Mitzi + Dan’s Spring Solstice Wedding at the Inn at the Turquoise Bear in Santa Fe, New Mexico
It could be the altitude sickness talking, but there is something magical about Santa Fe. The town nestled at 7000 feet is a mixture of warm adobe walls with swatches of turquoise on windowsills. I can completely understand why Mitzi and Dan wanted to have their spring solstice elopement ceremony in New Mexico.
Mitzi and I have known each other ever since we volunteered together at Help Portrait in Indianapolis. When she told me about her wedding plans, I knew I was going to be beaming from ear to ear throughout. She is a gentle soul and has an infectious smile. You can’t help but feel at ease when you are around her. I had met Dan briefly in Indianapolis, but really got to know him in Santa Fe. He was a trooper. Having a camera around is never easy!
While talking to Mitzi, she said their plans have been a weather whirlwind. It started with their fall engagement portraits that we had to reschedule because 90 degree days. Then, initially the couple planned their ceremony in Puerto Rico. Then a hurricane hit. Santa Fe must have used its magic to draw Mitzi and Dan in. The couple chose the Inn at the Turquoise Bear for their intimate ceremony. If you look in the image thread, I’m one of their witnesses!! I insisted they have some prosecco post ceremony as well, because why not?!
I could go on and on in how amazing Santa fe (and elopements are) but I think you will see that through the images above. Thank you Mitzi and Dan. It was an honor!
Q+A with Mitzi and Dan:
How did you two meet?
We met online. While we later found out that we were connected to some of the same people and had likely been in the same place at the same time, our laid-back introverted nature likely kept us from ever meeting. Upon meeting in person, we felt at home with each other.
How did Dan propose?
Dan surprised me after I came home one Monday on a summer evening. When I got home, I sensed something was up, but I could not have imagined what. Dan lured me outside right under my favorite tree. It was about a week from my birthday, so when he knelt down and turned on a bubble machine I thought that was my surprise. I loved playing with my niece’s bubble machine so in my mind this was the perfect gift. When I saw him pull something out of his pocket I realized that I was in for an even bigger surprise. Dan proposed in amidst sea of bubbles as the sun began to go down. It was pretty adorable and magical. I was beaming.
How did you decide on Santa Fe?
We wanted each element of our wedding to have special meaning to us. We had previously traveled to Santa Fe on one of our longer trips together. We loved everything about the environment in the high dessert in the spring time. It had such an easy and relaxing atmosphere. We just felt like we were floating on air while we were there. We wish we could have stayed longer, so it only seemed fitting that we return to exchange our vows.
Favorite part of your day?
The favorite part of our day was our “first-look.” I enjoyed getting ready and putting on my dress, knowing that he had not seen it. The dress was very special to me. I wanted a fair-trade dress and the Maya dress (named after Maya Angelou) made by Celia Grace was perfect in so many ways. I could not wait to show Dan the dress. Stepping outside and then walking up the path to see Dan standing with his back towards me. I will never forget Dan’s expression when he turned around and saw me in my dress for the first time. I felt so beautiful. The setting was perfect. The sun was shining just above and a lovely wind blew through as we exchanged our vows. I just felt like I had stepped into nature’s cathedral. It was so special and better than anything I could have imagined.
[My favorite part of the celebration was getting everyone on the dance floor doing a “Soul Train” line to one of my favorite songs. My cousin was dj’ing and Daniel’s nephew Charlie was a big part in getting people on the floor. Friends and family joined in and it created a wonderful feeling and union and celebration. My dad has passed, but I had the sense that he was there enjoying it all. He would have been there busting a move. We also enjoyed when all our nieces, nephews, and cousins charged the cupcake table.]
Favorite memory?
Right after we got married we went into the formal dining room at the Inn to sign the marriage certificate. After all the rush of emotions from our ceremony, there was just a sense of peace and joy. We had a moment to simply be present to each other and to rest in the feelings of just having gotten married. It was also awesome to have Stacy as our witness!!!
Favorite detail?
All of it! haha! Our favorite details were the Santa Fe colors. Hushed Commotions customized my shoes to give them Santa Fe flair and sparkle. (One of Dan’s favorite details). I bought a lovely shawl on Etsy that was made with beautiful yarn bought in Santa Fe that blended so well with my dress. Dan bought some fun Santa Fe inspired socks from local store Sock Magic. Marisa Millefiori of A Passion Flowers created a beautiful bouquet and boutonnieres. It all tied in with the beautiful Santa Fe backdrop and mountain air.
Any advice for couple’s planning their wedding?
Our last trip to Santa Fe, we got the wonderful advice to “do what is nourishing.” Meaning to do the things that make you happy and fill your soul. Plan the wedding for yourself, not your guests. They will be happy to attend YOUR wedding. It was important for us to have a ceremony setting that was meaningful to us and a celebration that was warm, relaxing, and inviting. We did just that. We exchanged our vows in a way that was true to us — intimate and in a setting we loved. We then came back to celebrate our union with friends and family. The best compliment I received, was from a guest who said that the could sense us as a couple as soon as they walked in the door. They felt at home and ready to celebrate!
Vendor team: Planner Frame Worthy Events, Florals, Marisa Millefiori with A Passion Flower, Hotel/Ceremony Location Inn at the Turquoise bear, Shoes Tieks, Gown Dame Couture, Accessories Hushed Commotion, Jewelry Jennie Kwon Designs + Aide-Memoire Jewelry + Sianna Sherman, Photography Stacy Able Photography