About Albuquerque
As the most populated city in New Mexico with over 560,000 residents, you can find just about anything you want in Albuquerque. It was founded in 1706 by Governor Francisco Cuervo and named after the 10th Duke of Albuquerque. The city was a major outpost linking Mexico City to New Spain on the El Camino Real.
Albuquerque is a desert climate with an average high of 69 degrees and an average low of 46 degrees, so it is perfect for an outdoor wedding venue. The average from May to August is about 98 degrees so you may not want to do it during the summer months. But there are plenty of inside wedding venues in Albuquerque too.
Wedding Options in Albuquerque
Regardless of whether you choose an indoor or outdoor Albuquerque wedding venue, there are a variety of wedding plans that need to be taken care of. Hire a professional to take care of as many of these details as you can so you do not have to stress out so much on your big day.
- Photographer
You have to have a professional photographer to get the best shots on your wedding day. Even if your cousin Joe is a photographer, let someone else do it so Joe can enjoy the wedding too. Besides, a professional will know exactly what shots to get and how to get them.
- Catering
Besides photos, you will also need food, and you want to make sure you get the best of the best for your family and friends. Having an Albuquerque wedding venue means you will be able to find some amazing caterers who serve authentic Spanish Mexican food that the city is known for. But you can also find other types of cuisine to choose from.
- Hair and Makeup
Nobody wants to have to do their own makeup and hair on their big day and you should not either. Set up the wedding party with hair and makeup stylists to make sure you all look fantastic when you walk down the aisle. Then you can just kick up your feet and have a drink.
- Wedding Dress
If you have not chosen your dress yet, go ahead and make an appointment at one of the local bridal salons. Meet with a bridal stylist who can help you choose the dress of your dreams. And get all your bridesmaids set up as well as the flower girl, mother of the bride, and anyone else who needs a dress for your big day.
Wedding Companies in Albuquerque
From the invitations to the cake, you are going to need to find the right vendors to help you plan the perfect wedding. Whether you are looking for a wedding dress, bouquet, food, or entertainment, you can find all that and more with an Albuquerque wedding venue.
- Bridal Elegance by Darlene
Trust Darlene to help you find the dream dress for you with her 35+ years of experience. She even won the Best of the City 2020 by Albuquerque The Magazine and she has the very best from Maggie Sottero to Rebecca Ingram gowns. The rest of the bridal party can also get what they need here as well.
- Special Touch Catering
For more than 25 years, Special Touch has been serving spectacular meals to weddings, parties, and other special occasions all over Albuquerque. It does not matter if you have a party of 50 or 500, they can do it and they were the winner of the Wedding Rule Editor’s Choice Awards in 2021. Choose from Beef, chicken, pork, fish, or vegetarian and they will take care of the rest for you.
- Just Lovely Weddings
Winners of the Best of Weddings by The Knot three years in a row, Just Lovely Weddings is your one-stop-shop for a full-service wedding planner. From coordinating the vendors to setting up the décor, Just Lovely Weddings will make sure your wedding is exactly like you dreamed it would be.
Pros and Cons of Weddings in Albuquerque
Because no city is perfect, you will need to know the good and not-so-good points about having an Albuquerque wedding venue. Be sure to consider everything before committing to anything in writing.
Advantages
- The weather
Yes, the weather is fantastic for the most part. You will not have to bring any snow boots or a winter coat. But if you plan a summer wedding, remember that it can be close to 100 degrees from May through September.
- Cost of living
On average, the cost of just about anything you want in Albuquerque will be less than in other major cities so you can save big bucks buying your wedding dress and other expensive needs there.
- Plenty of outdoor venues
Because of the fantastic weather, you will be able to find outdoor wedding venues everywhere from the beach on the Rio Grande to the valleys and cliffs of the Sandia Mountains.
Disadvantages
- Crime rate
Albuquerque has one of the highest crime rates in the country with your chance of being a victim at one in 14. But you will be fine if you stick to the safer neighborhoods like Sandia Heights, Los Duranes, and Vista Encantada.
- High altitude
With an elevation of over 5,300 feet, some people can be uncomfortable in Albuquerque. You should take a few days to adjust before the big day.
- Transportation
There is limited public transportation so you will need to rely on your own vehicle or a car service to get around.
Famous Locations in Albuquerque
- ABQ BioPark
Whether you and your wedding party enjoy the beach, the zoo, or gardens, ABQ BioPark has all of that and more. The beach is a fun place to swim or rent a boat for the day. Or spend the day visiting the animals at the zoo. They have birds, lions, monkeys, elephants, and many more. And the botanic garden has over 1.5 miles of stunning flowers and other flora.
- Sandia Mountain Tramway
If you want to see Albuquerque from the top of the Sandia Mountains over 10,300 feet in the air, check out the Sandia Peak Tramway. You can go from the base of the mountain to the top in about 15 minutes in a scenic tram car with air conditioning and comfy seats. It is the longest aerial tram in America, so you definitely don’t want to miss this ride.
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Located just north of Old Town Albuquerque, this cultural center is one of the most popular museums in the state of New Mexico. It is owned and run by 19 different Indian Pueblos and has a plethora of artifacts and documentation about the history. They often perform traditional Indian dancing and art demonstrations as well.