We met with everyone at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum, a popular spot for weddings since their patio over looks our beautiful Organ Mountains. Alyssa was a little nervous, but once the dress was on, and the ceremony began, the nerves subsided. She visibly relaxed when she saw Bill waiting for her at the alter. After a short but beautiful ceremony, we took the couple out around the grounds of the museum for some bridals. I have to admit, these are some of my favorite images in a very long time – we couldn’t have had better skies, light, and subjects!

Now I know that some of you who follow the blog are used to our ring shots, and usually I include one with every wedding. But I liked her ring so much that I included TWO this time!

The cake was beautiful too – and we learned that Alyssa made it HERSELF! That pretty much floored me, since my cakes look like something that belongs on Cake Wrecks. Cake, flowers, dress…. it was all gorgeous.

We had a wonderful evening you guys, thanks for letting us be part of your day!

Roz

Meanwhile, Luis and Joey got into their tuxes at Joey’s house in the Las Cruces historic district, after a morning of running last-minute errands. Luis wore a white top over an all-black suit, and looked amazing.

As soon as he was dressed, Luis took off for Pioneer Park, where Gina from All You Can Linen had the gazebo and chairs decorated for the ceremony, and family members were already beginning to arrive. Soon, Cynthia pulled up in a white limo, and the bridal party filed down the aisle as music played softly.

The ceremony was relatively short, as a concession to the hot New Mexico sun. It included many traditional Catholic touches; the lasso and arras were featured prominently. Afterward, we took some family portraits before the bridal party loaded back into the limo for the short drive down to Mesilla. There, we spent some time getting some of the most stunning bridal portraits we’ve ever created.

Soon enough it was time to head to the Corbett Center at NMSU for the reception. When they walked into the ballroom, Cynthia and Luis stopped dead and just stared around. The room was eminently elegant; from the centerpieces to the table settings, everything reflected the black-and-silver color scheme of the wedding. The centerpieces especially caught my attention. Each table held a central column, which was filled with water and housed a live beta; each column was gently lit from beneath, and topped with a bowl of calla lilies and greenery.

As dinner was served, Mariachi los Toritos serenaded the guests. The lead singer, Valentin, had a very versatile and powerful voice, and he was backed up by some of the best instrumentals we’ve heard. The lead violinist especially was amazing; her talent was showcased by several solos. After dinner, the best man and maid of honor led toasts to the newlyweds, who then cut the wedding cake. Heavenly Yours provided the confection, which again reflected the elegance of this reception with an ornate pattern of swirls in white-on-white icing.

I’m not sure who came up with the idea of giving the single ladies small veils for the bouquet toss, but the guys who received aprons for the garter toss wore them with good humor. As the evening dissolved into happy chatter and dancing, Luis and Cynthia were having the best time of anyone. We headed for home after shooting a few hours of dancing and merrymaking. Cynthia and Luis, we had a blast at your wedding, and I can’t wait to show you the images!

Jason

The recent rains in the area washed away some of the tire tracks, and left the sand a bit moist, so we didn’t have to contend with blowing dust. The moisture in the air also contributed to a phenomenon we don’t often see out here – the golden light of sunset started much earlier than usual, and lasted until the sun dipped below the horizon. Combined with the deep rust-red of the sand, we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day to take photos.

Roz asked Rick to take Rocio out on the back of a friend’s ATV, turn around, and drive past us. Rick apparently enjoyed the ride so much that he took the long way around – and caught air coming up over a rise on the dune! We’re betting he has a quad in his garage before their first anniversary, because he was having entirely too much fun motoring around the dunes.

Jason

After everyone got into their tuxes, and I pinned on the guys’ flowers, we headed downstairs to where Barb was doing her usual exemplary job decorating the reception hall. The ceremony was held in one of the ballrooms near Azul, and we made great use of the stone cross at the end of the hall as a backdrop for some of the formal photos. The formal images also included a road trip – the guys and girls piled into matching black-and-white limos for the short drive to Sonoma Ranch, where the golf course had graciously agreed to permit us to use the driving range to get some images of the bridal party with the Organ Mountains in the background. Immediately after we got the image, it began to rain, and we all made a mad dash back to the limos. The guys didn’t get to stay in theirs for very long though – when the driver turned out of the clubhouse parking lot, the limo bottomed out, and they all had to get out before it could get over the turnout!

We shot a few more formals after our return to Encanto, then Aubri and Anthony joined their guests for the tail end of the cocktail hour. After the happy couple was introduced, they danced a slow number on the floor, and then dinner was served to the guests. After dinner, the best man and both maids of honor stood up to toast (and share embarrassing stories about) the newlyweds. Anthony took the mic from his brother Jason to say a few words about Aubri’s father, who passed away last November; Anthony’s toast of thanks to the deceased was answered – by a short power outage! We’re assuming that was one way of saying “you’re welcome”. Then, the DJ played a Rolling Stones tune in tribute, and the guests filled the floor.

