Kate & Jack in Santa Fe, NM

Kate Sandstad and Jack LaGere met while they attended graduate school in Austin, Texas, where both were pursuing MBAs. Years later, Jack surprised Kate with an elaborate proposal scavenger hunt. “He had me convinced he was celebrating a recent promotion!” Kate says. “Caught me very off guard.” The Bride Kate Sandstad, 32, advertising The Groom Jack LaGere, 32, investment banking The Date June 16 Kate’s from Texas and Jack’s from Oklahoma, but the bride’s family often vacationed in New Mexico. With that in mind, the couple chose to have a weekend destination wedding near Santa Fe. After laying down the initial plans, Kate and Jack hired a wedding coordinator to take care of the details, making planning the wedding from afar much easier. “The overall theme that guided the design of the wedding was inspired by the surroundings: organic, natural, and laid-back with a hint of modern sophistication,” explains Kate. All the details of the wedding blended well with the surroundings for a rustic yet contemporary look.