How to Plan Your Perfect Phoenix Wedding at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings
Arizona wedding venues are kind of known for a few things. Cacti. Red rocks. Desert. More cacti. And listen, I LOVE the desert, but maybe your Pinterest board is looking a little more secret-garden-meets-romantic-estate and a little less “please don’t back into that saguaro.” That’s where Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings comes in.
Hidden away in South Phoenix near South Mountain, this place feels completely different from what most people picture when they think of an Arizona wedding venue. You’ve got huge trees, actual green grass, gardens, a historic Spanish-style manor, outdoor ceremony spaces, and an indoor reception option so you don’t have to commit your entire wedding day to whatever mood Arizona weather happens to be in. The venue can accommodate up to 225 guests, making it a great option if you want the romantic garden atmosphere without having to trim your guest list down to 40 people.
I photographed a wedding here where the couple exchanged vows outside on the lawn before heading inside for the reception, but my favorite details had absolutely nothing to do with the venue itself. The groom brought his car. Not because Pinterest told him he needed a cool getaway-car photo or because it matched the wedding colors. It was simply something that mattered to him, so obviously we worked it into their portraits.
THAT’S the kind of stuff I want you thinking about while you plan your wedding. So if Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings is sitting somewhere in your 37 open wedding-planning tabs right now, this guide is for you. We’re getting into the ceremony spaces, reception, food, guest count, getting-ready rooms, best seasons, photography, and everything I’d want you to know before deciding if this is your venue.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
- Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings at a Glance
- What Makes Secret Garden Different From Other Arizona Wedding Venues
- Getting Ready at Secret Garden
- Planning an Outdoor Ceremony at Secret Garden
- What the Indoor Reception Space Is Like
- Catering + What’s Included With Wedgewood Weddings
- Best Time of Year for a Secret Garden Wedding
- Where to Take Wedding Photos at Secret Garden
- Bring the Car. Seriously.
- Travel + Hotels for Your Guests
- Sample Secret Garden Wedding Timeline
- Questions to Ask Before Booking
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Book Court as Your Arizona Wedding Photographer
Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings at a Glance
Let’s get the basics out of the way first.
- Location: South Phoenix, Arizona
- Guest capacity: Up to 225
- Venue style: Historic Spanish Revival estate + gardens
- Ceremony: Outdoor garden/lawn or indoor options
- Reception: Indoor or outdoor options
- Getting ready: Two private dressing suites inside the Manor House
- Best seasons: Fall through spring would be my first choice
- Catering: Available through Wedgewood Weddings’ customizable packages
- Planning: Packages can include planning assistance, ceremony coordination, DJ/MC, food and beverage, decor, and other services depending on what you select.
- Airport: About five miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor, which is REALLY convenient if you have people flying in.
Basically, Secret Garden Wedgewood gives you a lot of the logistics of a larger wedding venue while still having the greenery and character that make the property feel intimate.
What Makes Secret Garden Different From Other Arizona Wedding Venues
Pretty is great. But after photographing enough weddings, I care just as much about whether a venue makes sense once you add 150+ people, a wedding party, vendors, dinner, dancing, and approximately 47 things that need to happen on time. That’s where Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings has a lot going for it.
You can get ready on-site in private rooms, have your ceremony outside on the grass, stay on the property for portraits, and then move everyone inside for the reception. There’s no packing everyone into cars between locations or sacrificing half of cocktail hour because we had to drive somewhere else for photos.
And for a larger wedding? That matters.
Secret Garden can accommodate up to 225 guests, so it’s a great option if you want a wedding that still feels romantic and tucked away without trimming your guest list down to your immediate family and three favorite cousins. The property also gives us enough variety that your entire gallery doesn’t look like we stood in the same patch of grass for eight hours. We can use the greenery, architecture, staircases, garden areas, and indoor spaces throughout the day while still keeping everything easy.
