How to Choose a Wedding Location in or around Taos

The waterfall above the Bavarian Lodge offers mountain beauty!

As a wedding officiant, I am frequently asked how to choose a wedding location in or around Taos. But it’s not really an easy question to answer. What are your criteria for a wedding location? However, you’ll get more focused answers if you can provide a list of qualities you’re seeking in a location.

The size of your guest list will determine a lot about your wedding location in or around Taos. Will it just be the two of you eloping? You and a small number of family members? Maybe 20-30 close friends and family? And up it goes, 50? 75? or 100 or more? The more guests you have the more you’ll need to be thinking about logistics and the comfort of your guests as well.

Do the two of you want to stand beside a mountain stream? At the base of a waterfall? As a Taos wedding officiant I’m all for it and delight in taking couples to beautiful spots in nature here in northern New Mexico. But if you’ll be having a larger guest list these places likely won’t work unless you have an intrepid group of fit friends!

There is a waterfall above the Bavarian Lodge that can accommodate a group of guests. And with permission you might even be able to drive someone up that isn’t able to make the short but steep hike to this unusual wedding location in or around Taos.

Back to your wish list. Besides a mountain setting, there are options where you have a view OF the mountains as opposed to being IN them. My favorite spot for that is on the edge of the Rio Grande Gorge: stunning views of the surrounding peaks and down 800 feet to the river below. Birds of prey often circle overhead and Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep have been known to attend the ceremony, from afar. New Mexico wedding locations can offer more than just vistas!

Dramatic views at an easy-to-get-to place by the Rio Grande Gorge.

I’ve worked with couples that want to stand IN the water for their ceremony. You can do that at the confluence of the Rio Grande and either the Rio Pueblo de Taos or the Rio Hondo.

Eloping at the John Dunn Bridge at the confluence of the Rio Grande and Rio Hondo north of Taos.

Does an alpine meadow call your name? I can take you there as well, although we’ll need an hour or so to hike to it!

Moving to the larger guest lists, there are infinite numbers of places in and around Taos. We have so many great inns and bed & breakfasts that have stunning views and quintessentially “Taos” settings with adobe, courtyards and portals. As a Taos wedding celebrant I’ve worked at so many I can’t name them all here, but can provide a few suggestions.

Create a playful moment in one of the giant cottonwoods at El Monte Sagrado, a favorite wedding location in or around Taos. — Create a playful moment in one of the giant cottonwoods at El Monte Sagrado.

Immerse yourself in the sunroom at the Fechin House.

Try El Monte Sagrado, Fechin House at Taos Art Museum, Adobe & Pines Inn (great labyrinth!) and Blue Sky Retreat Center at San Geronimo Lodge. And if you’re the investigative type you can spend lots of time exploring online and getting specifics for the many great places in Taos.

For lots of ideas peruse the pictures and slideshows throughout my website. And if you’re ready to find out my availability, fill out the contact form here.

Thanks to Deanna Nelson of Poetic Images for many of these great images!