New Mexico - Exquisite Weddings - Fall-Winter 2007 - San Diego, California


	Email Print del.icio.us Digg Feed Subscribe to Exquisite Weddings : Exquisite Weddings New Mexico In the Navajo origin story, New Mexico is the birthplace of Ever Changing Woman, mother of heroes and creator of clans. With such a heritage, it is only natural that New Mexico is indeed the Land of Enchantment, capturing the hearts of those who visit it with its famous caverns, mesas and extinct volcanoes. Yet this is no barren wilderness. Far from it—New Mexico is also the land of world-class restaurants, luxury hotels and arts and cultural festivals. Choosing New Mexico for your destination wedding or honeymoon guarantees an experience infused with ancient traditions and timeless beauty. If you plan to get married in New Mexico, it would be wise to enlist the services of a professional planner. New Mexico is a blend of wonderfully diverse groups, from Native American to Mexican to European—all of whom have added to the local culture. However, there is one common trait found throughout the region: a leisurely pace unworried by the urban frenzy many of us live every day. While this otherworldliness is what many newlyweds seek on their honeymoons, it can prove frustrating to the couple trying to plan a destination wedding. This is where an experienced wedding planner can help. “A planner can translate between cultures, where there are ethnic or regional differences,” says third-generation New Mexican Bentley Clark of Savoir Faire Events. Cynthea Kinnaman of ART & SOUL agrees. “I always ask during the initial interview if you can be patient if calls aren’t returned right away,” she says. Her relationships with vendors and venues helps save time by matching up what the bride is seeking. “I’ve already sorted through the venues and vendors, and I can help the bride navigate the wedding waters.” Wendy Fisher of Southwest Occasions points out that some vendors don’t even write contracts. “They just say they’ll be there,” she says. Two of the most popular destinations for weddings are Santa Fe, the arts and cultural center, and Taos, the mountain town with its own thriving arts community during the summer and legendary skiing in the winter months. Yet even in this enchanted land, there can be some glitches when it comes to venues. “In New Mexico, there really are no traditional reception halls, so space is limited,” Clark explains. Popular locations start getting booked up seven to nine months in advance; popular ones, of course, are spoken for even further back. Even if you think your wedding date is during an off-season for weddings, as with all locations you have to realize other people visit. For example, a winter wedding in Taos will have to compete with the ski season, while a July or August wedding in Santa Fe will bump into the internationally known opera season. Autumn in New Mexico is gorgeous, but forget about hotel rooms anywhere near Albuquerque for the first two weekends in October when the world-renowned hot air balloon festival brings hundreds of thousands of fans to the city. So a date that may be out of the ordinary for weddings could be high season for another activity. That said, there are many glorious locations for your wedding and honeymoon. Planners often ask brides what their expectations are so the experience can match the vision as closely as possible. Fisher, who specializes in Santa Fe and Taos weddings, often plans multiday events, organizing rafting trips or llama treks for guests. “For the first night, the couple might rent out a hip restaurant, like the Coyote Café, or a place like the Cowgirl Hall of Fame,” she says. A rehearsal dinner could be tapas in a Santa Fe gallery featuring the work of local artists. Food at weddings in New Mexico takes on a distinctly Southwestern flavor. “Enchiladas, rellenos, margaritas,” says Clark. “The food is very much part of who we are. In other parts of the country, it might seem strange to have salsa and chips as an appetizer. Here, it’s expected.” Indian and Hispanic customs infuse New Mexican weddings, no matter the backgrounds of the bride and groom. A couple might choose Native American flute melodies for a ceremony, with Mexican music then setting the tempo for the reception. “La Marcha is a very traditional wedding dance,” says Clarke. “It includes everyone, the wedding party and all the guests, usually led by an older couple who is related to the bride or groom. The dance winds around the room, breaks off, winds again. The dancers create spirals and human bridges.” At the end, there is usually a money dance where guests pin money to the bride and groom. While some couples may shy away from this custom, thinking of it as a somewhat tacky way of asking for dollars, others use it as a way of raising money for a favorite charity. “I had a bride who donated the money to St. Jude’s because one of her flower girls had leukemia,” Clark says. Such generosity in the midst of celebrating is part of the magic of New Mexico. “Often, when couples thank their guests with a toast,” says Kinnaman, “they open with ‘We wanted to share the desert with you.’” Unlike weddings in metropolitan areas, in New Mexico an entire town can get caught up in the joy. Kinnaman describes one of her favorite moments: “The doors of the church are thrown open and the mariachis meet the bride and groom as they exit. Then they lead the couple through the streets to the reception. Everyone stops and watches. For a moment they are part of the celebration. And the bride and groom get to be at the center of the town’s attention. I get goose bumps every time.” Walking on Clouds That giddiness you might feel at your wedding may not be from bliss alone. Couples need to remember that the elevations in New Mexico are generally greater than here at sea-level San Diego. In other words, stress + altitude + glass of wine = fainting. To reduce the effects the thinner air may have on you, drink plenty of water and be aware alcohol may hit you faster than normal. When arranging gift baskets for your out-of-town guests, include this information in them and also post it on your Web site. Santa Fe and Environs The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa Though the Spanish settled the site in 1743, this piece of New Mexico history takes its name from the French prelate, Jean Baptiste Lamy, on whom Willa Cather based her novel, Death Comes for the Archbishop. Lamy welcomed