WEDDINGS

Celebrate your marriage at one of the most iconic and beloved

places in Tucson!

The venues at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum are rich in natural beauty and stunning desert views, providing the perfect backdrop for your unique event. Our remarkable setting is enhanced by exceptional, regionally-inspired catering from Craft Culinary Concepts, charming animal visitors, and the thoughtful care and attention of our staff to create a truly memorable occasion for you and your guests. Explore the beautiful spaces the Museum has to offer on the following pages, and then come see them for yourself!

DESERT GARDEN

BOOJUM PATIO

If it’s desert views you’re after, look no further than the

sunlit hills and towering saguaros surrounding the Boojum

Patio. This beautiful stonework patio is tucked behind

Ironwood Terraces restaurant, providing a peaceful setting

for exchanging your vows beneath the bright blue Arizona

sky. Maximum capacity: 75 seated for a ceremony.

Gather your family and friends in the Desert Garden to witness your ceremony surrounded by lush greenery, bright blooms, and beautiful brick work. This hidden oasis offers an elegant outdoor setting for exchanging your vows and toasting your union. The bubbling fountain and rustic adobe wall in the lower garden are favorite locations for photographers. Maximum capacity: 150 seated for a ceremony, 250 standing for a cocktail reception.

Wine and dine the night away in the Green Room with views of the dazzling sunset colors on the slopes of the Tucson Mountains. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer an exceptional panorama of the pristine desert landscape. Open the glass panels for easy access to the large covered verandah, perfect for dancing beneath the stars. Maximum capacity: For a seated dinner, 180 (indoor only) to 220 (indoor & outdoor combined); or 300 (indoor & outdoor) for a cocktail reception.

Design a dynamic celebration in the Ironwood Terraces, the

Museum’s largest restaurant. A spacious anterior courtyard gives

way to two indoor dining rooms and half a dozen attached patios

providing ample room for cocktails, dinner, and dancing in a

variety of engaging locations. The possibilities are endless in this

unique and adaptable venue! Maximum capacity: For a seated

dinner, 100 (indoor only) to 350 (indoor & outdoor combined);

or 450 (indoor & outdoor combined) for a cocktail reception.

GREEN ROOM

IRONWOOD TERRACES

OCOTILLO CAFÉ

The Museum’s smaller, seasonal restaurant, the Ocotillo Café

recently underwent a complete renovation with brand new

paint, flooring and furniture. The cozy dining room and enclosed

private patio provide the perfect setting for smaller celebrations,

including wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, and bridal

showers. The obvious choice for stylish, intimate affairs. Maximum

capacity: For a seated dinner, 60 (indoor only) to 90 (indoor &

outdoor combined); or 125 (indoor & outdoor combined) for a

cocktail reception.

Desert Experience

Event Enhancements

Delight and entertain your guests during cocktail hour with this truly unique experience! Animal visitors, such as porcupine, barn owl, Harris’ hawk, chuckwalla lizard, and tarantula mingle and pose for photos during this 45-minute informal encounter. Fees: $400-$550 depending on the number of animals presented.

Audio/Visual SetupThe Museum can provide a portable address system with microphone, basic music playback, colored up-lighting, and presentation setup with screen, projector, and laptop upon request. Includes staff setup and support. Packages starting at $250.

Patio HeatersSeven umbrella-style patio heaters are available for the comfort of your guests. Includes propane and setup. Fee: $50 per heater.

Group AdmissionArrange an outing for your wedding guests to visit the Museum grounds and view the exhibits the day before or after your event. Prior arrangement required, minimum of 10 guests. Fees: $14.95 per adult, $7.95 per child (age 3-12).

Prickly Pear CenterpiecesUpgrade your tablescape with heart-shaped prickly pear cactus centerpieces! Presented in terracotta pots. Add a ribbon in your wedding colors, or combine with other decorative elements to match your vision. Rental Fee: $15 each.

DETAILS

Weddings are typically held after public hours from 5–10 p.m. with pre-event access for vendors and setup at 3:30 p.m. All spaces must be cleaned and vacated one hour after the contracted end time of the event. The Museum may consider daytime events depending upon the estimated number of guests, venue, and preferred date and time.

Catering Packages

General Museum Information520.883.2702info@desertmuseum.org

Venue Rental Information & Appointments520.883.3018ecoord@desertmuseum.org

www.desertmuseum.org

Contact Information

DESErt GArDEnCeremony – 150Cocktail Reception – 250

BOOJUM tErrACECeremony – 75

GrEEn rOOM(indoor & outdoor)Dinner – 220Cocktail Reception – 300

Venue Specifications

Wedding Policies

Photography: Special thanks to Casanova Creations, Chris Richards Photography, Kelsey Bigelow Photography, Lori O’Toole, Jay Pierstorff, David Sanders, Tom Spitz, and Studio 19.

Craft Culinary Concepts is the exclusive food and beverage provider of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, specializing in creating culinary experiences and menus reflective of the Sonoran Desert region and your unique event. A $5,000 minimum applies for Saturday evening events, and $2,000 for all other evenings. Exact costs depend on the menu chosen, but most weddings average $70 per person. Bar services include local and top shelf selections of beer, wine, and liquor, as well as hosted, partially hosted, and cash bar payment options. Wedding cakes may be brought in from an external, licensed bakery, and cake cutting service is $50.00. The Desert Museum Event Specialist will assist you initially by providing a sample of menu options. Once facilities have been contracted, the Craft Culinary Concepts catering manager will be your primary contact for questions and arrangements.

IrOnWOOD tErrACES(indoor & outdoor)Dinner – 350Cocktail Reception – 450

OCOtILLO CAFÉ(indoor & outdoor)Dinner – 90Cocktail Reception – 125

The combined facility fee for a ceremony and reception is $2,800. Additional fees apply for catering as well as event enhancements, and in some cases, extra labor costs. Stand-alone ceremonies are at the discretion of the Museum, and the fee is $1,200.

The facility fee includes your choice of ceremony and reception spaces (based upon availability), setup of tables and chairs (specifics vary depending on the event space), a dedicated parking area and use of our special event entrance, personalized signage to direct your guests, Museum event staff and security, and a wedding rehearsal in your ceremony space (to be scheduled in advance at a mutually agreeable time).

A signed contract and non-refundable $750 deposit are required to secure an event date and spaces. A second payment equaling 50% of the remaining balance is due 6 months in advance. The final payment of facility fees due 45 days in advance of the event.

The Museum recommends that all couples hire a professional planner or day-of coordinator to assist with event execution.