How to Get Married in Arizona to Make the Most of Your Wedding

Whether you were born and raised in this Western state or fell in love with its many canyons, it's not surprising that you landed on this page about how to get married in Arizona. The large state spans more than 113,000 square miles and with that comes many cities and vendors you can utilize to make your marriage in Arizona a successful one.

"On average, Arizona weddings cost less than those in California and other big cities like New York and Chicago and provide unique desert mountain views and pretty ideal wedding weather from late October through early May," says Ashley Allan, a Scottsdale, Arizona-based wedding planner at Your Jubilee Weddings.

To learn more about getting married in Arizona, from how to obtain a marriage license in Arizona to where to get married in Arizona, we tapped Allan, Audra Glasco, owner and lead Arizona wedding planner at Maison Glasco, Annamarie Gansheimer, Arizona wedding planner and owner at Satin & Slate and Ali Phillips, founder of Engaging Events by Ali Phillips. Read on for how to plan your Arizona marriage step-by-step.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

In this article:

• How to Get a Marriage License in Arizona
• Notable Wedding Locations in Arizona
• How to Plan a Wedding in Arizona Step-by-Step

How to Get a Marriage License in Arizona

Securing a marriage license in Arizona is a fairly simple process, but does require advanced planning and swift action to complete the necessary steps on time and ahead of your big day. To obtain an Arizona wedding license, you (and your partner) need to schedule an in-person appointment at the County Clerk of the Superior Court's office for the county in which you plan on marrying. For example, couples planning to exchange vows in Phoenix and Scottsdale must head to the Maricopa County Clerk's office, whereas couples planning to exchange vows in Tucson must head to the Pima County Clerk's office. If you're an Arizona resident (and depending on the county, such as Maricopa), you may be eligible to apply for a state of Arizona marriage license via the online-only option without having to visit the office physically.

Requirements for marriage licenses include paying a fee which generally ranges from $72 to $83 in addition to both individuals having a valid government-issued photo ID and social security number handy (if one is had), notes Gansheimer. As far as Arizona marriage laws go, both individuals need to be at least 18 years old. If two individuals are 16 or 17 years of age, a legal consent form needs to be filled out and signed by their legal guardians. And, unlike some other states, you don't have to wait to get married in Arizona after your marriage license is approved. However, you should note that you have 12 months to officially tie the knot with your valid marriage license before it expires. As is the case with anything legal, it is a best practice to double-check the veracity of these rules in your selected county before paying any fees to ensure nothing has changed and that the Arizona wedding laws fit with your wedding timeline.

Notable Wedding Locations in Arizona

Although you can tie the knot anywhere in Arizona (with the needed permissions and access), these are some notable wedding locations, many of which are home to unique Arizona wedding venues that serve as a perfect backdrop for exchanging vows.

Phoenix

The capital of Arizona, Phoenix is a city where many couples opt to tie the knot regardless of the wedding season in Arizona. Some of Allan's favorite Phoenix wedding venues (both indoor and outdoor) include the Arizona Biltmore, Wrigley Mansion, Royal Palms Resort and Spa and Warehouse 215. "Phoenix has many things to do and restaurants to explore, which is always great for traveling guests in addition to being close to Arizona's international airport," Glasco adds.

Sedona

Sedona may be a longer trip for any out-of-town guests, "However, Sedona is a popular city to be married in because the backdrop is breathtaking and unforgettable," Glasco explains. "The city has a very intimate feel which is perfect for a wedding experience." Although its iconic red rocks are what makes this city popular amongst tourists and locals, there are also plenty of wedding venues in Sedona suitable for weddings, some of which Allan notes are L'Auberge de Sedona and Agave of Sedona Wedding and Event Center.

Scottsdale

Although Scottsdale may be beloved by golfers for its luscious greenery and dry weather, Allan notes that this city offers a variety of restaurants and hotels perfect for setting the scene for your special day including Caesars Republic Scottsdale, W Scottsdale and Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale.

