Southern Utah has long been heralded as a hotspot for adventurers, as home to five national parks with some of the world’s most iconic views. But over the last few years, the region has been elevating beyond the expected outdoorsy fare, becoming a much-discussed destination for influencers, athletes and, yes, couples looking to host a high-end wedding celebration. Come with us and explore three of the region’s most unique nuptial destinations, offering one-of-a-kind experiences for weddings of all styles.
Amangiri Resort
1 Kayenta Road, Canyon Point
Event photos by Haley Nord Photography; property photos courtesy of Amangiri Resort
Elevated Elopements
If highly-exclusive, luxurious and intimate are ‘must-haves’ on your wedding wishlist, Canyon Point’s Amangiri resort is your ideal destination. Situated on 920 pristine acres of desert landscape, Amangiri is surrounded by some of Utah’s most iconic natural sites, such as Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley and Lake Powell. With a dozen established venues and countless other vistas for outdoor gatherings along the allseason resorts’ private trails, Amangiri is the ideal mix of desert adventure and luxurious comfort.
Venues
Desert Lounge
This contemporary dining space lets desert views take center stage, with sweeping mesas and a pared-back aesthetic making it the perfect landing place for low-slung receptions and cocktail hours.
Camp Sarika
At Camp Sarika, the resort’s exclusive satellite camp available for event buyout, an elegant dining room flows effortlessly onto an alfresco patio with an elemental atmosphere. Here, couples can show off the best of Utah with locally-sourced seasonal menus that blend the state’s rustic yet refined flavors for the ultimate desert experience.
Raven’s Nest
A short hike from Camp Sarika’s main pavilion, the Raven’s Nest is just one of many open-air stone venues around Amangiri’s expansive property. Wrapped in circular walls of natural Entrada sandstone, Raven’s Nest and similar alcoves provide the perfect spot for casual dinners, after-party desserts or intimate ceremonies under the open sky.
Amenities & Experiences
Alongside the dining settings at Desert Lounge and Camp Sarika, the Amangiri Resort Restaurant centers on an open-plan kitchen with an American Southwestinspired menu, infused with modern global influences. A four-course ‘Spirit of the Journey’ tasting menu pays tribute to the region’s indigenous tribes, and any dining desire can be taken on the road with one of the resort’s many outdoor dining experiences. And for the pinnacle of pampering, visit the Amangiri Spa. From individual facial and massage treatments to multiday detoxification programs, the spa has everything you need to unwind and prepare for your big day. aman.com/resorts/amangiri
Vendors
Planner and BTS content: Not Jess A Planner, notjessaplanner.com
Florals: Orchid Dynasty, orchiddynasty.com
HMU: Breedlove Beauty, breedlovebeauty.com
Photography: Haley Nord, haleynordphotography.com
Videography: Kelani Films, kelanifilms.com
Officiant: Outland Adventures, outlandadventures.net
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab
Photos by M. Felt Photography
Altruistic Adventures
For the adventurous souls and the big-hearted brides, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab has crafted the ultimate, animal-centered wedding experience.
Venues Angel’s Landing
Named in a clever nod to one of Utah’s most iconic hikes, the ‘Angel’s Landing’ at Best Friends is not a towering thousand-foot rock formation, but rather an enchanting meadow tucked into an amphitheater of red rock cliffs. The outdoor venue features a round lawn, a peaceful brook and rock faces perfectly formed to contain ceremony altars, guest lounges and more. The Labyrinth Atop the cliffs of the sanctuary’s Angel Canyon, The Labyrinth is an ethereal rock maze constructed in the property’s Gratitude Garden, surrounded by nearly 360-degree views of desert canyons. Secluded, serene and beautifully landscaped, the setting is perfect for an intimate ceremony site.
Amenities and Experiences
Best Friends Roadhouse & Mercantile
Out of town guests? No sweat. Invite your VIPs and their furry plus-ones to stay right on-property at Best Friends RoadHouse and Mercantile, where people and pets alike get top-notch lodging in the heart of Kanab.
Four-Legged Guests
It comes as no surprise that the sanctuary is, in fact, a working animal rescue. Best Friends Animal Society lends eligible animals to sleep over in rooms with visitors at the Mercantile, invites guests on tours or volunteer excursions throughout the property and even delivers adoptable four-legged friends to interact with celebrators at any wedding event on site.