That’s really what stands out to me about this Wedgewood wedding venue. It isn’t just pretty when you tour it. The layout works once your wedding day gets moving. Trust me, “our venue made everything easier” is a much better thing to realize on your wedding day than “wow, this looked great on Instagram.”
Getting Ready at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings
Getting ready on-site might not be the sexiest thing on your venue checklist, but come wedding morning? You will be VERY happy you thought about it. Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings has private getting-ready spaces, which means you can start the day at the venue instead of getting ready somewhere else and coordinating transportation for everyone afterward. It sounds like a small thing, but it makes the morning feel SO much easier.
You can settle in, get ready, and enjoy the morning.
From a photography standpoint, this also gives us way more breathing room. I can photograph your details, everyone hanging out, final touches, and those little moments happening around you without constantly checking the clock because we need to load twelve people into three cars.
It also makes a first look much easier if you’re planning one. We can get everyone ready, find a quiet spot around the property, knock out some wedding party or family photos beforehand, and suddenly you get to spend way more of cocktail hour drinking the cocktail you paid for.
Imagine that.
Planning Your Ceremony at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings
The outdoor ceremony space is where you really get that garden wedding feeling. For the wedding I photographed here, the couple exchanged vows outside on the grass surrounded by all that greenery before everyone headed inside for the reception. It’s a really nice flow because your guests get to enjoy the property without spending the entire wedding outside.
Which brings me to something VERY important: This is still Phoenix. The grass does not magically cancel out the Arizona sun. 😂
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings, ceremony timing is something I’d pay close attention to, especially as you get closer to the warmer months.
Later in the afternoon usually gives us softer light, more comfortable temperatures, and a much nicer experience for everyone sitting outside waiting for you to walk down the aisle. I don’t have one ceremony time I recommend for every Secret Garden wedding because the best time changes throughout the year. Once I know your wedding date, I can work backward from sunset and help you build the photography timeline around the light we’ll have instead of choosing 4:00 p.m. simply because 4:00 p.m. sounds like a wedding time.
Don’t forget about your guests when you’re planning this part. If your ceremony starts twenty minutes late and everyone has been sitting in the Arizona sun since they arrived, nobody cares how cute the programs are anymore. Shade, water, ceremony length, and timing matter WAY more than people realize.
Not particularly glamorous wedding-planning decisions, but they make a huge difference in how the day feels.
What Is the Reception Like at Secret Garden Wedgewood
After the ceremony, everyone can head inside for the reception, which I REALLY like for this venue. You still get the outdoor garden experience for your ceremony and portraits, but dinner and dancing don’t have to depend on the weather cooperating all night.
The reception space has high ceilings and plenty of room for the celebration to feel like a celebration. And because Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings is a larger garden-style Arizona wedding venue, you can have a bigger guest list without losing that tucked-away feeling that makes the property so appealing in the first place.
I also like having that separation between ceremony and reception spaces. Guests aren’t standing around watching vendors magically turn the same lawn from “ceremony” into “dinner” while pretending they don’t notice.
Instead, the day naturally moves.
Outside: ceremony, cocktail hour, photos.
Inside: dinner, toasts, first dances, and everybody eventually making questionable choices on the dance floor.
Exactly as nature intended. Trust me, having everything on the same property means we can sneak outside for ten minutes if the light gets REALLY good without making you disappear from your reception for half the night.
That’s a huge win for me, especially since you hired me to photograph your wedding, not remove you from it.
Catering + What Wedgewood Weddings Handles
If the thought of finding a venue, caterer, bartender, DJ, rentals, décor, AND someone to coordinate all of it makes you want to close your laptop and pretend you’re not planning a wedding anymore, this is where a Wedgewood wedding venue starts looking pretty appealing.
Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings offers customizable wedding packages that can bundle a lot of the big pieces together. Depending on the package you choose, that can include things like catering, bar service, planning and coordination, DJ/MC services, décor, centerpieces, and other wedding-day essentials.
