Wedding bells peal throughout the summer in Santa Fe. There’s no place quite as enchanting for tying the knot. It’s perfect for those seeking an intimate event or those planning an expansive affair. Destination weddings are popular throughout the Southwest and Santa Fe has its share of wedding experts to help brides- and grooms-to-be plan the day of their dreams. Essential Guide got the inside scoop from six of Santa Fe’s most popular resorts and got great advice on how to make the special day just right.

Fiona Palmer is the wedding manager at Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa. As a destination resort, Bishop’s Lodge offers everything from accommodations, a spa and on-site activities to catering for fairy-tale weddings, contemporary celebrations or traditional family gatherings. Fiona has arranged romantic ceremonies that are small and intimate with only two attendees and has managed large galas for 250. The typical wedding themes at Bishop’s Lodge are cowboy weddings, restaurant plated rehearsal dinners, Gazebo ceremonies and receptions in the Pavilion Courtyard.

Scenic vistas surround Bishop’s Lodge and the gardens and grounds are colorful and lush. Venues for weddings and surrounding events include a pool-side lawn, a gazebo garden, an historic chapel, flexible meeting space and lodges. Events take place at Archbishop Lamy’s Chapel, a quaint, natural historic landmark; Bishop's Lodge Gazebo, the perfect place for outdoor ceremonies; the Tesuque Pavilion with southwestern décor; the West Lawn and Mesa Vista with sweeping panoramic views.

Bishop’s Lodge goes above and beyond in the days leading up to the big event. Fiona can coordinate wine pairing rehearsal dinners and bridal party spa luncheons. After the ceremony, Bishop’s Lodge provides a complimentary suite complete with wood-burning fireplace, champagne and strawberries and a horseback ride for the newlyweds. One trend that Fiona sees in weddings are “green” weddings, which Bishop’s Lodge is very active in developing for their clients. Others are champagne- and wine-tasting receptions and candy buffets or confection bars.

The Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa’s wedding manager, Fiona Palmer, can be reached at 505-992-3922.

Katie Wannamaker is the wedding specialist at El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa. El Monte Sagrado can accommodate weddings for two to 250. Most of the wedding ceremonies are hosted in the beautiful sanctuary setting of the Sacred Circle and the majestic Taos Mountain Lawn. Receptions can be held in the exquisitely designed indoor or breathtaking outdoor spaces. Katie usually coordinates elegant outdoor weddings. The rolling waters, lush gardens and mountain backdrops provide a one-of-a-kind sanctuary setting.

Pre-wedding festivities include ultra-pampering bridal party spa days. Post-wedding activities for the bride and groom include exquisite suites for the perfect romantic finish. The dessert trend seen at El Monte Sagrado is the ordering of signature desserts designed by El Monte Sagrado’s chef and the wedding couple in place of a wedding cake.

El Monte Sagrado Living Restort and Spa’s wedding specialist, Katie Wannamaker, can be reached at 575-776-2197 or katie.wannamaker@elmontesagrado.com.

Felicia Ponca, director of catering, is the wedding coordinator for Encantado, an Auberge Resort. Encantado can accommodate any size wedding. Most events take place in Encantado’s grand facility located in the main lodge. The Aspen Ballroom is also quite popular, with two open-air courtyards and infinity-like water feature. In 2009, the Vista Ceremony Site will be built. Weddings at Encantado usually start with a sunset ceremony. A cocktail reception follows, and then the formal wedding dinner and entertainment. Encantado does not offer wedding packages per se, but believes that each even should be customized and planned to meet the wedding couple’s dreams.

Felicia tries to create lasting memories of the entire event, not just the ceremony. The 57-acre property is the perfect place to explore, offering plenty of private reflection space. Felicia recommends a hike in the national forest followed by a gourmet picnic, an early morning hot-air balloon ride, a champagne reception at the Encantado art gallery, or a brandy and cigar reception after the rehearsal dinner. After the wedding, Encantado gives the bride and groom a complimentary night in one of their casitas with special bridal welcome amenity and wedding night candlelight turn down service with a rose petal drawn bath.

Encantado, an Auberge Resort’s director of catering and wedding coordinator is Felicia Ponca. Felicia can be reached at 505-946-5813 or fponca@encantadoresort.com.

