Married new mexico in
54 NEW MEXICO | FEBRUARY 2014
Love Saves the Day...
For lovebirds of both the local and far-flung persuasions, New Mexico offers a wealth of outstanding wedding locations that have a strong sense of place. The landscape, the architecture, the food, and so much more add up to exquisite special events that just couldn’t happen anywhere else. Six creative, passionate couples share the hows, whys, and wows of their spectacular New Mexico weddings.
By SUSANA LUCERO
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ANNE STAVELEY If you have a flair for the theatrical, as this couple clearly does, what better location for your wedding than a movie ranch?
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creating the moment
Turner (a documentary filmmaker) and Sarah (a nonprofit consultant) asked their guests to create an ontheme identity and dress the part: a Wild West outlaw, circus performer, or saloon girl. Sarah sewed red and white curtains and created a giant banner with paper pinwheels. Sarah’s mother scoured thrift stores in central Texas, amassing a large collection of hobnail milk glass in which they placed red chrysanthemums, faux succulents, and more. For the reception, guests were encouraged to participate in a dance-off. Sarah wore a 1950s emotely nestled in the foothills eight miles south of Santa Fe, silk chiffon Bonanza Creek Ranch’s Movie Town set hosted the wedding debutante’s of Turner Ross and Sarah Wolters, who live in Talpa. Bonanza dress from Creek, where westerns like Lonesome Dove and Young Guns were filmed, was Off Broadway the perfect backdrop for their “1920s traveling circus ghost town theme.” Vintage Clothing and Costumes, in Albuquerque. Susan, the owner, was such ANNE STAVELEY a pro to work with that Sarah tried on only two dresses before finding the one she chose.
Ghost Town Vows
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the menu
The couple wanted to share fresh, flavorful New Mexican food with their guests. Appetizers included tostaditos with mole negro, avocado, and asadero, and empanaditas with local lamb picadillo. Turner and Sarah both love Santa Fe Brewing Company; they secured kegs of its pale ale, nut brown, and porter brews, perfect for pairing with red-chile-dusted peanuts and buttered popcorn with greenchile salt in the saloon. In lieu of traditional wedding cake, for dessert they served the bride’s three favorite desserts: Mexican chocolate brownie sundaes, Nutella s’mores, and Mexican wedding cookies.
advice from
the Bride
“Our photographer, Anne Staveley, took stunning portraits of all our wedding guests. These served as our party favors. Your wedding is not just one day, it’s a pinnacle moment in your legacy. Use it to honor each other, and everyone in your lives who has supported and loved you both.”
Farm-Chic Union
W
ith its historic 1930s landmark architecture by John Gaw Meem, majestic views of the Sandía Mountains, and winding garden pathways, J.J. and Sara Mancini felt Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm, in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, was the ideal setting for their intimate, colorful October wedding. And even better: it was close to their home in Albuquerque, where Sara works for the city as a policy analyst and J.J. is the owner of Desert Fuels.
creating the moment
The bride and groom wanted their marriage to be “a light for others,” so the décor included lots of candles. Loving the contrast of fun colors against white and vice versa, Sara opted for a big, colorful bouquet that would pop against her lacy white Vera Wang wedding dress. The 12 bridesmaids were encouraged to choose any dress they wanted to wear, as long as it was made of non-shiny cotton material in a solid color; they each carried a single white hydrangea. J.J. and Sara also
had four of their nephews form a bubble brigade; they walked down the aisle blowing bubbles at guests. The couple wrote their own vows, and read them to each other for the first time at the wedding ceremony.
the menu
Los Poblanos was recently named one of the “Top 10 Food Lover’s Hotels in the United States” by Bon Appétit magazine. Served family style, dinner included locally grown quinoa-stuffed bell peppers and roasted chicken wrapped in bacon. J.J. recalls, “And
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KIM JACKSON
those tomatoes ... oh, those tomatoes. Could you call them candy?” For dessert, J.J. and Sara served an assortment of cupcakes from Cake Fetish, an Albuquerque cupcake bakery. Cupcakes were decorated with hand-inscribed flags describing a memory associated with each type of cupcake. The s’moresflavored cupcakes included a tidbit about how they loved camping and making s’mores; the snowball cupcake flags told a story about how the couple once trekked up a snowy mountain to find their Christmas tree.
