Rustic Tucson Ranch Wedding Venue at Cocoraque Ranch in Marana AZ

Looking for a rustic ranch wedding venue near Tucson. At Cocoraque Ranch in Marana AZ you say I do under saguaro filled skies, with wide desert views, string lights, and real working ranch backdrops. Your reception moves into the covered pavilion for dinner, toasts, and dancing with fresh air on all sides. The ranch is an easy drive from Tucson hotels and I 10, so guests can enjoy the desert and still stay in town.

We welcome couples from Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, Vail, Sahuarita, Green Valley, and across Southern Arizona.

Why Choose Cocoraque Ranch for Your Tucson Wedding

Weddings at Cocoraque Ranch feel open and alive. Ceremonies frame the mountains and tall saguaros. The pavilion gives you cover without losing the desert air. It feels like an old Southwest ranch, but designed so your guests can move easily from ceremony to cocktails to reception.

  • Wide open ceremony lawns with real Sonoran Desert views
  • Covered Pavilion for reception comfort in every season
  • Photo locations that range from rustic ranch textures to star filled skies

Marana Location With Easy Access From Tucson

Find us in Marana, Arizona—close to Tucson hotels, restaurants, and I-10. On-site parking sits near the Pavilion. Level routes connect ceremony, cocktails, and reception so guests always know where to go.

Clear and Flexible Wedding Packages

Planning stays simpler when you know what is included. We start with a clear base package for your Tucson ranch wedding, then let you add lighting, décor, and ranch weekend experiences as you like. You stay in control of your budget and your look.

What the Base Package Includes

  • Private use of ceremony and reception areas

  • Setup time, event time, breakdown window

  • Scheduled engagement photo access

 

Popular Add Ons and Ranch Experiences

  • Extra event hour
  • Additional bar staff
  • String light enhancements and draping
  • Ranch weekend experiences like horseback rides or a cattle drive

See detailed wedding package pricing on our wedding packages page.

Wedding Package

Desert Ceremony Settings

Choose a shaded-adjacent setup with a defined aisle, or a wide-open desert vista that catches the sun just right. We’ll set audio so vows are clear, and layouts that convert to cocktail hour with minimal movement.

Desert Vista Ceremony

  • Desert Vista: panoramic horizon, mountain line, golden-hour portraits

Shaded Aisle Ceremony

  • Shaded adjacent Aisle: defined processional, easy access for grandparents

 

See more ceremony photos in our wedding gallery.

View our gallery

Covered Pavilion Reception Area

Host a comfortable reception with longs, rounds, or a mixed plan. The Pavilion gives you cover with open sides for airflow, a defined dance floor, and smart power drops for your DJ or band.

Layouts for Micro Weddings, Classic, and Large Receptions

  • Micro wedding: 20 to 50 guests, lounges and long tables
  • Classic: 75 to 150 guests, dance floor and head table
  • Large: 150 to 250 guests, extended rows and staged service

Dance Floor, Lighting, and Power Setup

The Pavilion includes a defined dance floor that keeps energy centered and guests connected. Power outlets are positioned for DJs, bands, and lighting equipment, so your setup stays neat and cords stay out of walkways. String lights and ranch-style fixtures add a warm glow that looks great in photos and keeps the dance floor bright late into the night.

Open Vendor Policy for Bar and Catering

Cocoraque Ranch is vendor friendly. Many couples choose to bring their own alcohol and hire a licensed, insured bartending team. You can work with a preferred caterer, a favorite Tucson restaurant, or a food truck. We help you place the bar and buffet so lines stay short and the dance floor stays active.

  • Clear bar placement close to the dance floor
  • Hydration stations that keep guest tables clean
  • Power and lighting guidance for caterers and food trucks

Review our bar policy and caterer guidelines before you book your vendors so everyone is set up for success.

View Our bar policy and caterer guidelines

Timelines That Work With Desert Light

Sample Fall and Spring Timeline

  • Fall/Spring: 4:30 seating, 5:00 ceremony, 5:30 cocktails, 6:30 dinner, 7:45 first dances, 8:15 open dance
  • Summer: later ceremony start for cooler air; portraits at sunset; reception under Pavilion lighting

Sample Summer Timeline

6:30 p.m. – Guest arrival and pre-ceremony refreshments
7:00 p.m. – Ceremony at sunset with golden desert light
7:30 p.m. – Cocktail hour and photos in the Pavilion shade
8:15 p.m. – Dinner service begins under pavilion lighting
9:00 p.m. – Toasts and first dances
9:30 p.m. – Open dance floor and evening festivities
10:45 p.m. – Last dance and send-off
11:00 p.m. – Event concludes

Stunning Desert Photo Spots

Your photographer will have room to play. The ranch has open desert, saguaros, and rustic elements that work from golden hour to after dark.

  • Saguaro stands and open desert floor
  • Old-West ranch fencing and textures
  • Pavilion glow after dark, starry sky portraits
  • Big-sky ranch road with horizon line

Your wedding booking includes scheduled access for engagement photos, so you can explore the ranch and test your favorite spots before the big day.

Guest Comfort and Accessibility

Level paths connect every key space. We plan shade, hydration, and clear signage so every guest feels cared for. Restrooms sit close to the reception area for convenience.

Schedule a Tour and Check Your Date

Tell us your target date, estimated guest count, and any special requests. We will confirm availability, share a draft layout for the pavilion and ceremony, and walk you through next steps.

