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Whoever said that happiness is often found in your
own backyard must have lived in Arizona. There are so
many destinations just a stone’s throw away from Tucson,
it’s no wonder people choose to live and vacation
here, year-round.
We at Tucson Bride and Groom are always scouting for
the most fabulous places to host a destination wedding,
girlfriends’ getaway, romantic weekend for two, or a
honeymoon. We’ve even found some cool “mancation”
sites that focus on fun for the guys. read on, and start
planning!
our neighbor to the north, with its big-city ambiance
might be just what we need to bring a cosmopolitan
flair to pre-wedding celebrations, honeymoons and
even the wedding itself. World-class resorts abound in
Phoenix and Scottsdale, where you can truly have the
best of both worlds: the city and the spectacular desert
ambiance.
Naturally, if your wedding guests enjoy golf, this is
the place to visit or host a destination wedding. Phoenix
boasts some of the most challenging and interesting
courses in the world, and it’s easy to combine golf outings
with adventures of other sorts: whether its tennis,
horseback riding, museums or delicious spa time that
strikes your fancy.
Hotels and resorts in Phoenix are quite prepared
for honeymooners and destination wedding planners.
Event professionals and concierge services throughout
the area can give you a head start in staging the trip of
your dreams...no flight required.
Among the most luxuriously relaxing destinations
we’ve discovered recently is located just south of the
border in Puerto Penasco. The las Palomas Beach &
Golf resort, a 350-acre golf community just a few
hours south of here. once a sleepy fishing village,
this resort town is growing in popularity and for good
reason. upscale and diverse, and yet still affordable (let’s
not forget close!), this area might be the next big thing
for Arizonans.
Nestled where the Sea of Cortez meets the Sonoran
Desert, las Palomas features everything we love about
vacations by the sea—water sports, romantic sunsets,
cool breezes, and azure ocean views that take your
breath away. The sparkling new spa, evocative of a Mexican
hacienda, offers an extensive spa and salon menu in
an extraordinary setting.
Thrill-seekers know
Prescott is home to
some of the most
challenging rock
climbing opportunities
in the nation
one short flight away—yet a completely different world,
wouldn’t you agree? las Vegas has so much to offer, it’s
a wonder we don’t move there ourselves. There’s more
to Vegas than Elvis and “Sin City.” The entertainment
offerings in las Vegas rival those in new York (Cirque
de Soleil, comedy shows, nightclubs), the restaurants
there are world-class, and the spas are destinations in
and of themselves. Sure, you can get married in Vegas
on a moment’s notice, but that’s not the allure of las Vegas in our eyes. Luxury is the name of the game there
and we love it.
Of particular note is the new JW Marriott Las
Vegas in Summerlin, in the shadow of the Red Rock
Canyon, and just minutes from the Strip. No expense
has been spared in creating a lush environment that
offers a world-class spa and fitness center, extraordinary
restaurants, exquisitely appointed guest rooms and that
famous JW Marriott service. What a perfect spot for
a destination wedding—your ceremony on one of the
beautiful lawns, a reception in one of the fab restaurants
and a weekend full of activities in the canyon and on the
Strip. Don’t forget to send us an invitation!
If your guy needs a ‘mancation’ with his buddies, this
spot is ideal: golf at Badlands, a Johnny Miller-designed
course, party at an Irish pub, a ride-along at nearby
Richard Petty Driving School—what guy could ask for
more? JW has put together some packages that will suit
any guy’s needs for some well-deserved time out.
Other notable destinations we’ve found in Vegas
include the off-Strip Red Rock Resort (featuring one of
the most fantastic pool environments we’ve ever experienced),
the Bellagio, famous for its “dancing” fountains
and beautiful Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and
the Venetian, offering the next-best-thing to a European
wedding.
Nestled halfway between Phoenix and Flagstaff lies
charming Prescott, where adventure and relaxation are
both on the menu. Thrill-seekers know Prescott is home
to some of the most challenging rock climbing opportunities
in the nation. The beautiful Granite Mountain
Wilderness area also offers camping, fishing, hiking,
backpacking and picnicking. Charming bed and breakfasts
abound in this lovely spot, which will have you
falling in love all over again. Popular wedding venues in
Prescott include the Hassayampa Inn and the Victorian
style Hotel St. Michael. Although just 90 minutes from
Phoenix, the mild Prescott climate is a welcome respite
from the desert heat.
Photography:
ZWeddingz by Philip Ramackers & Co.
Sedona Bride
Patrick Grimes Photography
Carolyn Leonard Photography
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