So you’ve decided to elope! Eloping is such an easygoing, awesome way to celebrate your union with your partner. This is your chance to make the day an adventure, doing something fun and new together, without all the pressures of a large event. I know you have lots of options for where to elope, so here are a few reasons why you should elope in New Mexico!

It’s totally unique

From the land to the culture, New Mexico is truly one of a kind. You cannot find the particular style of New Mexico anywhere else. It is steeped in a deep Native American, Spanish, and Mexican history, and all three inform the state’s culture and food. From the green chile to fried bread and red chile ristras to turquoise jewelry, New Mexico is iconic not only to the southwest but to the world as a whole. Not to mention, the landscape is unlike anywhere else (but we’ll get to that.)

It’s less busy

Our neighbors to the north, Colorado and Utah, get a lot of the attention for being elopement destinations. New Mexico typically gets overlooked when compared to the other two, which means there are fewer tourists and other couples looking to elope where you are. And that is a GOOD thing!! Trust me, dealing with crowds is not something that makes your elopement day very fun, so why not go where other people aren’t? There are plenty of remote (and beautiful) locations around New Mexico where you rarely might see other people. 

You can get both mountains and desert

If you can’t decide whether you like the mountain or the desert look better, well, I feel you! Luckily in New Mexico, you really don’t have to choose. You can go from beautiful mountain areas much like you get in Colorado, to sprawling desert areas (some much like Utah) all within the same day. There are alpine lakes, red rocks, sand dunes, and mountain passes. It’s the best of both worlds.

The weather is pretty nice all year round

We get all four seasons in New Mexico but extreme weather is somewhat rare. The weather does vary by location of course. As you go farther south toward White Sands and Las Cruces it is much hotter in the summers, and the northern parts of the state tucked in the mountains can experience some heavy snow in the winters. But with temperate days throughout the year, it is all very doable, no matter what season you prefer.

The wedding vendor community is tight-knit

You might be wondering why this benefits you as the eloping couple, but it truly does. Because the wedding community in New Mexico is smaller, us vendors know each other pretty well, which means we know who is the best and who might be perfect for you. I personally have a go-to list of florists, makeup artists, rental places, etc that I love to refer my couples to. Knowing and liking each other also means we tend to work together really well, just enhancing the experience that much more for you.

New Mexico is vastly underrated!! There are truly so many reasons why you should elope in New Mexico. 

Convinced? Here are some ideas for specifically where you can elope in New Mexico.

If you have questions about eloping in New Mexico, I would be happy to answer those for you. Just leave a comment here or send me an email! And if you’re looking for an adventurous photographer for your New Mexico elopement, don’t hesitate to reach out.

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.