Like most couples, this was not plan A for Kristen and Ryan’s wedding. It probably wasn’t even plan B or C. But their intimate backyard wedding in Santa Fe was a welcome distraction from the world’s current chaos. Not only did they embrace the New Mexico wedding vibes with chile ristras, turquoise color schemes, and a cactus theme, but they also planned the whole event with the safety of all their guests in mind. Guests took covid tests prior to their arrival, they had cute cactus masks as gifts for everyone, and everything was outside and spread out. The attention to detail for this wedding was astounding, and even more impressive when you realize all of the details and decor was made by Kristen and her crafty family.
We started the day getting ready and taking photos at the Las Palomas Hotel in Santa Fe. Las Palomas is a super cute example of Santa Fe style, full of turquoise accents and stucco walls with hanging red chile ristras. It is a perfect place for iconic New Mexico wedding photos. Kristen and Ryan had a private first look tucked amid the adobe casitas. Then we wandered the hotel grounds and surrounding streets of Santa Fe with their wedding party, before heading to Kristen’s parents’ home for the rest of the day’s festivities.
Kristen’s dad had created a beautiful wooden arch decorated with more red chile ristras for Kristen and Ryan’s wedding ceremony in their backyard. They had a few phones on tripods set up to live stream the ceremony for all those who couldn’t make it to the intimate Santa Fe wedding. The ceremony was sweet and deeply personal. They had a friend officiate, and read each other their own personal vows. They also paused midway through the ceremony to uphold a very important tradition: “Years ago Ryan and I started our relationship with a pinky promise and a beer,” Kristen wrote later. “We started our marriage the same way.”
That’s just the type of people Kristen and Ryan and their families are. Easygoing, fun loving, absolutely authentic people. The type who interrupts their own wedding ceremony to kiss on their new pinky promise, and offers their guests 100 types of beer for a simple backyard wedding. Who hang up a covid piñata at their wedding, and then make a show of bashing it down.
To say it was a joy and honor to bear witness to this unique and intimate backyard wedding in Santa Fe would be an understatement. View the photos from this amazing day below!
Vendors for this sweet and intimate backyard wedding in Santa Fe:
Venue | Las Palomas Hotel + Private Residence
Photographer | DBK Photography
Wedding Dress | The Dressing Room West
Hey friend! I’m Delia–a wedding photographer who loves adventure just as much as snuggling on the couch with her dog. My photography is fun and colorful and embraces the real you. I’m based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I photograph weddings all throughout New Mexico, Colorado, and the southwest. I love to connect with and help my clients as much as possible. Check out the wedding planning tips section of my blog for more helpful advice.
And if you’re into New Mexico weddings like this one, check out some others I’ve photographed:
Casa Rondena Winery Wedding in Albuquerque
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort Wedding
Fall Wedding at Prairie Star Restaurant
Share this:
Like most couples, this was not plan A for Kristen and Ryan’s wedding. It probably wasn’t even plan B or C. But their intimate backyard wedding in Santa Fe was a welcome distraction from the world’s current chaos. Not only did they embrace the New Mexico wedding vibes with chile ristras, turquoise color schemes, and a cactus theme, but they also planned the whole event with the safety of all their guests in mind. Guests took covid tests prior to their arrival, they had cute cactus masks as gifts for everyone, and everything was outside and spread out. The attention to detail for this wedding was astounding, and even more impressive when you realize all of the details and decor was made by Kristen and her crafty family.
We started the day getting ready and taking photos at the Las Palomas Hotel in Santa Fe. Las Palomas is a super cute example of Santa Fe style, full of turquoise accents and stucco walls with hanging red chile ristras. It is a perfect place for iconic New Mexico wedding photos. Kristen and Ryan had a private first look tucked amid the adobe casitas. Then we wandered the hotel grounds and surrounding streets of Santa Fe with their wedding party, before heading to Kristen’s parents’ home for the rest of the day’s festivities.
Kristen’s dad had created a beautiful wooden arch decorated with more red chile ristras for Kristen and Ryan’s wedding ceremony in their backyard. They had a few phones on tripods set up to live stream the ceremony for all those who couldn’t make it to the intimate Santa Fe wedding. The ceremony was sweet and deeply personal. They had a friend officiate, and read each other their own personal vows. They also paused midway through the ceremony to uphold a very important tradition: “Years ago Ryan and I started our relationship with a pinky promise and a beer,” Kristen wrote later. “We started our marriage the same way.”
That’s just the type of people Kristen and Ryan and their families are. Easygoing, fun loving, absolutely authentic people. The type who interrupts their own wedding ceremony to kiss on their new pinky promise, and offers their guests 100 types of beer for a simple backyard wedding. Who hang up a covid piñata at their wedding, and then make a show of bashing it down.
To say it was a joy and honor to bear witness to this unique and intimate backyard wedding in Santa Fe would be an understatement. View the photos from this amazing day below!
Vendors for this sweet and intimate backyard wedding in Santa Fe:
Venue | Las Palomas Hotel + Private Residence
Photographer | DBK Photography
Wedding Dress | The Dressing Room West
Hey friend! I’m Delia–a wedding photographer who loves adventure just as much as snuggling on the couch with her dog. My photography is fun and colorful and embraces the real you. I’m based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I photograph weddings all throughout New Mexico, Colorado, and the southwest. I love to connect with and help my clients as much as possible. Check out the wedding planning tips section of my blog for more helpful advice.
And if you’re into New Mexico weddings like this one, check out some others I’ve photographed:
Casa Rondena Winery Wedding in Albuquerque
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort Wedding
Fall Wedding at Prairie Star Restaurant