I have shot a lot of same-sex weddings this year! Because Taos is a popular destination wedding location, AND because it is legal for same-sex couples to get married in New Mexico, there are a lot of couples traveling from afar (MANY from Colorado, Texas, and Oklahoma) to exchange wedding vows and rings at a marriage ceremony here in Northern New Mexico!
These men picked the perfect spring day for a Taos wedding! The lush grass and full trees were an outstanding background for the outdoor, wedding ceremony. The gorgeous adobe inn and architecture was an outstanding prop for our photos and we had fun taking advantage of each nooks and cranny! A huge congratulations to this extremely beautiful couple!
George and David eloped! This wonderful Colorado couple began their life together 31 years ago. They had a previous commitment ceremony but before their Taos wedding, their union was not recognized legally. This intimate wedding was going to take place outside at the Taos Courthouse, but after consideration these gentlemen decided to get married outdoors in Arroyo Seco. Mother Nature sent snow on the day of the October wedding, so instead the beautiful ceremony (officiated by Judge Jeff McElroy) took place in the great room at The Cottonwood Inn. I had the honor to be one of the official witnesses and was proud to sign this same-sex marriage license!
Couples are traveling to New Mexico to take advantage of the fact that this is the 17th state in the nation to honor same-sex marriages and offer gay marriage licenses. In Northern New Mexico, the attitude regarding this new law is positive and welcoming. Now that gay marriage is federally recognized, couples are coming to Taos County for their destination weddings. Many of these weddings are spontaneous elopements as couples have been together and planning the ceremonies for decades. I have been a witness for several elopements and I am honored to be a part of the license signing and the photo documentation of the day.
What fun to document the first time that same sex marriage licenses were issued in Taos County! New Mexicans came to the courthouse to pick up their marriage licenses and to get married! At least four weddings took place immediately, directly in front of the Taos County Courthouse. There were tears of joy and sounds of happiness as people finally began their “legal” road of “happily ever after.”
