Bohemian and Terracotta Desert Wedding

It was a brisk Fall morning as we all arrived at the resort, leaves rustling across the circle drive with every little gust of wind. Fall was here, and there are few places more beautiful to witness the sunrise than over the Sandia Mountains as it slowly reaches the crest and beams across the city. We walked down the small stone pathway to the ceremony location to gaze out east across the Bosque. In front of us lay the Rio Grande River with towering cottonwoods hugging each side. Beyond that, miles of mesa leading up to the mountain range that dwarf the city. There couldn’t be a more perfect spot on this perfect day to say I do for Cameron and Michelle. Prep began around noon and getting to watch Genica Lee and her incredible transformation of hair/makeup is always a joy, but what left us all speechless was hearing how Cameron handcrafted so much for the wedding. He literally made their rings, the tie clips, laser engraved everything from their wedding invites to their vow books. He even engraved the hanger for Michelle’s wedding dress with the wedding logo SHE designed. There wasn’t a corner of this wedding without a personal touch from one of them you could feel it. About an hour before the ceremony began, we walked Michelle over to a small adobe ruin and set her in place for the first of many breathtaking moments of the day, their first look. She tapped his shoulder, he turned and smiled. He gave her a spin and they shared a kiss before moving over to a small stone bench to sit for a moment. To slow down the pace of the day, to breathe in the fresh crisp air, to take comfort in each other’s warmth, and to just be present. As their family and friends took their seats, a cello and guitar duet began to play and continued through the procession. Again set beneath the mountain vistas, Cameron and Michelle made their way down the stone path to a large stone circle with a rug in the center surrounded by tall grassy floral arrangements. In front of their crowd of witnesses these two incorporated a beautiful traditional Navajo wedding cleansing ceremony along with their vows before exchanging the rings he made and saying ‘I do’. As the ceremony ended our light was quickly fading so we all hopped on a golf cart with a bottle of champagne as we made our way out to a fieldset before a towering cliff. The sunset before us as we snapped every photo we could and silhouetted the couple as it dipped behind the horizon. Back in the cart we made our way to the reception hall set deep in the Bosque surrounded by cottonwood on every side. Arriving at the hall, we took family photos and stopped for another moment to be present. Another moment to share and hopefully stow away a memory of the day before entering. The room welcomed us with its warmth and bustled with excitement for Cameron and Michelle. Food and drink were flowing, heartfelt toasts and beautiful dances shared completed the night. From our view behind the lens we could sense every heart in the hall that night was full. Including ours. Not a single piece of this day felt ‘ordinary’. Every moment was bathed in intentionality, thought and care. Cheers to Cameron and Michelle and may every blessing fathomed be their future.

– New Mexico Photographer, David Jesse Photography