About this vendor
The Big Tin Cotton Gin is a historic wedding venue situated in San Tan Valley, Arizona. Dating back to the 1950's, this former cotton gin is now one of Pinal County’s most distinctive wedding venues. Characterized by its classic-meets-contemporary vibe, the property is replete with vintage decor that pays homage to its manufacturing past. Mother and Son owners Julie and Kevin Ballentyne have been inviting soon-to-be newlyweds to tie the knot at this one-of-a-kind facility since 2019. Renovated and romantic, the Big Tin Cotton Gin can provide the perfect backdrop for your entire occasion.
Facilities and Capacity
As one of the Grand Canyon State’s oldest cotton gins, this family-owned property is home to a pair of stylish event spaces. You can exchange your vows in the enclosed outdoor space, a spacious setting that boasts intimate string lighting and brick paving stones. Here, there is plenty of space for your friends and family to watch you and your beloved say “I do”. Following your service, you can venture into the building to enjoy your reception. With 5,000 square feet of flexible space, the interior has a minimalist design that will surely appeal to your creative side. Rustic tables, elegant chandeliers, and a built-in bar are just a few of the features that this multipurpose event space offers. Attendees will note the abundance of authentic tin, a detail that acts as a reminder of the property’s early 20th-century architecture. You and your partner are free to use the get-ready room upstairs to prepare for your big day.
Services Offered
Weddings at Big Tin Cotton Gin are arranged through MOSO Events, an esteemed planning service owned and operated by a mother-and-son team. They can work with you to craft personalized packages that attend to every aspect of your special celebration. Owing to the venue’s open vendor policy, you have the freedom to bring in entertainers, photographers, and caterers of your choosing. Event items such as tables, chairs, ceremony arches, and centerpieces can be provided.
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
On-Site Accommodations
Business Attributes
- Woman-owned Business
Settings
- Barn
- Historic Venue
Venue Service Offerings
- Rentals & Equipment
Awards and Affiliations
4-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2025.2024.2023.2022.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
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Reviews
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5
out of 5.056 reviews
There were TONS of kids at my wedding and the indoor/outdoor set up made it so the kids had somewhere to run and play. Planning my event was so easy. There was always somebody avai...
lable to answer my questions and help make my decor come to life. I really enjoyed that I was able to use all my own vendors as well as get recommendations for vendors the Gin had worked with before.
The best place to have any wedding or event, they go above and beyond for you and any needs you may have. My wedding couldn’t have went as perfect as it did without them. The owner...
s are amazing and everyone that works for them is too!
Julie and Abby were amazing ! They really helped keep everything running smoothly.
We only toured this venue and knew this was the spot for us. They have just about everything you...
could need for a very good price!
This cute venue was a dream for my wedding. The owner Julie is amazing and makes sure the bride has everything she needs for her big day. The price of all the chairs, as well as ta...
bles, an archway, and decor. I absolutely love all the resources provided. Our bridal suit was amazing, and the groomsmen suit was awesome too!
Big Tin Cotton Gin truly made our wedding day unforgettable. The venue's rustic charm combined with the attentive staff created a magical atmosphere for our special day. From the m...
oment we arrived, we were greeted with warm smiles and a can-do attitude that instantly put us at ease.
Throughout the planning process, the team at Big Tin Cotton Gin was extremely helpful. They went above and beyond to accommodate our requests and ensure that every detail was taken care of. Despite a few minor hiccups along the way,
The venue's unique ambiance added an extra layer of charm to our celebration, and the on-site decor complemented our theme perfectly. Additionally, the staff's attention to detail did not go unnoticed, as every aspect of the setup was thoughtfully executed.
We highly recommend Big Tin Cotton Gin to any couple looking for a picturesque and accommodating venue for their wedding. Thank you to the entire team for helping to make our wedding day one we will cherish forever.
