El Verde Inn

Rehearsal Dinner

Welcome Party

Wedding

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Dinner

Dance

After-Celebration

Farewell Brunch

Our Wedding

“Isn’t it so pretty to think that all this time, there was an invisible string tying you to me?”

Looking back, there was always a thread pulling Victoria and Stephen together. From a love of sports to a deep appreciation for schools on New York’s glacier lakes, it all came together the way any modern love story does: on an app. After a couple of swipes, a series of messages, and a few days, a first date took place, and the rest is history - here’s the story, as written so far. 2022In May of 2022, about three months after that first date at the nearby Mexican place, Victoria and Steve took their first trip together. Passing across the heated landscape of Arizona, the budding couple made their way to see none other than Coldplay. Just a couple of weeks later, less than that perhaps, the two headed north from Albuquerque to Denver for a life-changing experience: watching the Colorado Avalanche play for the Stanley Cup. As Victoria’s first game, it was the first chance for Steve to introduce her to his lifelong love of hockey. As a desert child, there was no telling how she would react — until the game started and the adrenaline hit, and she realized that the only thing more incredible than seeing NHL hockey live is enjoying it with the person who introduces you to it. After a summer of concerts and travel, getting to know the other and their pets, including her chiweenie Rory, and his cat Jackpot, and meeting parents, Victoria and Steve experienced the most important first test of their relationship, the Lobos Basketball season, each win (and loss) bringing them closer to their own endgame.

2023It turns out distance makes the heart grow fonder, and by the second year of their relationship, it had been game-tested. And it was time for Victoria to share one of her greatest passions with Steve by inviting him into her world by taking him Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. After surviving the worst parking situation of both of their lives, falling in love with some baby ducks in a pool, they made the all-important decision to move in together at the end of the summer. Before sharing keys, they shared one more trip and challenge: Victoria broke her hand while walking Rory. With Steve to the rescue, she still made it to see Beyonce in Chicago two days later. She recovered in their home with the support of Steve and their brats, where they blended together the luxury of French country with the whimsy of Legos and sports memorabilia, cat trees and baskets overflowing with dog toys. They ended the year hosting Christmas, welcoming family with 10 lighted trees of various sizes, and a growing love of shared life of sweet nothings that were becoming everything.

2024Victoria and Steve began their third year together with two of their shared passions - Lobo Basketball and travel. In fact, athletics and air travel has become the backbone of their love. Making their way from Monument Valley in February to Vermont at Christmas, Victoria and Steve continued to build a relationship based on deep love and shared experiences, taking everything together from a trip to the NCAA tournament in Memphis to an icy train ride in Colorado, facing challenges and overcoming them with patience, perseverance and profound affection. Closing the year cozy back home in New Mexico, they set out to plan their first international trip together - the adventure of a lifetime- that would alter everything, forever.

2025While having settled into a comfortable routine of away games and nights in, complete with road trip cookies and away-game flowers, Victoria and Steve continued to search for more ways to make space in their lives for one another. Victoria and Rory joined Steve on a couple of work trips, turning them into mini family adventures. Having found the one who made them each see la vie en rose, they wanted to go out and see everything! Taking their love coast-to-coast, they pre-empted their trip to Paris and Dublin with stops to Charlotte, Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod. With an heirloom ring in Steve’s pocket, picked up from his mom in Vermont, they set out to France and Ireland. Together, they floated down the Seine, crept through the crypt of the Pantheon, and twirled under the twinkles of the Eiffel Tower, and there, in the City of Love, the City of Light, in the corner of Place Émile-Goudeau, Steve knelt to the ground, pulled out a ring, and asked Victoria to be his wife. She said “yes.” After taking a brief moment to taste it, they hosted an engagement party in the fall. Celebrating their first holiday season as an engaged couple by hosting Christmas at home, bringing together their immediate families for a joyous occasion, they then began setting their sights on wedding planning and marital bliss.

NowVictoria and Steve are set to wed on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at El Verde Inn in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They will have a Welcome Party and Rehearsal dinner the night before. They hope to celebrate their love story by having a marvelous time and enchanted evening with their loved ones. Please join as they start their next era together and learn how forever feels.

It's a Love Story

Long story short...

