About Santa Fe
Located in the Southwest, Santa Fe is a city with both modern and traditional influences. One of its most well-known attractions is its art community, with more than 100 galleries in downtown Santa Fe, including the famous Georgia O’Keefe Museum.
Santa Fe is also known for its historic buildings, which are still in use. Visitors can tour the Palace of the Governors and learn how this building played an important role in New Mexico’s history and America’s westward expansion. Other historic buildings in Santa Fe include the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis and Loretto Chapel.
The city is also known for its natural beauty, offering more than 40 miles of trails that visitors can enjoy on foot or by bike. These trails lead to breathtaking scenery and shopping areas selling local curios like handcrafted jewelry and leatherwork.
If you are looking for an exciting location to host your wedding, Santa Fe is the perfect place. From its authentic culture and artistry to the beautiful scenery, a Santa Fe wedding is sure to be an unforgettable experience for your family and friends.
Wedding Options in Santa Fe
Santa Fe has no shortage of experienced wedding vendors who will happily help you make your dream wedding a reality. From food and beverages to decor and transportation, you’ll have no problem finding professionals to help you put on an incredible party.
- Caterer
Don’t overlook the importance of food at your wedding. You need to ensure your guests receive plenty of sustenance to keep the party going. Whether you want to feature southwestern specialties, have a signature family dish you wish to incorporate or dietary requirements to accommodate, one of Santa Fe’s experience caterers will be happy to help you design the perfect menu for your wedding.
- Florist
Bring some personality to your Santa Fe wedding venue with the help of stunning floral arrangements. Whatever your preferences, one of Santa Fe’s experienced florists will help you bring your vision to life.
- Transportation
Hiring a car or shuttle service to transport you and your guests to your wedding venue will save you heaps of time and confusion. Instead of worrying about taking a wrong turn or finding somewhere convenient to park, enlist a professional chauffeur to get you where you need to go. Not to mention, hiring a car service ensures that everyone has a safe ride home after the party.
- Bartender
Whether you want to develop a signature cocktail for your reception or just want someone who can mix up the classics, a talented bartender is an essential fixture of your wedding reception. The right Santa Fe bartender will help you design a drink menu that perfectly compliments your wedding theme.
- Photographer
Photos are an important memento for every wedding, and you and your guests are sure to admire them for years to come. Take care to find the right Santa Fe photographer who can capture all the special moments of your wedding as well as the beautiful setting.
Wedding Companies in Santa Fe
Rather than fretting all the details of the event, you and your partner should be able to enjoy the time leading up to your wedding day. Hiring local experts to assist with your wedding planning is sure to take a lot of pressure off your big day.
- Right as Rayne Events
Founded by Kinsey Rayne, Right as Rayne has been planning weddings and events in New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas for the last seven years. They plan everything from weddings to corporate events to festivals, so it’s safe to say they’ve seen it all. Right as Rayne offers numerous wedding planning packages ranging from wedding day coordination or partial planning to event design and full planning services.
- Amanda’s Flowers
Amanda’s Flowers specializes in creating floral sculptures for various occasions, from corporate events to weddings and beyond. They’ll work with you to design your bouquets, decorations, centerpieces, garlands, and any other floral arrangements you have in mind for your wedding.
- Corazon Events
Corazon Events specializes in full-service wedding planning including everything from event design, planning, and coordination. They are happy to accommodate any style or budget, and they work tirelessly to create a personalized event that goes off without a hitch.
Pros and Cons of Weddings in Santa Fe
Santa Fe is a beautiful city that would make a memorable setting for your wedding day. However, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of any destination before you commit to planning your big event.
Advantages
- Climate
Santa Fe boasts an impressive average of 325 sunny days each year. While it can be chilly in the winter, the climate is dry and, due to the high altitude, summer temperatures average in the mid-70s to mid-80s. If you’re dreaming of an outdoor wedding, Santa Fe is a promising option.
- Arts scene
Santa Fe is known for its vibrant arts community, which includes many indigenous artists. There are many arts and cultural events that take place each year, from contemporary and folk arts festivals to musical events and beyond. There is always something exciting happening in Santa Fe.
- Slow pace
Santa Fe can be busy during events, but overall the city has a relaxed, slow pace of living. Traffic isn’t bad, and because a large portion of the population is retired, the overall atmosphere is quite calm and easygoing.
Disadvantages
- No nightlife
Likely because so many of Santa Fe’s residents are around retirement age, the nightlife in the city is lacking. If you’re looking to party or go dancing, it could be challenging in Santa Fe.
- Dust
Santa Fe’s desert setting means dust can be a nuisance. Those with allergies or respiratory complications, such as COPD, could struggle to breathe comfortably in Santa Fe.
- Small airport
While Santa Fe does have a regional airport (SAF), it is very small, meaning many travelers will be forced to transit through larger hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, or Denver. This could add a lot of travel time for wedding guests traveling from far away.
Famous Wedding Locations in Santa Fe
- Canyon Road
Canyon Road is a street in Santa Fe that has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. This area is home to more than 100 galleries, and each one offers something unique with different types of artwork such as paintings, sculptures, jewelry design, and photography. You will find everything from modern to traditional artwork in this area of Santa Fe.
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
This cathedral is one of the most famous religious landmarks in Santa Fe, and it has been a central point for worship since 1869. It’s a beautiful building, incorporating Adobe and Romanesque Revival architecture. You can’t pass up the opportunity to snap a few wedding photos at this iconic Santa Fe landmark.
- El Rancho de Las Golondrinas
El Rancho de las Golondrinas is the oldest living history ranch in America. It was founded by the writer and poet D.H Lawrence, who wanted to preserve regional culture through demonstrations of old-fashioned skills such as weaving and pottery making. Visitors can explore this area on foot or horseback during a guided tour with one of the ranch’s wranglers.
