Your Guide For How to Elope In New Mexico
NEW MEXICO PHOTOGRAPHER // ALBUQUERQUE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER // NEW MEXICO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
First, why choose New Mexico for your elopement?
Uhum where do I even start!? Southwest desert vibes, incredible history (hello, Santa Fe is the oldest city in the United states), and crazy-beautiful sunsets. Not enough? There are also rock formations, hot air balloons, and art districts. And lastly, New Mexico is full of wild landscapes similar to the surrounding states—except with half the crowds.
This place is so underrated. But hey, I’d rather keep this place as our little best-kept anyways! Let’s get into the details of planning your New Mexico elopement.
How to Legally Elope in New Mexico
Great news, getting legally married in New Mexico is super simple!
You must obtain your marriage license prior to your ceremony–there is no waiting period, it is valid immediately, and it doesn’t expire.
To apply for your marriage license you’ll need to bring your legal picture ID (or birth certificate), proof of your social security number, and $25 to the Country Clerk’s office.
For your ceremony you’ll need to have an officiant and two witnesses.
Your signed marriage license must be returned to the County Clerk’s Office within 90 days of your ceremony.
Like I said, suuuper simple!
The Best Time of Year to Elope in New Mexico
Spring, late summer, and fall are the ideal times to elope in New Mexico. Temps are mild, there’s plenty of sunshine, and little precipitation. Although temperatures vary due to the terrain and altitudes of different regions, summers are known to be extremely hot during the day. If you have your heart set on a summer elopement, I’d recommend a sunrise or sunset ceremony to escape those toasty temps.
However, if you’re a fan of snowy mountain towns, don’t count out Taos for your winter elopement!
Picking a Day of the Week to Elope
Although New Mexico doesn’t attract high volume crowds like places such as Colorado, popular locations in the state do get busy on the weekends. People head out on the weekends to enjoy the same outdoor destinations and local attractions that made you want to get married in New Mexico in the first place! My advice to avoid the crowds is to elope on a weekday.
More privacy at popular locations isn’t the only weekday elopement perk: more vendors will be available, you’ll hit minimal traffic getting to destinations that are further away, and prices for lodging/travel will be less expensive.
Choosing Between Sunrise or Sunset for Your Elopement
Although New Mexico is known for its crazy colorful sunsets, you really can’t go wrong with a sunset or sunrise elopement. Instead, think about how you want to spend your day. Do you want to beat the sun to an incredible lookout, then spend the rest of the day exploring? Or would you rather have a slow morning together and take your time getting ready for your sunset ceremony?
(Btw, If you’ve never been an early riser, but like the idea of a sunrise elopement, I highly recommend you do a practice run at home before making a final decision. That way you can see how you feel waking up at 4am.)
Where to Elope in New Mexico
Honestly… the list you’re about to dive into, of incredible locations surrounding the major cities in New Mexico, could be 10x as long. This state has so much to offer that I want to give you a small taste; that way you can start envisioning the perfect spot for your special day!
– Santa Fe –
Santa Fe is an art lover’s dream with over 250 art galleries to see. The gorgeous adobe buildings and the nature beyond city limits feel like their own works of art. There you’ll find historic sites, deep canyons, and quiet landscapes as far as the eye can see. If you’re wanting a quintessential southwestern elopement, this is the place.
Want to be pampered during your experience? Try soaking in a private hot spring and getting a massage at Ojo Spa Resorts.
Locations for your Santa Fe Elopement:
Pecos National Historic Park
Perfect if you want… adobe structures and to be immersed in incredible history.
Ghost ranch
Perfect if you want… to be surrounded by the same multicolored canyons and streams that inspired the works of Georgia O’Keeffe.
The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Perfect if you want… remarkable rock formations you have to see to believe.
Santa Fe Baldy
Perfect if you want… to spend the day exploring easy trails through the mountains.
– Taos –
Imagine getting married where the Rocky Mountains and high desert meet in Taos. You wake up in the historic downtown, before venturing out magical vista under the watch of the tallest mountain in New Mexico, Mt. Wheeler. There in total seclusion, you share your vows. Chefs kiss, no notes, simple perfect. Whether you want to hike, mountain bike, paddle board, ski, or off-road for your elopement—it’s possible here in Taos.
Locations for your Taos Elopement:
Taos Goji Eco Lodge Retreat & Organic Goji Berry Farm
Perfect if you want… wonderful lodging, tranquil views, and to give alpaca head scratches.
Rio Grande Gorge (pictured)
Perfect if you want… to take in sunrise or sunset from an iconic view point.
Taos Ski Valley
Perfect if you want… snow capped mountains, wildflowers, and the best hiking.
Williams Lake
Perfect if you want… picnic next to a stunning lake nestled in the mountains.
Hotel Luna Mystica (pictured)
Perfect if you want… an eclectic aesthetic and funky lodging.
– Albuquerque –
This central city is the best place to elope if you want to hit a bunch of New Mexico staples like the White Sands (3 hrs away), Taos Ski Valley (3 hrs away), and Rio Grande River. And the International Balloon Fiesta! Every fall hundreds of colorful hot air balloons float above the city of Albuquerque for the International Balloon Fiesta. Imagine that as the backdrop for your photos!
Not only do you have plenty of access to the outdoors here, but there are countless eateries and shops to pop into. You could honestly spend all day wandering around Old Town.
Locations for your Albuquerque Elopement:
Sandia Crest & Sandia Mountain Foothills
Perfect if you want… mountain views, desert vibes, cacti and proximity to the city.
(FYI, you don’t need any permits for eloping or for photography in the open spaces and trails of the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque.)
Rio Grande Valley State Park
Perfect if you want… to stay close to the city, but want to enjoy nature and some fall colors.
El Malpais National Monument
Perfect if you want… Dramatic sandstone bluffs and landscapes carved by volcanic activity.
– White Sands National Park –
The further you venture into sand dunes the less and less vegetation you see until you’re surrounded by nothing but tall, white gypsum dunes. White Sands is fairytale-like; which is exactly why it got its own special place on this list!
While only one location here can be reserved for a wedding, you can get married anywhere in the White Sands. And just like with the vegetation, the further you venture into the dunes, the more privacy you’ll have. The closest major city is Las Cruces, about an hour drive south-west.
Get Started Planning Your New Mexico Elopement
Okay friend, what’re you thinking? Adobe structures or desert cacti? Mountain peaks or city convenience? Or don’t choose. I LOVE that you can truly have it all at locations across the state of New Mexico. All you have to do to get married here is pick a date and location, find/hire your vendors, and grab your marriage license. As for all the little details and questions that come with planning your elopement, I’m here for you to lean on.
Please note that the images in this post are not mine; however, I have the permission to use them for the informational purposes of this blog.
