Back in October, I traveled down to New Mexico for Demetris and Nicole’s Albuquerque Greek Orthodox wedding. I’ve photographed so many Greek weddings at this point that I’m starting to feel like part of the family. Several guests and past clients are often at each Greek wedding that I photograph and this one was no different. I shot Nicole’s cousin Constance’s wedding eight years ago and she served as the Koumbara for Nicole.

I started my morning with the ladies as they got ready at Nicole’s parent’s house. Meanwhile, Travis photographed Demetris as he participated in many of the Cypriot wedding traditions at his home like bring shaved and wrapping of the red scarf.

The ceremony took place at Albuquerque’s Saint George Greek Orthodox Church which was gorgeous inside. The bright, soft light was a welcome treat compared to the ubiquitous dark churches that we encounter.

We only had eight minutes with them for portraits before we all headed to the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown for an exciting reception that featured a performance by famous Greek Laïko singer Giorgos Tsalikis. I don’t seep a lick of Greek but I can tell you that Nicole, Demetris and all their guests danced non-stop all evening long to each and every song. The reception turned into one of the wildest that I’ve photographed. Not only was the Ouzo flowing but they broke plates on the dance floor, made it rain cash (and napkins when they ran out) and danced on tables.

Normally I’m a Denver wedding photographer but it was a treat to photograph their Albuquerque Greek Orthodox wedding. Thank you both for allowing me to be part of your day. It was a pleasure to be able to document all of the moments that help tell the story of your wedding day.

The bride has her makeup done at her home in Albuquerque
The groom is shaved by the best man during a cypriot wedding tradition prior to the Albuquerque wedding
Nicole applies lip gloss
Nicole hangs her dress
The groom's mother waves smoke during cypriot wedding traditions as the groom gets ready for the wedding
Nicole is helped into her dress by her mother
The bride stands outside Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Albuquerque before walking down the aisle
Nicole walks down the aisle at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church
The father of the bride kisses his daughter
A general view Demetris and Nicole's Albuquerque Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony at St. George Greek Orthodox Church
Nicole kisses the bible
Nicole smiles at Demetris during the ceremony
The koumbara switches the stefana on Demetris and Nicole at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church
The bride and groom wear the stefana at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Albuquerque
The Koumbara and bridesmaids smile during the greek wedding in Albuquerque
The bride and groom are showered with rose pedals as they participate in the ceremonial walk around the table during their Albuquerque Greek Orthodox wedding at Saint George
Inside Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Albuquerque New Mexico during a wedding ceremony
First kiss during the Albuquerque Greek Orthodox wedding at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church
The bride and groom walk down the aisle during their Albuquerque Greek Orthodox wedding at Saint George
The bride and groom are showered with rose pedals as they exit Saint George Greek Orthodox Church during their Albuquerque wedding
Nicole and Demetris walk together after their wedding ceremony in Highland Park in Albuquerque
Demetris kisses Nicole in Highland Park in Albuquerque
The bride and groom embrace on a fall day in Highland Park during their Albuquerque Greek Orthodox wedding
Nicole and Demetris dance together at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown during their Greek wedding reception
Nicole dances with her father at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown
Demetris dances with his mother
Constance gives a toast
The father of the groom gives a toast during a Greek wedding at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown
The bride smiles during a toast
The bride leads the traditional Greek dance during her wedding at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown
The father of the bride makes it rain dollar bills on the dance floor
Guests dance during a traditional greek wedding at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown
Guests dance during a greek wedding in Albuquerque
The bride and groom dance on stage as Greek pop artist Giorgos Tsalikis performs during their Albuquerque Greek Orthodox wedding reception at the Sheraton uptown
Guests dance at a wedding at the Aheraton Albuquerque uptown
The bride dances on stage as Greek pop artist Giorgos Tsalikis sings during her wedding reception at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown
A guest dances with a shot of Ouzo on his forehead at a Greek wedding in Albuquerque at the Sheraton Uptown
A guest dances with a shot of Ouzo on his forehead at a Greek wedding in Albuquerque at the Sheraton Uptown
Guests dance at a Nicole and Demetris Greek wedding reception at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown
The father of the bride drinks a shot of Ouzo on the dance floor at the Greek wedding in Albuquerque
The priest spills a shot of Ouzo on his face while dancing at a Greek wedding reception at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown
The bride and groom dance on a table as napkins fly around them during their traditional Greek wedding reception at the Sheraton Albuquerque uptown
Dollar bills, napkins and broken plates cover the dance floor near the bride after a traditional Greek wedding in Albuquerque at the Sheraton uptown