Above: Michael and Catherine Ayele at Los Poblanos. Right: Wedding bands symbolize eternal love. Photography by Beth Wells and Thao Trinh (right).

NO. 01: THE RIGHT PLACE
It’s a fairy-tale scene with a decidedly Western twist: A horse-drawn carriage clomps along a dirt path beneath a canopy of cottonwoods, delivering a bride to a ceremony in the Río Grande bosque, amid the shadow of the Sandía Mountains. This is one option for couples at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort, which also offers an open-air flagstone amphitheater with mountain views or a pool patio set up with lawn games. The spaces can fit up to 400 guests, with areas set aside for the ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and morning-after Bloody Mary brunch. Weddings at this resort between Albuquerque and Santa Fe tend to become weekend-long events, with activities like bread making, silversmithing, horseback riding, and hiking. Twin Warriors, one of the best golf courses in the state, is just out the front door of the luxe Pueblo-style hotel—a perfect spot to drive a bucket of balls before the ceremony. A full-service spa relaxes couples with pre-wedding massages and a buff-and-polish for the bridal party. After the ceremony, guests can cozy up in fully renovated guest rooms with luxurious new linens and Southwest décor. (505) 867-1234; nmmag.us/TamayaResort

DIY: Couples can wed where generations of New Mexicans did before them—in the stately ruins of San José de los Jemez at Jemez Historic Site. Everything from altars to decorations must be brought in, but the only–in–New Mexico trade-off is walking down the aisle of a 500-year-old mission church. (575) 829-3530; nmhistoricsites.org/jemez

Modern: Scenery comes standard at the Banque Lofts and Event Space, a recently renovated landmark that became Albuquerque’s first skyscraper in 1922. A ceremony on the roof of the building, still the tallest on Central Avenue, offers views of downtown, the Río Grande Valley, and the Sandía Mountains. Just bring the champagne. (505) 219-3107; banquelofts.com

Western: North of Santa Fe, Brush Ranch River Lodge’s 35 acres include the meandering Pecos River, fields of wildflowers, and wooded nooks for alfresco ceremonies. (575) 312-2085; brushranchnm.com


NO. 02: THE PERFECT DRESS
For many brides, wearing Mom’s wedding dress went out of fashion with bell-bottoms. But vintage wedding dresses are back—with a fresh twist. Albuquerque designer Teresa Romero stitches up customized creations that can easily incorporate the lace flourishes, buttons, or bodice of an heirloom dress—or begin from scratch. She follows the creative whims of each client and specializes in romantic, Victorian-inspired looks with an edge, perfect for the bride who prefers black. The dresses often involve a simple made-to-order slip, which can be worn on its own at another occasion, and a wispy silk-and-lace overlay.

Romero was inspired by her mother, a talented seamstress, and followed her design dreams to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. She then spent more than a dozen years designing for the likes of Esprit and Janie and Jack children’s clothing. She moved back to Albuquerque after her father passed away and started a business with her mother, teaching the vanishing craft of sewing. Customers’ requests enticed her to open an atelier in 2015. There, she takes brides from sketch to finished dress over a span of about three months. Tip: Ask her to order extra material to craft one of her signature pieces of lingerie for the wedding night. (505) 948-4607; teresaromero.com

DIY: Susan Ricker’s passion for classic clothing grew into Albuquerque’s Off-Broadway Vintage shop in 1984. The store’s racks hold an encyclopedia of styles, like the streamlined wedding gowns of the 1920s and the flounce of 1950s tea-length dresses. (505) 268-1489; offbroadwayvintage.com

Modern: All things astrological and mystical inspire Santa Fean Jieun Reiner. Her online shop, Almanac for June, features romantic accessories like the Artemis hairpin that holds locks in place with a little golden arrow. etsy.com/shop/AlmanacForJune

Western: The fourth-generation merchants at Tanner’s Indian Arts in Gallup help brides pick out Native jewelry for their weddings days—like a matching necklace-and-chandelier-earring set—or any special occasion. Like, say, a first-anniversary present. tannersindianarts.com 