Iconic Views
Visitors can enjoy countless photo opportunities both on property and in the nearby Zion National Park. On Best Friends land, epic fan favorites include West Cutler point, Kanab Creek and Red Knoll, all showcasing a variety of desert viewscapes.
Dine In
Alongside a host of local eateries in the quaint town of Kanab, the Sanctuary is home to the Best Friends Angel Village Café, an awardwinning vegan restaurant open for welcome parties and rehearsal dinners. bestfriendscelebrations.com
Utah Wedding Vendors
Planning and design: Forevermore Events, forevermoreevents.com
Floral design: By Bloomers, bybloomers.com
Photography: M. Felt Photography, mfeltphotography.com
Rentals: St. George Party Rentals, stgeorgepartyrentals.com
Outside catering: Chef Shon, Sego Catering, segokanab.com; Red Fort, redfortcuisine.com
Hmua: Chantry Wagstaff, Honey Salon, honeysalonutah.com
Paper details: Black Julep Studio, blackjulepstudio.com
A/v: Festival Sounds, festivalsounds.com
Sketch artist: Tao Tao Holmes, instagram.com/tao.tao.art.art
Ceremony music: Indrajit Banerjee and Jason McKenzie, indrasitar.com
Black Desert Resort
1500 E. Black Desert Drive, Ivins
Photos courtesy of Black Desert Resort
A Desert Oasis
For the ultimate resort wedding experience, look no further than the booming community of Ivins, UT, where Black Desert Resort has set up shop as the nexus of luxury, natural wonder and adventure. “Black Desert Resort is a destination where weddings become multi-day celebrations that merge culinary excellence, world-class venues and unforgettable group adventures,” says Evan Breckenridge, director of marketing.
Venues
The East Terrace
While any view at BDR is nothing short of cinematic, the hotel’s East Terrace overlooks a black lava field golf course, and offers panoramic backdrops of vermilion cliffs and Snow Canyon red rock that are unparalleled by any other destination.
Onyx & Obsidian Ballrooms
Bring the brilliance of the natural world to your indoor reception in one of Black Desert’s stunning ballrooms. Capable of hosting up to 600 guests, the sleek and elegant Onyx and Obsidian ballrooms feature towering columns of glowing natural stone, glittering chandeliers and customizable layouts to help you celebrate the beauty of the desert with a modern edge your guests won’t soon forget.
Club 73
Perfect for welcome parties or bachelor bashes, Club 73 is a backyard BBQ-inspired space with patio seating, panoramic views and a 36-hole putting green. Unapologetically playful, it’s the ideal spot to get guests in the mood for a celebration.
The Reef VIP Lounge
Want an unforgettable afterparty? Book your after-hours soiree at The Reef VIP lounge, a hidden 7,000-square-foot venue with a theater room, shuff leboard and more for elevated, intimate late-night gatherings.
Activities and Amenities
Greater Zion Exploration
Whether your preferred adventure method is hiking or horseback riding, off the beaten path by ATV or off the path entirely in a houseboat, BDR’s signature infusion of destination wedding with red-rock adventure crafts a totally unique experience for visiting couples and their guests. A host of curated experiences allow newlywedsto- be to celebrate their love, their way: bachelor bashes include golf, Jeep tours and craft cocktails; bachelorette getaways feature poolside cabanas, horseback riding and live performances at the iconic Tuacahn Amphitheater; or, for couples just wanting to kick back, luxurious couples retreats at Plume Spa get you relaxed and ready for the big day.
Dining
Basalt: Primed for celebrations, this elevated fine dining experience features a menu stacked with UT-47 Prime beef raised by Utah ranchers, sustainable seafood and panoramic views. Latitude: For an easy-breezy reception, book at Latitude’s open-air lakeside restaurant with seasonal menus and sweeping views, also ideal for rehearsal dinners or farewell brunches. 20th Hole: For the casual party people, this massive 14,000-square-foot sports bar venue is the ideal landing space—full of sleek design, golf simulators and comfort dishes. blackdesertresort.com.
Find everything you need to know about planning a desert wedding in Utah, here!