Basically, you’re not handed a pretty property and told, “Good luck, girl.” And for some couples, that’s a HUGE selling point.
You still get to make the decisions that make the wedding feel like yours, but you don’t necessarily have to spend six months tracking down every chair, fork, linen, and vendor separately. If your dream wedding planning experience involves choosing the things you care about and letting someone else handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes logistics? Secret Garden Wedgewood makes a lot of sense.
That doesn’t mean I’d blindly pick a package and assume everything you’ve ever dreamed of is included, though. When you tour, I’d ask exactly what’s included in the package you’re considering, which vendors are provided through Wedgewood, what you’re allowed to customize, and where you can bring in your own vendors or personal details.
That’s where you get the best of both worlds: less logistical chaos without ending up with a wedding that feels copy-and-pasted. That’s the kind of detail that takes a wedding at a larger venue and makes the gallery immediately feel personal.
Wedgewood can handle the forks. You bring the cool car.
Best Time of Year for a Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings Wedding
Okay, now we need to talk about the tiny detail that comes with planning literally any outdoor wedding in Phoenix: The weather.
Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings has such a beautiful outdoor ceremony space; I’d absolutely think about the season before choosing your date. If you’re booking this venue because you fell in love with the grass, gardens, and outdoor atmosphere, you probably want to enjoy being outside. Wild, I know.
Fall Weddings at Secret Garden
Fall would absolutely be high on my list, especially once you get past the lingering Arizona summer heat. October and November give you a much better chance of comfortable outdoor temperatures, and as the sun starts setting earlier, you can build the ceremony and portraits around gorgeous afternoon light without asking everyone to survive a 110-degree cocktail hour. Fall is also perfect if you want that lush Secret Garden look but aren’t necessarily into the typical desert wedding aesthetic. If fall is already at the top of your wedding wish list, I have a full guide to another Arizona fall wedding venue that gives you a completely different vibe to consider.
Fall is also perfect if you want that lush Secret Garden look but aren’t necessarily into the typical desert wedding aesthetic.
Winter Weddings at Secret Garden
Arizona winter weddings deserve WAY more hype. While everyone else is shoveling snow, you can potentially be standing outside getting married beneath palm trees.
Not a bad deal. Days can be beautiful, but temperatures can drop pretty quickly once the sun goes down, so I’d still think about your guests. If cocktail hour or any part of the reception will happen outside, heaters or another comfort plan may be worth discussing with the venue.
Spring Weddings at Secret Garden
Spring is another really strong option for a Secret Garden Wedgewood wedding. You get the greenery that makes this property so pretty, generally more comfortable temperatures, and plenty of daylight to work with when we’re building your photography timeline. If the lush, garden-style setting is what drew you here in the first place, my Boojum Tree Hidden Gardens wedding guide covers another completely different Arizona venue that’s worth checking out.
Just remember that “spring in Arizona” and “spring everywhere else” are not necessarily the same thing. Once we start getting closer to late May, temperatures can climb FAST.
What About Summer?
Would summer be my first choice? Nope. I’m not going to tell you July in Phoenix is secretly delightful because there’s a nice patch of grass.
If summer is the date that works for you, having an indoor reception becomes a major advantage. I’d keep as much of the day indoors as possible, push portraits later when the light and temperature are more forgiving, and be really intentional about shade, water, and guest comfort during the outdoor portions.
Wedding Photos at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings
Here’s something I care about way more now than I did when I first started photographing weddings: How much time do we have to spend away from your actual wedding to get beautiful photos?
At Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings, the answer is…not much. And I LOVE that.
Everything is happening on the same property; we can use the gardens, greenery, architecture, and little pockets around the venue for portraits without loading you into a car and disappearing for an hour while all your favorite people are enjoying cocktail hour without you. Rude.
Instead, I usually recommend building a shorter portrait window around the best light of the day. We don’t have to leave Secret Garden, so I can plan those photos around when the property looks its best instead of trying to squeeze everything into one giant portrait block. We’ll wander around, get all the romantic stuff your mom is absolutely going to frame, and then send you right back to your people.
