Every once in a while people ask me about wedding chapels, places with distinctive New Mexican flavor, places with a “history” to them. Recently I compiled a list of chapels in The Santa Fe and Albuquerque area for a prospective client which I thought I would share. Remember this is not a list of active Catholic churches, but rather places that could be available for a couple to use for a fee. It is not meant to be all inclusive, just places where I have done ceremonies.Here are some that I know of in the Santa Fe, Espanola and Albuquerque area.
1. The Chapel of Lorretto, this mid 1900’s chapel in Santa Fe is the home of the “miraculous” staircase, a piece of carpentry that as far as is know was assembled without a single nail. The Sanctuary is a lavish celebration of Old and New world charm.
2. The Chapel at Buffalo Thunder Resort. This is a neat place with a slight nod to modern and Native American touches. While not “old” it does have a neat feel.
This photo of Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder is courtesy of TripAdvisor
3. The Chapel at the Lodge in Santa Fe (not to be confused with Bishop’s Lodge) this is a smaller chapel with seating for maybe 30 if you squeeze, but the retablos, nichos and the decoration is 1830’s New Mexico.
4. The Unity Church in Santa Fe – I don’t know if they will allow outside ministers to use their facility, but I have used their Medicine Wheel for Native American wedding ceremonies. It is worth a call. The sanctuary is light and airy, the style is definitely evocative of Santa Fe.
5. The Chapel at Hacienda Dona Andrea De Santa Fe, this is outside of Santa Fe in Los Cerrillos (south) it is a majestic special events and retreat center. There is an old style “family chapel” that they use for elopement weddings. They do like to reserve the whole place, but they do special elopements.
6. The Chapel at Eaves Movie Ranch. This is a prairie style chapel with New Mexican influences. The Movie ranch was built in the early 1960’s and has been seen in dozens of tv shows and lot’s and lots of movies (Cheyenne Social Club, Cat Ballou, Easy Rider). The Chapel was added in the late ’80’s and then renovated in 2008 or so.
7. The Chapel at Rancho De Los Golondrinas. This is a reconstruction of a 1670’s New Mexican Village, complete with a church. I have done a wedding there but it was an open air affair, but there are a multitude of locations including the chapel that could be used for a wedding.
8. The Chapel at Hacienda Vargas in Algodones, this is a really old family chapel from like the 1850’s. Dirt floor, small glass windows, adobe walls. The B&B owners are nice, and they will allow you to have your own minister.
9. The Chapel at Hotel Albuquerque. Very nice, very nice… Some of the best acoustics in New Mexico for spoken word and non-amplified string music. Hearing Pachelbel’s Canon in D from the choir loft played by a string trio or quartet is an enchanting experience.
10. The Chapel In Old Town Albuquerque (La Capilla De Senora Nuestra De Guadalupe). This SMALL gem in Albuquerque is a great LITTLE place for a ceremony. If you book this DO NOT have them set up chairs, as it is way too small. They do allow outside officiants so go for one of the packages that allows that.
11. Alumni Chapel at UNM a really nice facility, but due to rules and regulations (it is on state property) no open flames (so no candle ceremonies) are allowed. The Retablos on the alter screen all have to do with New Mexico.
12. The Old San Yesidro Church, Corrales, NM. This is a retired mission church that was gifted to the village of Corrales, the old world charm and elegance exudes from the building, not to mention the history that the walls seem to want to whisper to you. Another one of the acoustical halls built for the un-amplified human voice, this church in the heart of the Corrales Bosque is very special.
The baker’s dozen 13. Dwan Light Sanctuary, Las Vegas N.M. – This is an amazing chapel on a hill on the United World College campus uses prisms to create a spectrum of rainbows that move through out the sanctuary. The interior is modern, the exterior is reminiscent of Taliesin West in Arizona, the hill top setting reminds me of the neolithic cairns of Ireland.
14. While not a chapel, The Delta Events Center in Espanola, NM is magnificent. Old northern New Mexico style throughout. Marcie Davis bought the old 1950’s establishment and is working on bringing it back to its old glory, step by step. The old Navajo Rugs on the walls are a treat. The outdoor ramada is a peaceful and vine wrapped sanctuary.
Call Rev Bruce Byers 505-328-7397