After the cake was cut, the garter and bouquet were thrown, and the party was on. What a great wedding!

After they chatted and snuggled for a few minutes, we did several portraits around their home, inside and out, before heading to the UTEP campus, where Rocio had made arrangements to take some photos at the Alumi Lodge. Then, we headed downtown to Camino Real, where we placed them in the Dome Bar and on the marble-and-brass staircases for more portraits. We also did a few outside the Plaza Theater next door, where the upcoming production of Wicked was advertised by the inflatable feet of the Wicked Witch protruding from the front door.

Rick and Rocio had budgeted plenty of time for their portraits, so we were running well ahead of schedule by the time we were ready to head to the next location. We spent the down time chilling in the Central Grill and Bar before we met up with the rest of the bridal party at Club Vanilla, in the bar district where we did Rick and Rocio’s engagements. Vanilla was an incredible background for some very compelling group portraits, and we ended the session with Rocio standing on the bar, backlit by the shelves of drinks.

The wedding mass was held at All Saint’s Catholic Church, an older cathedral with plenty of character. The balcony wrapped over the entire seating area, allowing Roz to get very close to the bride and groom during the ceremony, while shooting from above. I shot from the floor as usual; although the church was very small and pretty crowded, I was able to move around a little without interfering with the ceremony in the slightest. After the mass, we photographed the families on the alter, and then headed over to the reception.

When I walked in to Isaron Hall, my first impression was of the huge, octagonal gazebo-like structure dominating the center of the two-story space. My second was of the huge amount of lighting and effects gear hanging from the ceiling! After dinner, the party kicked off in grand style with a waltz by the bridal couple. They’d obviously practiced the dance, it looked very natural and some of the poses provided perfect photo ops (which we took full advantage of!) Then the dance floor opened, the smoke machines and lasers kicked in, and we were off into some of the best dance images we’ve ever captured!

Eventually, Rick and Rocio stopped dancing for long enough to cut the cake (which was decorated with custom bobble-heads, dead ringers for Rick and Rocio) and throw the garter and bouquet, but the party started right back up and was still going strong when Roz and I bowed out sometime after midnight. Rick, Rocio, we had a wonderful time, and we got some incredible images! Keep an eye on the blog for even more incredible images, this time from the Trash the Dress session we did on Sunday, out at Red Sands on an ATV!

Jason

Dawn put together all of her own flowers, and the fall theme was picked up in the details of the wedding. David’s parents showed up unexpectedly for the ceremony, and were able to stay for photos, which is always a nice surprise! After the ceremony, under an arch in the back garden, Josephina’s was nice enough to let us capture a few bridals in the antique store. After a few more around Mesilla, we returned to the patio for the reception.

After dinner under the setting sun, DJ Amer spun up the tunes, and the dance floor filled up. Amer is an experienced club DJ, but this was his first wedding, and he did a great job keeping things hopping all night. Dawn and David are such a cute couple, and Roz and I join all of their friends and family in extending our best wishes to them!

Carrie and the girls got ready over at Hotel Encanto, and the guys all got ready over at Erich and Carries place – and then we all headed over to the golf course. We had quite a time keeping them from seeing each other, because the guys were in the bar, overlooking the course, and the girls and I were out on the green, getting some formals before the ceremony. Jason managed to keep them distracted though, and it all went off seamlessly. They had chosen Tiffany blue for their main wedding color, and everything looked gorgeous all decked out there on the patio at the clubhouse.

It’s hard to say what my favorite part of the ceremony was – there were so many stunning moments that it makes it hard to choose! Lauren, Erichs daughter – twirled down the aisle sprinkling flowers as she went, and it was so cute I almost cried. She’s six – and missing more than a few teeth, making her so freaking adorable that I wanted to just take her home with me! They also had a group of Carrie’s students sing a gorgeous song during the ceremony, with acompniment of a gutairst (who doubled as the officiant) and a flautist. It was just so beautifully done! As a grand finale to the ceremony, they danced back down the aisle to Black Eyed Peas “I’ve Got A Feelin’” and it was just PRICELESS!

The reception got underway after a few bridals and couples portraits out on the course, up in the clubhouse. Their cake was not only delicious, but very well done! We loved the little golf cart on top, it was the perfect touch! They partied into the night, and even did some karaoke! Normally, that sort of thing would be fairly frightening at a wedding reception – but not at this one! Since almost all the people there were very talented musicians and singers in their own right, the karaoke was GREAT!

