Jennifer & Philip’s Magical Taos Mountain Wedding

Returning to Where It All Began


Jennifer and Philip’s love story came full circle as they celebrated their wedding at El Monte Sagrado in Taos, New Mexico—the same place where they had their very first date. With the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains as the backdrop, their special day was a blend of romance, elegance, and personal history, marking the perfect end to a beautiful summer.


For Jennifer and Philip, El Monte Sagrado was more than just a beautiful wedding venue; it was the place where their love story first began. They shared their first date at this very resort, walking through the gardens and soaking in the peaceful ambiance of the mountains. So, when it came time to choose a location for their wedding, returning to the place that had sparked their journey together felt nothing short of perfect.


A decorative white Welcome sign with purple floral accents stands on a tripod easel in a garden setting.
A vintage white rotary telephone sits on a desk with papers, a card, and decorative displays.
Wedding bridal shoes and bouquet with white roses and purple flowers on delicate lace fabric in natural light.
A white lace wedding dress hangs elegantly against a rustic wooden door framed by an adobe archway.
Elegant three-tier semi-naked wedding cake with fresh white roses and purple flowers on rustic wood slice base.
A wedding cake and dessert display table seen through a window with white tablecloths and an outdoor umbrella visible.

As the day unfolded, I had the joy of following the bridal party as they prepared for Jennifer’s grand entrance. Surrounded by her closest friends and family, Jennifer’s excitement was contagious, and capturing those candid, heartfelt moments as she and her bridesmaids shared laughter, memories, and finishing touches was an absolute pleasure.


From there, I joined Philip and his groomsmen in the library, where the energy was completely different—a mix of camaraderie, humor, and a touch of “macho” anticipation for the big day. Between straightening ties, and sharing a few laughs, I captured the spirit of the groomsmen as they rallied around Philip, building up the excitement for the incredible journey that awaited him. These moments before the ceremony added a unique layer to the story, showcasing the joy, support, and friendship surrounding Jennifer and Philip on their wedding day.

Hands adjusting a delicate lace wedding garter adorned with crystal embellishments against a soft peach backdrop.
A close-up shot showing final adjustments being made to the lacing on a white wedding dress.
Reflection in mirror shows elegant wedding preparation with white veil and delicate lace details.
A black and white photograph shows someone helping adjust a delicate white dress with lacing details.
A group stands together holding bouquets in front of a charming wooden arched doorway surrounded by lush greenery.
A soft purple rose with a memorial candle and small black remembrance plaque against a green garden background.
A player lines up a shot on an antique wooden pool table in a cozy library setting with warm lighting and bookshelves.
Two people in black western attire and cowboy hats stand close together in a library with wooden bookshelves and glass panels.
Two people in black cowboy hats and suits sit side by side on a leather couch in an elegant room.
A champagne bottle chilling in a rustic birch bark ice bucket on a wooden deck creates an elegant outdoor setting.
Two people in black cowboy hats embrace in front of wooden bookshelves filled with vintage books and decor.

The celebration began with a fairytale moment as Jennifer arrived at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage. The carriage made its way through the resort’s picturesque paths, setting the stage for a romantic and timeless celebration.


Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of El Monte Sagrado’s gardens, Jennifer and Philip exchanged their vows in front of family and friends. The peaceful sounds of nature—the fluttering butterflies and the gentle breeze—provided the perfect atmosphere for the emotional ceremony.


Two men in western attire stand beneath a white and purple fabric arch at an outdoor ceremony on a grassy lawn.
A white horse-drawn carriage carries wedding guests across a lush green lawn during an outdoor ceremony.
An outdoor summer wedding ceremony on a green lawn with rustic wood benches and purple floral decorations.
Bride and escort walk down rustic outdoor aisle lined with hay bale seating at garden wedding ceremony.
Three flower girls in white tulle dresses carry baskets while walking on grass at an outdoor wedding reception.
A dark brown horse pulls a white carriage on a sunny lawn with trees and flowers in the background.
A white horse-drawn carriage stands on green grass with decorative details and onlookers in casual clothing.
A romantic garden wedding scene with a white horse-drawn carriage under trees surrounded by floral arrangements.
Newlyweds holding hands in an intimate moment showing white lace dress and dark suit against green grass background.
An outdoor wedding ceremony taking place on a sunny day under a purple-draped arch with bridesmaids in lavender dresses.
A western-style outdoor wedding ceremony with a bride in white dress and groom in black coat beneath purple and white fabric.
An outdoor wedding ceremony takes place under a purple-draped arch on a sunny day.
A white horse-drawn carriage sits in front of an adobe building with evergreen trees and ornamental grasses.
A romantic couple sharing a kiss while seated in an elegant white horse-drawn carriage on a sunny day.

After their heartfelt vows, the newlyweds took a short, romantic ride in the horse-drawn carriage, savoring a private moment as husband and wife. The couple’s joy was infectious, and their love shone brightly as they circled the grounds of the resort.