visitors to the lodge he built on a hill with views of the Jemez Mountains. Today, Bishop’s Lodge is a celebrated place for weddings and honeymoons. The 19th-century Bishop Lamy’s Chapel is ideal for intimate ceremonies while Mesa Vista features sweeping views of the New Mexico countryside. For grand indoor receptions, book the Tesuque Ballroom, with its handcarved doors and splendid flagstone fireplace. The adjoining Tesuque Terrace is perfect for a cocktail hour. 800.419.0492 \| bishopslodge.com Triangle Inn The Triangle Inn is dedicated to providing all of its guests, especially gay and lesbian travelers, with authentic New Mexico warmth and hospitality. The Pinon House, the largest of the nine casitas, is the original main house, built in the 1920s with adobe bricks and hand-plastered walls. One of the two bedrooms has been painted to resemble an Anasazi cave dwelling, petroglyphs and all. The Hacienda Courtyard has a large portal with an outdoor fireplace that burns year-round, and here the innkeepers host cocktails or informal gatherings with guests and visitors. Surrounded by various fruit trees, the Hacienda is a great spot for a commitment ceremony or special event. 505.455.3375 \| triangleinn.com The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum The first museum in the country to be dedicated to a single woman artist, the Georgia O’Keeffe museum is a dramatic venue for a quintessential New Mexico experience. O’Keeffe loved the vistas of the desert and her paintings express the wonder of the stark landscape while often concentrating on the tiniest details. Not only is the museum a must-see for any art lover, the facility is available for events and private viewings can be combined with cocktail receptions or dinner in the lovely Pueblo Revival-style building. 505.946.1000 \| okeeffemuseum.org La Posada de Santa Fe Located in the heart of Santa Fe, this six-acre oasis of lush gardens and adobe architecture is the epitome of romance. Many of the 157 rooms and suites have kiva fireplaces and traditional touches with modern amenities, but for a true Santa Fe experience, book the Peyton Wright Suite. Appointed with original works from this well-known gallery, the suite also features three wood-burning fireplaces and an antique billiards table. Fuego, La Posada’s award-winning restaurant, is a destination unto itself, with its Chef’s Grand Tasting Menu paired with fabulous wines, and special events such as the Wine and Chile Fiesta held at the end of September. The Montana Ballroom with its grand fireplace makes an exquisite indoor venue while the Lawn Court is perfect for celebrating under the desert sky. 505.986.0000 \| laposada.rockresorts.com Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa With its unique location on the Santa Ana Pueblo, it comes as no surprise Hyatt Regency Tamaya is infused with a sense of the sacred as well as the rich diversity of the New Mexico heritage. The pueblo-style rooms incorporate traditional designs in natural materials of adobe and wood. You and your guests can enjoy a hay ride or private riding sessions at the Tamaya stables or brush up on golf strokes at the Twin Warriors Golf Club. With the majestic Sandia Mountains in the background, weddings at the hotel are magical. Unique outdoor venues, from the Sunrise Amphitheater to the Cottonwoods Pavilion on the banks of the Rio Grande, create magic in the fall season. The Tamaya Ballroom or one of the more intimate rooms—named after sacred animals—offer beautiful indoor locations during the winter months.505.867.1234 \| tamaya.hyatt.com Taos El Monte Sagrado With its earth-conscious approach to resources and stunning landscaping, El Monte Sagrado proves respect for the environment and natural beauty are a perfect marriage. Suites and casitas pamper you with amenities such as fireplaces and hot tubs while surrounding you with hand-painted walls and richly textured furnishings. The Native American suites echo New Mexico’s history, and the two Premier Suites are inspired by the cultures of Bali and Tibet. Weddings and commitment ceremonies are truly special occasions at El Monte Sagrado. The Sacred Circle is an outdoor space guarded by 80-year-old cottonwood trees. For larger affairs, the new Rio Grande Ballroom opens this September. The resort’s wedding experts will help plan activities for your guests, from white-water rafting to art gallery tours. Treat your friends by inviting them to the Spa for some Sacred Time, a sequence of treatments designed to bring out your own natural beauty. 800.828.8267 \| elmontesagrado.com The Inn on La Loma Plaza The Inn on La Loma Plaza has long been the choice for those seeking a romantic honeymoon steeped in true Taos style. Sitting atop a hill, this historic hotel first served as part of the town’s fortified plaza. From inside the walls of the beautifully restored hacienda, beamed patios and splashing fountains transport you back to the old colonial past. The Sky Room is a second-floor room with a large sculptural kiva and dramatic views on three sides. Climb out the south window to enjoy your own private balcony. For lovers of New Mexico’s famous artist, Georgia’s Garden Room is a tribute to Georgia O’Keeffe. The warmth and generosity of the New Mexico spirit is found in the gourmet breakfasts with dishes such as basil strata and French toast made of croissants. After a day exploring Taos, revive with an evening coffee. 800.530.3040 \| vacationtaos.com And For Something Completely Different Kokopelli’s Cave in Farmington gives the modern-day house dweller a chance to experience life as an ancient-day cave dweller—with a few luxuries thrown in. The sandstone cliffs offer magnificent views of Shiprock and mountain ranges in Arizona and Colorado. The cave itself is 70 feet below ground. The entrance is reached by a series of steps and a ladder. Southwestern décor, waterfall-style shower and a flagstone hot tub await the intrepid visitor. The kitchen is stocked for breakfast, and, for special occasions, dinner can be catered. It’s definitely not for everyone, but for the adventurous looking for that unique honeymoon spot, Kokopelli’s Cave may be just the pick. 505.326.2461 \| bbonline.com/nm/kokopelli Resources ART & SOUL Weddings & Events 505.977.5901 artandsoulevents.com Savoir Faire Events 505.977.1276 savoirevents.com Southwest Occasions 505.770.1339 southwestoccasions.com Do you like what you read? Purchase Exquisite Weddings Magazine »