If the Arizona sky decides to get dramatic later? You already know the drill. We’ll sneak outside for five or ten minutes, grab the sunset, and get you right back to the party.
The venue also gives us enough variety that your entire gallery isn’t going to look like we found one pretty tree and refused to leave it. Between the garden areas, grass, Spanish-style architecture, staircases, and indoor spaces, we can change things up without turning portraits into a field trip.
That’s exactly what I want from an Arizona wedding venue: plenty of options without making you sacrifice the experience to get them.
Bring the Car. Seriously.
The groom at this Secret Garden wedding brought his car because it was special to him. That’s it. There wasn’t some elaborate Pinterest plan behind it. It wasn’t there because somebody decided cars were suddenly a wedding trend. It mattered to him, so obviously we made time for photos with it. They were SO freaking cool.
This is the kind of stuff I want you to bring into your wedding photos. Maybe yours isn’t a car. Maybe it’s your motorcycle, your dog, cowboy boots you’ve worn forever, your grandma’s jewelry, or something completely weird that only your closest friends understand. I don’t need you to buy props because Pinterest says they’ll look good in photos. Give me the things that already mean something to you. I’ve photographed everything from meaningful cars to a full Halloween-inspired wedding, and those personal choices are always what make a wedding more fun to document.
That’s when your gallery stops looking like a wedding at Secret Garden and starts looking like your wedding at Secret Garden.
So yes. Bring the cool car. I’ll figure out the rest.
Should You Do a First Look at Secret Garden?
You definitely don’t have to do a first look here, but if spending more of cocktail hour with your guests is important to you, it’s worth considering. You both have private spaces to get ready on-site; we can plan a first look somewhere around the property and then knock out wedding party and family photos before the ceremony.
That means after you say “I do,” we’re not staring down a list of 47 family combinations while your friends are somewhere else drinking margaritas. Instead, we can spend some time on just-married portraits, grab whatever family photos are left, and get you into cocktail hour much faster.
For a larger wedding at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings, I especially like this approach because bigger guest lists usually mean bigger families and wedding parties. Getting those photos done before the ceremony can make a HUGE difference in how much of cocktail hour you get to enjoy.
But if seeing each other for the first time while walking down the aisle is something you’ve always dreamed about? KEEP IT.
We’ll build the timeline around that instead. I’m never going to tell you to do a first look just because it makes photography easier. The whole point is creating a timeline that gives us enough time for beautiful photos without changing the wedding experience you want.
A Sample Secret Garden Wedding Timeline
Every wedding is going to look a little different, and your ceremony time should absolutely depend on your wedding date and sunset. So please don’t copy this into your planner and tell them Court said 4:30. But if you’re wondering how a relaxed wedding day here could flow, here’s an example:
1:00 p.m. – Getting Ready
We’ll photograph details, final touches, and everyone hanging out in the private getting-ready spaces before things really start moving.
2:30 p.m. – First Look
If you’re doing one, we’ll find a quieter area of the property and give you a minute together before bringing everyone else into the mix.
3:00 p.m. – Wedding Party + Family Photos
Getting the majority of these done before the ceremony means you don’t have to sacrifice your entire cocktail hour afterward.
4:30 p.m. – Outdoor Ceremony
Again, this time will move depending on the season. The goal is to work with the Arizona light instead of fighting it.
5:00 p.m. – Cocktail Hour + Just-Married Portraits
We’ll wander the property for portraits while your guests head to cocktail hour. You don’t need an hour and a half. Give me good light and a little breathing room, and we’re golden. Literally.
6:00 p.m. – Reception
Dinner. Toasts. First dances. All the good stuff.
8:00 p.m. – Dance Floor
At this point, we’re done worrying about timelines. Go party with your people.