NO. 03: THE SHARPEST SUITE
Fellows who want more than an off-the-rack suit should check out Bert and Jess Clothiers for top-of-the-line menswear and custom-made suits. Co-owner Jess Blea grew up in Tucumcari, where he rejected standard-issue jeans in favor of snappier duds. In 1988 he joined Stromberg’s, where he began outfitting Duke City gents in stylish duds. He and business partner Bert Downes—who logged two decades at Stromberg’s—launched their shop in 2002. Together they cater to men looking for made-to-measure attire, luxury fabrics, and updated classic designs. Every detail contributes to a unique look, from monogrammed ties to perfect-fit shirts. (505) 345-9329; bertandjessclothiers.com

DIY: In its public outpost and by-appointment showroom, Santa Fe Vintage offers a curated collection of Southwestern boots, jackets, shirts, belt buckles, and more, all with a perfect patina. (505) 690-1075; santa fevintage.com

Modern: Albuquerque-based Stuck on Silver leaves its mark with silver tie tacks, cuff links, and ball-cap pins bearing petroglyph designs and impressions of juniper sprigs. etsy.com/shop/StuckOnSilver

Western: The O’Farrell Hat Company has been hand-making fur felt fedoras, Panamas, and, yes, cowboy hats with Old World techniques in Santa Fe for more than 30 years. (505) 989-9666; ofarrellhatco.com


NO. 04: THE FRESHEST FLOWERS
Think beyond the rose bouquet. Floriography designer Emily Calhoun started her native-blossoms business by growing her own flowers on a patch of dirt among her family’s Mesilla Valley pecan orchards. Six years later, the business has grown and moved to Albuquerque, but a third of the flowers still come from New Mexico farms. (The rest bud in California.) That means flowers are picked in peak season—from sweet peas and heirloom irises in the spring to herbs and artichokes in the summer and cotton, pecan branches, and cactus paddles in the fall. “We take our cues from the natural shape, lean, and texture of stems, rather than forcing it,” Calhoun says. She picked up the art of arranging from her grandmother. “Now, seasonality and farm-to-table is a thing. My grandmother embodied that in an effortless way, allowing the flowers to be naturally beautiful.” This year, the farmer-florist is launching Floricita, a line of à la carte, streamlined designs with lower price points, for smaller events and elopements. Ask about Floriography’s installations, like a recent garland that climbed a pair of cottonwoods, forming the ceremony’s altarpiece. floriographyflowers.com 

DIY: Inspired to bring local materials and luxury floral design to the state, the husband-and-husband duo behind Albuquerque’s Hong Elder Floral Workroom offer buckets of fresh-cut stems, from their specialty Café Au Lait dahlias to cheery blooms like cosmos, zinnias, and poppies. hongelderfloral.com

Modern: Albuquerque’s Floral Fetish aims to make art with nature, from moody Día de los Muertos–inspired bouquets to fanciful natural-grass centerpieces, all with a contemporary eye. floralfetishabq.com

Western: Albuquerque-based Stephanie Yardman uses feathers, hammered-tin pieces, and turquoise accents to give bouquets and other arrangements Southwestern flair. stephanieyardman.com


NO. 05: THE BEST CAKE
Maggie’s Cakes, Santa Fe’s go-to purveyor for statement cakes, embodies the Southwest spirit. Head baker Zara Southard wanted to be an artist when she first joined her stepmother, Maggie Faralla, at the business in the early aughts. Back then, she didn’t appreciate the artistry that goes into making cakes look like stacked tiers of adobe or Día de los Muertos–themed confections. She pursued other avenues after college, but when Faralla passed away two years ago, with three wedding cakes yet to deliver, Southard tied on her apron. She’s stayed in the kitchen since. “I’m not a baker. I’m an artist,” she says, although her Mexican cinnamon–chocolate cake and green chile–citrus buttercream taste as good as they look. Southard has adopted some of Faralla’s creations and crafted her own, from cakes that seem covered in colcha embroidery to fantastical designs for events like Meow Wolf’s grand opening. After baking in Faralla’s colorful kitchen for two years, she’s building her own, ensuring a way to carry on Faralla’s legacy. (505) 989-1416; maggiesweddingcakes.com

