Some Weddings Feel Like a Moment in Time
And then there are the ones that feel like a weekend — a place you stay with the people you love, where the setting becomes part of the story.
Julia and Justin’s wedding at Field Trip was one of those unforgettable occasions — a celebration that wasn’t just a day, but a feeling.
Field Trip is a truly unique venue nestled in the Santa Fe National Forest near the Pecos River — a former summer camp now reborn as a space for weddings, events, glamping, and adventure with heart and soul. With glamping tents, cozy cabins, and expansive outdoor space on six acres of New Mexico wilderness, Field Trip blends rugged beauty with comfort and intention, making it an ideal backdrop for stories that matter.
House + Family at the Heart
What made this wedding remarkable from the start is that the venue itself was deeply personal — not just a place on a map. The owners are friends with Julia and Justin, and graciously opened their land for an event that felt less like a production and more like a homecoming.
There’s something magic-tinged about holding a wedding somewhere that was once a summer camp — a place where people came to live, learn, and play together. Today, that rich history gives Field Trip a grounded sense of belonging and nostalgia, an energy that seeped into every moment of the day.
Quiet Elegance Meets Genuine Personality
Julia and Justin welcomed everyone with warmth and ease.
Julia’s dress was one of those rare garments that captures your attention not by shouting, but by its quiet beauty. Its simplicity felt intentional, elegant, and deeply connected to who she is — a reminder that subtlety often speaks louder than extravagance.
Justin was equally memorable — one of the funniest, most down-to-earth people you could meet. His humor and warmth set the tone for the day from the early morning moments through the last dance. Together, they weren’t just a couple — they were the heart of the experience.
A Ceremony Painted With Autumn Light
The ceremony unfolded in early October, with the backdrop of trees turning orange and yellow. The colors seemed to glow in the soft light, creating a scene that felt both intimate and cinematic.
They stood under a homemade chuppah — a symbol of unity and shelter, crafted with intention and love. There was an ease in how the day unfolded, as if the land itself was celebrating alongside them.
This was not a ceremony anyone rushed through. This was a moment to breathe in, to witness, and to remember.
Family Style and Fire-Kissed Feasting
For the reception, Julia and Justin chose a family-style feast — long tables set beneath the sky, meant for shared plates, laughter, and stories that stretched longer than the courses themselves. Something we loved was how Julia and Justin hand wrote a letter to each of their guests, the letters were waiting at each individuals seat and getting to see everyone read these meaningful notes was really beautiful.
One of the most remarkable parts of Field Trip is its outdoor open kitchen, where the staff cooked over fire and flame. Massive plates of handcrafted, wood-fired food were brought out in waves, each course a communal experience. This space — part kitchen, part gathering place — perfectly fit the energy of the day: real, grounded, and alive with connection.
Dancing Under the Stars
And then there was the night: dancing under the sky, surrounded by the quiet hush of the forest.
There’s something about outdoor receptions that changes the rules of the dance floor. Under the stars, with cool air and warm light from the fire, people moved without inhibition. Long past sunset, the music carried, laughter floated, and joy filled the space in a way that felt both profound and effortless.
A Celebration Rooted in Presence
What made Julia and Justin’s day so special wasn’t just the photos — it was the presence of everyone there. The way friends and family leaned into the setting, the laughter that seemed to echo through the trees, the ease between the couple that set a tone of comfort for all.
We felt honored to witness it — to document the handcrafted meals, the sweeping autumn backdrop, the elegant simplicity of a dress that gleamed in the golden light, and the unfiltered joy of people choosing connection over perfection.
This wedding didn’t just happen at Field Trip — it belonged there.
Vendors
Venue & Food - Field Trip, Pecos NM
Videography - Southwest Wedding Films
Hair and Makeup - Genica Lee