Somewhere in that timeline, if you’ve brought a motorcycle, dog, or something else that’s important to you? We’re making time for it. Those are usually the photos that end up feeling the most like you.
Travel + Where Guests Can Stay Near Secret Garden
If you’ve got people flying in for your wedding, Secret Garden’s Phoenix location makes things pretty easy. I cannot overstate how nice and easy it is when you’ve got 100+ people asking you questions during wedding week.
The venue is in South Phoenix, so guests aren’t flying into Arizona and then immediately starting another two-hour road trip to reach your wedding. For hotel blocks, I’d look around South Mountain, Downtown Phoenix, Tempe, or near Phoenix Sky Harbor, depending on what else you’re planning for the weekend.
If a lot of guests are staying together, transportation is also worth considering. A shuttle from your main hotel block means nobody has to worry about driving after the reception, and you don’t get seventeen texts asking where they’re supposed to park ten minutes before your ceremony.
If you’re turning your wedding into a full weekend, choosing a hotel area with restaurants, coffee, and things to do nearby also gives your guests some freedom to explore without relying on you for every plan. Wedding week is a lot more fun when you aren’t also acting as everyone’s personal Phoenix tour guide.
Questions to Ask Before Booking Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings
Venue tours are fun because you’re walking around picturing your ceremony, your first dance, where everyone will sit, and approximately 900 different photo ideas. But somewhere between “OMG this is so pretty” and signing the contract, we need to ask the boring questions too.
Boring questions now = fewer surprises later.
When you tour Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings, here’s what I’d want to know:
- Exactly what’s included in the Wedgewood package you’re considering?
- Which vendors are included, and which can you choose yourself?
- How much can you customize the reception layout and décor?
- When can you access the private getting-ready rooms?
- What’s the backup plan if weather changes your outdoor ceremony?
- Can you move your ceremony indoors if needed?
- Are there restrictions around candles, sparklers, confetti, or other send-offs?
- How does parking work for a larger guest list?
- How long do you have access to the property?
- Are there additional fees for extending your reception?
- Are there any areas photographers can’t access?
- Can you bring personal items onto the property for photos?
- When does the venue need your final guest count?
- What happens if your wedding runs behind schedule?
If there’s something specific you already know you want to incorporate, ask before booking. Don’t assume. You’d much rather find out during your venue tour than three weeks before the wedding when you’ve already planned an entire grand exit involving a vintage car, 200 sparklers, and possibly a horse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings
Where is Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings located in Arizona?
Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings is located in South Phoenix near South Mountain, which makes it especially convenient for couples who want a garden-style Arizona wedding venue without sending their guests hours outside the city.
Being in Phoenix is also a HUGE plus if you’ve got people flying in. Guests can stay around Phoenix, Tempe, South Mountain, or near the airport and still have plenty to do throughout the rest of the wedding weekend.
How many guests can you have at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings?
Secret Garden currently accommodates weddings of up to 225 guests, making it a great option for couples searching for a large wedding venue in Phoenix, Arizona that doesn’t feel like a traditional ballroom.
That’s probably something I like most about this venue. You can invite a bigger group without losing the romantic, tucked-away garden feeling.
Can you have an outdoor wedding ceremony at Secret Garden in Phoenix?
Yep! An outdoor ceremony is a huge part of the appeal here. You can exchange vows outside surrounded by grass, mature trees, and greenery before transitioning into the rest of the celebration. The wedding I photographed at Secret Garden Wedgewood used the grassy outdoor ceremony space before everyone moved inside for the reception, and the flow worked SO well.
If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, though, pay attention to your season and ceremony time. Phoenix is still going to Phoenix.
What is the best time of year for a wedding at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings?
For an outdoor wedding at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings, I’d look at fall through spring first. October and November can be gorgeous, winter gives you those wonderfully mild Arizona days, and spring is another great option before temperatures start climbing.
Summer isn’t impossible, especially because you have indoor spaces available, but if enjoying the gardens and having an outdoor ceremony are high on your priority list, I’d personally choose a cooler season.