The women of the bride’s family made their favorite kinds of cookies, and guests were invited to take home a selection as a wedding favor.
advice from
the Bride
“Don’t be afraid to limit your guest list for whatever reason if you want or need to. We wanted an intimate wedding and kept our guest list small, but the day after, we invited all of our friends, family, and co-workers to celebrate our first day of marriage at a backyard barbecue.”
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La Marcha locales These downtown Santa Fe venues are also situated perfectly for a la marcha procession to the Plaza.
Inn and Spa at Loretto is among the most photographed buildings in all of New Mexico. As an architectural re-creation of the famous Taos Pueblo, this Santa Fe hotel provides a magnificent backdrop for your wedding photographs. (800) 727-5531; innatloretto.com La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa’s adobestyle architecture, colorful gardens, and cozy outdoor kiva fireplaces evoke magic and charm. (855) 278-5276; laposadadesantafe.com
Destination: La Plaza
J
ay Barron and Corrie Plant, lawyers from Santa Monica, California, had visited Santa Fe twice before, and found it to be a very romantic, unique city. They especially fell in love with the art, food, and historic character. They chose the Santa Fe landmark hotel La Fonda on the Plaza to host their wedding, because they liked its Pueblo Deco style. They also appreciated that the ceremony and reception could take place in the same space, and serve as lodging for their guests. And they knew that friends and family from out of town would enjoy exploring all of the downtown shops, galleries, and restaurants on foot.
creating the moment
Corrie had a personalized stamp made with the word “love,” their names, and their wedding date, then set about stamping the paper items: napkins, menus, welcome-bag items, and programs. Their florist, Margaret Bost, incorporated coordinating shades of peonies into all of the bouquets and table arrangements. Corrie wore a strapless, draped-bodice Monique Lhuillier gown with hand-bustled trumpet skirt. To welcome guests, they assembled and gave out goodie 58 NEW MEXICO | FEBRUARY 2014
bags packed with snacks, treats, and information about Santa Fe. They also included blank cards in which they asked guests to write a little something about what inspires them in life and bring their card to the wedding to be placed in the card box for Jay and Corrie to enjoy after the wedding day. After the wedding ceremony, the couple and their guests enjoyed a festive mariachi-led musical procession known as la marcha. Though it is typically done at Hispanic weddings, this New Mexico wedding tradition is being incorporated by people of all cultural backgrounds. This procession travels through the
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ROBIN PARROTT TWO BIRDS STUDIO
streets, traditionally from the church to the wedding reception space, and leads the bride and groom to their first dance.
the menu
For dessert, the couple decided to offer guests a bar stocked with pink candy instead of a traditional wedding cake. They thought it was one of the areas they could save on cost while adding something fun and personal. The bride made a sign for the table that read “love, sweet love.”
advice from
the Bride
“We definitely recommend including the local tradition of la marcha musical escort and dance. One of the greatest memories we have is of the mariachi band leading all of our friends and family in a parade around the Plaza right after the wedding ceremony. The guests lined up on the sidewalk outside La Fonda shaking their maracas as the mariachi band led us through the crowd. We felt such joy in that moment.”
