We are Charleston wedding photographers who have always photographed weddings around the United States and the world. This wedding took us to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a wedding at La Posada de Santa Fe, a place at which we’ve photographed several weddings through the years.
Santa Fe Wedding
Lauren’s dad Daniel is the guy you’ll see holding court, telling the most hilarious, animated stories, with a very dry sense of humor. He’s in control, he’s unbreakable. But all it took was his daughter’s whispered “I love you” seconds before walking down the aisle to bring all his emotions to the front for all to see.
It was a beautiful, raw, rare moment from a family that loves to joke around and mess with each other. And it was all the guests could talk about afterward.
Lauren’s father is an engineer for the Walt Disney Company. She followed in his footsteps and also became an engineer – a highly sought-after engineer who was recruited (many times, before she finally said yes) by Los Alamos National Laboratory in Santa Fe. Lauren met Dalton, a fellow engineer AND constant goofball, at a conference. Lauren only took the job at Los Alamos because they also happened to have an opening for Dalton as well, for his specific work as an industrial engineer. They were perfect for each other and knew quickly that this was what they wanted for life.
Needless to say, these two families truly *get* each other. And for all the joking around and ribbing each other, there’s just as much love, romance and sentiment. Even when they’re flipping each other off, they’re doing it with love in their eyes (yes that happened during portraits).
Giving The Guests A Show
Lauren and Dalton love their adopted city of Santa Fe so much that when it came time to deciding the wedding location, their hearts told them to stay right where they were – home. Their wedding at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and reception at La Posada de Santa Fe resort was nonstop beauty, love and laughs – from Dalton forgetting the rings (it’s funny, right Lauren?), to the groomsmen surprising everyone with T-shirts featuring Dalton in various unflattering situations, to the “father-daughter dance” morphing into a full family performance of “Time Warp” from Rocky Horror Picture Show, to the famous “tequila donkey” who brought everyone shots toward the end of the night. There was even an impromptu shirtless Chippendale’s performance by a few of the groomsmen. I don’t know if anyone expected the wildness and hilarity that ensued at this reception. But they sure got quite a a show the entire night.
When You Know, You Know
It’s refreshing to see two families come together who love to entertain each other and laugh as much as this crew. But what makes it all even more impactful is witnessing the strong undercurrent of love and respect present in every moment. Lauren and Dalton are starting their marriage on a very firm foundation, which makes all the difference.
And lastly, if you’re here looking for inspiration for your own Southwest wedding, definitely check out our other Santa Fe weddings!