The venue is lovely, of course, and their wooden chandeliers are darling, but what puts The Big Tin Cotton Gin on the map is the team. The chaos & stress of planning a wedding can ...
sometimes eat you alive, & the Cotton Gin team helps ground you & help you create an experience that is uniquely authentic to you & your fiancé. You aren’t required to use their preferred vendor list, but we were very impressed with the ones we hired off of that list. They were patient with every change & adjustments, & we didn’t have to worry about anything on our special day. If you’re looking for a venue for your wedding that has both outdoor & indoor options that feels timeless, I strongly encourage you to give them a visit. They are sure to set the bar for what your wedding support system should be like.
From the initial concept to the final execution, Julie and Kristin were incredibly helpful, kind, and organized, making our wedding planning process seamless. The venue itself was ...
stunning, creating the perfect backdrop for our special day. Every detail was executed flawlessly, and the entire day felt like a dream come true. Words truly can't express how grateful we are for their exceptional service and support. Our wedding day was unforgettable, thanks to their dedication and expertise.
Kristin was an absolute blessing to work with. The day went by perfectly and I truly couldn't imagine the day any other way!
I love this venue and the staff!!!! As a mother who was planning 2 weddings in a space of 3 months, having the staff from the Big Tin Cotton Gin to help me was amazing! Not only wa...
s the venue super cute, they have a ton of super cute decorations that are free to use when you rent the venue, which is so convenient and saved us so much money! I also paid for the day of wedding coordination and it was absolutely the best money I could of spent!!! The staff decorated, worked with the other vendors, helped to keep the event running smoothly!! I was able to sit, visit, dance and just enjoy the day with my family!!! I could keep going on and on about how impressed I was with the Big Tin Cotton Gin, but the review might be too long so I will just end with a big thank you to the staff! Thanks for helping to make our day perfect!!!
The Big Tin Cotton Gin was the perfect venue that combined an industrial and rustic aesthetic for my wedding day! Everything from the coordination, to the decorations, to the ameni...
ties were everything I could have wanted on my big day! It was amazing to have the ability to pick our own vendors while having the support and coordination at The Gin! Julie and her team (Kristen) were absolute rockstars the day of the wedding, ensuring that I had everything I needed to make it through the reception and ceremony. I would recommend The Gin to anyone and everyone looking to get married in the East Valley of AZ!
I cannot fully express my love for The Big Tin Cotton Gin and everyone there! I had my 24 year wedding renewal there and when I say it was absolutely perfect, those words do not do...
that day justice! Julie and Amber were just so wonderful, kind, helpful, and attentive! They knew what I wanted and how I wanted things and gave me everything I dreamt of. They worked so hard for me, and made me feel like I was the only person there. Words cannot express how great this place and those people are. If you want a perfect perfect wedding or event please go there, you will literally NOT regret it! Thank you Julie and Amber for making my dreams come true!
Amazing venue with incredible people working it. Julie and Kristin made sure my big day ran smoothly and helped me every step of the way. They made it possible to have a dream wedd...
ing with a realistic budget. We can’t thank them enough for helping host our big day!
The Big Tin Cotton Gin is literally the best kept secret of wedding venues in the East Valley. Not only is it a perfect open canvas for every bride..the staff is the best!!! Julie ...
is very easy to talk to and truly cares about every couple that walks into the Big Tin Cotton Gin. Her team works very hard to make sure everything goes smoothly and that it truly is the best wedding day ever for each couple. We were able to choose our own caterer, florist, music, and they offer more than one option to fit your wedding budget. My photographer fell in love with all of the photo ops this venue offers as well. My husband keeps asking me when we can go back and do it all again because it was such a wonderful day for our family. Every bride needs to put the Big Tin Cotton Gin on their list of places to consider.
Bonuses: Beautiful bridal suite area for the bridal party to get ready in with added hangers for your dresses. So many table linens and centerpieces at the venue for you to use, chalkboard signs, lighting. This venue literally has almost everything you need and a great way to stay within your budget.
5 stars is not enough for this venue and team , if you are thinking about this venue for your wedding don’t think please book I promise it will be everything you dream and more! Me...
and my Husband got married here in the end of September and it was absolutely stunning and Julie and Kristin are so helpful and are really the backbone to your event and how it all runs ! We couldn’t be more thankful for them , we had our dream wedding because of this venue and team. Not only talking about their team but their venue is hands down gorgeous , such a cozy elegant vibe to it. We love this venue and team so much we wish we could do it all over again!!!
