When Nevaeh first reached out to me via Instagram and said, “We’re getting married on a property that Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul were filmed on,” I had one reaction: say less. I was in. But nothing could’ve prepared me for just how stunning this day would be—from the rugged, cinematic hills of Placitas, New Mexico, to the wild horses grazing at sunset.

This wasn’t just a wedding. It was a moment years in the making.

Nevaeh and Juan had been together for quite a while, and this day marked the first time both sides of their friends and families would come together. That alone gave the entire day this electric sense of anticipation—like something really special was unfolding, because it was.

Their venue was unlike anything I’d worked with before—a historic adobe home tucked in the mountains, layered with authentic New Mexico architecture and that warm, earthy palette you only get in the Southwest. Think terracotta tones, textured walls, and a backyard that just happened to have a full-sized pool smack dab in the center. It was technically a venue, but it still felt like a true backyard wedding—cozy, lived-in, and a little unpredictable (in the best way).

The night before, we held a rehearsal that went for about two and a half hours. We wanted to nail every detail, especially with the wedding party layout on the non-symmetrical staircases (insert my inner perfectionist losing her mind, lol). We marked each person’s spot with masking tape—our signature move—so there’d be no confusion about where to stand, when to walk, or how to avoid tripping into the pool (because yes, that was a real possibility).

Wedding day came in hot—literally. The sun was blazing, but the vibes were immaculate. We spent the early afternoon basking in the glow of the New Mexico sky, setting up with Alejandra (shoutout to her, absolute lifesaver!) and prepping for the flip. Now, I’ll be honest—chair flips during cocktail hour aren’t exactly my favorite, especially when I don’t have a full team of hands. But they are magical to watch. One moment it’s a ceremony site, the next it’s a full reception setup, and it never gets old seeing the transformation in real time.

As the sun dipped behind the hills and cast golden light over the adobe walls, wild horses strolled out to graze in the distance. It felt like a literal dream. Guests mingled, glasses clinked, and the vibe was unhurried and joyful. There was a hiccup when the DJ did something unexpected that pushed back dinner (pro tip: always, always loop your planner in), but honestly? No one cared. Everyone was having such a good time that it didn’t matter.

And then—the pool jump.

At some point deep into the night, when the tequila had flowed and the dance floor had done its job, the crowd slowly migrated to the pool. One person jumped in… then another… and before we knew it, the entire wedding party (yes, including the bride and groom) were in the water. Clothes, hair, and all. It was pure chaos in the best, most cinematic way. Like a scene from a feel-good indie movie that ends with everyone soaking wet and smiling ear to ear.

Alejandra and I just stood there soaking it all in (not literally, although it was tempting)—grateful to be part of it, to help bring something this special together, and to see everyone so happy, so free, so present.

Nevaeh and Juan, thank you for letting us into your wild, beautiful world. This one will live in my memory forever.