Day
R
of
Wine & Roses
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oderick and Jenae Mendoza, of Las Cruces, dreamed of getting married near the bride’s childhood home in southern New Mexico. Jenae, a musician who also works in accounts payable, and Roderick, a barista who also works with a production company, soon realized that the Rio Grande Winery was the perfect setting for their “vintage meets rustic” wedding. Set in the Mesilla Valley, it also offered gorgeous views of the Organ Mountains.
creating the moment
Full of do-it-yourself details, Roderick and Jenae’s wedding day became a collaborative effort among family and friends. From the boutonnieres and bouquets made by the bride and her bridesmaids using hydrangeas, wildflowers, and mustard yarrow for pops of color, to the centerpieces (mason jars wrapped in burlap as candleholders), the
wedding decor was kept simple to harmonize with the pastoral theme. At the reception, there was not a dry eye in the house when Roderick and Jenae, both very musically inclined, performed songs they had written for the occasion as special gifts to each other.
the menu
To share their love of New Mexican food, Roderick and
Jenae chose Las Cruces restaurant !Ándele! as their caterer. Dinner included red and green enchiladas, flautas, beans, and rice, as well as an appetizer of chips and fresh salsa. The couple served a four-tiered wedding cake with vanilla, chocolate, and red velvet layers covered in almond buttercream frosting. They chose to give their guests handmade chocolate truffle favors from the Chocolate Lady, in Old Mesilla,
LATISHA LYN
custom-wrapped with ribbon matching their color scheme of mustard yellow and navy. The winery’s muscat and port were also available to guests.
advice from
the Bride
“We had two couples that we love and respect give us advice and a blessing at the reception. This meant so much to us.”
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creating the moment
For her June wedding bouquet, ceremony, and reception decor, Melissa chose roses in colors of peach, apricot, and cream with gold accents to create a warm and summery feel. The bride’s bright blue jewel-studded shoes added a pop of color, as well as doubling as her “something blue.” Mark McKenzie, the minister from their church in Albuquerque, served as officiant, and read from love letters that the bride and groom had written to each other.
Northern Glory
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TALITHA A. TARRO
A
the menu
Melissa and Don made lbuquerque couple Don and Melissa Ortega knew they New Mexico–themed had to consider Taos’s El Monte Sagrado Resort when gift baskets and a friend described it to them as “the garden of Eden.” delivered them to their Melissa, a project manager, and Don, the owner of a jujitsu studio, guests’ rooms. They were charmed by sunlit streams, tropical flora, and the sounds of contained candied calming waterfalls. Views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains from pecans from Las Cruces’ the Taos Mountain Lawn ceremony site sealed the deal. Stahmann Farms, bottles of St. Clair Winery’s red and green chile wines, and El Pinto salsa, all nestled into Native woven baskets. The couple chose a cupcake tower, plus a cake for the traditional cutting of the cake. The cupcake frosting was piped to look like roses, then decorated with fresh flowers by Taos florist Simply Shelia. As a parting gift, guests received a locally sourced honey-chipotle spice mix.
advice from
the Bride
“Each year on our anniversary, we’re going to make a trip back to El Monte Sagrado. We recommend every other couple visit their wedding site, too.” 60 NEW MEXICO | FEBRUARY 2014
creating the moment
Echoing the desert’s palette, Jasmine chose a color scheme of cream, copper, peach, and pale gray. The bride’s friends decorated the ceremony arch by wrapping a fabric sash around it and accenting the top with large paper flowers. The Hacienda staff hung papel picado, intricately punched paper that is traditionally made in Mexico but used throughout New Mexico, across the Hacienda’s courtyard, along with string lights. Other handmade details included carefully embellishing each wedding invitation with a single feather. For place cards, Jasmine attached kraft paper cards to sage sticks and dried flowers sourced from the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market.
the menu
Marja Catering provided a light, seasonally driven Southwestern menu with chicken mole appetizers, a make-your-own flank steak taco bar, veggie enchiladas, and chilled gazpacho.
advice from
the Bride
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I tried to do so much of it myself and finally realized I needed someone besides my fiancé to help me work through all of the tiny decisions, because we were beginning to stress out and lose perspective.”
For more
nm weddings, visit NewMexicoWedding Magazine.com, edited by Susana Lucero.
