Katherine and Jared’s Santa Fe Soirée in the Desert
This Texan duo tied the knot in a modern New Mexico fashion.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography1 of 30
The Couple
It was love at first bite for Jared Vanlandingham. Well, at the picture of a first bite, to be exact. “He ‘liked’ my food blog,” explains Katherine Harper, “so I sent him a thank-you note.” After a few e-mail exchanges, the two Dallas residents finally met. “We bonded over our cooking obsessions. He’s great with stick-to-your-ribs food; I’m all about plating it beautifully,” says Katherine, who is head of marketing for a movie studio. And for the next year, her relationship with Jared, an electrical manufacturer’s rep, cooked along nicely. Then, during a weekend at Rancho Loma, a cuisine-driven hotel in the middle of Nowheresville, Texas, Jared proposed. “We called our families with the one bar of reception we could get on our phones,” recalls Katherine. “That’s how remote this spot was.”
Picking the wedding destination was easy: Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a favorite getaway for the pair. Their decided aesthetic was also crystal clear. Says Katherine, “I didn’t want to translate Santa Fe literally with cacti and hanging chile peppers. I wanted a glamorous desert wedding showcasing the scenery’s natural colors.” On April 12, 2014, they exchanged vows in a Presbyterian ceremony before 90 loved ones at the desert-luxe Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography2 of 30
The Scene
Mother Nature provided the décor. “There was a storm rolling in that created dramatic views, but luckily it passed us by,” remembers Katherine.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography3 of 30
Save-the-Dates
“We took a diamond pattern and split it to make Vs for our last name, Vanlandingham,” says Katherine. “And that created a look for us, repeated throughout our wedding.” The motif first appeared on their save-the-date cards, which were printed on a diamond shape and created by Antiquaria.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography4 of 30
Rock, Paper…
The couple used their beloved stone design on all of their stationery. Here, the pattern in green and peach (the colors featured in the wedding palette) lines the envelope and belts the save-the-date card. “I wanted things to be desert-inspired,” says Katherine. “I wanted to showcase the colors and the scenery.”
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography5 of 30
The Invitation Suite
The marble pattern and desert colors also distinguished the couple’s invites. Katherine loves gold, so they used a golden cord to bind the suite.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography6 of 30
The Fashions
The bride wore a dress by Monique Lhuillier, a Homa Bridal veil, and Armenta green onyx and diamond earrings. The groom sported a custom tuxedo, shirt, and bow tie by Billy Reid. On his feet: cowboy boots, of course.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography7 of 30
The Bridal Bouquet
The bride carried a bouquet by Mindy Rice of peach grevillea, white sweetpeas, and Sahara and Angie Romantica roses in pale desert shades. Rice bound the bouquet with green ribbon.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography8 of 30
The Bridesmaids
Katherine’s six bridesmaids included a mix of old and new friends. They wore gold and taupe dresses from Nicole Miller, Rebecca Taylor, Badgley Mischka, David Meister, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and BCBG Max Azria.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography9 of 30
In the Bag
Muslin pouches held brass Sacred Geometry Cuffs from BingBang NYC—one of two bridesmaids’ gifts given at the bridesmaids’ breakfast on the big day.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography10 of 30
Struck a Chord
The bride also gave her attendants bronze arrowhead necklaces from Vardonne, presented in boxes wrapped in malachite-print paper, tied with gold cord, and adorned with a sprig of rice flowers.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography11 of 30
Boutonniere Buds
Ranunculus and rice flowers in desert hues were two of the flowers used for the groomsmen’s boutonnieres—placed on the same malachite paper the couple used to wrap the welcome gifts.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography12 of 30
V Is for Vanlandingham
A gold V bracelet presented in a green malachite box was a gift from wedding planner Lisa Vorce.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography13 of 30
Mini Marvel
“I saw this green Marchesa clutch that matched my color scheme,” says Katherine. “I carried it because I fell in love with it.”
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography14 of 30
Well-Heeled
Emerald-green Jimmy Choos matched Katherine’s clutch and the colors of her wedding. She had purchased them on her first trip to Santa Fe with Jared. Katherine walked down a mountain path to join her husband-to-be at the ceremony site in these! At a later point, she traded her heels for cowboy boots, and they hiked to the side of the mountain alone to absorb the majesty of the landscape—and the moment.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography15 of 30
The Welcome Box
Guests were greeted with a selection of goodies, including Shiner Bock, Jared’s favorite beer and a nod to the couple’s home state of Texas; peanut butter and salted caramel brownies from Kakawa Chocolate House, a local Santa Fe bakery; and herbed pecans from Los Poblanos, an organic lavender farm in Albuquerque. To combat the dry Southwestern air, the couple also included the farm’s lip salve, hand lotion, and lavender sachets.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography16 of 30
The Ceremony Décor
The outdoor aisle was lined with clusters of succulents, coral peonies, and ranunculus that fit the event’s peach-and-green palette.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography17 of 30
The Programs
“I wanted to celebrate the landscape in every detail,” says Katherine. “Even the programs had the grounds’ marble pattern and desert colors.”
