Julie and Kyle

Wednesday, October 19, 2011




































Growing up, I was always a bit fearful of my mom's best friend; Merlinda performed smudging ceremonies, encouraged us to smoke from her peace pipe, built a "goddess pool" in her yard that was clearly a giant mud pit full of murky water, and bought a valley in New Mexico where I was sure she planned to dance naked around a yurt and kidnap my mother. My 8 year old self was sure Merlinda was out of her mind and that New Mexico was a bad place to vacation.

Luckily this wedding has warmed me to the Land of Enchantment. No really, that's New Mexico's official nickname. Maybe not enough to visit Merlinda any time soon, but certainly enough to appreciate the jaw-dropping beauty of Jesse Leake's photos.

This celebration brought together the couple's Native American and Irish traditions in the city that stole their hearts-Santa Fe, and reflected their love and sense of family. The couple chose Encantado, a stunning Auberge resort, for the ceremony and reception location; invitations, menu cards and programs designed by the couple with the help of Suann Song of Simple Song Designs, were decorated with miniature four leaf clover charms, clothespins printed with the words "love" and feathers.

Julie wore a simple Priscilla of Boston gown complete with pockets, a simple pair of J.Crew flats and the most darling braided belt, while Kyle chose a classic Brooks Brothers suit. The bouquet Julie carried and those gorgeous arrangements were inspired by her favorite shop, Anthropologie, and featured shades of peach, cream, purple, yellow and pink designed by Andrea Soorikian.

The pair was married on an American Indian rug, and guests sat on rustic wooden benches around the couple. Buckeye seeds, a good luck charm in native American folklore, were placed on ceremony programs in groups of 15 to represent the day Kyle and Julie met. After exchanging "five promises" instead of traditional vows, the couple shared their first dance, a change in program order I just adore!

The reception featured a single long table covered in a natural linen tablecloth and burlap runner. Vintage amber jars, driftwood, turquoise votives and herringbone towels the bride and groom scouted on Etsy and in vintage shops gave the table an organic beauty, and coordinator Alicia Troxell of Barnwood & Birch (and this gem of a wedding!) made sure each detail the couple had worked so hard on looked perfect on the big day. After a home style meal with a New Mexican twist–steak or halibut, mashed potatoes, green beans, calabacitas and green chile cornbread–pecan pie was the perfectly sweet ending to a day full of love, heritage and joy.


Many thanks to Jesse Leake for sharing these images of this beautiful couple and the Land of Enchantment-maybe a New Mexico holiday doesn't sound like such a bad idea after all!

34 comments:

  1. Yesterday, I visibly shuddered after having to say the word "husband", but these always make me smile. :)

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  2. I love that they put a succulent on top of the cake. That's pretty genius.

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  3. Oh my goodness sooo gorgeous!! Every detail!!

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  4. I'm loving the paper goods- so simple yet so special! Beautiful wedding.

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  5. Love the succulents! The bride looks gorgeous, I love the rug they stood on. Oh, and Lena, Santa Fe is so much fun...very pretty and not too spooky. We used to vacation there all the time and I never bathed in a goddess pool.

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  6. Love love love love LOVE the table setting!!! And her ring... don't even get me started!

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  7. Love, love love. The succulents on the cake...adore! And I have to say I really, really love his gold band. Great taste!

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  8. So beautiful! What unique decor! I love it! And the bride and groom look enthralled with each other. Love that. Thanks for sharing! Your blog is fantastic!

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  9. Wow! What a beautiful wedding! I can't look at your posts without just completely being in envy. Swoon!

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  10. I'm in love with their whole reception - those cakes are stunning!

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  11. Oh my goodness this is a perfect wedding! I had no idea that New Mexico could be so lovely!
    AND your mom's best friend seems a little "out there" uhm what was in that peace pipe of hers?!

    http://annawalker1992.blogspot.com/

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  12. love that they were married on an American Indian rug. such a special touch.

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  13. These photos are so beautiful. I love seeing/using natural light in pictures. It makes it look so pretty and well, natural!

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  14. One of the prettiest tables I've seen in a long time, and the lighting is just perfect! My parents live in Santa Fe and it really is beautiful. Im glad you're warming up to it! :)

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  15. I'm glad you're warming up to New Mexico. We're not really too strange, but the traditions run deep. That was a gorgeous wedding, so simple and poignant. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  16. This is one gorgeous couple with impeccable tastes. I love the simplicity of her dress paired with a really cool belt and shoes. Simply fab.

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  17. Such a stunning and charming wedding. I love every element of it!

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  18. I just LOVE the note card place settings with the old photos! So great!!!

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  19. I LOVE the rustic Southwest vibe! Gorgeous!

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  20. I always look forward to your Wednesday weddings, they are also so perfect!!

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  21. Gorgeous! That cake table is so perfectly rustic!

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  22. Everything is so simple but decadent. Beautiful venue space and love the Bride's relaxed hair!

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  23. how simple and sweet! i just lovelove the floral arrangements!

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  24. WOW, so much inspiration here. I love this wedding. And that ring photo...ah!!!!!

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  25. I love the belt with the wedding dress, a very cool idea!!

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  26. I loved everything about this wedding! Especially that simple invitation.

    Maria @ A Blooming Spirit

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  27. Are you kidding me with this wedding? At every turn, there lies *another* amazing detail. Succulents on the cake, a wedding dress with pockets and the cutest braided belt a girl has ever seen on a wedding dress, buckeye seeds in groups of 15, BURLAP. Land of Enchantment? Yeah, I think so.

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  28. My sister lives in Albuquerque and I adore New Mexico. I think you would love it! And btw, the description of the goddess pool make me giggle!

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  29. What a lovely wedding! Love those succulents and the architecture!

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  30. Ha! Your intro to this post is just too good.

    I must say, I love every single thing about this wedding. Santa Fe is such a beautiful place and I love the touches of southwest charm. The cake, the dress and don't even get me started on the menu... Green chile cornbread! Yum!

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  31. this table setting is by far one of the nicest I have ever seen!!!

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