer that lives in or near Phoenix. And, most of us Phoenix photographers are well versed in working with out of state couples! We can jump on a video or phone call to make sure we click before signing the contract. And, for the engagement session, we can sneak it in on one of your quick Arizona trips. If not then, we can always do a session a few days before the wedding! (I have had couples do both options!) The benefits to hiring a local photographer (besides possibly saving a bit of money), is that we know Phoenix very well. We can help you plan the best timeline for your wedding photos based on the sun (because the sun here is harsh!). We can suggest secret spots to stop at for epic desert wedding photos on your wedding day. And, so much more!
Make the Most of Planning Days
You will most likely come out to Phoenix on a trip or two before your wedding for planning. Make the most of these trips by taking care of as many in-person vendor visits as you can. Things to think about are: cake and food tasting, venue walk throughs, engagement session with your photographer, dress fitting, etc. Squeeze in as many as you can during the day, then plan a relaxing night just the two of you! Check out some of our amazing local restaurants and bars or get some take out to share in your hotel while binging your favorite show!
Limit DIY Projects
Unless you have family or friends who live in Arizona, you will most likely want to limit your DIY projects for your wedding. Trying to travel across the country with 100 custom wedding centerpieces doesn’t sound like the best time. But, if you have friends and family that are local, more DIY may be an option. You can make the items at their home on your planning trips. Or, mail the DIY items to them for safekeeping until the wedding day.
Set Up Room Blocking
If you are traveling to Arizona for your wedding, it is likely that your friends and family are too! It is a great idea to take advantage of room blocking at hotels. Even if it is just for your immediate family and bridal party. Knowing that everyone is staying at getting ready at the same location gives you so much peace of mind on the wedding day. Another option is to rent a huge Airbnb! There are plenty of options in a huge city like Phoenix. Just be sure to get something within 20 minutes of your venue, if possible. Fun fact about Phoenix, there is traffic even on the weekends. So, if you book a hotel or Airbnb on the other side of town, you may be traveling for over and hour in traffic to get to your wedding!
Wedding Website with Travel and Accommodations
Once you have set up the room blocking, be sure to post the information on your wedding website! Even if you don’t do room blocking, it is a great idea to list a few hotels in the area your guests can stay at. Phoenix is a huge city, and it can be a little difficult to navigate if you are not familiar with the area. (Hint: Staying in Sedona is not a good option! It is 2 hours away on a good day.) So, do the leg work for your guests (or ask your wedding planner!), and suggest a few options for them!
If you are looking for a wedding photographer in Phoenix, hit me up! I would love to chat with you about your wedding!