Tucson

If a desert view (especially that of the Sonoran Desert) is essential for your marriage in Arizona, don't rule out Tucson. "Tucson is a beautiful city surrounded by multiple mountain ranges," Glasco says. It has amazing scenery and beautiful ranches and resorts." Allan recommends Loews Ventana Canyon and Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain for couples looking to tie the knot in or near this city.

How to Plan a Wedding in Arizona Step-by-Step

For planning a wedding in Arizona, we've curated a step-by-step guide (with the help of our Arizona wedding planning experts) you can follow keeping Arizona's distinctive features in mind.

1. Set a Budget

Setting a budget for your Arizona wedding is the first step you should take in the wedding planning process. A budget will help you to set the framework for the types of venues you'll consider and external vendors you'll utilize to make your wedding visions a reality. The Knot Budget Advisor is a great resource for researching the costs of various traditional wedding elements and comparing and contrasting how they vary throughout the state (as submitted by real couples who have previously used them).

2. Consider the Weather

When thinking about how to get married in AZ, you'll want to think about how you will keep yourself, your partner and your guests the most comfortable. The weather in Arizona can vary drastically by season and time of year reaching upwards of 120˚F in the summer and 30˚F during the winter. "To avoid the extreme heat, consider avoiding the months of June through August, especially if you plan to marry in Scottsdale or Phoenix," Glasco says. "Temperatures tend to be colder in Flagstaff, so if you want to avoid snow, avoid getting married there between November and April." She adds that although rain tends to be a common occurrence during the spring, many venues are hybrid and celebrations are easily adapted if a rainstorm passes. "If you are planning for an outdoor event, especially mountainside, be cognizant of potential wind when making design choices and have a wind plan," Allan adds.

3. Book Your Venue in Advance

Whether a barn wedding venue or a hotel venue is what you seek, there is no shortage of places to get married in Arizona (many of which you can find on The Knot Marketplace), especially when it comes to luxury and budget-friendly options, notes Glasco. "You can explore a wide variety of venues from spaces with views of iconic red rocks of Sedona, the luxury resorts of Scottsdale, to the industrial gems in downtown Phoenix," Gansheimer adds. Although Arizona may house many venues, that doesn't mean you shouldn't aim to reserve your dream one earlier rather than later to reduce the risk of the venue booking up on your desired day.

4. Be Thoughtful About the Scenery

Gansheimer recommends choosing venues that provide views of Arizona's eye-catching scenery and landscapes via floor-to-ceiling windows and/or outdoor spaces. Furthermore, if you want to successfully incorporate an Arizona sunset into your wedding festivities (which we think you should), this requires some extra planning. "The sunsets are gorgeous but happen very quickly so you want to time your ceremony correctly and be on time because once the sun sets the temperature drops and it can get dark very fast," Phillips explains.

5. Consider Transportation

Arizona is home to one of the largest airports in the United States—Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Although this may make it easy for many out-of-town guests to get into the state, Arizona is large, and there may be additional (and somewhat lengthy) transport needed to arrive at your final destination. "When planning a wedding in a destination location like Sedona or Flagstaff, we always consider providing transportation options for guests since these cities are a two-plus hour drive from Phoenix," notes Gansheimer. Luckily, Arizona has many local transportation providers.

6. Incorporate Unique Vendors

Use The Knot Marketplace to find local vendors to incorporate into your wedding festivities. The platform allows you to narrow your search by city, category, starting price and distance, so you can spend more time inquiring with those that best fit your needs (and wedding budget) and less time contacting those that may not be the best fit. Some local vendors our wedding planners recommend hiring for your special day include Downtown Browne Productions in Sedona, Fresh From The Kitchen in Phoenix and Abby Higgs Photography to name a few. Many local vendors offer Southwest-inspired flare that helps make your wedding a particularly "Arizona" one.