Hitched at the Hacienda
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lthough Jasmine and Nick Firchau live in Brooklyn, where they are Web editors, they were born in Santa Fe, and decided to celebrate their wedding in this beloved Southwest setting. Nestled in the Ortiz Mountains, with courtyard views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance, the just-remote-enough Hacienda Doña Andrea (in Los Cerrillos, an hour’s drive from the Albuquerque airport) set the scene for Jasmine and Nick’s gorgeous Southwestmeets-Gatsby-inspired wedding.
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ASHLEY DAVIS
web extra
For Susana’s best bets for wedding vendors, and contact info for the wedding elements seen here, go to mynm.us/nmweddinglistings Read more about Susana Lucero (and her own wedding) in the “Editor’s Letter,” p. 6.
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Susana’s BEST BETS
calligraphy Elizabeth Danae Calligraphy Studio Custom calligraphy wedding invitations, save-thedate cards, watercolor wedding maps, and more. Featured in both national print and online publications, including Martha Stewart Weddings. (505) 795-2331; etsy.com/shop/eDanae
caterer
Marja Catering Thoughtfully prepared menus using local, seasonal ingredients and the bold flavors of our region. (505) 986-3858
dress designers
Conscious Clothing Highfashion glamorous, low-carbonfootprint hemp/silk dresses and tailored men’s suits, shirts, and ties. Santa Fe; (505) 982-7506; on Facebook Laura Sheppherd This Santa Fe designer selects rare textiles from around the world to create wedding gowns as well as other garments; ready-to-ear and made-to-order. (505) 986-1444; laurasheppherd.com Teresa Romero Designs Couture, vintage-inspired gowns and lingerie. Collaborative approach. Albuquerque; (505) 508-1750; teresaromero.com
event planner
performer
Michael Hearne and his band, South by Southwest, serenade bride Renae Vagher Quinn.
Behind these GREAT WEDDINGS...
For the Love Events A full-service event company and design house specializing in handmade and vintage designs. Albuquerque; (505) 553-5908; fortheloveevents.com
music
flowers
Mariachi Nuevo Sonido (505) 899-3075; mariachinuevosonido.net
candlestick placers (and more!) who participated in featured weddings.
Michael Hearne and his band South by Southwest. (615) 262-6886; michaelhearne.com
edibles
Amy Nicole Floral Studio Specializes in eco-conscious weddings; supports local New Mexico growers whenever possible. Albuquerque; (505) 301-8062; amydoesflowers.com Melba’s Floral Studio Familyowned and -operated, fullservice business, works to meet any budget. Albuquerque; (800) 289-6444; melbasfloralstudio.com
jewelry
Douglas Magnus Turquoise jewelry using stones from New Mexico’s Tiffany Cerrillos Mines. Santa Fe; (505) 9836777; douglasmagnus.com
Absolute Entertainment Mariachi and guitar. (505) 986-5882; musicsantafe.com Cutmaster Music DJ. (505) 269-5585; cutmastermusic.com
Los Primos (Full disclosure: led by Susana’s husband, Juan Lucero.) A seasoned group of musicians, performing the traditional music of the mariachi and trío romántico. Specializing in ceremonies, receptions, and la marcha. (505) 839-2286; losprimos.co Ronald Roybal Romantic, earthy, and ethereal Native American–style flute and Spanish classical guitar. (505) 466-2242; ronaldroybal.com
Santa Fe Goldworks HandTapestry Jazz and party band. crafted custom inlay wedding (334) 782-3952; rings. Santa Fe; (877) 982-2875; tapestryband.com santafegoldworks.com K Frances Designs Along with custom wedding rings, Kay Frances has also created cufflinks for the king of Spain. (505) 293-6901; romerojewelers.net
DIGITAL EXTRA! NEW MEXICO | FEBRUARY 2014
papel picado
JMohr Studio Papel picado with Southwestern motifs by a Contemporary Hispanic Market artist. jmohrstudio.com
Here are some of the singers, bakers, and
¡Ándele! Restaurante Las Cruces; (575) 526-9333; andelerestaurante.com Cake Fetish Albuquerque; (505) 883-0670; cakefetish.com The Cake Shop Las Cruces; (575) 639-7170; on Facebook The Chocolate Lady Mesilla; (575) 526-2744; oldmesilla.org New Mexico Pie Company Albuquerque; (505)-506-2928; nmpiecompany.com Q’s Cakes Albuquerque; (505) 514-6775; qcakes.com
event design
Corazón Events (505) 890-4381; corazonevents.com Joanne Emerick Las Cruces; (505) 975-4033; jefallingup@gmail.com Orange September Albuquerque; (505)-263-6057; orangeseptember.com
TWIN LENS, ASHLEY DAVIS, LIZ ANNE PHOTOGRAPHY
As the woman behind of NewMexicoWeddingMagazine.com, Susana Lucero spends her day poring over the visuals, details, and vendors that compose some of the state’s most beautiful weddings. Here are some of her favorite nuptial building blocks.
