If you’re searching for a new mexico wedding venue and everything you’re finding feels a little too traditional or predictable, let me introduce you to one of the most interesting spots in the state: Field Trip in Pecos, New Mexico. Their tagline is literally “escape the ordinary”… I don’t think it really gets any better!!!

This isn’t the kind of venue where you rush through a six-hour rental window and go home. Field Trip is built for full wedding experiences and intentional weekends, for an adventure filled and laid back retreat feeling. It’s a full property buy out with glamping tents, cabins, river access, wood-fired cooking, and a weekend where your favorite people and chosen family actually get to slow down and spend time with you.

As a photographer who specializes in intentional full weekend documentation and film-forward celebrations, we’ll call it a dream (and when you see Katie & Alex’s wedding, I think you’ll feel the same hehe).

Why Field Trip Stands Out Among New Mexico Wedding Venues

When couples search for a new mexico wedding venue, they usually find options that fall into one of three categories:

• Resort or hotel weddings
• Traditional banquet spaces
• Veryyyy religioussss optionsssss

Field Trip sits in an entirely different lane, and not only because the overall “aesthetic” is different, but their goal is really, truly a different experience for you. I stayed in Santa Fe (about 30 mins outside of Pecos) for the entirety of Katie & Alex’s wedding (their night before coverage was actually at El Ray and you’ll see that in the inspo below), but I got a chance to meet the owners Marc and Suzanne personally. Unlike most venues you’ll find, these two really, truly care; they were warm and welcoming for my couple, completely supportive and behind their vision and their values, and I felt like it stood out in general that they were onsite, meeting all of us, and even cooking their wedding dinner personally. It feels so different and family forward, and I can tell you as a wedding photographer, it’s truly a one of a kind experience.

Located right on the Pecos River, the property combines outdoor adventure energy with design-forward comfort with glamping tents, cozy cabins, and flexible event areas surrounded by forest instead of city noise.

This kind of “weekend immersion” experience is something a lot of couples don’t realize they want, until they either experience it themselves or attend another wedding that feels similar and have regrets. One of the best ways to make your wedding not a fly-by-and-have-dinner-and-drive-home kind of day, is just by making it a destination weekend.

Capacity, Accommodations & Logistic

One of the biggest reasons couples choose Field Trip over other New Mexico wedding venues is flexibility. Katie & Alex specifically had their “special people committee” getting ready onsite at the cabin (and you can rent this if you need overnights), but otherwise had transportation booked to bring guests to and from their hotel in Santa Fe. Transportation is something to think about, as there isn’t otherwise ample parking for a large amount of guests, but the venue serves both small and large guest counts!

Guest capacity:

• Intimate weddings around 50 guests
• Large celebrations up to roughly 400 guests depending on layout

On-site lodging:

• Accommodations for about 40–50 guests (glamping tents + cabins)

What that means for you:

• Your closest people stay together on-site, all weekend (or together at a nearby hotel which can even extend the experience, and in this case, it absolutely did!)
• Rehearsal dinners feel connected to the full weekend
• Morning coffee turns into spontaneous hangs

For creative, introverted, or nontraditional couples, this usually lowers stress a lot. Everyone settles in and the energy shifts from “busy wedding day” to “relaxed group trip” instead.

Wood-Fired Dinner Experience

One of the most distinctive pieces of the venue is the wood-fired culinary setup, by the owner’s themselves!!! Field Trip features large fireplaces (including an Argentine parrilla) and open-fire cooking options that make your reception dinner feel like a specialty experience, and I promise you, it was one of the best wedding dinners I’ve personally ever had!

Things to Know Before Booking

Field Trip tends to attract couples looking for something a little different. It’s an elevated diy scenario, with the option to bring in as many vendors to upscale the experience as you want, or do on your own as you need to. Something different, that offers a blank slate for you to really share a piece of yourselves with your favorite people.

Every venue has tradeoffs, and being realistic upfront makes planning easier.

A few good to know tid-bits from working here personally:

• Cell service can be limited once you head into Pecos (download maps beforehand)
• Outdoor-based weddings mean weather flexibility matters (the venue does have a small pavilion but was pretty tight-knit for a group size over 70)
• It does get cold here! New Mexico is known to be on the warmer side, but there’s still snow and four seasons especially up in these mountains
• A buyout-style weekend is usually the best way to experience the property fully

Pro tip: Build your timeline with natural light in mind, as the sun will dip behind the sides of the valley much earlier than actual sunset time!

Planning Tip: Pair Field Trip With Other New Mexico Adventures

One thing I love about this area is how easy it is to turn your wedding into a mini destination (and Katie and Alex really did!). They used their wedding website to mention some of their favorite shops and restaurants and even hiking trails in the area. I’d recommend setting aside some time for either a welcome event or a group activity, and beyond that, maybe some open-ended invites to favorite locations nearby!

Thinking About Field Trip as your New Mexico Wedding Venue?

Here’s some wedding inspiration from Katie & Alex’s colorful Pecos, New Mexico wedding at Field Trip. And I’ll be honest, I’m really sorry that you weren’t at this dance party (I’m literally never going to forget this day), but if you want me at your’s, you can find more info on me here. In the meantime, enjoy!!!!!