Give me a wedding that feels luxurious and intentional, not just expensive, I’m obsessed!. Whether you’re planning in Arizona or across the world, this blog will walk you through how to plan a luxury wedding that actually feels like you, from design and fashion to guest experience and photography tips! I’ll also share some of my favorite luxury wedding locations that are perfect for couples who want that elevated, editorial experience without losing the heart of the day.

A bride and groom in wedding attire stand close together, smiling at each other under a decorated outdoor pavilion for a luxury wedding

A bride in a white gown stands with eleven bridesmaids wearing dark brown dresses, all holding bouquets, posing outside in front of a large building and greenery.

A bride in a strapless white wedding gown with a long veil stands on grass, holding a bouquet of white flowers in front of a green hedge and a building.

What Makes a Wedding Feel Luxury

Let’s clear something up: luxury isn’t about “more”, it’s about intentionality. Every detail should feel curated, not crowded. Here’s how to create that high-end feel without losing the heart of your day:

Consistency is Key

Your invitations, florals, and table settings should feel like part of the same story. Chrissy & Steve used a clean black-and-white palette with soft candlelight and modern typography; it looked elegant without ever trying too hard.

Lighting Changes Everything

Those chandeliers and candle clusters in their reception? Dreamy. Lighting instantly transforms a ballroom into something cinematic!

Textures and Layers

Linens, florals, and candles all add depth. Their reception tables were layered with neutral fabric, glass vases, and sleek black accents that felt polished but cozy.

Guest Experience Matters

From comfortable seating to an intentional flow between ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, luxury is in how it feels. Guests should be wowed and relaxed!

The Venue: Omni Montelucia

Omni Montelucia is such a gem for Arizona weddings; it gives full-on Mediterranean villa energy while staying close to home. The mountain views during sunset are unreal! The Spanish-style architecture and lush courtyards make it one of my favorite luxury wedding locations to photograph.

For Chrissy & Steve, this was the perfect setting for a celebration that still felt warm and inviting. Their ceremony took place outdoors with Camelback Mountain glowing in the background, surrounded by elegant white florals that framed the moment perfectly!

A woman in a white dress sits holding a hand mirror while two people apply makeup and hairspray to her face and hair.

Flat lay of wedding items including jeweled white shoes, invitation cards, a perfume bottle, two ring boxes, a notebook, and pearl earrings on a patterned bench.

A man in a white dress shirt and black bow tie fastens his cufflink outdoors, standing on a paved area with green bushes in the background.

A bride in a white robe sits on a bed surrounded by bridesmaids in matching brown robes, all smiling and posing for a photo in a well-lit room.

A woman in a white strapless lace wedding dress stands indoors with her hands clasped, in front of a patterned chair and a dark wooden door for a luxury wedding

Designing a Luxury Wedding

Here’s how to take inspiration from Chrissy & Steve’s day and design a space that feels refined and cohesive.

Start with a Refined Color Palette

You can never go wrong with neutrals, ivory, black, champagne, or soft blush. These tones photograph beautifully and feel timeless, especially in elegant spaces like Omni Montelucia or other luxury wedding locations.

Focus on Florals and Texture

Instead of overfilling the space, choose statement arrangements that make an impact. Chrissy & Steve’s ceremony featured lush, sculptural white florals that felt airy, not heavy, the perfect blend of sophistication and romance.

Add Intentional Contrast

Their black reception chairs and monochrome details balanced the romantic florals perfectly. A good design has contrast, soft and structured, classic and modern. This balance creates that editorial, high-end feel that luxury weddings are known for.

Candlelight Is Everything

Seriously. Their reception tables glowed with tall glass candles tied with delicate black ribbons, simple, cohesive, and so elegant. Candlelight instantly adds warmth and depth, transforming even the most minimal setup into something magical.

Details Matter

Their seating chart was a total showstopper: bold black panels draped with satin fabric and personalized lettering. Little moments like this pull your entire design together and make your day feel truly custom, a signature hallmark of luxury weddings.

White floral arrangements with roses and greenery displayed on white rectangular pedestals outdoors, with a garden setting in the background.

Two black boards with guest names listed alphabetically are partially covered by a white draped cloth with a large "M" in the center, standing outdoors near greenery.

A white candle in a tall glass holder with a black ribbon, surrounded by white roses in small vases on a white tablecloth.

Outdoor wedding ceremony setup with rows of chairs and white floral arrangements, framed by greenery, with mountains and palm trees in the background for a luxury wedding

Large banquet hall with round tables covered in white tablecloths, black chairs, decorative lighting, and floral centerpieces set for a luxury wedding

White napkin featuring illustrations of three puppies above the text "We do too! Love, Zoe, Tito & Muscles.

