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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Happy World Chocolate Day! 🍫
Did you know one of nature`s chocolate substitutes grows right here at Boyce Thompson Arboretum?
The carob tree is native to the Mediterranean region and grows best in hot, arid climates. Once the carob pods ripen, they can be boiled, seeded, dried, and ground into a powder for baking.
Carob is known for its rich flavor, which is often compared to chocolate. Unlike cocoa powder, carob is naturally sweet and caffeine-free.
So, when you celebrate World Chocolate Day, make sure you take some time to appreciate the carob tree! You can spot our trees near the Visitors Center Patio, Mediterranean Garden, and Taylor Family Desert Legume Garden.
#WorldChocolateDay #carobtree #carobchocolate #carobpod #chocolatesubstitute #legumes #aznature #plantlovers #plantfacts
This summer, a family of Cooper`s Hawks have made the Arboretum their home!
We first spotted the parents in Conifer Corner, dive-bombing ravens when they got too close to their nest. Soon afterwards, the little fledglings emerged! They have been frequently spotted near Drover`s Wool Shed. Listen closely, and you may hear them calling to each other from the treetops as they explore their world and learn to hunt.
Watching this family grow is a reminder of how life can be found even in the hottest and driest of places. 💚 Plan your visit today for a chance to see this family before they spread their wings and move on. 🪶
#coopershawk #arizonabirdsofprey #birding #azbirding #birdinghotspot #desertlife #juvenilehawk
Discover the amazing world of nocturnal life on our Critter Crawl Night Tour!
📆Fri July 10, July 24, Aug 7, and Aug 21
🕕 7:30 - 9:00 pm
🎟 Ticket range: $9 - $18
⚠ Children 4 and under and pets are not permitted
⭐Preregistration required
Check the link in our bio to reserve your spot.
📸Pictured: Coral snake spotted during our latest Critter Crawl! 🐍 You never know what you`re going to see during a night tour. We hope to see you there!
#nighttour #SummerEvent #crittercrawl #NocturnalAnimals #coralsnake #DesertWildlife #NatureEducation
Happy Independence Day! We hope you have a safe holiday and take time to appreciate the natural beauty of our country.
We are closed today in observance of the holiday, but will reopen tomorrow, July 5th from 6 am to 12 pm. Hope to see you there!
#IndependenceDay2026 #aznature #America250 #btarboretum #boycethompsonarboretum #1Arb
💡Did you know the tallest sunflower in the world grew to an astonishing height of 35 ft 9 inches tall? That`s almost 6.5x taller than the average person! It was grown by Alex Babich in Fort Wayne, Indiana just last September.
Visit our Demonstration Garden to see how high our sunflowers have grown this summer! Are they taller than you? You`ll just have to find out for yourself. 🌻
#plantlovers #sunflowers #plantfacts #naturelovers #sunflowergarden
Our early summer hours and discounted admission continues in July!
🕕6:00 am – 12:00 pm
📆Open Wednesday – Monday
⚠️Closed Tuesdays
🎟$16 Admission
Hope to see you soon!
#btarboretum #VisitSuperior #1Arb #ThingsToDoAZ #naturelovers
♻️Do you recycle? These birds do! Meet nature`s best clean up crew: the Turkey Vulture. Next time you visit us, keep an eye out for these incredible birds. If you get any pics, don`t forget to tag us in your post!
#turkeyvulture #vulturelove #BirdingCommunity #azbirding #birdfacts
Boyce Thompson Arboretum will be closed on Saturday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. We`ll reopen Sunday, July 5th from 6 am to 12 pm. See you then!
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