Meeting Planners

Your Guide To Wedding Planning in Tempe

November 1, 2024
ASU Old Main wedding

Tempe wedding venues and hotels to consider for wedding events and festivities. 

From bachelor and bachelorette parties to the big day, Tempe is a perfect destination for sharing special moments with family and friends.  Of course, there are endless details to manage when planning your dream wedding. But, if you’re planning your Arizona wedding in Tempe, we’re here to alleviate some of the planning with this guide to top top venues, hotels and group dining options for your rehearsal dinner.   

There are a couple of things to consider first when planning your wedding: venue, time of year and head count. With those specifics in mind, here’s a list of Tempe’s top venues for ceremonies, receptions, guest accommodations and other festivities on your wedding itinerary. 

Downtown Tempe Venues: 

Old Main at ASU is a charming, historic location for your rehearsal dinner, ceremony and/or reception with its perfect indoor and outdoor settings, including the picturesque Old Main Lawn and the elegant Carson Ballroom. 

Tempe Center for the Arts offers beautiful spaces with breathtaking views of Tempe Town Lake and Papago Park. 

Tempe Mission Palms is a full-service hotel located in Downtown Tempe. The beautiful interior spaces and the gorgeous outdoor courtyard are perfect for the ceremony and the reception. 

Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown is a full-service hotel located in Downtown Tempe featuring a modern aesthetic inspired by the spirit of the Southwest. Enjoy the rooftop lounge and pool atop the Canopy Tempe with a brilliant backdrop of the amazing Arizona sky.

The Showcase Room at Culinary Dropout at the Yard Tempe is a space that can accommodate up to 248 people in a unique industrial setting. If you want to try something with a rustic, yet chic vibe, the Showcase Room might be the perfect place for your big day. 

The Westin Tempe is a sophisticated destination that offers a distinct, premium guest experience for all wedding and milestone events. With the ability to accommodate weddings up to 240 friends and family, Westin is centrally located in the city’s downtown district, the contemporary hotel blends Tempe’s vibrant atmosphere and unique local culture with the brand’s Wellness at Westin pillars of well-being and numerous biophilic elements throughout its 18 stories, 290 spacious guest rooms and suites, and approximately 21,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.

Tempe Area Venues: 

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Phoenix Tempe is known for its distinctive architecture inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and beautiful grounds. 

Embassy Suites Phoenix-Tempe will make sure you and your guests celebrate your big day in style with full-service venues and catering service at exceptional value. 

Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at The Buttes  is a mountaintop resort that offers panoramic views, cascading waterfalls, blue skies and gorgeous desert sunsets — all of which combine to provide a stunning setting for weddings. 

Rustler’s Rooste is known for its spectacular mountaintop setting with 180-degree views, beautiful patios and Western flair. 

Ambery Phoenix Airport Hotel Tempe offers unique food and beverage options and a variety of facilities that create the ideal setting for your wedding ceremony, reception or social event. 

Papago Park Venues: 

If you are looking for a location with stunning views and burnt orange sunsets, then the Papago Park area will fit the bill. This desert preserve is the middle of Metropolitan Phoenix is home to major attractions, hiking spots, rock climbing and miles of biking trails.  The red rocks and desert landscape provide a stunning backdrop for your wedding day. 

Desert Botanical Garden provides a truly unique venue set against a lush backdrop of rare desert plants and mountains. Venues range from the 4,600-square-foot Dorrance Center to the Steele Herb Garden for smaller ceremonies.   

Eisendrath House is a historic adobe home that has been restored and is now available for special events and weddings. The landscape, full of native plants and cactus, and the iconic peach and teal tones in the house are very Arizona. 

AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park presents a uniquely Arizona experience with a spacious outdoor patio or inside in the picturesque lobby area with a grand staircase. This facility is located in the heart of scenic Papago Park with panoramic desert vistas all around.  

Phoenix Zoo ensures that your event is a roaring success. From exotic tropical settings to the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, you’ll find distinct indoor and outdoor venues that welcome large formal ceremonies and receptions, smaller, more intimate affairs and everything in between. 

Hotel Accommodations: 

Once you’ve decided on a venue, consider that you may need a hotel room block for your out-of-town guests.  This is a courtesy and ensures that your guests know that there is a nearby place to stay after the wedding fun. Reach out to your choice of hotel properties and ask for a “Courtesy Room Block” for your wedding. Each person would be responsible for booking their accommodations. And, if everyone is staying at one hotel or two, it makes it easy for everyone to meet up for breakfast or brunch the morning after.  

Your out-of-town guests will find these hotels conveniently located near wedding venues in Downtown Tempe: 

Your out-of-town guests will find these hotels conveniently located near the Tempe wedding venues outside of Downtown Tempe: 

Your out-of-town guests will find these hotels conveniently located near the Papago Park wedding venues: 

Pre-Wedding Events: Engagement Parties, Bridal Showers and Rehearsal Dinners 

Wedding aren’t the only reasons to gather in Tempe — engagement parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners are among the celebrations our venues specialize in. With an assortment large-scale restaurants, perfect patios, sky-high rooftops and unique venues, Tempe is ready to welcome your guests. 

To get started, check out some recommended venues for your next special occasion.  

Pre-Wedding Events: Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties 

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties can be a blast, whether you want a spa day or night on the town, Tempe is a great gathering spot for your party crew.  

Downtown Tempe is home to the buzzing Mill Avenue entertainment district. Even better, it’s a short ride to spas, golf courses, professional sporting events and other entertainment offerings throughout the Valley of the Sun. A great stay in Tempe for your bachelor/bachelorette party starts with accommodations. Every Tempe hotel has its own personality and varying amenities to suit your aesthetic. 

For more information on planning your wedding, wedding events or celebrations in Tempe, call 480-894-8158, or out @TempeTourism on social media platforms for additional inspiration. 

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