DIY: City Different master chocolatier Cacao Santa Fe’s regular line of boxed truffles decorated with hearts and flowers make exquisite take-home wedding favors. The shop (see “Rhymes with Kapow,” p. 60.) can customize designs, too. Truffles with the couple’s names on them? Yes, please. (505) 471-0891; cacaosantafe.com

Modern: At Albuquerque’s Alchemy Confections, cookies have never looked so sophisticated. Opened in May 2017, D’Mitri Agnes’ online shop features decadent morsels like the 24 Karat Magic Cookie, a tender shortbread flavored with Grand Marnier and topped with black cherry royal icing and real gold leaf. The company is opening a wedding atelier this year. alchemyconfectionsco.com

Western: Cowboys and cowgirls opt for pie over cake, and Albuquerque’s Savory Fare has some of the best. Buttery, flaky crusts envelop classic fillings like sour cherry, strawberry rhubarb, and peach raspberry. (505) 884-8514; savoryfarecafe.com


NO. 06: RING BLING
Traditional: Designed by David Griego, the River of Love collection from Santa Fe Goldworks embodies New Mexico style—gold bands inlaid with ribbons of turquoise. Santa Fe craftsmen hand-set every piece. (505) 983-4562; santafegoldworks.com

DIY: One-of-a-kind rings are the bread and butter of Santa Fe master goldsmith Marc Howard, of Marc Howard Custom Jewelry Design Studio. Howard talks with the couple about their lifestyles and personalities before arriving at the final design. “The result is rarely what we think of as a wedding ‘set.’ Custom design means the two partners don’t have to feel hemmed in by matching their designs—unless they want that,” he says. (505) 820-1080; marc-howard.com

Modern: The diamond solitaire gets a modern upgrade at Albuquerque’s International Metalsmith Exhibition Center, aka IMEC, where designer Luis Demetrio Nolasco takes inspiration from customers to create wearable bands and secure settings for those with active lifestyles. Customers choose any metal they want, including traditional picks like platinum and the more exotic Damascus steel, palladium, and rose gold. Nolasco says recent customers have opted for a rough finish that creates an organic-looking surface. (505) 265-8352; shopimec.com

Western: Mark Diamond Jewelers, a third-generation jewelry store in Albuquerque, offers a line of timeless settings that look as though they could have been inherited from a grandmother who traveled west with the railroad. (505) 296-9525; m-diamond.com 


NO. 07: FIVE-STAR CHOW
At Street Food Institute, David Sellers creates next-level taco fillings like Korean barbecue pork, Wagyu beef brisket, and fried avocados. Couples decide on a handful of dishes that can be served from his food truck’s mobile kitchen or, since it’s a full-service catering company, presented buffet style. What’s more satisfying is where that taco money goes: SFI is a nonprofit social enterprise that cultivates the next generation of business owners through partnerships with Central New Mexico Community College and Santa Fe Community College. In any given semester, around 10 students are earning their toques. “We have a lot of self-starters who want to stay here,” says Bear Nash, director of sales and marketing. “And New Mexico has a strong connection to food.” If weddings are a toast to the future, so is Street Food Institute. (505) 217-2492; streetfoodinstitute.org

DIY: Order up a menu of your childhood favorites from Albuquerque eatery Slate Street Café, which offers comfort food like mac and cheese, a mashed-potato sundae bar, and a gourmet grilled cheese station. (505) 243-2210; slatestreetcafe.com

Modern: Longtime Santa Fe caterer Walter Burke started his company in 1981 and has been putting modern twists on Southwest flavors since. Customer favorites include his smoked-corn-and-sage tartlet with black caviar or an applewood-bacon-wrapped honey-habanero shrimp. (505) 473-9600; walterburkecatering.com

Western: Meals from Hawkins Chuckwagon conjure Old West eating. Carl Hawkins serves Dutch oven brisket, ribs, biscuits, and cobbler from an 1890 Weber. The former cowboy had to hang up his spurs when that work got too physical, but he keeps the Western spirit alive, most often at Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch, near Santa Fe. (505) 920-0806