Matthew and Victoria first met in middle school and have been friends ever since. Into adulthood, their friendship continued to grow, including a time as roommates. One of the things that they have bonded over is their shared  love of Taylor Swift, from Taylor Swift Nights in Albuquerque to a European adventure to see her perform in Paris. He now lives in Rio Rancho and works as a training specialist. In his free time, he enjoys spending time overlanding/offroading, taking photos, camping, growing plants, watching Science Fiction movies and reading books.

Matthew

April met Victoria during her freshman year at Wells College in Aurora, New York, and the two became fast friends. On many evenings, the two would go to the shore of Cayuga Lake where they would part take a "ceremonial flower burning" ritual while remarking that the “sunsets were just for us," and singing songs by the it-band at the time, fun. 

April now lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Ethan, where she is an artist. She enjoys kayaking, cooking and gardening in her spare time and has many unique talents, including being able to turn each of her feet to face completely backwards.

April

Ashley and Victoria have been friends since the attended Los Alamitos Middle School, where they both excelled in science fair. She also bakes world class desserts, including the best chocolate chip cookies this of the Rio Grande (but on either side). An environmental engineer living in Albuquerque, she loves all things outdoors, including fly fishing, hiking, birding and photography. A two-time New Mexico Trout Challenge winner, Ashley has caught all five trout species in the state. She and her husband, Seth, love rugby and their dog, Jordie, and cat, Scottie, are named after members of the New Zealand rugby team. Next summer, they are off to Australia for their third Rugby World Cup.

Ashley

Dionne and Victoria's friendship blossomed after Dionne bought a solo Post Malone ticket Victoria was selling and they realized they had a lot of shared interests. Amongst them are Taylor Swift and UNM basketball. Certified Swifties, the two have spent many nights either listening to Taylor (and screaming the lyrics to the "Smallest Man Who Ever Lived") or at The Pit loudly cheering for the Lobos (and watching Steve work). Dionne lives in Albuquerque with her husband, Andrew, and their children. She is a patient care technician and enrolled in respiratory therapy school, but still finds time for line dancing, working out and going to concerts and Swiftie Events...Swiftball anyone?

Dionne

Jenny has been friends with Victoria since they met at Wells College. They often would come up with a plan to do something, and wound up ending up on a different adventure. She is now a adjunct professor at a college in Massachusetts. Jenny enjoys spending time doing yoga, mindfulness, reading, wellness, traveling, baking, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with her dogs. She and her husband, Justin, live just south of Boston. At the wedding, Jenny has the honored role of escorting Rory the Chiweenie, who is serving the ring bearer, down the aisle. 

Jennifer

Victoria and Steve’s famous chiweenie Rory is excited to be included in the wedding as ring bearer. Adopted by Victoria at 11 weeks old, Rory is energetic, curious and gets attention anywhere he goes. He has traveled coast-to-coast, from Martha’s Vineyard to San Diego, and is a certified B.A.R.K. Ranger by the National Park Service. He loves sleeping in late, walks, toys and most of all, Chick-Fil-A grilled nuggets. Ever since Victoria met Steve, he has loved having another human to spoil him, even if it has meant that he now has to share his house with a cat.

Rory the Chiweenie

Scott and Steve have been best friends since meeting in Kindergarten. They grew up together, most of that time playing sports, from hoops in the driveway, to Little League to high school soccer. Though they went to different colleges, they would get together every spring to go to Flyers playoff games. Since graduation, the two have kept in touch from a distance while living in different parts of the country. Scott now works as an insurance adjuster, living on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. An avid bowler and golfer, he has bowled a 300 game. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two kids, Alaina and Andrew. As best man, Scott is returning the favor, as Steve was his best man two decades earlier.

Scott

Matt and Steve’s friendship began at the University of Virginia, where they were co-workers for a decade. The duo got to experience many thrilling moments together, from numerous ACC titles to two NCAA men’s tennis championships, from a March Madness run to the Sweet 16 to back-to-back women’s College Cups. Many summers, Matt and Steve would head to St. Louis for a baseball trip, cheering on Matt’s beloved Cardinals. Matt is still at UVA, but moved from athletics to now serving as the University’s senior photographer. It has allowed him more family time with his wife, Ashley, and their sons, Carter and Evan, especially getting to coach the boys youth baseball teams. 

