Hyatt Regency Scottsdale

Like an oasis in the desert, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch puts on full display the vividness of life in the desert as the perfect backdrop for the day you and your love celebrate your big day. With outdoor courtyards and indoor event spaces, contemporary architectural features mesh organically with desert ornamentation to make this resort an ideal spot for an Arizona wedding.

Choosing to have your wedding at a resort provides couples with some distinct advantages. For one, abundant amenities offered by a resort multiply the options available for venues, catering, and accommodations for your wedding day or destination weekend. Rooms and suites at the Hyatt Regency are not just a convenient location for the bride and groom to prepare for the occasion but, with the panoramic views, they set the tone for what is to come later in the day, while proving to set the scene for candid pre-ceremony shots that will be cherished for a lifetime. Spa amenities and restaurants provide ample chances to get together with those close to you and celebrate before or after your special day. Of course, hosting your wedding at a resort takes the hassle out of planning for those out of town guests and is a fun option for those nearby who want a staycation!

The facilities at Hyatt Regency Gainey Ranch accommodate anything from an intimate wedding to the grandest soiree imaginable. With six spaces—three outdoors and three indoors—couples have nearly endless options for their program. As is common with desert weddings, seasonal trends will largely determine where the event is hosted but, in the picture-perfect autumn, winter, and spring months, most couples will conduct the ceremony in one of the outdoor courtyards. The Palm Grove is a personal favorite as it provides panoramic views with the McDowell Mountains in the background and a lake in the foreground. Set away from the resort buildings, the space is still defined by the stately palm trees on all sides.

The Terrace Court incorporates is nestled between outer wings of the resort, giving it a more intimate feeling. As dusk approaches, the glow of the terrace will match that of the mountains in the distance. The Lawn Terrace can accommodate the largest of events, yet, with the framing of desert vegetation and stylish architecture, it still makes for an intimate space.

Usually, between the ceremony and the reception, couples opt for a change in venues. The hors d'oeuvre hour gives the newlywed couple the opportunity to capture some of the most spectacular photographs. As a photographer in Phoenix, Arizona, I shoot all around the Valley of the Sun but some of my most memorable moments have been capturing the flair and festivity associated with Indian weddings on the grounds Hyatt Regency. The immaculately-maintained facilities provide an amazing canvas for taking formal as well as casual shots; at sunset, the resort grounds, nestled against the Gainey Ranch Lake with mountains in the background aglow, make for some spectacular photos that encapsulate the magic of the moment.

Hyatt Gainey Ranch

Shar & Kunal’s Wedding at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale

Video by SkyPoint Productions

While the outdoor venues can be configured with the same amenities found indoors, such as dining tables, bars, and the dance floor, many couples opt to take the party indoors. The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale boasts two large, airy ballrooms in addition to the more intimate Sonwai. With vaulted ceilings and ample space, the Arizona and Vaquero Ballrooms easily accommodate larger celebrations. Thoroughly elegant, these spaces make for popping photographs. Meanwhile, receptions of up to 60 guests can be hosted in Sonwai. Artfully designed, this space boasts glass walls and views of the McDowell mountains. Sonwai, which in Hopi, is the feminine word for beauty, lives up to its name!

The undeniably chic Old Town Scottsdale, just minutes away from the resort, opens up opportunities for wedding day shots that incorporate the art and old west nostalgia for which Scottsdale is known. Choosing a Scottsdale wedding photographer means having the inside scoop to the most unique photo spots. Of course, being so near to Old Town can also provide chances for guests to explore before and after the wedding.

Just as the Hyatt Gainey Ranch incorporates the best elements of nature and contemporary design, the resort has curated all the necessary elements for the wedding night or for a destination weekend. From their comprehensive planning services, on-site catering, and variety of venues, to the resort amenities and preferential packages for those who are traveling, the Hyatt Scottsdale will take the stress out of planning the perfect Arizona wedding and is sure to wow the guests.