4/8/23 - Big Tin Cotton Gin went above and beyond all my expectations! Julie and her crew were amazing and made our wedding day the greatest day of our lives! The venue is so beaut...
iful and we are still being told how amazing everything looked! Every small detail was taken care of and nothing was missed! Thank you Big Tin Cotton Gin and Julie for the amazing day! I wish I could give you more stars! 10000/10 the best place to get married at!
I am so happy that we stumbled upon the big tin cotton gin when looking for our venue. We just got married in May of 2023 & it was the BEST experience of my life. I had the pleasur...
e of working with Julie & very closely with Kristin. From day one they made me feel like a person & not a dollar sign. If you get the chance, work with Kristin! She was available for me no matter what. Any time I had questions or concerns she was there to put my mind at ease no matter how many questions I had. From the rehearsal to our big day and everything in between, I can’t sing their praises enough!! 10 out of 10 would recommend.
We were so happy with The Big Tin Cotton Gin. Julie and Kristin were so helpful throughout the whole process. Our daughter and her husband kept saying The Big Tin Cotton Gin is t...
heir vibe!!!
Me and my husband had our wedding at the Big Tin Cotton Gin this January and it was the best day we could have ever asked for! The venue is so charming and picturesque and really m...
eets your ever need! I can’t remember how many compliments we got about how cool and unique the venue was. It has a cozy vibe but was able to fit over 125 guest very comfortably. The team including the owner Julie really goes above and beyond to meet your every need and make the whole experience perfect and stress free. I honestly didn’t even have to worry about anything the day of as Julie and her team took care of everything and really made the whole day go so smooth. If you want a beautiful and perfect wedding with the most amazing team that take care of your every need book here and you won’t regret your decision!!
OMG! Where do we begin?! We got married in Feb 2023 at the Big Tin Cotton Gin. Julie and Amber are absolutely fabulous, we do not know what we would have done without them. The Big...
Tin is a beautiful venue and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a venue for their special day. We will always hold them close to our hearts, they are truly the best.
We recently got married at the Big Tin Cotton Gin and we HIGHLY recommend! We loved being able to choose all of our vendors and decor. It's a totally different space than a usual w...
edding venue and that's really what we were looking for. Throughout the year of wedding planning I was able to reach out to them and ask questions and come view the property time and again. Day of Kristen and Julie were so incredible and very hands on. They are very experienced and definitely know what they are doing. I was super stressed and worried about everything going smoothly and they eased my nerves and took care of everything. We had absolutely no complaints and will always recommend the Cotton Gin and Kristen and Julie to others!!
This venue was wonderful. Absolutely beautiful. Could not be happier with my wedding. The staff??? Phenomenal! They truly elevate the venue to a whole other level. They took my yea...
r of planning and executed it like true professionals. Would highly recommend.
They we super helpful and kind! They had great response time to any and all of my questions! Best part of my wedding planning!
Big Tin Cotton Gin is a wonderful venue for a wedding. Julie & Kristen are so wonderful to work with and will do anything to make your day so special. Our daughters wedding was sp...
ectacular all because of Julie & Kristin at the Big Tin Cotton Gin. If you are looking for a venue, this is it!!
Julie and her team were amazing. This venue was absolutely perfect for our wedding. I would recommend this place for big or small weddings. Ours was small, about 25 people and the ...
space still worked perfectly! Not much decor is needed because the Big Tin Cotton Gin is stunning!
I would like to thank Julie and her staff at the Big Tin Cotton Gin for making our wedding day the best day ever! From Julie setting up and officiating our ceremony, to her other s...
taff members tending to us throughout the day, the team exceeded our expectations on every level! Everything went so smooth and flowed so well! Even if you decide to hire an outside "Day Of" coordinator, the Big Tin team works well all day with that individual as well as with the various vendors you choose, ensuring everything is on point. Outside of the staff being AMAZING, the amenities that are already on site to utilize (arches, pallet walls, wine barrels, tables, heaters and decor etc.) make this venue a WIN WIN, not only for the value but for the ease of not having to rent these items yourselves. They have tons of great things to choose from that accent the already awesome interior and exterior! If you do tour this venue and fall in LOVE with it, I highly recommend that you book it! It was a dream come true for us! :) Cheers!
