Mark and I wanted to exchange our vows in a totally natural setting, far from the distractions of our modern world. We found a small clearing beneath a canopy of trees alongside a rambling river just outside of Taos, New Mexico. With only a few friends to bear witness, a minister sent to us from heaven, and a jovial photographer, we expressed our love and commitment to one anothe r in a truly magical setting. Although rain clouds threatend, they stayed far enough away so that we could later enjoy the breathtaking beauty of a Northern New Mexico thunderstorm from a distance.

Click on photos to enlarge

Tears filled our eyes as we expressed our love and commitment to one another in a quiet and serenely beautiful ceremony which concluded with this sacred Apache benediction:

Now you will feel no cold - for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now you will feel no pain - for each will be comfort to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness - for each of you will be companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness.

As husband and wife, we returned with our small party to the enchanting Adobe and Stars Bed and Breakfast Inn, just minutes away. Located halfway between Taos Ski Valley and the town of Taos, this vegan-friendly inn boasts gorgeous views of the mountains and luxurious Southwestern decor. There, we and our guests toasted to our happiness and indulged in our scrumptious vegan wedding cake. Two layers of dark chocolate cake with chocolate frosting covered in finely flaked coconut and topped with pretty purple edible flowers.

Later that evening, we took our wedding party to Taos Pizza Out Back for cheeseless vegan pizzas that were so spectacular to look at, that all of the other patrons in the restaurant oohed and aahed when the waiter brought them out of the kitchen. The chefs made perfect pinwheel designs on the pizzas out of all of the yummy ingredients we had selected--Portabello mushrooms, spinach, onions, tomatoes, red bell peppers, basil, and black olives. We ate until we were stuffed!

Mark and I spent our brief two-night honeymoon at Adobe and Stars in the honeymoon suite, appropriately named La Luna. From our kingsized bed, we could look at the mountains just outside our window. From our private terrace, we could see the brilliance of the Milky Way above us and the twinkling lights of the town of Taos below. The heart-shaped jacuzzi bathtub in our room and the secluded outdoor hot tub added to the romance of our stay. Our hostess, Judy Sathiel, made sure that we had a delicious and filling vegan breakfast each morning which included plenty of fresh fruit, granola, rice milk, hash brown potatoes, and grilled New Mexico-style vegetables. She always made more than we could eat. Adobe and Stars is truly one of my most favorite places to stay and I'm sure Mark and I will be back to celebrate an anniversary or two.

Adobe and Stars Bed and Breakfast Inn
PO Box 2285, Taos, NM 87571
(800)211-7076

Rising Sun Bakery
301 Cruz Alta, Taos, NM 87571
(505)751-3900
 
Taos Pizza Out Back
712 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM 87571
(505) 758-3112