Who knew New Mexico was so green & glamorous? This emerald wedding has a more equestrian feel than the southwest desert, thanks to this beautiful countryside venue’s lush floral design and vibrant styling.

The Country Store Ranch has a rich history dating back to the days of Billy the Kid. (Really, read about it all here !) This wedding is incredibly modern. This New Mexican wedding is trendy and fresh with its modern wedding gowns, sapphire rings & king proteas.

The bride’s look is refreshing. Wanting to feel “herself,” bride Lexi did her hair and makeup and her bridesmaids. It’s only a week until I do my wedding make-up, and I wonder if this is the right choice. Hearing that I’m not the only one who feels like this comforts me. You look gorgeous, Lexi!

The Proposal

I was offered an opportunity to work in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. House of Representatives. I knew that I could not take on this journey without Lexi. I was nervous but knew I could not miss the opportunity to spend my entire life with Lexi.

So, I came up with a plan. Lexi and I would fly to D.C. and surprise our mother there. A stroke of luck allowed me to propose on a balcony that few people have ever seen: the Speaker of The House Balcony in the Capitol Building. The patio is one of the most iconic places in the United States.

After we were surprised by our parents, I took her hand and walked onto the balcony. While fighting back tears, I told Lexi Kate that the next few months would be difficult. I’m moving across the United States for a job that involves long hours and late nights. Lexi, I don’t know what I would do without you. “This beautiful city will become our home. I could not ask for a more supportive wife, best friend, or teammate to embark on this adventure.”

I then got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. She was the most beautiful, funny, loving, and compassionate woman ever created. She said yes! We flew to Texas after the proposal, and our family and friends surprised us with milkshakes to celebrate our first date at Chick-fil-A. The weekend was perfect.

The Bridal Beauty

I wanted to feel and look like me on my wedding day. I decided to do all my hair and makeup myself. I knew I’d be less stressed because I was more confident and knew how I wanted to appear at my wedding. I didn’t want to worry about how I looked. I had much fun doing my hair and makeup with my bridesmaids.

First Look

We decided to have a first look before the wedding. I did this for the sake of timing and because I knew that seeing Caleb beforehand would calm my nerves before the wedding. Looking back, I would not change anything. It was the day I felt I perfectly embodied Caleb’s and my relationship.

Favorite moments

Our vows were the best part of our wedding. Caleb and I wrote our vows and shared them during the ceremony. The day was made more intimate by hearing the vows we exchanged with each other. These promises served as the foundation of our marriage. We were able to share these words in front of family and friends.

The wedding party was also quite large, which made the event even more personal. The decor, venue, and details spoke volumes about who we are. I had the good fortune to plan the wedding with my mother, so I made each decision with someone who knew me better than I did.

The Photography & Videography

We selected Melanie because Caleb had previously worked with her on Weddings. He liked her style, and I was impressed by how she captured the special moments. She took photos of us when Caleb asked for our hand in marriage and our engagement pictures the next day. She made everything feel unique and comfortable. Hiring her as our photographer was probably one of our best decisions. She kept everything on track and made our wedding day perfect. We are so grateful for Melanie!

B3Productions was our choice of a videographer as he is a friend we have known since college. We knew that he would create a video that was both creative and matched us.

Couples Advice

The Knot was our wedding website, and it helped us with the planning and organization.

The best advice I can give is to soak in the moment. It will fly by, and you won’t even realize it has ended. Enjoy the day, but don’t forget to focus on the marriage this wedding will lead to. This keeps everything in context.

Honeymoon

Between our wedding and honeymoon, we had a little over a week to move across the country. We ended up in Washington, DC. This short period allowed us to settle into our new lives before embarking on the next adventure.

Our Honeymoon took us to Ireland and Paris. Google Flight Tracker helped us find great flights! We started our trip in Dublin and rented a vehicle to drive all over Ireland, seeing castles, The Cliffs of Moher, and Giants Causeway. Traveling in Ireland by car is the best way to see everything. We saw so many amazing sights while driving. The Gatelodge, an Airbnb we stayed at in Ireland, had a Downton Abbey-like feel. We used Cobblestone Paris in Paris, a similar service. We stayed in an apartment in La Marais, which allowed us to live like locals.