Book a Tour
Bride and groom embracing during rustic desert ranch wedding at Cocoraque Ranch in Marana, Arizona.
Bride sharing a sweet moment with a horse while holding a rustic floral bouquet at Cocoraque Ranch in Marana, Arizona.
Bride and groom with horse at Cocoraque Ranch rustic wedding venue in Tucson, Arizona

FAQ

Yes – you’re welcome to bring your own beer, wine, and spirits. We simply require that all alcohol be served by a licensed and insured bartending team. Our venue carries liquor liability coverage to keep everyone protected, so you won’t need to obtain a separate alcohol permit. Just keep in mind that the bar must be hosted (alcohol cannot be resold, i.e. no cash bar). One professional bartender is included in our package for up to 100 guests, and we can arrange additional bar staff for larger weddings as needed.

Absolutely. We have an open vendor policy, meaning you can hire any caterer, food truck, or dessert vendor you love – there’s no required list. We just ask that your caterer carry standard event insurance and follow our simple site guidelines. Whether it’s your favorite local restaurant or a gourmet food truck, they are welcome here. We’ll even coordinate with your catering team on logistics like placement, power, and cleanup to keep things running smoothly

We host everything from intimate gatherings to large celebrations, adjusting the layout to fit your guest countcocoraque.com. The covered Pavilion seats about 224 guests for dinner, and by utilizing our spacious courtyard and additional tables, we can accommodate up to ~500 guests comfortablycocoraque.com. In short, you won’t outgrow the space – we’ll help design a floor plan that gives everyone plenty of room.

Yes. Engagement photo sessions on the ranch are included for our booked couples. Once you’ve reserved your wedding date, you can arrange a time to come out with your photographer and take your engagement pictures in our scenic desert setting. Just contact us to schedule an appointment, and we’ll make the ranch available for your shoot.

We’ve got you covered (literally!). Our team always has a rain/wind Plan B ready in case of bad weather  cocoraque.com. The Pavilion can quickly transform into an indoor ceremony site with a defined aisle and pretty backdrop, keeping everyone dry and comfortable  cocoraque.com. Your coordinator will discuss the weather backup plan with you ahead of time, so if a pivot is needed, it’s smooth and stress-free. (For extreme conditions like heavy storms, we can also adjust timelines or other details to prioritize everyone’s safety cocoraque.com.)

Yes – Cocoraque Ranch is a real working cattle ranch, not a fabricated “theme” park. You’ll be saying “I do” on an authentic ranch that has been operating for generations, complete with wide open desert and livestock. In fact, many couples choose to add a bit of Wild West fun to their wedding weekend – we can arrange authentic ranch experiences like horseback trail rides or even a cattle drive for you and your guests !

Our standard closing time is around 10:00 PM, in line with local noise ordinances and county quiet hours. This ensures we respect our neighbors and comply with regulations. If you’re hoping to celebrate later into the night, let us know – we do offer an extended-hour option as an add-on (when permitted) for those who want a longer party. We’ll make sure you know the exact timing for your date, and we’ll handle any necessary permits or considerations for going later.

Our standard wedding package includes pretty much everything you’ll need for the venue. Here are the key features included at no extra charge:

  • On-site event coordinator – A dedicated coordinator to help plan and ensure your day runs smoothly.

  • Exclusive use of the ranch – You get private access to the entire venue on your wedding day (no other events will overlap).

  • Ample event time – 7 hours of event time, plus setup/breakdown assistance by our team.

  • Ceremony area setup – A rustic ceremony site with a wooden arch and 150 white chairs set up for your guests (we can arrange more seating for an additional fee if needed).

  • Covered Pavilion reception – Our open-air Pavilion with 16 picnic tables (rustic farm tables) and white linens for your dinner reception.

  • Decor and lighting – String lights over the dance floor and ceremony area are included, and we provide rustic décor touches like whiskey barrel bars and lantern centerpieces (if desired).

  • Dance floor & sound – A dedicated dance floor space under the Pavilion lighting. Basic audio setup for ceremony music/microphone is available so everyone can hear your vows clearly.

  • Bar setup and staff – Full use of our bar area, bar tables, and one professional bartender (included for up to 100 guests) to serve your alcohol. (We’ll staff additional bartenders for larger weddings – see add-ons.)

  • Facilities – Two on-site restrooms (comfortable real bathrooms; for over 300 guests, extra facilities can be brought in). We also provide a private getting-ready room for the couple to use before the ceremony.

  • Photo opportunities – Full access to the ranch for photography and videography, so your photographer can capture desert sunset shots, rustic backdrops, and even photos with our horses. (You can also schedule a separate engagement shoot here, as noted above.)

  • Guest refreshments – A self-serve water and lemonade station to keep guests hydrated and happy throughout the event.

In short, our package is very comprehensive – you won’t need to rent a bunch of extras or worry about the basics. If you do want to personalize further, we also offer a variety of optional add-ons (extra décor lighting, draping, yard games, additional bar staff, extended time, etc.) that you can choose à la carte.

We believe in transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Our base package is $2,500, which covers up to the first 50 guests. For any guest count above 50, there’s a $20 per person charge for each additional guest. To reserve your date, a $500 security deposit is required (this deposit is separate and not applied toward your package balance). For example, a wedding of 100 guests would come out to $3,500 for the package itself, plus the $500 deposit. 

We’ll always outline all costs clearly. Aside from per-guest overages, the only extra expenses would be any add-ons you choose to enhance your day (such as extra lighting, décor upgrades, additional bartenders for large crowds, an extra hour of party time, etc.) These upgrades are entirely optional – you only pay for what you want. There are no surprise fees: the package price already includes all the essentials, and we’re happy to provide a detailed quote upfront so you know exactly what to expect.