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Tucson Couples! A Local, privately Owned Wedding Venue May Be Just The Right Choice For You!
While searching for your perfect wedding venue in the Tucson area, perhaps adding “locally owned” to your criteria may be something you may want to consider.
I am writing this blog to post on "Small Business Saturday" to share all the reasons why I think couples should consider booking their wedding at a locally owned venue.
My husband and I have been working for years on our family owned farm near Tucson Arizona. We are motivated by a love of the land, the history of the area and the fond memories of 4 generations of our family who LOVE Agua Linda Farm. We have toiled in the fields, growing organic vegetables for the community, raised beef cattle, provided educational field trips to school children, hosted harvest festivals and music events and since 2013 or so, weddings have taken over as our primary income. We love the business we are in! We are personally invested in each event and our clients can sense that level of passion and committment (we often hear that my husband and I and our positive energy is one of the reasons couples choose Agua Linda!). We love our property and it gives us personal satisfaction when people tell us how beautiful it is and what a great job we do, but, honestly, all of these endeavors we have embarked on serve one main purpose - to preserve the family farm.
Why Choosing a Privately Owned Wedding Venue Makes All the Difference
When planning your wedding, choosing the right venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Are you dreaming of an outdoor wedding under a canopy of trees or do you see you and your fiancé saying “I do” in an elegant mansion or perhaps you prefer a more modern or urban vibe? While considering your venue choice options, perhaps adding “locally owned” to your criteria may be something you may want to consider.
Aren't All Venues Local?
Local? Isn’t the very nature of a venue existing in Southern Arizona mean it is local? Any venue could be considered local because of it’s location, but, being physically present doesn’t make a business truly local. The difference lies in where the profits go and who benefits from your support. Choosing a privately owned venue is like shopping at a mom-and-pop store instead of ordering from Amazon. While both may provide what you need, one keeps your money in the community, supporting local families and businesses, while the other funnels profits out to distant corporate headquarters.
The Advantages of Booking a Privately Owned, Local Wedding Venue
A Personalized Experience
Privately owned venues are typically run by passionate individuals who are deeply and personally invested in their small business and therefore in making your wedding memorable. Unlike corporate venues that often follow rigid policies, private owners can offer flexibility and tailor the experience to your vision. The owners of a privately owned venue are typically more open to creativity and collaboration. They’re more likely to say “yes” to your ideas, whether it’s a custom ceremony setup, DIY decorations, or bringing your own special touches to the space.
Supporting Small Businesses
When you book a privately owned venue, you’re directly supporting a small business that is often deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Your investment goes toward helping a family or local entrepreneur sustain their livelihood. By choosing local, you’re helping small businesses thrive and encouraging others to invest in your area and the owners tend to partner with local vendors for catering, lodging, and more, creating a ripple effect of economic support in the community. Choosing a private venue means your wedding is part of a larger story of community collaboration.
A Unique and Authentic Setting
Privately owned venues are more likely to have unique, one-of-a-kind charm, reflecting the personality of the owners and the history of the location. Whether it’s a rustic ranch, a lush garden, or a historic home, these spaces provide an authentic atmosphere that most corporate venues simply can’t replicate.
Preserving History and Heritage
Many privately owned wedding venues are more than just event spaces—they are guardians of history and heritage. From century-old barns to historic homes and family-run farms, these venues often exist because the owners have poured their hearts and resources into preserving them. By choosing such a venue, you’re not just booking a location; you’re supporting the ongoing stewardship of a property with a rich backstory.
These venues often require significant upkeep, and hosting weddings provides the means for their owners to maintain the property’s beauty and integrity. Without the income from events, many historic properties might fall into disrepair or be sold to developers, losing their charm and significance forever. By hosting your wedding at one of these sites, you’re helping to protect a piece of history and ensure it remains part of the community for generations to come.
Farm venues, like ours, offer a unique opportunity to experience rural traditions and landscapes. For many owners, hosting weddings is the key to sustaining their family property in the face of rising costs and urban expansion. When you celebrate your love at a farm venue, you’re directly supporting rural heritage and helping a small business owner keep a treasured property from selling to a developer.
Choosing a privately owned venue isn’t just about having a memorable wedding; it’s about contributing to a legacy and honoring the spaces that connect us to our roots.
Finding Small Business Venues: Worth the Effort
Finding a locally or small business-owned venue can be a bit more challenging because these venues often don’t have the massive advertising budgets of corporate venues. Large companies dominate search engine results, social media ads, and VERY expensive wedding directories, making it harder for smaller, privately owned venues to stand out. In fact, many couples rely on big online directories like The Knot or Wedding Wire to search for their venue without knowing that the cost to get top billing on these sites is out of the budget for many wonderful options that they are likely to miss if they don't dig deeper.
be sure your GOOGLE search goes well beyond page One
To find them, consider asking for recommendations from local vendors like photographers, florists, or caterers who often work with a variety of venues.
Browse community forums, search for venue reviews that emphasize personalized service or family-run businesses and be sure your GOOGLE search goes well beyond page 1.
When you visit a venue's website, read their “About Us” section to learn who owns it and where your money is going.
While it might take a little more digging, the reward is a venue that offers a unique experience and aligns with your values. Your extra effort supports small businesses and ensures your investment stays in the community.
Choose Local, Small Business Venue!
When you choose a privately owned wedding venue, you’re making a statement about your values. You’re saying that quality, community, and authenticity matter. Your decision supports a business that contributes to the local economy, fosters meaningful relationships, preserves historic or rural property and keeps your community unique and vibrant.
Your wedding is about love—and love thrives when it’s nurtured in a space that reflects genuine care and dedication. By choosing a privately owned venue, you’re not only investing in your dream wedding but also in the future of your community.
Make your wedding venue choice count. Choose local.
Some privately owned, true LOCAL wedding venues in Southern Arizona
A 63 acres private ranch 30 minutes southern of Tucson
A former dude ranch in Tumacacori, Arizona
A historic former inn and boarding house in Tucson.
A rustic ranch venue in Tucson
A 1903 Italianate Victorian style manor in Tucson
Historic building and gardens in central Tucson
Photo Credits
La Lune
My venue, Agua Linda Farm is a 63 acre ranch in Southern Arizona near Tucson. My husband and I have been hosting weddings, harvest festivals and other events on our property for more than 15 years. I write my blog posts with my clients in mind but also hope to provide a little inspiration applicable to any wedding.
Happy Planning!. - Laurel Loew
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