After the ceremony, I had the privilege of following Jennifer and Philip around El Monte Sagrado to capture intimate portraits in some of the resort’s most enchanting locations. By the peaceful fountain, they shared quiet, heartfelt glances, their joy radiating in every shot. In the sacred circle, surrounded by lush greenery, the couple embraced, savoring the serenity of the moment. Finally, in the cozy elegance of the library, Jennifer and Philip shared a few private moments together, creating a collection of portraits that beautifully reflect the warmth and depth of their love, set against the timeless beauty of their surroundings.

A romantic garden wedding scene with a white lace parasol and formal attire amid lush greenery.
A black and white photograph showing a covered walkway with elegant chandeliers and a couple in formal wedding attire.
A wedding couple sits on a wooden bench beside a rustic adobe wall with red doors and hanging green foliage.
A couple stands together on a garden path lined with lamp posts and lush greenery on a bright sunny day.
A romantic wedding moment captured on a wooden bridge with a flowing white gown and cowboy-themed attire.
A bride and groom share a romantic moment on rustic stairs, with the bride holding a vibrant purple and white bouquet.
A couple in wedding attire looks at a book together while standing in a library with wood-paneled walls and built-in shelves.
Two people playing pool in an elegant bar with ornate wallpaper and pendant lighting.
Couple in wedding attire leans on wooden pool table in rustic bar room with vintage decor and warm lighting.
A couple in wedding attire sits close together on an elegant brown leather Chesterfield sofa in an ornate room.
Two people in vintage attire play chess at an elegant round table in a room with ornate wallpaper and wooden beams.

As the reception began, the celebration kicked off with a lively entrance from the bridal party, setting the tone for an unforgettable night! Each couple made their way into the reception with their own unique song and choreographed dance, bringing a burst of energy and laughter to the festivities. From playful spins to high-energy moves, every entrance had guests cheering and clapping along. The joy and excitement in the atmosphere were undeniable, with Jennifer and Philip’s closest friends bringing their own personalities and flair to this joyful celebration, making the night even more memorable.


As the evening unfolded, Jennifer and Philip shared their first dance beneath the open blue sky. The venue, now bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, seemed to embrace the couple as they danced, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends.


Two dancers perform on a wood dance floor under purple balloon decorations at an indoor venue.
A couple dances on a wooden floor with purple balloons in the background during a celebratory event.
A couple dancing on a parquet floor at an indoor venue decorated with purple accents and string lights.
Wedding party members in lavender dresses perform a fun dance move on a brick patio beneath string lights and purple balloons.
Dancers in lavender dresses twirl on a wooden dance floor with purple balloon decorations at a formal event.
Couple exits venue after western-themed wedding celebration with bride wearing white lace gown and groom in black cowboy attire.
A couple dances on a patio decorated with purple balloons during what appears to be a wedding celebration.
Couple sharing their first dance at a rustic venue with wooden beams and parquet dance floor at sunset.
A couple shares their first dance at their wedding reception on a tiled patio with a purple balloon arch and guests watching.
A couple shares their first dance at their wedding while guests watch under a purple balloon arch and outdoor awning.
A wedding photographer captures a special moment on a wooden dance floor while guests in purple dresses look on.
Guests dance on a parquet floor at an outdoor wedding reception with bridesmaids in purple dresses and string lights overhead.
Couple shares their first dance as newlyweds on an outdoor patio decorated with purple and white balloon arch.
A couple dances together at a wedding reception with purple balloon decorations in the background.
Two people share a heartfelt embrace on a wooden dance floor with purple balloon decorations in the background.

As the night drew to a close, Jennifer and Philip spent some meaningful moments with their loved ones, cut their cake, and were sent off in style with a sparkling send-off. Guests lined the pathways of El Monte Sagrado, holding glowing sparklers as the couple made their way through, hand in hand. The soft glow of the sparklers illuminated their path as they walked toward their new future together, surrounded by the love and well-wishes of their nearest and dearest.


Two men in formal attire sharing drinks and conversation at an elegant venue with ornate decor and warm lighting.
Two friends share a joyful moment as one kisses the other's cheek in a warmly lit indoor setting.
A couple cutting their elegant white wedding cake displayed on a rustic wood slice at their reception celebration.
A bride in a white lace gown interacts with guests wearing western attire and cowboy hats at an indoor reception.
Wedding sparkler exit from reception shows couple surrounded by guests in evening celebration under grand chandelier.


Jennifer and Philip’s wedding was a perfect reflection of their love—deeply personal, filled with beauty, and rooted in the special memories they had shared from the very beginning. Their journey from their first date at El Monte Sagrado to exchanging vows in the same place was a beautiful reminder that love, like the mountains, is timeless and enduring. As they closed one chapter of their lives, they stepped into the next with hearts full of joy, knowing that their love story would continue to grow as beautifully as their wedding celebration surrounded by loved ones.