Want a wedding ceremony celebration for the books? Then look no further than Arizona’s breathtaking desert landscape! From vibrant sunsets to the unique textures of cacti and succulents, there’s no shortage of inspiration for your big day!

And because our sister company, Sterling Weddings and Events has been helping couples bring their dream weddings to life for over 23 years, we know exactly how to incorporate the desert’s beauty into your decor.

Below you’ll find a few ideas — some tried and true classics and current favorites — to help you bring some of that desert magic to your wedding day!

4 Desert-Inspired Ideas to Help You Get Started

Arizona Wedding Decor Idea #1: Embrace a Warm Color Palette

Arizona’s desert landscape features warm tones that cannot be missed when planning a wedding. This is one of the easiest ways to bring the desert to your decor!

For example, you can go with burgundy table runners paired with sand-colored napkins and golden tableware to perfectly capture that Arizona essence. For a more subtle approach, you can use these colors on table cards, wedding invitations, and other types of wedding stationery.

These warm colors also pair well with creams, whites, and neutrals, so you won’t have to worry about them clashing with the vision you have for your big day!

Pro Tip: Don’t be Afraid to Go Bold!

If you’re looking for something really special, don’t be afraid to go bold! Really playing up these colors is what makes a desert wedding so memorable and unique (aside from your love story, of course!).

textured, woven side table at wedding wiht colorful centerpieces

Need some inspiration before you commit to planning? Check out some of our past weddings in the wedding gallery here!

Arizona Wedding Decor Idea #2: Desert Flower Backdrops

One of the most remarkable parts of the desert landscape are the resilient, and beautiful, flowers that grow alongside the cacti and succulents. Plus, they make a nice pop of color in an otherwise warm, neutral background!

As Arizona wedding planners, we’ve seen many couples incorporate desert florals into their wedding decor. But one sticks out as our favorite idea: a simple copper-made arch, infused with local desert flowers, will blend seamlessly with the surroundings. It’s STUNNING at sunset and photographs well too!

Pro Tip: Keep this list of desert florals handy for your decor

Ready to try adding desert florals to your wedding decor? Keep this list on hand for when it’s time to make decisions!

California Poppies
Desert Marigolds
Desert Lilies
Yucca leaves
Desert Sunflowers
Ocotillo Plants
Prickly Pear Cacti
Yellow Palo Verde
Desert Globemallow
Hedgehog Cacti
Firewheel Flowers

And whichever desert florals you decide to incorporate into your wedding day, your vendor can help you source and style them accordingly!

Arizona Wedding Decor Idea #3: Cacti and Succulents — Everywhere!

We’d be remiss to not mention adding cacti and succulents to your wedding decor! It’s a staple for any wedding taking place in Arizona!

There are so many ways to let these plants shine in your setups, too. Think table runners, centerpieces, reception decor, and even photography setup props — anything goes!

These green beauties also make cute wedding favors for your guests. Who doesn’t love bringing a cute little succulent home?

Arizona Wedding Decor Idea #4: Trust Your Photographer to Capture the Beauty

When in doubt, trust your photographer! They have an eye for beauty, and are pros at capturing the breathtaking landscape in Arizona.

Newlywed portrait with mountain views in Sedona, AZ

So once you’ve found the right photographer for you, see about adding these must-see spots to your Arizona wedding:

Cathedral Rock
Devil's Bridge
Bell Rock

Check out our Top Three Sedona Photo Spots here!

Let’s Start Planning Your Arizona Wedding!

Ready to start planning your dream wedding? Contact Sterling Weddings and Events today! We offer a range of services — from design and event management to planning and consulting — and we'll help you create a wedding that's as beautiful and unique as you are!