By Ludella Awad
American Journalist Mignon Mclaughlin once said, “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” Here at ABQ-Live, we believe that a great wedding heralds the perfect beginning to a successful marriage.
That’s why we have worked hard to find only the most dedicated businesses ready to make your wedding a memorable experience of a lifetime.
From the perfect bouquet, to the loveliest venue and the greatest combination of music and catering available in Albuquerque, we invite you, dear readers, to join us for our Wedding Essentials!
Desert Flowers Co
Phone (505) 934-6823 Email desertflowers.co@gmail.com Website DesertFlowersCo.com Find them on Instagram/ Facebook @desertflowers.co
Photography by Crystal Cousin Photo: @crystalcousinphoto
Jewelry by Root and Feather: @desertadorned & @rootandfeathernm
The smell of peonies and eucalyptus on your big day are sure to make every step down the aisle even more memorable. Desert Flowers Co. is there to ensure the beauty of your florals is second only to your partner.
Desert Flowers Co. has been around for one year, providing their desert touch, and a one-on-one experience with customers to design arrangements that are unique to the couple and the theme of their wedding.
Desert Flowers Co. specializes in bouquets and large floral arrangements for the big day. Options are open when it comes to rentals for geometric arches. Co-Owner’s of Desert Flowers Co., Julianne Zarasua and Madi Dow, both share an energetic passion for stunning customers with the beauty of their desert flower designs.
“We provide a special experience with the brides we are meeting with by taking away every burden from them,” Zarasua stated.
Desert Flowers Co. is there to take care of every floral need ensuring every bride and groom’s focus on their special day is each other.
“Enjoy every last minute leading up to your wedding day and take in all of the little moments,” Dow said.

Mark Pardo SalonSpa
5 Locations in Albuquerque Phone 505.298.2983 Website MarkPardo.com Hours: Mon – Fri / 9 AM -7:30 PM · Sat / 8 AM – 5 PM Sunday/ 9 AM-6PM
Since opening its doors in 1973, the friendly staff of Mark Pardo SalonSpa has made it their mission to nurture inner and outer beauty through world-class salon and spa experiences. Now Mark Pardo SalonSpa wants to extend this same quality experience to brides on their wedding day.
Mark Pardo SalonSpa’s Deluxe Bridal Package has been carefully created to provide the most relaxing pre-wedding experience, all while pampering the bride! The package includes a manicure with gel polish, a pedicure, 30-minute Body Glow, 60-minute Tulasara Facial Treatment, Practice Bridal Updo and Makeup Application, as well as a Bridal Updo & Makeup Application the day of the wedding.
After one session of pampering and refreshment, every bride will walk down the aisle with a confident smile from the quality experience only Mark Pardo Salonspa can provide.

Hotel Albuquerque
Address 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW Phone (505) 843-6300 Website HotelABQ.com Hours Open 24 hours / Located in the heart of Old Town
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town delivers a combination of tradition and class to every wedding experience. With seven wedding venues, the bride and groom are sure to find the perfect scene to say ‘I do.’
Of the beautiful venues at Hotel Albuquerque couples can choose from, the Alvarado Ballroom exhibiting signature southwestern elegance and Pavilion & Gardens for a serene outdoor experience.
Through rich and authentic history, Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town offers a comfortable and unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else. The combination of New Mexican hospitality and Albuquerque sophistication, seamlessly weave together at Hotel Albuquerque of Old Town.

DJ Sider
Address PO box 1015 Phone (505) 231-2126 Website DjSider.com Hours Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri / 9 AM -5 PM | Thurs & Sat / 10AM- 6PM | Sun/ 11AM-6PM
When it comes to having a blast on your big wedding day, Party Music Pros is here with the perfect playlist.
Party Music Pros has been serving New Mexico for the last six years with over 20 years of Sider’s experience in the DJ and entertainment industry. Currently, they are working on a CD about New Mexico’s greatest hits, which is expected to be released soon.
For a wedding event, Party Music Pros offers a wide variety of music to choose from. This includes a basic sound package with authentic, New Mexican music, lighting, fog machines and your customizable music mix with hip-hop, rap and music from the early ‘50s — or whatever your heart desires.
Owner of Party Music Pros, DJ Sider, said he likes to feel what the crowd feels and hopes to help find what the bride and groom’s best fit is, which means sitting down with them a week prior to the wedding event.

High Noon
Address 425 San Felipe St NW Phone (505) 765-1455 Website HighNoonRestaurant.com Hours Mon – Thurs/ 11 AM – 9 PM | Fri -Sat/ 11 AM – 9:30 PM | Sun/ 12PM – 9PM
What makes a good toast at a wedding, according to High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, is the quality of drinks in the glass.
High Noon Restaurant and Saloon has been serving the community for 45 years. For a wedding event, there are a variety of quality drinks to choose from, including a full-service bar, cash bar and hosted bar. There is a full liquor catering package.
When it comes to choosing drinks, wine, bottled beer, draft beer and a personal, customizable selection of drinks are on the menu.
At High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, there are three private rooms available depending on the event. For the bride and groom, specialty drinks are offered — it’s a one-stop shop for planning an event.
Owner of High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, Carla Villa, gives out valuable wedding planning advice: “You want to do something that is fun and that is really uniquely yourself.”

ABQ Live Photo and Video Services
Address 4615 Lomas Blvd NE Phone (505) 365-4725 Website ABQ-live.com Office Hours: Mon- Fri / 9 AM – 6 PM | Sat / 10AM- 5PM | Sun/ 11AM-5PM
You’ll want to remember everything about your wedding day. And what better way than with professional photos and video from a team of photographers who have spent years focusing on amazing event, food and portrait photography and videography.
Photography captures a moment in time. Whether that moment is your wedding day or an annual family portrait, pictures enable us to relive and remember special occasions again and again.
Whether our photographers are using natural light or flash, unique details, raw emotions and capturing the true essence of an individual or event is their obsession. The ultimate goal for ABQ Live is to create timeless photographs and video for you and your loved ones to cherish forever.
The Bride and Groom will both be able to enjoy their day with family and friends, knowing everything will be captured for them to enjoy for years to come.

Front Cover Photo by: Crystal Cousin Photo
Corrections: A previous version of this article contained errors regarding Desert Flowers CO. address and phone number this version of the article contains the correct updated information.