Today, I’m taking an in depth look at one of our favorite wedding venues that stun and impress and today’s location has stunning in spades! The Royal Palms Resort and Spa is a luxury destination for travelers worldwide. Sitting at the base of Camelback Mountain in the heart of Arcadia, it’s surrounded by incredible dining and shopping options for those with the most refined of pallets. But once you step onto the lush grounds you would never know you were in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. We’ve shot at nearly every luxury venue in the Phoenix area and without a doubt, the Royal Palms take the cake for their landscaping. The entire resort teems with cascading bougainvillea vines; creeping figs grow over trellises and around the Spanish wood beams in the ceilings; every type of tree imaginable grows here – in the midst of a desert! Their full time gardening staff have their hands full but handle the pressure with ease. Take a slow meander through to grounds to drink it all in – you wont be disappointed! And if you’re looking to be pampered, look no further than the Alvadora Spa located on the grounds. With an array of services available to you and your guests, you’ll want for nothing except perhaps another hour or two of relaxation!

Now booking through 2019 (2020 dates coming soon for all you long term planners out there!), The Royal Palms provides you with 2 nights in a suite when you book your wedding, allowing you to soak up the whole weekend of fun! You truly can’t go wrong when choosing your wedding space on the grounds. From secret gardens to sprawling lawns, anything and everything can be booked to perfect your unique day. For specifics on their packages, please see their website.

Inviting your foodie relatives, or perhaps a foodie yourself? The catering staff doesn’t disappoint – cooking each meal on site with an award winning team of chefs ensures that you and your guests enjoy only the highest quality food and beverage service. You won’t see any warmers or chafing dishes here!  Outdoor dinners are one of the resort’s specialties, and your food will be as incredible as if you were dining in their award-winning restaurant.

And without a doubt our favorite feature of this resort is the stunning way it photographs. Soft light diffused through vines and trees fame the bride and groom. Sunsets just peeking through the trees create incredible and unique backdrops that allow photographic artistry to shine. And with many meandering walkways and secluded courtyards, you’ll have the opportunity to take your romance portraits, arguably the most important shots of the day, in serenity and peace with ultimate privacy.

We love the Royal Palms for it’s gorgeous grounds, talented staff, and above all its peace and tranquility. We know you will too! If you’re interested in inquiring, please contact Tami Spencer, their talented special events coordinator.

*Thoughtfully composed by April, Charity’s day-of wedding assistant and lover of all things elegant and timeless.*