We know… when you saw “Albuquerque, New Mexico” on the invitation, you probably thought, "wait, what?" Truthfully, getting married in New Mexico wasn’t on our bingo cards either. Our story begins in the fall of 2021, when Will visited New Mexico for the first time on a golf trip. He wasn’t sure what to expect (he may have even referred to it as a “barren wasteland”), but that perception quickly changed. The landscapes, the people, and the food left a lasting impression, so much so that he and his friends booked a ski trip to Taos just a few months later in February 2022. As fate would have it, Sam had planned a ski trip to Taos with her best friend that same weekend. We met for the first time sharing a picnic table at a mid-mountain German-themed beer hall called The Bavarian. Will swears he knew right then and there that Sam was the one. Sam may have needed a little more convincing... A month later, while Sam was on a girl's trip to Jackson Hole, she jokingly suggested Will come out to ski "real snow" instead of the East Coast slush. At 4 a.m., Will booked a flight that left just four hours later. He showed up in a house full of eight girls and looking to make a great impression, played the role of dog walker, chauffeur, sherpa, and group photographer for the rest of the weekend. On their final night, the infamous Sam Syska Travel Curse struck - their return flight was canceled, forcing them to share a hotel room. Over dinner, Will (in his usual unhinged fashion) asked Sam to be his girlfriend. Sam, perhaps out of surprise (or fear of sharing a room with a rejected lunatic), said “yes.” The rest, as they say, is history. Since then, we’ve traveled to seven countries together, climbed over 105,000 vertical feet across 300+ miles (shoutout to Notch for leading the way for over 150 of those miles), and skied nearly 300,000 vertical feet. We love the adventure and more than that, we love the adventure together.

When it came time to choose a wedding location, we wanted a place that felt personal and a little different. New Mexico is where we first met, and over time, it’s become a meaningful part of our story. We’re excited to share it with you and hope you enjoy experiencing what makes it special to us! The state is home to some of the best green chile in the world (you’ll understand once you try the breakfast burritos), a mix of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures, and historic landmarks like Taos Pueblo. For Will’s fellow golfers (nearly 30% of our guest list), you’ll find world-class courses carved into desert hillsides with sweeping views of canyons, mesas, and distant mountain ranges. Places like Paako Ridge, Twin Warriors, and Black Mesa offer not just a great round, but an unforgettable backdrop. Whether you’re wandering the streets of Old Town Albuquerque, hiking among the red rocks, or teeing off with a view, we hope you’ll fall in love with this place just like we did. We can't wait to celebrate with you in the Land of Enchantment!