Weddings
Rich with authentic Arizona character and landscapes, Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden is the perfect location to host your wedding ceremony. The Arboretum offers a selection of six distinct wedding locations, two elopement locations, two larger-scale ceremony spaces, and two reception areas. Please review the descriptions of the ceremony spaces below to see which location fits best with the vision for your special day.
Elopement Locations
Choose from either our West or East Greenhouses for an intimate ceremony space surrounded by unique cactus and succulents. With built-in bench seating and historic stonework, you couldn’t ask for a more picturesque location. Can accommodate up to 10 guests.
Our most remote and rugged elopement location encapsulates the beauty of the Arizona high desert. With beautiful views of Picketpost Mountain, framed by stately saguaros, this is the spot for you if you are looking for a genuine desert ceremony. Can accommodate up to 10 guests.
Ceremony Locations
Our most popular ceremony location, the Woodland Garden features beautiful, mature eucalyptus trees that provide dappled shade while a stylish circular bench creates a focal point for your vows. Can accommodate up to 100 guests.
This space is perfect for a small ceremony. Our Perennial Garden is tucked away in an intimate corner of the garden with beautiful views of the mountains. Offering blooms from late spring to early fall, this location features a covered patio and circular brick focal point. Can accommodate up to 50 guests.
Reception Locations
The Smith Building Patio provides a unique indoor/outdoor space perfect for an intimate reception. This historic building features desert plants of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Can accommodate up to 100 guests.
With awe-inspiring views of PicketPost Mountain, the Picnic Area is a wide-open outdoor space under mature trees located a short walk from both of our ceremony spaces. This space offers a perfect blank canvas for your dream reception. Can accommodate up to 150 guests.
Private Events
We have four private event rental locations throughout the Arboretum and are confident that one of them will suit your needs. All areas are accessible and parking is available at no extra charge. BTA Circles Members and above enjoy a 20% discount on facility rentals. As you consider booking one of our spaces, please note that you will have private use of the designated rental area only.
Private Event Locations
The Picnic Area is a gorgeous, wide-open outdoor space under mature trees and is perfect for parties, bridal showers, celebrations of life, conferences, and team- building activities. Can accommodate up to 100 guests.
The Smith Building Patio and Greenhouses provide a unique indoor/outdoor space for luncheons, dinner events, meetings, parties, and conferences. Can accommodate up to 100 guests.
The Smith Lecture Room is an indoor room and is a great setting for business meetings, workshops, retreats, educational speakers, and small parties. Can accommodate 30-40 guests.
The Visitor’s Center Patio is a beautiful outdoor patio for small parties, receptions, bridal showers, dinner events, and celebrations of life. Can accommodate 30-50 guests.
Weddings at the Arboretum
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Last March, Arizona Game and Fish Department introduced more than 450 desert pupfish into Ayer Lake. As a critically endangered species, we are honored to be able to provide them a safe place to grow.
Thank you @azgfd for your efforts in conserving these magnificent fish.
#desertpupfish #pupfish #endangeredfish #conservation #ConservationMatters #btarboretum
On November 1, Boyce Thompson Arboretum received 2.62 inches of rainfall by 1 pm, causing flooding along Queen Creek and prompting an early closure for the safety of all staff and guests.
We reopened Monday, November 2, and our team will be working throughout the week to cean up affected areas. The Wallace Garden, Demonstration Garden, and portions of the Australian Garden will be closed while cleanup is underway.
If you`d like to support our efforts, consider donating to our Greatest Needs Fund! Every contribution helps us in caring for this special place. You can donate by clicking the link in our bio.
#floodingdamage #btarboretum #1Arb #nonprofitdonation #conservation #NatureConservation
🚨You asked, we listened - the Fall Plant Sale has been extended!
If last weekend`s rainy weather stopped you from shopping our Fall Plant Sale, we have good news! We are extending it for one more week. Shop perennials, shrubs, trees, cacti, succulents, and more until 5 pm on Sunday, November 8th.
Members get 20% all plants during the Fall Plant Sale! Not a member yet? Sign up today using the link in our bio.
#fallplantsale #PlantDiscount #plantshopping #plantlovers #btarboretum #arizonagardening #NativePlantSale
Barrel Cacti may be covered in spines, but that doesn`t stop it from being a vital food source for desert wildlife!
Bees, rodents, birds, javelina, beetles, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and jackrabbits all benefit from either its pollen, seeds, fruit, or even the plant itself.
No matter its size, shape, or number of spines, every desert plant has an import role to play in our ecosystem. 🌵
#barrelcactus #ferocactus #cactuslovers #cactuscollection #btarboretum #fishhookbarrel #desertplants
Spending time in nature is a great way to lift your spirit👻
Happy Halloween from all of us at Boyce Thompson Ar-boo-retum! We hope you have a safe (and candy-filled) evening.
#happyhalloween #getoutside #naturelovers #Halloween2026 #aznature #btarboretum #spookyseason #ghostsighting
Due to weather, Boo-tanical Bash has been cancelled.
We hope to see you another time! Until then, stay safe and stay spooky. 👻
If you`ve already purchased tickets for the event, please reach out to [email protected] and we`ll reschedule your ticket to another date.
#bootanicalbash #btarboretum
🌻Sometimes it`s easier to let gravity do the work!
By hanging upside down from stems, Lesser Goldfinches put themselves in the perfect position to catch falling seeds as they peck. This unique feeding behavior gives them a strong advantage, allowing them to reach seeds other birds can`t while saving time and energy.
#lessergoldfinch #goldfinch #birdadaptations #BirdFacts #birdlovers #natureeducation #sunflowers
🕷️🕸️The Arboretum is decorated for Halloween! And we have the funnel web spiders to thank for it.
If you see one of these funnels in our garden, take a peak inside! You might just see a little friend hidden within, waiting for it`s next meal.
#funnelwebspider #funnelweb #spiderweb #arizonaspider #happyhalloween #SpiderFacts #SpiderLovers