Free/cheap East Valley Wedding venues?

Outside in March?

Yes, outside in March. Here in Arizona it's really not so shocking! =]

Have you checked with any of the local parks?

Are you open to something all-inclusive? I know you mentioned wanting to spend $**** to rent the venue, but what is your overall budget? It looks like there are a number of golf clubs and ballrooms in your area so you might pay much more than that but everything (tables, chairs, food, alcohol, cake, etc) would be included.

Overall budget right now is around $5000, and I would consider something all inclusive, but we are only inviting 65 people, and most places are a lot bigger/more expensive than I am looking for. Most of the places I have emailed so far have been between $7000-$24000, which is just mind boggling to me.

And yes, I have emailed a few parks, but have yet to receive a response. As far as i can tell, there are only 3 within my area that are open to weddings.

How many guests are you planning on having??

We are inviting 65 people

What are you planning to do for catering?

My mom works with a retired wedding caterer who offered to cater for us! I personally have yet to meet him, but that's currently our plan. We have a few back up ideas, but either way nothing for sure set in stone yet (so if catering happened to be part of the venue package, I am okay with it.)

I'm pretty set on an outdoor wedding. I live here in AZ and my partner and I agree that March weather will be fine, as it's generally 70-80's and we are having a short late afternoon/evening wedding.

Look at the Scottsdale McCormick Hotel and resorts. It's in the venue section here on WW. I've stayed there and it is very nice and reasonable for weddings (especially off season). You should be able to also find other reasonable vendors in that area (where I live there are like no vendors for weddings. ) Good luck to you, I'm also working with a tight budget.

Okay, I stand corrected on the outside part but no friendors.

Well, I've lived here for 18 years. Thanks for the advice, and sorry if I seem a little short, but we have decided that the wedding will be outdoors. I even looked up the weather for the day we are planning, and it was 78 this year.

78 is way too hot for me to sit outside in a dress for an entire ceremony AND reception if it's sunny...

"Past results are no guarantees of future performance"

Make sure you have an indoor alternative. Bad weather happens. You need a tent or an indoor reception backup.

How about a restaurant? They would probably just charge food and wine costs, and if your guest list is small, that might fit in your budget. If you find one with a back patio, that would let you be outdoors as well.

Other than that, maybe a public park?

I don't live in Arizona, but it might be a good idea to have at least a nearby air conditioned or shaded area for guests.

Make sure you get a contract with your friendor

I second the restaurant idea. We are having the reception at a restaurant and it is $40 pp not including alcohol, but in California so it is probably more expensive here.

I had my wedding outside in March in AZ....it was in the 70's and perfect out. Most AZ outdoor weddings I've seen are in the feb-April sept-nov time frame. Just have an indoor backup just in case.

Note: I've seen people do outdoor weddings in AZ in June/July/August - that is too hot lol.

For venues: A lot of places I looked at or saw online were pretty expensive and had at least a 100 minimum- but I did run across the Chapel at the Farm in Mesa a lot on internet searches. I remember it being more inexpensive because it was for smaller groups! Good luck!