I have to admit, I’m going to be a bit biased when it comes to the beauty of this couple and their amazing Taos, New Mexico Wedding. Why? The groom is my little brother Andy, an Air Force pilot now training to fly F-16’s and the bride is my lovely new “sister” from Kentucky Sharon Dean.
My brother being the smart guy he is, he scored a 35 on his ACT, (I’m almost done bragging…) planned a brilliant wedding day.
Our morning started with the 12 of us, including my two young children driving up a mountain at 6 o’clock in the morning. Being November, it was still dark and the stars smelled burned in the clear mountain sky.
The plan was to have the ceremony on the top of the mountain, my dad officiating (he was ordained via internet) whilst the sun rose over the top of the mountain.
After announcing their marriage Andy and Sharon, along with Adam would set off in a hot-air balloon heading over the Rio Grande.
We met the pilots from the Beautiful Balloons Company and headed to the ceremony site. Sharon and Andy looked amazing. The rest of us, well, we were just trying to stay warm! It was only 34 degrees without the presence of the sun.
Sharon wore a mermaid style dress that she and I found at Macy’s Bridal together here in MN. Her “something borrowed” was a faux fur and muff I wore on my wedding day, and a golden coin (which my grandfather carried through WWII) necklace from my mother, which we both wore on our wedding days. Her something blue? A blue ribbon around her autumn orange bouquet. Sharon and her identical twin sister had spent the morning arranging her bouquet from a local variety of flowers from a shop in town.
I think they may have a future in the wedding biz?
It was spectacular, and it’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I really can’t type much. Adam and I had the unique problem of deciding which was more beautiful the scenery or the couple? Again, I know I’m a bit prejudiced here.
After the ceremony the balloons were launched and Adam said after his ride, “If felt like the Earth was moving and we were still. It was an incredible feeling.”
I was jealous, but someone had to take pictures on the ground…and, someone had to drive down that mountain. I think that was one of the more “interesting” times of my life.
Siesta was on everyone’s minds after getting up for a sunrise service. So, while the family slept, Adam and I took Sharon into Taos for a photo shoot.
We found some incredible places on the way into to town. The first place we stopped to shoot at, was owned by a really great man from Mexico, who had the wonderful idea to have the couple have their first dance in the “room of mirrors.”
Another amazing find was the “door” store. Doors from all over the world, some dating back 500 years old littered the lawn and we were all awestruck.
Meanwhile, it was time to head back to the B & B’s to freshen up for dinner. We snapped some cool pics in the courtyard of the Little Tree B & B. I know, the scenery doesn’t look real. But I promise, it is!
By the time the evening meal came we were all pretty tired. However, the food at Joseph’s Table in downtown Taos was incredible and awakened our senses and stirred souls.
Yeah, I’m pretty proud of my little brother and I’m totally excited to have Sharon as my new sister. They rock the Kasbah!
Posted by Amy Sparks 