food
by Maja Custom Catering.
flowers
Peoples Flowers Albuquerque; (505)-884-1600; peoplesflowers.com
Kevin’s Photography (505) 345-6322; kevinsphotography.net
Santa Fe Floral Santa Fe; (505) 982-4143; santafefloral.com
Kim Jackson Photography (505) 850-6124; kimjacksonphotography.com
Simply Shelia Taos; (575) 737-0245; simplyshelia.com
hair & makeup
Mesh Hair Studio Juliann Upton. Albuquerque; (505) 858-3000; meshhairstudio.com Makeup Santa Fe Santa Fe; (505) 412-5125; makeupsantafe.com Salon Marjorie Taos; (575) 751-7246; salonmarjorie.com
jewelry
The Golden Eye Santa Fe; (505) 984-0040; goldeneyesantafe.com Marc Howard Santa Fe; (505) 820-1080; marc-howard.com
photographers
Anne Staveley Photography (505) 577-1555; annestaveley.com Ashley Davis Photography (303) 447-0429; ashleydavisphotography.com
Latisha Lyn Photography (505) 977-2835; latishalyn.com Talitha Tarro Photography (505) 264-7123; talithatarro.com 2 Birds Studio Robin Parrott (505) 429-9100; robinparrott.com
venues
Bonanza Creek Ranch Near La Cienega; (505) 615-6159; bonanzacreekranch.com
Just
desserts
Jeff and Maeve Henry Lavelle, who live in Phoenix, decided to have a destination wedding in New Mexico, where Maeve grew up. At the recommendation of their wedding planner, Vicki Lee Newsom, of event company Orange September, the bride and groom worked with New Mexico Pie Company to create a locally themed dessert bar. They served caramel apple green chile mini-pies, chocolate hazelnut red chile mini-pies, biscochitos, and Mexican wedding cookies. Their cake was composed of a layer of vanilla sponge cake filled with cinnamon-and-anise whipped cream and berries, and another layer of chocolate buttermilk cake filled with red chile Grand Marnier orange cream.
El Monte Sagrado Taos; (575)758-3502; elmontesamarriΩgrado.com Hacienda Doña Andrea Los Cerrillos; (505) 424-8995; hdasantafe.com La Fonda Hotel Santa Fe; (505) 995-2322; lafondasantafe.com Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm Los Ranchos de Albuquerque; (505) 344-9297; lospoblanos.com Rio Grande Winery Las Cruces; (575) 524-3985; riograndewinery.com
For more
video artists
Luminance Wedding Films (505) 301-1668; luminanceweddingfilms.com Vlad Films (505) 490-9184; vladfilms.com
nm weddings,
visit NewMexicoWeddingMagazine.com, created by Susana Lucero. Read more about her and her family in this month’s “Editor’s Letter,” p. 6.
nmmagazine.com | FEBRUARY 2014 DIGITAL EXTRA!