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography18 of 30
Mountain Vows
The couple had the ceremony marker built from an antique Moroccan iron gate. Under the structure was a colorful kilim rug.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography19 of 30
Desert-Inspired Flowers
Clusters of succulents, peonies, protea, rice flowers, and blush grevillea adorned the corners of the ceremony structure.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography20 of 30
The Ceremony
The couple said their I do’s before stunning views on a terraced patio at the resort.
“I entered with my dad, walking in from a mountain trail—in heels!” says Katherine of her walk down the aisle to “Largo” from Lute Concerto in D Major by Vivaldi. She also recalls that the 5 p.m. light was phenomenal.
Readings during the nuptials included an Apache blessing and a passage from Still Life With Woodpecker, by Tom Robbins, about the problems of redheads—because the bride could relate.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography21 of 30
Help Yourself
Hand-stitched malachite pockets in glass vessels held dried lavender (the flower was also put in the welcome boxes as sachets) for guests to toss as the couple walked down the aisle postceremony.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography22 of 30
In Good Company
A VIB (Very Important Burro) named Freighter carried light bushels of amaryllis, viburnum, parrot tulips, and grevillea. He was the most popular guest with the selfie-taking attendees.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography23 of 30
A Musical Transition
After the vows, a mariachi band escorted guests to cocktails on a flagstone terrace just below the ceremony site.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography24 of 30
Tequila Time
Escort cards were tied with gold thread to copper shot glasses each guest received at the cocktail hour. An accompanying shot of Don Julio 1942 tequila was optional, but encouraged.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography25 of 30
The Reception
Long tables surrounded a Spanish-style courtyard so guests could watch the sunset as they dined on green-chile short ribs and sea bass with chorizo hash.
There were also three interactive stations at the reception: a top-shelf tequila bar, a churro station, and a cigar roller.
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography26 of 30
The Tables
The long tables held low arrangements of coral amaryllis, succulents, orange parrot tulips, roses, white freesia, tangerine ranunculus, and blush grevillea.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography27 of 30
Laying Low
The bundles were kept short so guests could see, and talk, across the tables.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography28 of 30
A Golden Moment
Gold fondant and desert flowers covered a lemon-thyme wedding cake. “I wanted something not too sweet,” says Katherine. “I like the mix of sweet and savory.”
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography29 of 30
Spicy Favors
Muslin bags holding red-chile sauce mix from one of the newlyweds’ favorite Santa Fe restaurants, The Shed, were given as favors.
-
Photography: Bryce Covey Photography30 of 30
Sources
Location, Catering, and Cake: Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe
Event Design and Production: Lisa Vorce Co.
Floral and Event Design: Mindy Rice Floral & Event Design
Photography: Bryce Covey
Stationery: Antiquaria Design Studio [calligraphy]; Papel Paper & Press [day-of paperie]
Music: Primavera Strings [ceremony]; Absolute Entertainment [cocktail hour and dinner]; Rhythm Collective [dancing]
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals; Casa de Perrin
Lighting and Power Distribution: Quick Beam
Hair: Debi Bragg of Hair Santa Fe
Makeup: Monica Stark of Makeup Santa Fe
Transportation: Santa Fe Valet
Specialty Furniture: Blueprint Studios; Elan Event Rentals
Linens: La Tavola
Dance Floor: Designer Event Rentals
Burro: Paraje Atajo-Aparejo Packing System (505-852-2764)
Audio/Visual: Santa Fe Audio Visual
Cigar Roller: CF Dominicana Cigars
Concierge Services: Life:Styled
-
Swipe here for next slide
Other Ideas to Try
-
Katherine and Jared’s Santa Fe Soirée in the Desert
-
A Chinese-Inspired Wedding with Bohemian Touches
-
A Moroccan-Themed Wedding in The Adirondacks
-
A One-of-a-Kind Texan Desert Wedding
-
A Bright Wedding in Arizona with Boho Touches
-
A Boho Wedding on a Private Island in Connecticut
-
An Eclectic, Outdoor Wedding in the Escondido Mountains
-
An Intimate, Boho Wedding in the California Desert
-
A Colorful Desert Wedding in Scottsdale
-
A Luxe Bohemian Wedding in Texas
-
A Boho California Wedding with a Tropical Twist
-
A Bohemian Wedding in Telluride, Colorado
-
A Fun and Moody Wedding in Long Beach, California
-
A Luxe, Bohemian Wedding in Naples, Florida
-
One Couple's Boho Destination Wedding in Tulum, Mexico
-
This Couple Mixed Western Style with Bohemian Accents for Their Wedding in Aspen, Colorado
-
One Couple Planned a Laid-Back "Love Party" in Yucca Valley, California
-
One Couple Planned a Glam-Meets-Boho Wedding in the California Desert
-
A Moody, Gothic-Inspired Wedding in a Vermont Birch Grove
-
An Intimate Rustic Wedding in New York
-
A Pink Whimsical DIY Wedding in New Jersey
-
A Rock-'n-Roll Inspired Black-and-Taupe Rustic Wedding on a Ranch in Texas
-
A Vibrant, Whimsical Outdoor Destination Wedding in Maine
-
A Vintage Banquet Hall Wedding in Queens, New York
-
A Rustic, Romantic Outdoor Wedding in Texas
-
An Organic, Relaxed Beach Wedding in Bridgehampton, New York
-
Christen and Billy’s California Desert Wedding
-
Christen and Billy’s Bohemian Wedding Reception in Palm Springs