Opa! A colorful Greek wedding in Santa Fe

Although Aaron and Allyson reside in Austin, Texas, they decided to return to Aaron's hometown for a blended wedding celebration in Santa Fe. Aaron grew up attending services at the St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church in El Dorado, so it was important that Father Dimitri preside over the ceremony. Yet, they also wanted their guests to experience Santa Fe's unique charm, and La Fonda on the Plaza was the perfect base to enjoy all that downtown has to offer. The terrace is perfect for intimate receptions with big views.

I started my day at the La Terraza suite at La Fonda, an ideal setting for the couple's getting-ready images, private vows, and detail shots. From there, we hitched a ride with Santa Fe Classic Limo over to the church, where Father Dimitri awaited our arrival. Inside the church, colorful frescoes depicting traditional iconography created a vibrant backdrop for the couple's ceremony.

Tattooed hair stylist laughing while spraying hairspray on smiling bride during wedding morning preparations at home.
Bride in floral robe putting on earrings while looking at her reflection in a bright vanity mirror while getting ready.
Woman in floral robe adjusts hair while standing near a mirror in a hotel room.
Mother helping bride button up elegant long-sleeve white wedding gown from behind near a full-length mirror.
Older woman in blue floral dress helps bride with white wedding gown train near arched door.
Blue and white floral wedding invitation for Aaron Stevens and Allyson Brown surrounded by rings, flowers, and accessories.
Smiling bride in white gown poses with older woman in blue floral dress under arched doorway.
Bride with blue eyes and red lips putting on earrings in white dress before wedding.
Close-up of bridal bouquet featuring peach roses, blue thistles, succulents, and greenery.
Wedding rings in teal velvet box with peach roses beside Aaron Stevens and Allyson Brown invitation.
Groom in black suit having boutonniere pinned by older woman before wedding ceremony.
Smiling bride in deep V-neck white gown holding colorful bridal bouquet with peach roses and blue thistles.
Elegant older woman in blue floral dress gazes thoughtfully out a wooden-framed window.
Mother helping bride in elegant white backless wedding gown with flowing train get ready indoors.
Handsome groom in black suit adjusting tie while gazing out window with peach boutonniere.
Bride and groom exchange vows outdoors with a historic stone cathedral in the background.
Bride reads vows from a book while holding hands with groom before a stone cathedral.
Bride and groom face each other reading vows with a historic church visible behind them.
Groom listens attentively as bride reads wedding vows before a dramatic cloudy sky and cathedral.
Bride and groom exchange vows holding hands outside Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe.
Smiling bride in white gown and veil gazes at groom during outdoor wedding ceremony in Santa Fe.
Groom in black suit reads wedding vows from red book while bride touches his face tenderly.
Newlywed couple poses holding hands in front of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe.
Groom reads vows from red book to bride in white dress outside historic Santa Fe cathedral.
Bride smiles joyfully at groom reading vows outside stone cathedral in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Aerial black and white photo of bride and groom descending elegant staircase with bouquet.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi framed by lush greenery under dramatic cloudy sky.
Newlyweds share romantic kiss in front of Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, Santa Fe.
Elegant Santa Fe hotel courtyard with string lights, fountain, and outdoor seating under stormy sky.
Bride and groom walk hand-in-hand through a rustic adobe corridor with black wooden beams.
Exterior view of a multi-story adobe-style building with black balconies under cloudy skies.
Bride and groom stand at the altar of an ornate Orthodox church with vibrant Byzantine frescoes during wedding ceremony.
Man speaks at a wooden podium inside an Orthodox church adorned with colorful religious icons and floral arrangements.
Bride in white gown walks down the aisle escorted by her father in a stunning Orthodox church with elaborate ceiling frescoes.
Priest in decorative blue and white vestments leads a service in a beautifully painted Orthodox church with icon-covered walls.
Stunning Byzantine fresco of an angel with a staff painted on the deep blue dome ceiling of an Orthodox church.
Bride and groom stand together at the altar of an ornate Orthodox church with richly painted domed ceiling and icons.
Bride and groom stand solemnly at the altar during an Orthodox wedding ceremony surrounded by religious icons and guests.
Bride in elegant white gown receives bouquet from a guest near the iconostasis during an Orthodox wedding ceremony.
Groom places a wedding ring on the bride's finger during an intimate ring exchange ceremony.
Orthodox priest reads from a book during a wedding ceremony while bride and groom stand before an ornate iconostasis.
Orthodox priest in ornate blue and white vestments performing a ceremony inside a richly decorated Byzantine church.
Couple exchanges vows in ornate Orthodox church with stunning blue ceiling murals and golden chandeliers.
Orthodox priest reads from scripture at podium during traditional wedding ceremony inside decorated church.
Orthodox priest performs wedding ritual with groom and bride during traditional Greek church ceremony.
Bride and groom stand at altar in beautifully decorated Orthodox church with colorful religious frescoes.
Orthodox priest holds chalice over red velvet table during traditional wedding sacrament ceremony.
Bride and groom posing beside a vintage white car outside a white Orthodox church under dramatic skies.