Joanna & Marlon

I have known Marlon since we were both enlisted in the Coast Guard together, serving aboard a cutter as junior petty officers. We had many great adventures together. One thing I always knew was whomever tied him down was going to be one of the luckiest women around. When they asked my to photograph their wedding out in Albuquerque New Mexico, I was both touched and honored. It was my last wedding of 2006 and I could not think of a better way to wrap up the season.

New Mexico is a great place to visit if, like me, you love spicy Mexican or South-Western cuisine. After touching down in the “Land of Enchantment” Sarah and I drove out to “Old Town” in Albuquerque and had lunch at the famous Church Street Cafe for some fresh made tamales with red and green chili sauce. Chillies are a way of life in New Mexico and can be found in almost everything. I was really bummed to hear that the local brewery was closed for a few weeks while they remodeled because I was really looking forward to trying their “Green Chili Beer” (maybe next time I go to visit). After lunch we bummed around Old Town and tried to pick up a few last-minute hand-made gifts from the Indian craftsmen selling their wares on the square.

Later that night, Sarah and I headed out to the rehearsal and the dinner afterwards hosted by Julie, Joe and Sandra. Again there were fresh-made tamales, red and green chili, enchiladas and a crock pot of delicious Posole.

The day finally arrived after having a huge southwestern breakfast at the Flying Star restaurant (and more local cuisine involving red and green chilli) I headed out to the Alumni Chapel at the University of New Mexico for the wedding ceremony. The ceremony was presided over Joanna’s friend Pat. Pat remarked that her training as a nurse midwife more than prepared her for the duties and responsibilities of presiding over a wedding.

After the ceremony we got a few awesome shots in front of the adobe walls of the church. Studio photographers spend $$$ on hand painted backgrounds that mimic what can be found just about everywhere in NM–weathered adobe walls. I could have shot them all day like that.

We then headed downtown to Nick’s Crossroads Cafe for the reception where toasts were given, glasses were raised and many dance cards were filled.

It was a great time guys, thanks! I will end this wedding post, my last wedding post for 2006, with an Irish wedding blessing.

A toast to lying, cheating, stealing, and drinking:

If you lie, may you lie together.
If you cheat, may you cheat the devil.
If you steal, may you steal each other’s hearts.
And if you drink, may we all drink to your happiness.

Slainte!

Craig

The wedding slide show, when it becomes available will be available here: www.craigmolway.com/slideshows/Sadler The Login to the photos is guest and the password is Joanna’s maiden name in lower caps.

The slide show uses the latest Flash “bells and whistles” and may not work on older computers. If you are having difficulty you can download the latest flash plug-in for free here: http://www.softwarepatch.com/internet/flashwdownload.html

If you are on a slow internet connection and the show does not run optimally, you can see the full edit sans slideshow here: http://craigmolway.instaproofs.com

Feel free to leave a comment below and let us know how we are doing.

Congratulations again to Joanna & Marlon!