It may surprise you to learn that Scottsdale, Arizona is one of the top places in the United States to hold a destination wedding.  With clear blue skies and temps in the mid-sixties this last week of December, it is easy to see why many couples choose the Phoenix-Scottsdale metroplex as the location for their nuptials.  If you are considering a destination wedding in the Phoenix area, here are some things to keep in mind that non-desert dwellers may not be aware of:

Summer is the Off-Season for Weddings
The wedding season in Phoenix is reverse of the rest of the country.  While everyone else is frantic May through September, we are not.  It is HOT in the summers here, with temperatures frequently reaching over 115 degrees.  July and August are also what is known as monsoon season, and bring with them near-daily thunderstorms, which means that it is triple digits and humid.  You may think that this slow season means more discounts for brides, but for many vendors it instead means charging a premium or taking those months to work on out of state weddings.

Phoenix is Big
Phoenix is the largest city in the United States geographically, and spread out.  Some resorts have everything self-contained, and if you are getting married at one that does, then your guests should be set with just a shuttle to and from the airport.  If they want to go shopping or hit the town, then transportation will most likely be required as the routes to most shops and nightlife are not primarily designed to be pedestrian or mass-transit friendly.

It Gets Cold in the Desert
While our days are gorgeous, the evenings can bring quite a chill as the temperatures drop.  If you are having an outdoor evening wedding anytime between October and March, consider providing pashminas or some sort of wrap as favors for your female guests.  Most of the rental companies here also have space heaters available for rent, so be sure to incorporate them into your reception layout so that your guests can stay warm.

Are you having a destination wedding?  Where are you headed?



{photo by Cheswick Photography}