I cannot say enough amazing things about this place! From the moment we toured it, we were absolutely wow'ed, not just by the beautiful interior details, but by the team. Julie, Ke...
vin, the lovely girls who took care of me on wedding day: everyone we worked with from day one was AMAZING.
My wedding day had record breaking rain, and they helped me pivot everything that morning, Julie knew just what to do. They helped me feel at ease all day, and made me feel so taken care of. They were also incredibly helpful throughout the planning process, letting me come out several times to make sure I had everything just right.
I couldn't have chosen a better venue, and any couple would be lucky to get married here. MOSO team - thank you for going above and beyond for us!
The Big Tin Cotton Gin is the perfect venue for any wedding or party you want to throw and the owners are even better! This venue has endless possibilities and your imagination is ...
the limit. From day one of touring the venue I knew it was going to be such a seamless, beautiful, perfect place to have our wedding. The chandeliers inside are breathtaking and the charm this place has is indescribable. The outside is so cute and the building door gives the perfect backdrop to a ceremony. Julie helped answer every question I had no matter how many there were wheter in person or by email efficiently. Day of her and her team were so amazing making sure everyone was taken care of and that all the details were perfect! They give you the freedom to creat your dream but are there for you if you need recommendations. I can't wait to have another event here!!
Every interaction leading up to the wedding and the day of the wedding was perfect. The venue was adorable, staff was beyond helpful, and the price was manageable with payments! Ev...
ery question I had was answered. Any item I needed was either provided or I was told where and what to get. I would recommend the Big Tin Cotton Gin to anyone and everyone who is in need of a wedding venue.
I don't know where to begin with everyone at the venue! Every single one of you are amazing, from beginning to end. Julie is so very helpful, responsive, organized and very profes...
sional. We had planned for outside ceremony/cocktail hour and inside reception. The weather on our wedding day did not allow us to utilize the outside part of the venue...The staff was quick to make changes and made sure our day was special from beginning to end. Not only did everything workout at the very last minute, but it looked AMAZING!! I can't thank everyone enough for all the hard work put into this day! We highly recommend The Big Tin Cotton Gin!
From making sure everything was set up the exact way I wanted it, to making sure I had my vows, to making sure everything ran smoothly, the Cotton Gin family had made my wedding an...
absolute dream come true. The most beautiful venue was a huge part of the perfection but the biggest part was the quality of service. If I could get married over and over and over again it would be here with these exact same people helping me. Truly made me feel so special and so calm and and happy. I had some problems with my food truck and they were so flexible and figured everything out to still be perfect and still leave me calm and collected. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience and we definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting the wedding/ event of their dreams.
This venue is a literal diamond in the rough of the San Tan/Queen Creek area. We didn't take long to decide on the Big Tin Cotton Gin after doing a handful of tours. The amount of ...
people we had would be accommodated not only on the inside but the parking was plentiful for them as well. The inside of the BTCG is gorgeous! The lighting on old spools is just that extra touch of rustic glamour and charm. The bridal room for the ladies to get ready is upstairs where can overlook the set up inside which gives a beautiful photo opp. And there is a guys room downstairs for them to hang out and get ready too. The space is just perfect.
Putting aside this beautiful venue, which it is, the women there are extraordinary. There wasn't a single meeting we had with Julie that we didn't stay and talk to her for extra time after just because she's a wonderful lady. The day of our wedding, I could not imagine having better help to keep things moving along than Amber and Julie. They got people out when we needed them out, they helped with any last minute things I needed. And while we were taking photos, Amber was by my side holding my drink with a straw! These women are just fantastic to work with. I am so blessed to have chosen this venue and to have had the opportunity to meet them. If I had to do things all over again, I would choose The Big Tin Cotton Gin all over again!