We had so much fun you guys! We wish you well in your life together!

Roz and Jason

All of the details were just gorgeous – I’m restraining myself from posting every single gorgeous flower, piece of jewelry, and everything else! Her flowers were beautiful, and their rings were just amazing! Given the wonderful surroundings outside, we took a ton of shots of the wedding details outside among the trees. Haley’s grandmother had brought a gorgeous rosery to weave into her flowers, and it really was the finishing touch. And with that finished, they were ready to walk down the aisle!

Their ceremony took place just as the sun was setting over the mountains, making the light buttery and golden for a beautiful ceremony. Haley’s dad was very emotional over giving his little girl away – a moment every dad treasures and struggles with. Justin and his groomsmen had their cowboy hats on, and he was just blown away by how beautiful she looked as she came down the aisle on her daddy’s arm. The flower girls and ring bearers were super cute, even if they didn’t feel like standing still on the alter while the formalities happened. It was truly magical out there.

After the ceremony, we took everyone out on the property, and got some gorgeous bridals and couple shots with the two of them, and of course, family shots as well. After that, everyone headed to the Ruidoso Convention Center for the reception, where the festivities lasted long into the night!

Haley and Justin, we wish you well in your new life together, congratulations!

Roz and Jason

Jason

The day started out quietly, with Maria at Tresses Salon in El Paso. Tresses just moved to their new digs on Gateway East; the salon was still having some finishing touches added, but that didn’t seem to affect the outcome – Maria’s hair came out looking great! Then it was off to the mall, where the ladies at the MAC counter helped her and Jasmine apply their makeup. Roz and I grabbed some lunch after they were finished, and then we all went to the hotel, where Kara, the wedding coordinator, was waiting for us with the rest of the bridal party, Maria’s mom, and the dress!

I took off right after Maria got a gift of jewelry from Genaro; I had to cross I-10 to get to the hotel where the guys were getting dressed. The room was cool after the heat outside, and so were the guys – everyone was mostly ready to go (early!) when I got there, so I delivered the silver USB drive Maria got Genaro (engraved with “World’s Greatest Husband”), we did some images of the poker chip cuff-links Maria found for the guys in Las Vegas, and then we headed to the church.

As we headed down Zaragosa towards Ysletta and Mt. Carmel, we ran into a water main break, which forced us to detour. We might have gotten lost if Roz hadn’t spotted the dome on the Old Mission Church! We made it in plenty of time, but the ceremony got off to a late start anyway, as guests got caught in the traffic jam that resulted from the road closure. It was a pleasure working with the Father again; he remembered us from Armida’s wedding at the Mission, almost a year ago!

After her maids walked down the aisle, Maria appeared, and Genaro’s face lit up. She was radiant; Roz had to wipe tears away (after she got the photo of Genaro’s face, of course!) The ceremony included many Latin touches, and the painted alter area provided a perfect backdrop. Mariachis provided traditional musical accompaniment to the ceremony, and afterward, they played in the plaza while the guests danced and we shot formals.

En route to the Lancer’s club for the reception, we all got stuck in traffic around the broken pipes again – but we got to the hall in plenty of time for the main events of the evening! The stunning main wedding cake was complemented by a groom’s cake, which resembled a pile of poker chips. After dinner, DJ Ivan announced the toasts and cake cutting, and then the party got started with the bouquet and garter toss!

Ivan handled the pre-bouquet-toss conga line perfectly – and it’s easy to let the party go on to long, or to cut it too short, and leave the guests hanging. The bouquet toss went off perfectly. Then it was Genaro’s turn – and he put on an impromptu strip tease for Maria, strutting his stuff, throwing his vest to her, and having a great time.

When Ivan called the young couple who caught the garter and bouquet out onto the floor, I was worried – we’ve seen a few fairly awkward situations arise at this point. Once again, I was shocked. I’m still not sure if it was planned or not, but Ivan threw on MC Hammer, and the couple transformed instantly from awkward teens into two of the hottest dancers I’ve ever seen! When they were done tearing up the floor, the rest of the guests came out – and the party went up another notch. Ivan kept the dance floor hot all night, a feat which is amazingly rare down here. Never once did he clear everyone off with a poor song selection; the crowd was having as much fun as he was. And wow, could they DANCE! Admittedly, I’m a white guy – but there were quite literally toddlers out on that floor that could dance circles around me.

After we shot more (incredible) dance images than I’ve ever gotten at a single wedding, Roz and I packed it up and headed home. Maria and Genaro, we met some fun people, and generally had a blast spending the day with both of you! Have fun on your honeymoon; we’ll have images ready when you get back!

Jason