A tropical beachfront property or a serene mountain resort are often the first types of locations that come to mind when thinking of destination weddings, but L'Auberge de Sedona is a destination that offers breathtaking scenery and top-notch venues that don’t fit into either category.
“You don't think of our property as being a typical Arizona property,” said Stacey Kokosinski, Director of Sales and Marketing. “It isn't like the desert, but we do have the ability to showcase red rock views with some of our venues as well as being (by the creek). That’s the best of both worlds — the red rock view as well as being by the creek with a water view.”
Sedona is known for having a small-town feel featuring hiking, dining and outdoor experiences. Overall, it offers an immersive cultural experience not available at many other locations.
Wedding Planners Experience L'Auberge de Sedona
Sara Landon, Owner and Principal Planner with Sara Landon Events, said Sedona is a great place to bring guests to experience the outdoors.
“(Sedona) has a small-town feel to it with incredible views from almost every angle,” Landon said. “If you are looking for the intimate feel of a location where you can be together with guests but still do some exploring, it is a great place.”
Located two hours north of Phoenix, L'Auberge de Sedona recently went through a $30 million transformation that included 70 new guest rooms at the street level overlooking one of the ceremony venues. The cottages and lodge were also updated, and a duck pool was added as well.
Oniki Hardtman, Founder and Creative Director with Oh Niki Occasions, said couples come to her seeking venues off the beaten path. Additionally, she frequently works with couples living in the Caribbean who desire a wedding venue unlike what’s available near their home. In these and many other instances, L'Auberge de Sedona comes to mind.
“You are tucked away within the red rocks of Sedona,” Hardtman said. “You have gorgeous views at multiple levels, you have delicious food, you have multiple restaurants to choose from, you can really make it your own and be different from anything else I have been able to offer my clients for destination weddings before.”
A Range of Options to Experience
Landon said the property is designed for intimate groups but has options for various events. The ability for couples to host all their events on the same property as where their guests stay also makes it unique.
“You have options…so you don’t have to feel like you are reusing the same space for everything,” Landon said. “I think there is beauty in having those options so by the end of the weekend your guests have experienced every angle of this property whether they did it themselves or you have curated that experience.”
The on-site wedding venues include a vista overlook with breathtaking red-rock views, a lawn by the cottages, an enclave by the creek, a garden terrace and a ballroom. Hardtman said the views provide an ideal background for pictures without requiring much décor.
Having various room formats to choose from including cottages, a lodge, a modern retreat and a five-bedroom creek house were a plus for Hardtman.
“You can stay within one resort and give your guests different experiences depending on what kind of experience you are looking for,” Hardtman said.
For guest entertainment throughout a wedding weekend, the property is also close to surrounding shopping and activities in town. There is a pool on-site along with the L’Apothecary Spa, which offers various massages and wellness treatments. Dining options include the 89Agave Cantina and Cress Bar, and the resort also has a full schedule of activities including yoga and mindful movement.
“I loved the high-touch details that I found all throughout — the sounds, the smells you experience literally from when you first drive up,” Hardtman said of her recent discovery trip to the property. “The room itself was very comfortable, beautiful scenery, very laid-back luxury, which is also something my couples are looking for.”
Kokosinski said planners should know Sedona is a dark sky community that restricts outdoor lighting at night for the purpose of attracting attention to stargazing. That means the dancing portion of an evening reception will likely take place indoors.
Couples can also offer their guests experiences putting together custom scents and making jewelry, which Hardman said allows guests to take away tangible memories from the wedding weekend. She said every time she smells the scents she created at the property, she’s transported back to her visit. Bourbon tasting and cigar rolling are also options for guests.
“(L'Auberge de Sedona) is a large property that feels boutique and small,” Hardtman said. “I love how intimate it feels. It’s certainly one you can bring a large group to and make it feel like you have the entire resort to yourselves for the weekend.”
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Photo credit: Michelle Elyse Photography