At long last, here are a few photos from our big day! Yes, indeed! As many of you already know, Dan and I exchanged vows during an outdoor ceremony celebrated at the Hacienda Doña Andrea de Santa Fe in Cerrillos, NM on October 24, 2009. The wedding began shortly before sunset and was attended by a small number of family and friends. To help paint a picture of the day, attached below is an excerpt of the announcement that was submitted to my hometown newspaper. The announcement is written in a style reminiscent of what was published when my mother and father were married 37 years ago, complete with descriptions of the cake, wedding favors, and attire worn by the wedding party. Here's the announcement:“With the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains and bright blue New Mexico sky as their backdrop, the Albuquerque couple kept their autumn wedding decor simple and nature-inspired. The centerpieces were floral topiaries made of pomander sunflower bouquets, nicely complemented by ornamental dried grass arrangements and delicate groupings of fall leaves, acorns, and cinnamon scented pine cones. The couple also made their own wedding favors, including luminarias decorated by hand with autumn’s cheeriest wildflowers and goodie bags filled with homemade bread, apple cider, pumpkin seeds, and chocolate.
The cake, a gorgeous five-tier Rice Krispies cereal creation, was decorated in the colors of the season with delightful orange and red berries, shimmering green textile ribbon, and alternating layers of dark chocolate frosting. The bride and groom also welcomed their guests to the private, mountaintop hacienda with a candy buffet of autumn-flavored candies, as well as caramel apples.
As family and friends celebrated the union of the special couple, they sipped traditional red wine sangria and flavored margarita cocktails from glasses engraved with the names and wedding date of the just married, and dined upon a southwestern feast of enchiladas, empanadas, and tamales, as well as green chile stew, calabacitas, and smoked corn and black bean rice salad. After dinner, the wedded pair made their way to the dance floor where they shared their first dance, a wonderfully choreographed Foxtrot. The song the couple selected for this momentous occasion was Etta James’ signature song “At Last,” covered by Céline Dion. With the light of farolitos illuminating the hacienda’s thick adobe walls and a crackling piñon fire to warm the cool evening, the candlelit reception continued late into the night and concluded with a stunning encore of the choreographed dance by the exuberant newlyweds.
The groom wore a classic, black tuxedo with champagne-colored vest and tie. The bride, given in marriage by her parents, wore an elegant, A-line gown with a strapless, ruched bodice and attached chapel length train. The gown was fashioned from ivory chiffon and adorned with light auburn beading and fawn-colored floral embroidery as embellishment. The bride also wore a fingertip length veil and carried a lush bouquet of ivory mums and daisies, accented with greenery, red and purple viburnum berries, yellow solidasters, and lotus pods. The groom wore a boutonnière of berries and ivory-colored wildflowers.
The bridesmaids wore sleeveless, knee-length satin dresses in a rich fern green color. Each attendant wore a champagne grosgrain ribbon sash at the empire-waist and carried a bouquet of sunflowers, accented with purple thistle, ivory lilac clusters, and sprigs of dried green oats. The bridesmaids also wore green Swarovski pearl earrings and matching bracelets, a gift made by the bride. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos with fern-colored vests, ties, and pocket silks, as well as boutonnières of berries and fall-colored wildflowers.
The bride’s mother wore a champagne and latte-colored gown with a beaded, three-quarter sleeve lace jacket and flowing chiffon skirt. The groom’s mother wore a mock two-piece dress with a three-quarter sleeve bolero jacket, done in champagne chiffon and lace. The proud fathers wore black tuxedos with fern-colored vests, ties, and pocket silks.
The newlyweds honeymooned in Florida at Walt Disney World and will reside in Albuquerque. The bride will retain her maiden name.”
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