I couldn’t be more happy with our choice for my first daughter’s wedding venue. Everything was so beautiful! They had an amazing selection for wedding decor that was included. Ever...
y inch of the entire venue inside and outside was just picture perfect. I highly recommend working with Julie! She is so accommodating and helpful throughout the entire process. She’s so personable and truly cares about making sure the big day and all the days leading up to it, run smoothly and everything is taken care of. If you want an absolutely beautiful wedding and people that actually care about you and making your big day a huge success, book with Julie at The Big Tin Cotton Gin! You will not be disappointed
If you are lucky enough to book this venue, congratulations! When my husband and I visited The Big Tin we immediately cancelled our other venue appointments. This place is huge, ru...
stic, beautiful, off the beaten path, and the owner is just wow. Julie the owner was so accommodating. We had no idea what we were doing and she helped us every step of the way. The ceremony and reception went off without a hitch and I didn't have to stress about a single thing the day of because I knew Julie and her team had everything under control.
I cannot recommend The Big Tin Cotton Gin enough. LOVE IT!
Our wedding day would not have gone as perfectly as it did had we not chosen to have it at Big Tin Cotton Gin. Julie and her small but amazing team made everything feel seamless th...
at day. From being super flexible with our schedules when we went to tour the venue, to giving us a great recommendation for the food truck we used, to making the 2 weeks before our wedding less stressful. The venue is prefect for any style/vibe wedding you are going for. The cotton gin itself is so simple but pretty that it made it a easy decision to get married there. I am so thankful we made the decision to have our wedding at the Big Tin Cotton Gin, I truly do not think our day would have gone the way it did without the help of Julie and her team!
There are no words to describe how thankful I am to Julie and her team at Big Tin Cotton Gin. The venue is absolutely breathtaking and so versatile you can literally make any weddi...
ng dream come true! The team is so professional, responsive and flexible that it made planning a breeze. I’m the first one to admit I’m a bit of a control freak with details and everything was perfect down to the last minute of the wedding. We hired our own vendors which was something we really wanted and it wasn’t an issue at all. There is an on site bridal suite and a separate room downstairs for the groom and his men to get ready as well! Our day was magical and I wish we could relive it everyday! It couldn’t have been so amazing without this amazing venue and their team! With that being said, STOP LOOKING AND BOOK WITH BTCG!
This venue was an absolute dream. The owner was a complete joy to work with! We recently had our wedding here and it was everything I have ever dreamed. The owner Julie was so pati...
ent with me and answered any questions I had big or small, and there were a lot of questions during the planning process! She is so sweet and accommodating. She continued to check in on me to see if I needed anything on the wedding day. The venue is gorgeous! I highly recommend this venue for so many reasons!
We had our wedding at the cotton gin a couple weeks ago and we had an AMAZING experience! Everyone at the venue was so kind, accommodating and on top of things. They had so much in...
cluded in their wedding packages and the venue is gorgeous and rustic. Julie helped with venue planning, rehearsal, day-of coordinating and set up/clean up. She truly went above and beyond to make sure I didn’t have to worry about too much the day of the wedding. And since I was planning from out of state I was so grateful they were easy to work with and had so many suggestions. They were able to recommend almost all the vendors I used who all turned out great. I left my wedding with no regrets at all and can’t believe it went so well. Definitely worth having your special day at this venue. ❤️
AH-MAZING!! This venue is not only beautiful but the owners and staff are so wonderful. Julie, Amber, and all the team members are all about making sure your big day is special for...
you and are the sweetest to work with. The venue has a great indoor/outdoor space and a perfect rustic vibe that can tie in with most themes. Wooden farmhouse tables, wagon wheel style chandeliers, bistro lighting......its a place they've made to create amazing memories.
Our guests really enjoyed themselves. The Big Tin Cotton Gin is an incredible venue. They confidently provided everything we had discussed and were so accommodating, kind, and prof...
essional. Leading up to the wedding they were incredibly helpful in coordinating and helping us create an amazing day for everyone. We had so many compliments on how the wedding and reception was one of the most unique, fun, and beautiful they had attended and that everything went so well. We are so happy we chose this venue.
Thank you, Big Tin Cotton Gin, for all you did for us and for making our daughter and son-in -law’s wedding memorable. You all are wonderful!
