Western Wedding Vibes in Santa Fe

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Western Wedding Vibes in Santa Fe

June 3, 2022
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Photos courtesy of

Matt and Will’s story started when the two New Yorkers met at a coffee shop inside Grand Central Station. As quintessentially “New York” as the start of their journey was, the couple wanted something entirely different for their wedding.

A sky filled with colorful hot air balloons, including one shaped like a smiling sun, with people on the ground watching and taking photos.
“Matt grew up in New Mexico,” Will says, “and it has been a very special place for us to visit Matt’s Family. We wanted to share that special place with our family and friends.”

The couple also knew providing an opportunity to travel and experience the world beyond the Big Apple in a post-pandemic world would add to the excitement. Next order of business: select a venue!

“We chose the Inn and Spa at Loretto because it was a central location in Santa Fe, with lots of outdoor space and multiple rooms to host the party,” the couple says.

With the planning process in full force, Matt and Will began to notice Santa Fe as an easy place to host a wedding… that is when you have a stellar vendor team! Thankfully, the couple not only had that but also an in-destination planner to head it all up.

“Having our planner, Lesley, on the ground, and very familiar with all the local vendors helped immensely,” Will says. “The process of putting everything together would have been a lot more challenging without her there.”

Due to the limited number of direct flights in and out of Santa Fe/Albuquerque, the couple communicated their plans to guests as early as possible.

“We also chose to have the wedding during one of the busiest weekends in Albuquerque; Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world,” the couple says.

Once everything had been lined up for an unforgettable weekend, the next step was to simply enjoy each other’s company. After all, Matt and Will knew a destination wedding would allow them to interact more without the distractions of being at home. Not only that, but the couple saved money, got to honor Matt’s childhood and gave their guests the opportunity to experience the wonder of hundreds of hot air balloons taking flight!

The Couple’s Advice:

“A planner is worth every penny. Learn from their mistakes by taking their advice. And stress until the day comes, then relax. We know everything that went wrong at the wedding, and not one guest had a clue… just enjoy that day.”

Southwestern-themed wedding accessories, including bolo ties and decorative tiles, are displayed. Below, five men in suits pose; one adjusts his boutonniere. Two men in suits walk hand-in-hand outdoors, followed by others. Below: a wedding sign, a floral arrangement, and dress shoes on a wooden table. A decorative outdoor arrangement featuring orange flowers in a wooden vase, a string of dried red peppers, pampas grass, candles, and ornamental objects on a patterned rug. Two men in suits marry outdoors, exchanging vows in front of seated guests, then share a kiss at the altar surrounded by greenery and dried floral arrangements. Two grooms walk down the aisle outdoors as guests applaud; below, a view of a courtyard with tables and seating set up for a reception at an adobe-style venue. A floral arrangement with chili peppers, a woman with a decorated donkey, and a display of name cards with blue and green leaf designs. Collage of three images: outdoor seating area with tan chairs, a mariachi band performing, and a donkey wearing a sombrero being petted. Two men in suits embrace and smile outside an adobe-style building at sunset, beneath an orange sky with silhouetted trees and a building in the background. Three images show a wedding setup: a banquet table with floral and candle centerpiece, a white decorated cake, and two men in suits giving a toast. A decorated dinner table with brown plates, white napkins, glassware, candles, and floral centerpieces featuring fall-colored flowers and greenery. A selection of popsicles and desserts in a self-serve display above a group of people dressed formally, seated outdoors at night under string lights.
Vendors: Photographer: Talitha Tarro Photography recommended by World’s Best Wedding Photos; Wedding Planner: Lesley Escobar of Just Lovely Weddings; Venue: Inn & Spa at Loretto; Florist: Floriography Flowers; Stationery: Greenwich Letter Press; Cake: A Cake Odyssey; Rentals: Darling Details Rentals; Grooms’ Attire: Cad & The Dandy; Cowboy Boots: Back at the Ranch