Happy New Year from New Mexico

Happy New Year to all my 2005 brides, their fiances and families, to all who are being married in our fine state in 2006 and to all the "newly engaged!"

May 2006 be a prosperous and joyful year for all.

Please watch for the February issue of Albuquerque the Magazine, as they are publishing a story on "Albuquerque's Best Wedding Vendors." Yours truly has been chosen as a featured wedding planner (smiley face) for two of ART & SOUL's Albuquerque weddings, the Willard/Pedersen wedding at the UNM Alumni Chapel, with reception at the Gruet Steakhouse and the Raster/Gonzalez wedding at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with reception at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.

Another Christmas past

I love New Mexico at Christmas. My husband and I spent Christmas Eve in Old Town tasting the treats of the galleries and stores that stay open for travellers who come from all over the world. I never tire of the luminarias, a great Southwest tradition. There's something magical about the old San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church, its twin bell towers lilting upward in the nighttime sky, set aglow by the hundreds of candles in sand and paper bags...

This year, in honor of the Albuquerque Tricentennial, Albuquerque set a goal of lighting the city with 3 million lights, candles, and luminarias. The last count I heard reported was 7.5 million!

The city of Albuquerque was going for a Guinness Book of World Records for "most lights" and unfortunately, was turned down for the record! Seems the Guinness folks thought luminarias were "too regional." So no award was given, but it was a beautiful sight nonetheless and really brought the folks of ABQ together in their quest to set a world record.

I'll report in again with any news in the event that the Guinness people change their minds. No doubt the mayor of Albuquerque and more than a few others registered their displeasure with what's hope is not a final decision!

Where has the time gone

OK, my bad...
I've been busy with weddings, what can I say?

Please watch the wedding gallery for updates...hoping my wonderful web designer David can get my 2005 weddings up soon!