How to Make Your Luxury Wedding Feel Effortless

Hire a Planner Who Gets Your Vision

Okay, I’ll say it louder for the people in the back: a great planner is everything! They’re your secret weapon for a stress-free, magazine-worthy day. The right planner gives you presence. You get to live it; they make it seamless. They will help you refine your design and make elevated decisions with total confidence. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!

Work with Vendors Who Know Luxury Weddings

Your vendor team truly sets the vibe for your entire day. When you hire people who get it, who understand luxury weddings inside and out, everything just clicks. Timing, lighting, communication… it all flows. I’ve worked with some amazing teams where it felt like we were reading each other’s minds, and that’s when the magic really happens! That’s what gives your wedding that smooth, elegant, effortless energy that guests can feel the moment they walk in.

Prioritize Photography Coverage

Luxury weddings aren’t just about the big moments; they’re about the full experience. The emotions, the energy, and every beautiful little detail that tell your story. From flatlays of your invitation suite and that teary first look to the glow of candlelight during your reception, I want you to relive it all! I always tell my couples to plan portraits during golden hour (trust me, the light is unreal!) and sneak out for a few night shots under chandeliers or string lights. Those are the images that feel straight out of Vogue but still tell your story.

Keep It Personal

Here’s the thing, luxury doesn’t mean stiff or formal; it means intentional. The most luxurious weddings are the ones that feel so you. Think personal touches that make your guests smile, your favorite song playing during dinner, your grandma’s jewelry wrapped around your bouquet, or sweet handwritten notes at each place setting. Those little moments add so much heart and warmth to your day, and that’s what makes it truly unforgettable. When your wedding reflects your love story, it automatically feels luxurious!

A close-up, black and white photo of a bride and groom embracing; the bride wears a lace wedding dress and the groom wears a light suit with a watch and wedding ring.

A bride and groom embrace in front of a fountain outside a Mediterranean-style building on their wedding day.

A bride in a strapless white gown stands beside a seated groom in a white tuxedo jacket and black trousers in an elegant hallway with ornate lighting.

A bride in a white gown and a groom in a white tuxedo jacket sit together on grass, looking at each other for a luxury wedding

Hiring the Right Vendors for a Luxury Wedding

Here’s the truth: your vendors make your wedding day. You can have the most stunning venue and the dreamiest design, but without the right team to bring it all to life, it won’t have that effortless, luxury flow. A true luxury wedding isn’t just about what you see; it’s about how smooth, calm, and high-end the entire experience feels.

Start with Your Planner

Your planner is the glue that holds everything together, and honestly, they’re worth their weight in gold. They’ll take your Pinterest board ideas and turn them into a cohesive vision that actually feels you. I always tell my couples, a great planner lets you be fully present on your wedding day instead of worrying about timelines or table settings!

Choose Vendors Who Specialize in Luxury Weddings

There’s such a big difference between a vendor who just “does weddings” and one who lives and breathes luxury weddings. From lighting and florals to photography and rentals, the best vendors understand how design, timing, and atmosphere all work together. When you surround yourself with professionals who share your vision for luxury and intentionality, everything feels seamless and elevated.

Hire Creatives Who Collaborate Well

Luxury weddings are layered, and when your team works in sync, it’s the best. I love when the videographer, planner, and photographer are all bouncing ideas off each other throughout the day. It keeps everything fun, fluid, and creative. Collaboration brings out the best in everyone, and those are the moments that result in your most breathtaking photos and smooth, cinematic transitions throughout your day.

Don’t Forget the Experience-Driven Vendors

Luxury is in the feeling. If you want your guests to say, “That was the most unforgettable wedding I’ve ever been to,” think beyond the traditional. Add experience-driven touches like a live painter capturing your first dance, a content creator documenting all the behind-the-scenes fun, or live musicians serenading guests during cocktail hour. Those moments add so much personality and make your wedding weekend feel truly immersive and intentional.

Trust Your Team

Once you’ve hired vendors you love, let them do their thing. Give them creative freedom to elevate your ideas. That's when the real magic happens. I can’t tell you how many times the best photos or moments come from simply trusting the team you’ve built! When you let go and enjoy the process, your day will feel natural, polished, and totally stress-free. And you’ll get to soak in every second of it, exactly how it should be!