Matt

Justin and Steve became friends at Wake Forest, when they worked together with the men’s basketball program, Steve as SID and Justin as the Director of Basketball Operations. Their friendship grew over five years as co-workers, both in their roles of supporting Danny Manning and his program, all while bonding over common interests like a love of college basketball and Legos. It’s a friendship that has continued from afar, as they now work in different states and in different fields. After a long career in college basketball, from Kansas to Florida Atlantic to San Francisco to Tulsa to Wake Forest, Justin has pivoted to a new role as an administrator at Mercy Children’s Hospital in Kansas City. He lives in Kansas with his wife, Stacy, and their daughter, Tatum. 

Justin

Wedding Party

Ultimate Formal Attire Shopping Guide

25 Hand-Picked Formal Guest Dresses

Tux vs. Suit: What's the Difference?

Southwestern Formal embraces elevated evening attire with warmth, texture, and individuality.Think candlelit New Mexico evenings, silk elegance, artful romance, and refined desert sophistication. Velvet, silk, suede, wool, linen blends, vintage jewelry, silver, turquoise, polished boots, and heirloom-inspired accessories are all welcome.We invite guests to interpret the dress code through rich colors, thoughtful tailoring, artistic details, and natural materials.We also strongly encourage guests to consider circular fashion by rewearing, renting, borrowing, tailoring, or shopping vintage &amp; pre-loved pieces.Please avoid casual attire, denim, athletic wear, or overly costume-inspired Western looks.

Attire

Q + A

Staying at El Verde Inn El Verde Inn has been privately reserved for our wedding weekend, September 11 &amp; 12, 2026. A limited number of on-site rooms are available for invited guests. If you are interested in staying at the inn, please contact us directly for availability, room assignments, and accommodation details.

Accommodations

Welcome to Albuquerque

Whether you are a Duke City native or a first-time visitor, love nature or history, art or sports,r all of the above, Albuquerque has something you will thoroughly enjoy. The Land of Enchantment has many unique places to discover; it’s truly a place like no other.

Visiting ABQ in September: the Rundown

Albuquerque sits high in the New Mexico desert at the base of the Sandia Mountains. September days are typically warm and sunny, while evenings can become cool after sunset. We recommend staying hydrated, dressing in layers, and wearing comfortable shoes throughout the weekend.

Exploring

Many of Albuquerque’s most famous attractions are high on the “must-do” list of first-time visitors. Old Town and the Balloon Fiesta Park are iconic ABQ destinations.

Old Town Albuquerque

Founded in 1706, You can feel the history of the city with a walk around the plaza at Old Town, all while shopping at the stores and figuring out how to get all your souvenirs home.

The Pit

Sports fans will love a visit to The Pit, one of the cathedrals of college basketball. Most famous for hosting the 1983 Final Four, you can still look down at the floor and imagine Jimmy Valvano looking for someone to hug. While not open to the public, chances are good you might know someone who can give you a behind the scenes tour.

Food

For food lovers, a visit to Albuquerque offers an immersive experience into flavor. Try New Mexican Green Chile, a local cuisine staple, by adding it to almost any dish at any establishment in town. The food comes in two varieties, meaning you will likely be asked: Red or Green? (We recommend Christmas.) Make sure to check out some of out favorite spots.

Restaurants

- Rudy's- Saggio's- Monte Carlo Steakhouse- Seasons

Coffee

For a delicious cup of joe, you should visit: - Little Bear Coffee- Zendo Coffee- Michael Thomas Coffee Roasters

Outdoors & Views

Albuquerque and its surrounding areas is a nature-loving outdoor recreationist dream - just ask bridesmaid Ashley or cousin Kenny! From mountains to mesas, and the bosque (the Spanish word for the unique riverine forests bordering the Rio Grande), the views are one of the best parts of living in this high desert city.

Petroglyph National Monument

We love (and so does Rory) that our house is less than a mile from a national park, Petroglyph National Monument. It’s sandy trails are perfect for his paws and humans will love seeing the centuries-old etchings in the black volcanic rocks. The best part is that it's free!

Sandia Peak Tramway

The Sandia Tram takes you to over 10,000 feet at the top of the mountains, with panoramic views of the city. Balloon Fiesta Park features a museum on hot air ballooning, which every fall brings international attention to Albuquerque.

Victoria & Stephen