Erik Bernsten and Bobbie Lopez are the wedding planners at The Inn and Spa at Loretto. They can accommodate wedding parties ranging from five to 300 guests. There are 12,000 square feet of multi-functional indoor and outdoor spaces. Indoors there are four spacious ballrooms with southwestern décor. Luminaria, the hotel’s signature restaurant, provides an intimate space that can be reserved for weddings up to 150 guests. Outdoors, there’s the Sculpture Garden overlooking the famous Loretto Chapel. The Sunset Terrace, located on the fourth floor, is truly a venue with a vista. Many weddings at The Inn and Spa at Loretto take full advantage of the property’s proximity to the world-renowned Loretto Chapel. A trend in receptions includes a signature drink hour, featuring the favorite drink of the bride and groom. Smaller weddings are replacing large-scale functions.

The Inn and Spa at Loretto’s dedicated special events team provide a medley of custom bridal services before and after the ceremony. Bridal parties, bachelor parties, bridesmaid luncheons, rehearsal dinners, spa packages, golf tournaments and more can be planned before the wedding day. For the wedding night, The Inn and Spa at Loretto has a signature bridal champagne and rose petal turn down service for the bride and groom.

The Inn and Spa at Loretto’s wedding planners are Erik Bernsten and Bobbie Lopez. Erik can be reached at 505-984-7952 or eberntsen@desinationhotels.com. Bobbie can be reached at 505-984-7914 or blopez3@destinationhotels.com.

Jennifer Wilson Hoback is the wedding coordinator at The Inn of the Five Graces. Jennifer has hosted wonderful elopement ceremonies with just the bride and groom and can accommodate up to 100 guests. Ceremonies take place at one the property’s many courtyards. The Inn of the Five Graces is an historic boutique hotel and is the perfect place for an intimate wedding.

Jennifer tries to accommodate anything the couple desires during their stay. Pre-wedding activities usually include off-property excursions in Santa Fe. The Honeymoon can include rose petals on the bed, a room full of votive candles and a roaring fire. Jennifer’s signature mark is a personal, yet unobtrusive touch. The Inn of the Five Graces prides itself on creating weddings that are not “main stream.” They hope to create magical memories for the bride and groom that last forever.

Jennifer Wilson Hoback is the wedding coordinator at The Inn of the Five Graces. Jennifer can be reached at 505-992-0957.

David Stone is the wedding coordinator at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa, A RockResort. David has coordinated ceremonies as large as 250, but prefers events around 150 guests. Most take place in the Montana Ballroom and on the lawn. David said there are no typical wedding scenarios at La Posada, and that they can plan for everything—even a bride and groom arriving in a hot air balloon!

Before the big day, David can arrange welcome receptions, bridal and bachelor parties, rehearsal dinners and make-up events for the bridal party. Post-wedding activities include a farewell brunch. Couples are always given champagne and strawberries dipped in chocolate on their wedding night.

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa, A RockResort’s wedding coordinator is David Stone. David can be reached at 505-986-0000 or davids@lpdsf.com.

With all of this good advice, Essential Guide asked each wedding specialist to share the most common mistakes their clients make when planning a wedding:

Fiona Palmer of Bishop’s Lodge said, “[People] underestimate their budget.” Katie Wannamaker of El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa said, “Weddings can be very stressful. It is important [for the bride and groom] to reach out for support.” Felicia Ponca of Encantado said, “Leaving the small details to the bride or groom [is a mistake]. Encantado offers the services of an on-site wedding specialist that will handle everything from contacting and making appointments with vendors, to holding the rings and making sure the flower girl knows exactly what to do. We are here to make your day special.”

Erik Bernsten and Bobbie Lopez at the Inn and Spa at Loretto recommended, “The bride and groom should take more time and enjoy meeting with each individual vendor. Take an afternoon to taste cakes, view photos, pick flowers. When will the [bride and groom] have an opportunity to do that again?” Jennifer Wilson Hoback of the Inn of the Five Graces said, “Forgetting about what is most important.” David Stone at La Posada de Santa Fe said, “Weather is always a gamble.”