An Elegant Spring Wedding With New Mexican Flair at La Posada in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Raffinee Eller (29 and a pediatric cardiac ICU RN) and Micaela Esquivel (30 and a surgeon) blended New Mexican charm with traditional elegance for their spring wedding in Santa Fe. Hosting their nuptials in the Southwestern city was a given for the pair, who spent significant time there when they first started dating. “We fell in love with the culture and laid-back style of the town — and the sunsets!” says Raffinee. “The food, the people — there is just no other place in the U.S. quite like it, and since it was so special to us, we wanted to share it with our families.
The festivities kicked off with a traditional ceremony at Loretto Chapel, a historic church in the heart of Santa Fe. “We were honored to be the first, of hopefully many, gay couples to get married there,” says Raffinee. After saying “I do,” the newlyweds and their guests marched through the city streets to the upbeat sounds of a mariachi band, with Raffinee and Micaela heading up the group in the back of a pedi-cab. “It was quite a sight!” says the couple — and the perfect way to get everyone in the mood to party.
Dinner and dancing ensued at La Posada under an expansive open air tent decorated in brilliant turquoise, orange and red hues. “We love bright colors and thought this palette would fit perfectly with Santa Fe,” says Raffinee. New Mexican cuisine was a must and La Posada didn’t disappoint. The infamous green chile was featured on the decadent menu and sangria, margaritas and Mexican beer flowed.
As a surprise for Raffinee, Micaela planned a special butterfly release for their reception entrance. “All of the guests held butterflies, and as we walked into the cocktail reception, they released them into the air,” says Raffinee. “It was such a beautiful moment to walk into, surrounded by our family, friends and butterflies!”
Another element that let the day a personalized feel, was the couple’s one-of-a-kind guest book. Raffinee commissioned her favorite local artist, Nikki Zabicki, to create a tree, on which guests would add their finger prints to create. “It is now a beautiful piece of art that hangs in our house and reminds us daily of how loved and support we are,” says Micaela.