After you say “Yes!” comes your next big decision: where to say “I do.”
But before you can decide where you and your fiancé/fiancée want to celebrate your union, you have a lot of questions to consider. How many guests will you have? What is your budget? Will the ceremony be at your synagogue? Will the wedding and reception be at the same place? If not, how easy will it be for guests to transfer between them? Do you want an elegant or casual setting? Does it have a setting for photos that complements your style? What about food? Do you want/need your reception to be kosher, vegetarian or gluten-free? Does your venue have its own or preferred caterers? Can liquor be served? Do you want a site that has everything you need? Or do you want to bring all the elements together yourself or with the aid of a wedding planner?
There is so much to decide before you choose the venue that is just right – the one that lets you bring it all to life on your special day. When you’re ready to start looking, Arizona offers a breathtakingly diverse array of venues. Here are just a few that might have the right answers to all your questions:
The Hilton Scottsdale
The Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas’ culinary team can create a menu for a formal plated dinner, cocktail hour or bountiful buffet spread – all with kosher options available from the on-site kosher kitchen. “Our chef is willing to work with budgets; we can customize a menu for the event, or couples can select from our diverse wedding menu, i.e., plated, buffet, as well as stations,” says Catering Sales Manager Leslie Kohler. “We also allow outside catering for religious purposes.” Located in the heart of Scottsdale, the Hilton can assist with special themes, décor, floral arrangements, props, linens and entertainment. Settings available for the wedding ceremony include the Kiva Patio, poolside, Baja or Sierra Loggia Patio, or the Pavilion. The resort’s three ballrooms – Grand, Sonora and Pavilion – range in size from 4,600 to 10,000 square feet, but can be modified to the appropriate size for the attendees to feel comfortable, says Kohler.
The Phoenix Zoo
One highlight of weddings at The Phoenix Zoo is the option for a fun atmosphere for photographs. Animal exhibits such as those featuring giraffes and zebras, as well as the lush tropical or desert savannah settings are popular backdrops for couples’ photos, says Linda Hardwick, director of communications for the zoo. Zoo staff will also arrange animal encounters including falcon, owl or hedgehog for photos or the reception.
The zoo offers a variety of spaces to host weddings and receptions of varied size, all with bar options available. All kinds of menus are available from the in- house and preferred caterers, who know the procedures for preparing food near animal exhibits. Concern and love for animals is one reason couples chose the zoo for their wedding, says Hardwick. “Sometimes they had their first date or got engaged here, or both have a passion for animals.”
The Royal Palms
Created as a couples’ desert getaway in 1929, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa offers a variety of distinctive indoor and outdoor venues that can accommodate anywhere from two to 180 guests. The diverse settings at Royal Palms are designed to complement the style of couples’ individual vision and needs. Royal Palms is a Mediterranean- inspired resort with a strong sense of history, character and place, explains Catering Manager Jessica Vallone. The resort is an indoor-outdoor collage of intimate vignettes, lush gardens, private nooks and residential-inspired detailing around every corner.
Royal Palms’ renowned culinary team crafts award-winning cuisine and is happy to customize menus.
“Royal Palms prides itself on its distinctive, individualized style of guest service,” says Vallone. “This translates to more authentic wedding experiences – from the planning to the execution – with events tailored to guests’ desires, from recommending special vendors to kosher dining needs for select guests,” she adds.
Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club
Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club “is a destination inside of a Phoenician’s backyard. We have stunning sunsets and views and a clubhouse that offers a warm, intimate, Tuscan feel,” according to Bernadette Contreras, the country club’s wedding coordinator. Superstition Mountain can accommodate weddings of up to 300 guests, with variety of indoor spaces that will hold 16 to 120 guests. “Although we have wedding packages, I encourage couples to customize things to suit both their budgets and needs,” says Contreras. “I will work with couples one on one from the initial visit to get an idea of their vision and to help them customize their day so that it fits their budget and dream. “For couples focused on maintaining traditions, we have separate bridal and groom changing rooms to uphold the tradition of the groom not seeing the bride until she joins him at the altar,” says Contreras.
Tucson Jewish Community Center
The Tucson Jewish Community Center has indoor and outdoor settings for both a ceremony and reception. The 98,000-square-foot facility built in 1989 is situated in a beautiful foothills location. We also have spaces for large and small weddings, and our price points are very affordable, says Shelley Fitzgerald, rentals event coordinator. “The JCC has a wonderfully warm and friendly atmosphere,” says Fitzgerald. “Our spaces are very versatile, and clients can transform the venue into the setting that is perfect for their own tastes. “The JCC is the perfect wedding venue for couples who have no direct relation to a synagogue,” but who want a Jewish backdrop for their special day. Fitzgerald says, “The JCC is also a great facility for couples of all faiths. Our main goal is to make sure each client has the best experience on their special day.”