Outdoor wedding ceremony with seated guests, floral arrangements, and mountain scenery in the background under a clear sky for a luxury wedding

The Best Luxury Wedding Locations

If you know me, you know I’m always keeping a running list of dream wedding destinations, it’s just part of who I am! Every time I travel somewhere new and see gorgeous light, stunning views, or the perfect spot for golden-hour portraits, I’m immediately like, “Okay, I need to photograph a wedding here.” There are so many places that make my photographer's heart skip a beat, but these are some of my absolute favorite luxury wedding locations that never fail to make me swoon!

Napa Valley, California

There’s just something about wine country that feels effortless. The rolling vineyards, golden light, and romantic outdoor dinners under twinkle lights give such an elevated and relaxed experience at the same time. Napa is one of those places where every frame looks like a movie still.

Lake Como, Italy

The villas, the boats, the way the light hits the water… It’s perfection. I’m obsessed with how timeless and intimate it feels, even when it’s over the top in the best way. Picture you two arriving by boat for your ceremony and then taking portraits with that dreamy Italian glow! I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

Maui, Hawaii

If paradise had a name, it would be Maui. Between the oceanfront views, palm trees, and glowy sunsets, it’s impossible not to smile here. I always tell my couples that Maui is the best mix of laid-back and luxurious, you can have a barefoot ceremony by the ocean and a candlelit dinner that feels straight out of a resort editorial. Plus, that golden light is unreal.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cabo has such a fun energy! It’s modern and coastal with the prettiest desert-meets-ocean views. I love when couples go for those chic white designs with a pop of color or bold floral moment, it just fits here. Between the warm sunsets, ocean breeze, and margaritas during cocktail hour, you truly can’t go wrong.

Provence, France

Provence feels like stepping into a pastel dream. Lavender fields, charming chateaus, stone courtyards, long dinner tables under string lights… I’m obsessed. Everything about it feels soft, romantic, and unbothered. The kind of place where time slows down and every moment looks like a film still. It’s perfect for couples who want their day to feel relaxed but completely luxe.

Amalfi Coast, Italy

The Amalfi Coast will always have my heart. The cliffs, the pastel towns, the sparkling sea, it’s truly unreal in person. Whether you’re saying “I do” in Ravello or hosting an intimate dinner in Positano, the views make every photo feel like art. And the food? Let’s just say pasta and prosecco taste different when you’re celebrating love in Italy.

Palm Beach, Florida

Palm Beach is such a vibe. The soft colors, swaying palms, and coastal breeze make it perfect for couples who love timeless style with a relaxed twist. I adore photographing here; everything feels bright, happy, and full of sunshine. It’s giving coastal chic but with a touch of old-school glamour.

Wherever You Choose

At the end of the day, the best luxury wedding locations all have one thing in common: they make your guests feel like they’re part of something extraordinary. It’s not just about the view (though I mean… it helps!), It’s about the feeling, the light, and the story you’re telling. Whether you’re getting married in the desert, on the coast, or somewhere across the world, your wedding should feel like you! Intentional, beautiful, and completely unforgettable.

A bride and groom kiss while holding a cake serving set beside a white tiered wedding cake on a table in an indoor reception venue.

A bride and groom in formal attire pour champagne into a tower of glasses at a wedding reception; the bride raises one arm in celebration.

A bride and groom in formal attire dance on a checkered floor while guests seated at tables watch and applaud in a decorated banquet hall.

A bride and groom dance together on a black and white checkered floor in a formal, decorated ballroom with seated guests watching.

A man in a white tuxedo and a woman in a short white dress pose together at an indoor event, standing on a patterned carpet for a luxury wedding

Planning a Luxury Wedding? Book Me as Your Destination Wedding Photographer!

Planning a luxury wedding? I’d love to be your destination wedding photographer!I love helping my couples slow down, be present, and actually enjoy the day while I take care of capturing it all. Let’s make your wedding photos feel like you! Effortless, beautiful, and real. Contact me here!

See more on the blog!

An Italy-inspired Monserate Winery Wedding

The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding: Tips from a Destination Wedding Photographer

The Top 8 Most Epic Elopement Destinations for Adventure-Loving Couples

Venue: Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
Planner: McKenna Katherine Weddings
Videographer: Clicked by Carly
Content Creator: The Wedding Feed
Makeup: Emily Mosby Makeup
Hair: Hair by Bai
DJ: Verum Lux DJs
Florals: Sway Floral Studio
Rentals: The Event Co. AZ
Lighting: Divinity Event Productions
Signage: Deco Ink Designs
Paper Goods: Made by Madi Design Co.
Dress: Jaxon James Couture Bridal

How to Have a Luxury Wedding & The Best Luxury Wedding Locations