Does Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings have indoor and outdoor wedding spaces?
Yes, and I think that’s a HUGE advantage of this venue. You can have the romantic outdoor garden ceremony and then move inside for your reception. That gives you variety throughout the wedding day without requiring transportation between two completely different venues.
It also gives you way more flexibility if Arizona weather decides it would like to participate in your wedding planning, which, unfortunately, she sometimes does.
Does Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings have getting-ready rooms?
Yes! There are private getting-ready spaces on-site, so you don’t necessarily need to get ready at a hotel and travel to the venue afterward.
From an Arizona wedding photographer’s perspective, I really like this setup because it gives us more flexibility with your photography timeline. We can photograph getting ready, plan a first look if you want one, and potentially finish wedding party or family photos before the ceremony without wasting time driving around Phoenix.
Is catering included with a Secret Garden Wedgewood wedding?
Wedgewood Weddings offers customizable wedding packages, and catering can be included depending on the package you choose. This is definitely something I’d talk through during your venue tour because packages and inclusions can vary. Ask exactly what’s included, what you can upgrade or customize, and which outside vendors you’re allowed to bring in.
If having several major wedding services handled through the same team sounds significantly better than managing twelve separate vendor contracts, this could be a BIG perk.
Is Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings a good Phoenix wedding venue for out-of-town guests?
I think so, especially compared with some of the more remote Arizona wedding venues. You’re in Phoenix, which means guests have plenty of choices for hotels, restaurants, and things to do while they’re in town. It also keeps travel much simpler for anyone flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor.
If a large portion of your guest list is traveling, I’d look into a hotel block and possibly transportation between the hotel and venue. Nothing says wedding morning relaxation quite like seventeen relatives texting you for directions.
Let’s avoid that.
What time should you have your ceremony at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings?
There’s no single ceremony time that works year-round because sunset changes SO much throughout the seasons. Instead, I’d choose your ceremony time based on your wedding date, temperature, and the light.
For most weddings here, I’d rather plan the outdoor ceremony later in the afternoon when the light begins softening instead of sticking it in the middle of harsh afternoon sun simply because that’s the traditional time weddings are “supposed” to start. As your Arizona wedding photographer, this is something I can help you plan once we know your wedding date.
Is Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings good for wedding photos?
Absolutely, and not just because it’s pretty.
What I really like about photographing a wedding here is that we have variety without leaving the venue. We can use the gardens, greenery, architecture, staircases, grassy areas, and little pockets around the property throughout the day. That means you can get a gallery with plenty of visual variety without sacrificing an hour of your wedding to drive somewhere else for portraits.
I’d much rather photograph you enjoying your wedding than spend half of cocktail hour sitting in Phoenix traffic.
Book Court as Your Arizona Wedding Photographer
If Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings is already sitting near the top of your venue list, I get it. You get a beautiful outdoor ceremony, private spaces to get ready, an indoor reception, enough room to invite your people, and plenty of options for photos without spending your wedding day driving all over Phoenix.
But what I’m most excited about is seeing what you do with it. Secret Garden gives you the beautiful backdrop, and a lot of the logistics are already handled. Your job is to show up and enjoy the wedding you’ve planned. And if that happens to include a cool car, your dog, or something completely unexpected? Even better.
As your Arizona wedding photographer, I’ll help you figure out when the light is best, build a photography timeline that doesn’t steal you away from your guests, find all the good portrait spots around the property, and document the big moments alongside all the weird, hilarious, emotional little ones happening in between.
Your photos shouldn’t just prove you had a beautiful wedding at Secret Garden by Wedgewood Weddings. They should make you look at them five years from now and immediately remember exactly what it felt like to be there.
If you’re planning a Secret Garden wedding and looking for a photographer who’s down for whatever makes the day feel like you, reach out and tell me what you’re dreaming up. Let’s make some freaking cool photos.
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