Carolyn + Nick | Intimate Santa Fe Wedding

This past Saturday, we were privileged to experience Carolyn and Nick’s intimate wedding… collectively, our first wedding in months, and Maura’s first time shooting one since March! We woke up incredibly excited and thankful for the opportunity to do our jobs again.

While COVID-19 has undoubtedly altered everyone’s plans and lives immensely, we watched this sweet couple handle all the obstacles that were thrown their way with tremendous grace. From their wedding shrinking from several hundred people to only a few, to issues forcing them to switch their venue a few times, along with wildfires in Santa Fe, and Carolyn’s sister Sarah not being able to attend last minute thanks to the pandemic… all that we witnessed was this pair say, “It is what it is, we just want to be married!” with loving smiles on their faces. Honestly, it was humbling to watch, and further cemented in our minds that we truly do get to serve the best couples.

The ceremony took place in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, where a small group of Carolyn and Nick’s family gathered (while still being spread out from each other). As a surprise to the couple, Carolyn’s family hilariously made cardboard cutouts of the family who were unable to attend, all of them done up and wearing what they had intended to wear to the wedding. In this way, they were still able to “be there” for the beloved pair, and it was quite amusing to watch Carolyn’s face as she offhandedly skimmed the cutouts in the crowd… only to realize they were faces of people they recognized!

At the small reception, we loved the colorful touches the couple chose to include throughout the decor. Mexican sodas, wedding cookies, and yummy paletas were served in front of a colorful handmade backdrop, while bright flowers and handmade painted linens graced the tables.

We loved Carolyn’s dance with her dad, which was a singalong of “Sweet Carolyn (and Nick),” an amusing take on the classic “Sweet Caroline.” Then came the heartfelt toasts that had everyone in tears, which was followed by an even more emotional event: Nick set up a projector and played a video from all the people who couldn’t attend, including Carolyn’s sister, sweetly addressing the couple.

We are not only so glad that we were able to finally do a wedding again (our favorite thing in the world, hence why it’s our job!), but that it was the wedding of this adorable pair. We couldn’t have asked for a better one to ease us back into the swing of things!

Congratulations to Carolyn and Nick, and we wish them years upon years of happiness!

Venue: St Francis Cathedral

Dress: Posh Bridal

Shoes: Steve Madden

HMU: Something Ginger

Invitations: Handmade by the bride

Florals: Wendy Wilson

Rings: Tiffany’s

Dessert: The Paleta Bar