Recently had my wedding at the Tin & i couldn’t be more obsessed with it! Julie is so helpful and steps above and beyond to help you! The venue is soooo beautiful plus all the deco...
r/tables you can use from the venue. I wouldn’t not have wanted my wedding anywhere else. Very organized and helpful throughout the whole process!
We were married at the Big Tin Cotton Gin on September 25th! I can't say enough good things about this venue! It was sooooo beautiful, and Julie was literally the best! She was so ...
helpful throughout the whole process as I asked her a billion questions, and I couldn't have done it without her. She was also our day-of coordinator to make sure everything went smoothly. I would highly recommend this venue to anyone looking for a beautiful, rustic venue.
We were just married at the Big Tin Cotton Gin on June 26, 2021, and we couldn’t be happier with how everything went! First, the manager was the best to work with – Julie was easyg...
oing and professional from the start, and made us and our whole crew feel very welcome. You couldn’t ask for a nicer group of people to work with. Julie and her team made sure everything went off without a hitch. The venue is perfect for an intimate feeling and has such a unique flair. Our guest raved about how beautiful everything was. Thank you BTCG for making our day so special!
Our wedding on July 3rd was absolutely perfect! The Big Tin Cotton Gin was the perfect venue. Julie is amazing to work with, she went above and beyond to make our day special. S...
he took care of everything and we worried about nothing. We can not say enough good things about The Big Tin Cotton Gin and the great experience we had had working with them. We would highly recommend holding and event here!!!
Big Tin Cotton Gin was just a dreamy place to have our wedding. Julie and the rest of the staff was phenomenal to work with and so helpful. She is so sweet and went above and beyon...
d for anything we needed. The facility itself is beautiful inside and out. The amount of help even was appreciated. They also have some of the cutest decor which is awesome for a venue to even offer that. We are so happy we chose to have our wedding at The Big Tin Cotton Gin!
The venue is beautiful, Julie and team were a delight to work with. Customizable options every step of the way. Would highly recommend!
Julie and her team made my wedding possible. Not only is the venue gorgeous but the people are so kind and truly make your day special. I did not have a wedding planner and Julie s...
tepped in and helped guide me in the right direction (when my DJ should announce the first dance, helped coach my brother who was officiating the wedding, etc.). If you want a vendor who is with you every step of the way, this is them. As for the venue itself, it is the perfect country wedding. We had the ceremony outside & reception inside but you can choose to do whatever you want. The venue is tailored to you (you get to choose where the tables go, what type of chairs you'd like, etc.). They even have extra decorations available from previous weddings if you are on a tight budget. 10/10 recommend!
We had our wedding at the cotton gin this past weekend and it was an absolute dream! We have had so many compliments on how beautiful the venue was and how the staff were amazing. ...
Julie and Kevin are responsive and go above and beyond to make your day special. We had so much going on the night before and the day of and there are no words to explain how helpful they both were. We would recommend this venue to any couple getting married, it was an absolute dream!!
OMG! Can I say this venue is the BEST so rustic and classic! Such a beautiful place for us to experience our wedding day. Julie and her team were amazing and took care of everythin...
g needed and would help solve anything that came up. Highly recommended and five stars! Thank you so much!!!
This place is a hidden gem! It's so unassuming from the outside but it's such a beautiful space. We hosted our wedding here in March and everything was perfect! Julie is so kind an...
d super flexible - she answered all of our questions and even helped with things we didn't know we needed to think about. We were able to use their stock of decor, and they provided all tables and seating, set up and tear down. The Bridal Suite is spacious, and with a large outdoor and indoor space, you really can customize your event to meet your individual vision - and on a budget no less! Honestly can't imagine getting married anywhere else. Check out Big Tin Cotton Gin! You will not regret it.
The Big Tin Cotton Gin hosted the wedding of our dreams! From the initial walk through, too planning, to execution, everything was taken care of as promised! We were able to to pic...
k out how we wanted the venue to be set up, the decor style, what food vendor we brought in and more! If you are wanting a place that will help take your ideas and make them reality, this is your place.
Contact
1572 W Ocotillo, San Tan Valley, AZ
Wedding Venues