From Ojo Caliente to the Rio Grande Gorge

After nearly 11 years of courting, Elizabeth and Zane married in a small courthouse ceremony in Iowa just before Christmas, so that their parents could be present. But Liz had her heart set on an elopement in New Mexico, since she had always dreamed of getting married in the mountains. I planned a little road trip starting at Ojo Caliente Spa, where they had decided to lodge. With a little luck and spontaneity, we had some beautiful winter weather and an epic Sunday adventure.

Wedding flat lay with diamond ring in velvet box, red roses bouquet, and personalized ring dish dated 01.07.24.
Bride in elegant white satin high-neck gown holding small floral arrangement while seated by window.
Bride wearing black pointed-toe heels beneath flowing white satin wedding gown in dramatic lighting.
Bride in white satin wedding dress seated by window with scattered red rose petals on floor.
Radiant bride in white long-sleeve satin gown smiling by window with rose petals on floor.
Wedding flat lay with pearl bracelet, rings, rose petals, and personalized dish dated 01.07.24.
Black and white photo of bride in white wedding dress reflected in rustic bathroom mirror.
Bride and groom walking hand-in-hand down adobe corridor with wooden rocking chairs at historic venue.
Groom smiling at bride in white fur wrap and satin gown on rustic Southwest venue porch.
Bride in white fur shawl pins boutonniere on groom's black tuxedo at winter wedding.
Groom tenderly embracing bride in white fur capelet during first look on Southwest venue porch.
Bride in white fur wrap adjusts groom's tie during winter wedding at adobe venue.
Winter wedding couple touches foreheads romantically outdoors with snowy landscape behind them.
Wedding couple holds hands by cozy fireplace with pink bridal bouquet on wooden table.
Bride and groom walk hand-in-hand outside snowy adobe building holding red wedding bouquet.

Next stop: Gorge Bridge

Obsessively checking the weather radar, we hopped in the car and drove to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which rising 650 feet over the river makes it the second highest bridge on the US Highway system. The sweeping views from a short trail along the canyon made a perfect location for to exchange vows.

Bride and groom walking through snowy desert landscape with sagebrush during winter wedding.
Snow-covered Rio Grande Gorge Bridge spanning dramatic canyon in Taos New Mexico in winter.
Couple sharing intimate moment in snowy desert field with sagebrush during winter elopement.
Couple holding hands and walking through snowy sagebrush landscape during winter elopement.
Bride and groom exchanging vows on snowy cliff overlooking dramatic canyon during winter elopement.
Bride and groom standing at edge of snow-covered canyon gorge during outdoor winter ceremony.
Smiling bride in white dress posing outdoors with snowy mountain landscape in background.
Bride reading vows to groom with Rio Grande Gorge Bridge visible in winter background.
Close-up of bride sliding a silver wedding band onto groom's finger during outdoor winter wedding.
Bride and groom holding hands exchanging vows on snowy canyon overlook during winter elopement.
Groom placing a wedding ring on bride's finger during winter ceremony, bride wearing pearl bracelet.
Wedding couple embracing at snowy canyon overlook with river gorge and mountains in background.
Bride and groom reach for each other's hands over snowy canyon during winter elopement.
Groom lifts bride at snowy Rio Grande Gorge during joyful winter wedding elopement.
Couple holds hands over snowy Rio Grande Gorge, bride wearing pearl bracelet and ring.
Couple embracing at the edge of a snowy canyon gorge with a bridge in distance.

Hat shopping and the Ranchos Chapel


Zane had mentioned that he wanted a cowboy hat earlier in the day, so just as the snow started to fall, we headed to Taos for a stop at the original Overland Sheepskin Co. The friendly staff was so excited about Liz and Zane's elopement, especially their resident canine clerk, Eddie. They recommended we finish our adventure at the San Francisco de Asís Chapel, one of the most photographed mission churches in the southwest.

Couple laughing while trying on cowboy hats in a rustic western shop.
Bearded man in cowboy hat and leather jacket reflected in a mirror inside a western shop.
Black and white portrait of bearded man wearing a wide-brim cowboy hat indoors.
Bride in white fur coat and hat smiling in a mirror at a rustic boutique.
Woman in white coat petting a golden dog standing on a table in a rustic shop.
Couple holding hands by a vintage rusty truck in a snowy winter landscape.
Couple posing together beside an antique rusty truck in falling snow.
Wedding couple holding hands under a snowy adobe church arch in New Mexico.
Bride in white coat and hat standing before a snow-covered adobe church door.
Groom approaching bride at a snow-dusted adobe church entrance with wreaths.
Wedding couple shares romantic kiss against snow-covered adobe wall during winter elopement.
Bride in white coat and fur hat kisses groom in snowfall outside adobe church.
Close-up of bride and groom holding hands showing wedding and engagement rings in snow.
Bride and groom standing under a snow-covered adobe church gateway in winter.
Bride and groom embrace beside historic adobe church during heavy snowfall winter wedding.
Bride and groom hold hands before snow-covered adobe wall during winter New Mexico elopement.

Congratulations, Elizabeth and Zane! Thank you so much for trusting me to guide and photograph you on this special afternoon.

If you're a couple or family wanting to plan a New Mexico adventure, please say hello. My love for hiking, snowshoeing, snowboarding, road tripping, and all things exploration makes me not only a unique photographer in Northern New Mexico, but also a great tour guide.