How Much Does a Wedding Cost in Arizona?

The cost of an Arizona wedding depends mostly on three things: where you get married, how many guests you invite, and when. Below are the typical ranges we use in our budget calculator, along with how couples usually divide their budget.

Typical wedding costs by area

• Scottsdale and Paradise Valley: $38,000 to $55,000. Resort venues and luxury packages push costs higher.
• Sedona: $30,000 to $45,000. Flagstaff usually runs slightly lower.
• Phoenix metro (Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria and nearby): $25,000 to $35,000.
• Prescott: $22,000 to $32,000.
• Tucson: $20,000 to $30,000.
• Smaller cities such as Kingman, Yuma, Lake Havasu and Show Low: $15,000 to $25,000.

These are estimates for a typical mid-size wedding. Elopements and small weddings can cost far less, and large or luxury weddings can cost much more.

How the budget is usually split

For a Phoenix metro wedding, our calculator starts from this split:

• Venue and rentals: about 38%
• Catering and bar: about 16%
• Photography: about 12%
• Flowers and decor: about 7%
• DJ or music, planner, videography, and attire and rings: about 5% each
• Hair and makeup: about 3%
• Buffer for extras: about 4%

Your split will depend on your priorities. Many couples spend more on photography or food and less on decor.

Costs that often surprise couples

• Minimum spends. Many Arizona caterers and florists have minimums, sometimes $3,000 or more, regardless of guest count.
• Service charges and tax. Catering quotes often leave out service charges, gratuity and tax, which can add 20% or more.
• Heat and weather extras. Shade structures, misting fans, heaters and tent rentals add up for outdoor events.
• Overtime. Photographers, DJs and venues charge for extra hours if the night runs late.
• Travel fees. Vendors may charge to travel to Sedona, Flagstaff, Prescott or rural venues.

Ways to spend less

• Choose the off-season. In the low desert, May through September is the off-season, and venues often discount summer dates by 20% to 40%.
• Pick a Friday or Sunday. Non-Saturday dates are often cheaper, even in peak season.
• Look beyond Scottsdale. Desert venues in areas such as Gold Canyon or Apache Junction can cost 30% to 50% less than Scottsdale resorts.
• Trim the guest list. Each guest adds food, drinks, chairs and table space.
• Reuse ceremony flowers at the reception.

To build your own numbers, use the Arizona wedding budget calculator, then compare vendors in our directory by city.