Image taken while second shooting for Taryn Schae Photography.
Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale
As an Arizona wedding photographer who grew up in the Midwest, the mountains that surround the Phoenix Valley are still an insane commodity that I can't believe I'm lucky enough to photograph on a regular basis. The above scenery includes the stunning Camelback Mountain that rises up behind Mountain Shadows Resort in Scottsdale. All major stages of the wedding day are celebrated with this view as a backdrop — ceremonies and cocktail hours happen on the real grass lawn, dinner and special dances on the Camelback overlook terrace, and the late night party moves into one of the grand ballrooms so the fun can continue as late as possible. Couples are given permission to traipse across the private golf course and take full advantage of the views.
Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch
In the Tonto National Forest along the Salt River, Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch hosts the most stunning wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as classic western-themed cabins so some family and friends can stay on-site. Ceremonies are done at the base of the Bulldog Cliffs, a view that's otherwise blocked to those outside the ranch's private property. The guest ranch also has a large family of horses for riding, kayaks to rent, and other outdoor activities.
Image taken while second shooting for Caitlin Audrey Photography.
The Paseo
The next three posts are all highlighting the iconic Superstition Mountains (from different angles!) in all of their glory. The Paseo has been the go-to Arizona mountain-view venue for over a decade offering a long outdoor ceremony lawn that backs up to their gorgeous wooden barn with large steel doors, perfect for the dramatic ceremony entrance of your dreams. Cocktail hour is held on the lawn pavilion, and the floor-to-ceiling windows open to let in the (hopefully) cooler late night air. Full desert access is available through a side gate, allowing couples private time for portraits without having to travel. In 2025 they also opened their on-site boutique hotel, Aquila Place, made up of a group of individual southwestern-style casitas, the absolute perfect place to get ready!
Desert View
Nestled on the eastern edge of the Phoenix Valley, Desert View Weddings and Events has quickly become one of the most recognizable venues in Arizona. They offer both indoor and outdoor ceremonies (indoor in their all-white, chapel-like building and outdoor on their stone patio) and indoor reception in a separate, complimentary space with floor-to-ceiling windows to allow guests to watch as the sun sets on the Superstition Mountains. Couples have gorgeous desert access right on property without a walk!
The Views at Superstition
The Views at Superstition provides such unique, flexible options for those crafting their Arizona wedding day. With the Superstition mountain range as a backdrop (pictured here), this venue offers full Lost Dutchman State Park ceremony reservation and setup. Couples can choose to use the nearby reception ballroom, or pair the ceremony setup with dinner reservations elsewhere. I love this for my couples who are having smaller weddings but want something more formal than a trailside elopement. They also have a secondary ceremony option on a nearby golf course, including the mountain backdrop with water, too! Plus, the folks who own this venue are so incredibly kind and thoughtful and I couldn't recommend them more.
