Congratulations! You’ve decided to have your wedding in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. You’ve made an exciting choice and you’ll be able to create a wedding experience with memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.
Here are some things you need to know about tying the knot in the City Different, with some helpful tips from the wedding pros at Santa Fe private event space The Sunset Terrace.
Number 1 — The wedding Paperwork
Before getting married, the happy couple can get a marriage license at the Office of the Santa Fe County Clerk by paying $25 and each showing a form of ID such as a driver’s license. The license does not expire and can be used anywhere in the state. No blood test is required and there is no waiting period.
Number 2 — The Officiant
Your ceremony can be performed by anyone who is ordained by a religious organization or is a tribal official with authority to perform a wedding ceremony. The person does not need to register their credentials with the county or state.
Number 3 — The wedding Date
There are many considerations involved in selecting the date for your wedding, but if you’re getting married in Santa Fe, you’ll want to think about both the weather and major events.
While Santa Fe has beautiful, sunny weather pretty much year-round, winter may have snow and freezing temperatures, with January being the coldest month with an average high of 41 degrees. Spring begins warming up, but may be windy. It’s not unknown to have snow flurries during spring break! Summer is warmer but not too hot with an average temperature in the mid-80s. Keep in mind that summer afternoons may bring monsoons which can affect an outdoor wedding. Fall is generally considered the most lovely and temperate season in Santa Fe and the biggest events of the year are over by then.
Speaking of events, Santa Fe is home to many that draw visitors from around the country. Some of the markets take place on the city’s plaza in the heart of downtown. Visitors fill the hotel rooms and drive up rates. You may want to avoid weekends with events like the International Folk Art Market, Spanish Market, Santa Fe Indian Market, Santa Fe Fiesta, and the Burning of Zozobra. These all happen in the summer months between July and September.
Number 4 — The Attire
Santa Fe is a city that embraces many cultures and many styles of dress. At the famed Santa Fe Opera, for instance, it’s not unusual to find people dressed to the nines seated next to someone in a nice pair of jeans and boots. Both may be sporting some beautiful turquoise jewelry.
So, what’s the dress code for a wedding in Santa Fe? Whatever you’d like it to be! Keep it casual or ask folks to dress up. The weather will affect your decision as will your venue, especially if you decide on an outdoor wedding. Keep in mind that the temperature in Santa Fe drops quite a bit at night, so if your wedding celebrations will go from daytime to night, bringing warming layers may be necessary.
If you’re the bride and wearing white, think about your menu. While “Red or green?” is the state question, referring to the choice between red or green chile on your food, you’ll have to think about what spots would be harder to get out of your dress!
Number 5 — The wedding Venue
There are lots of wonderful places to get married in Santa Fe and checking out your options will be part of the fun. Do you want to be married at a historic church? How about at one of the city’s beautiful resorts? Is an outdoor wedding in a park or garden more your style?
You may want to consider working with a venue that specializes in weddings, like The Sunset Terrace. This Santa Fe private event space is in the heart of downtown with stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and indoor and outdoor spaces. Since The Sunset Terrace is owned by the same people as iconic Santa Fe restaurants Coyote Café, Santacafé, and Coyote Cantina, you know the food will be outstanding as well. Owner Quinn Stephenson says, ““People travel all over the world to merely visit Santa Fe, so if you have an opportunity to get married in this majestic place, you and your loved ones will cherish that memory forever!”
While this is just a start to your Santa Fe wedding planning, we’re sure that your New Mexico wedding experience will be enchanting!
This article sponsored by The Sunset Terrace
