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Just as not every destination wedding takes place on a beach, not every Arizona wedding is hot and dry.
Such is the case in charming Prescott, an oasis that offers an unhurried pace and natural beauty for unforgettable wedding celebrations. Prescott, (pronounced “prez-kit”), just 100 miles north of Phoenix, is worlds away in terms of climate and character.
“This area has its own beauty, unique with its own special charm,” explains Hazel Bowman, publisher of Prescott Weddings.com, the town’s online wedding magazine.
Couples seeking a destination wedding where their guests can enjoy themselves with outdoor activities-- such as hiking, perusing the quaint downtown, or exploring the lovely parks-- have come to the right place.
“Simply speaking, there’s no place more beautiful,” says Bowman, a sought-after resource for couples planning celebrations in this town of 43,000. She extols the virtues of the place, recently named one of “100 great towns” in the 2009 edition of “The Great Towns of America.”
“In addition to enjoying great restaurants, theatre performances, the entertainment district, museums, public golf courses and parks, guests can go on guided horseback rides through the mountains and personally explore old Indian ruins, or they may wish to hike on one of our many trails around the lakes and parks.”
Perhaps the biggest draw to southern Arizonans is the climate of Prescott. Prescott is regularly 15 to 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix, year-round. The area is undeniably green—particularly by Arizona standards.
“In a town with four seasons, a bride can choose to have a snowy winter wedding in the mountains or a gorgeous fall wedding with the change of colors,” notes Brooke Stevens-Patrick, who photographs about 15 weddings a year in her idyllic hometown. She notes that the summers in Prescott are especially popular as the town is “in full bloom.”
“For many people unfamiliar with the Prescott area, (ceremony) location options might appear limited,” says Bowman, who adds, “Though it’s true we don’t provide the variety of venues found in a large city, there are more places to have your perfect wedding than initially meets the eye.”
A lakefront ceremony surrounded by tall scented pine trees might not be available in Scottsdale, but it’s easy to find in Prescott. Lynx Lake, for example, has a privately owned restaurant that can be reserved for your celebration—truly the best of both worlds.
The historic Hassayampa Inn offers a romantic retreat that can accommodate weddings, receptions and overnight accommodations for all your guests. The stately Hassayampa Golf Club offers a spectacular clubhouse with its soaring ceilings, and craftsman-style décor, as well as a spectacular par 71 golf course, sure to impress even the most experienced golfer. With mature landscaping and panoramic waterways, The Windmill House is another of our favorite reception sites in Prescott. The on-site catering team offers everything from prime rib and shrimp scampi to amazing barbeque buffets and lovely brunches.
Those seeking a more intimate celebration may opt to exchange vows in the Victorian gazebo in Courthouse Square, which has played host to weddings for nearly 100 years. “Or, for a bit more privacy,” suggests Bowman, “consider a B&B. Prescott has some of the best in the country, with manicured lawns and white-painted gazebos providing magnificent garden settings.”
It’s not all small town barbeques in Prescott, either. Professionals that belie the small-town destination can be found to lend that extra panache to a Prescott wedding. Spectacular buffets, ice carvings, sugar centerpieces and hand-made wedding cakes are specialities of A la Carte Catering, a Prescott institution.
The friendliness of the town speaks volumes about the level of service available for wedding parties. “People in Prescott are very accommodating and deliver amazing service for the bride and groom,” notes Stevens-Patrick of Capture This! by Brooke Photography. Bowman concurs, emphasizing that the typical bride and groom can host a destination wedding in Prescott at a substantial savings over a “big city” wedding.
Photograph:
Capture This! by Brooke Photography
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