An Arcosanti wedding is the perfect way to create a movie-worthy wedding experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime. M and J’s celebration made the most of this incredible wedding venue with a starry reception in the Vaults. I documented the day with cinematic wedding photos.
In this blog post:
- A Visionary Venue
- Planning Your Arcosanti Wedding
- A Movie-Worthy Wedding Starring M and J
- Preserving the Day with Romantic Photos
A Visionary Venue
Planning an Arcosanti wedding doesn’t have to be complicated, but there’s a lot to take into account. This is a truly unique space. Known for iconic architecture, Arcosanti was built in the 1970s. It’s a prototype for a new kind of desert city, one that’s sustainable with integrated live-work spaces that could combat urban sprawl. The Italian architect behind Arcosanti didn’t call it the “anti-Phoenix,” but we all hear him loud and clear.
Because Arcosanti is a visionary space, it doesn’t look like any other wedding venue out there. It’s all geometric shapes integrated beautifully into the desert landscape. So many spaces have an indoor/outdoor element that you expect more in Southern California than Arizona. It’s really an experience.
Planning Your Arcosanti Wedding
Because Arcosanti was built to house a small city, there are lots of different areas you can use. These are the most popular spaces available for your Arcosanti wedding:
- Amphitheater: This outdoor area includes a stage with crescent stadium seating. Throughout the year, it gets used for music festivals and DJ performances. The Amphitheater gives your ceremony a theatrical feel.
- Vaults: This iconic outdoor space includes arches over a large area with cement flooring. It combines incomparable architecture with the desert landscape in a unique way. Many marriers choose to have their wedding reception here.
- Café: The Café is a cozy minimalist space. The chefs serve regional foods with seasonal ingredients, including yummy empanadas. Definitely check out their catering options.
Wherever you decide to hold your ceremony and reception, you’ll get amazing views and cool architecture all around. Your guests will be buzzing about their experience at your wedding for ages.
Here are some quick facts to help you plan your Arcosanti wedding.
- Venue type: Indoor/outdoor
- Location: Arcosanti, Arizona in Yavapai County (1 hour 10 minutes north of Phoenix on the 17)
- Capacity 30-500 guests depending on the space
- Accessibility: Only some areas of Arcosanti meet ADA standards. Most areas used for weddings are accessible, with the exception of the guest rooms and Café.
- Inclusions:
- Tables and chairs
- On-site catering available
- Starting cost: $9,000 (This is a best estimate according to publicly available information.)
Arcosanti really is one of my favorite Arizona wedding venues. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph a few weddings there. Check out this queer Jewish wedding also held at Arcosanti.
A Movie-Worthy Wedding Starring M and J
M and J’s October wedding made the most of all of Arcosanti’s highlights. M got ready in a sunny suite with her closest friends and family. Her hat and florals felt like an extension of the architecture and landscape.
There is no shortage of dreamy first look locations at an Arcosanti wedding. M and J decided for an intimate first look in a stairwell. The moment took J’s breath away and, honestly, got me pretty misty-eyed.
Lots of M and J’s wedding details had a cinematic quality. It worked perfectly with my photography style. M and J leaned into the movie idea with a movie poster-style save the date. It looks art for a classic romantic adventure film.
For the reception, M and J welcomed their guests to a romantic dinner party in the Vaults. Strings of lights hung between the arches like stars above the candlelit tables. People got wrapped up in the beautiful experience. It was the ideal setting for heartfelt toasts and lifelong memories.
Preserving the Day with Romantic Photos
I documented this Arcosanti wedding with romantic photos. M and J brought the drama with their stunning attire and head-over-heels love for each other. I loved exploring Arcosanti with them and taking portraits of the two of them. The rooftop photos, especially, have a windswept feel to them. You can feel the depths of the emotion from the day.
Would you like me to document your wedding day? I’m an Arizona wedding photographer and videographer. My style combines a mix of fly-on-the-wall documentary photography with being your personal director. I’d love to preserve your wedding with cinematic photos and video. Inquire with me here!
