About this vendor
El Caracol Court is a beautiful wedding venue in Albuquerque, NM. This rustic home sits in the Pojoaque Valley, a 15-minute drive north of Santa Fe, on just over two acres of land on the Pojoaque Creek. The Friedman family helped build the estate and lived on the property for four decades, with all five daughters getting married on-site in the 1970s.
El Caracol Court offers multiple ceremony areas, an evening cocktail hour by the pool, and space for seating 100 of your closest friends and family with chairs and tables on hand. Alternatively, you can arrange the construction of a tent in the field for an unforgettable reception and evening of dining and dancing. With a two-night minimum stay, the house can sleep up to 14, meaning your nearest and dearest can remain with you throughout the celebration. Built during the early 1960s, the adobe brick, wood beams, and intricate tile are original to the home's structure. Dubbed El Caracol for its striking snail-like shape, the architecture revolves around the spiral staircase at the heart of the house. Each of the adobe bricks was formed and laid by the Friedman family.
Your booking at El Caracol Court includes tables and chairs for up to 100 guests, from banquet and cocktail tables to folding chairs and white linens. During your downtime, you can enjoy the various hiking trails if you and your guests are feeling adventurous. Instead, if relaxation and having fun are on the menu, El Caracol Court owns a swimming pool, hot tub, and a game room with foosball, darts, a pool table, and ping-pong.
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
Settings
- Backyard
- Barn
- Farm & Ranch
- Beach
- Waterfront
- Garden
Venue Service Offerings
- Destination Weddings
- Planning
- Se Habla Español
- Service Staff
Reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
5
out of 5.02 reviews
El Caracol is a great choice for folks who want an intimate backyard wedding. Adam was so responsive and helpful throughout the process, quickly answering all of our millions of qu...
estions as we sorted out details. He was also very flexible and accommodating with various requests that we had, allowing us to fully execute our vision without compromise.
The house itself is so cool! It is incredibly unique and made a beautiful backdrop for our photos. It had everything we need to host our guests for the weekend, and the kitchen was spacious enough for our caterers. We were also surprised at how many cars we could fit in the driveway - almost 20! And the pool and hot tub were a huge hit! We wouldn't change a thing about our experience and truly had the most magical wedding weekend.
There are, however, a few things I think prospective couples might want to know. These weren't a big deal to us, but might be for some, depending on the vibe you're going for. Firstly, there isn't a lot of shade in the yard at certain times of the day/year. We really had to brainstorm to figure out where to place everything, and ended up renting a tent for dinner. And secondly, the outdoor furniture does leave something to be desired, with much of it falling apart or showing a lot of wear and tear, so not. very usable or picture-ready. This is absolutely a minor detail, but something to know in case you want to get rentals or something. We just moved things around and hid the stuff we didn't like.
All in all, this is a super charming, cozy, and fun place to get married. If you're looking for something small, more rustic, and DIY-friendly, this is the perfect venue for you!
Discovering El Caracol through Airbnb felt like stumbling upon a hidden gem in the heart of New Mexico. My partner and I were instantly drawn to its intimate setting for our weddin...
g celebrations. While we ultimately chose Ghost Ranch for the ceremony itself, El Caracol became our cherished hub for pre-wedding gatherings and a small reception.
What appealed to us most about El Caracol was its proximity to some of New Mexico's most charming attractions, its affordability, and the array of entertainment options nearby. The pool and hot tub unexpectedly became a highlight of our reception, offering guests a relaxing retreat after a day of festivities.
The architecture and retro vibe of the property added to its charm, providing a true New Mexico experience. It was the perfect backdrop for our wedding celebrations, surrounded by quintessential New Mexico attractions.
Originally planned as an elopement, our wedding quickly evolved into a small gathering with close friends and family. Opting for a DIY approach, El Caracol provided the flexibility we needed to make our vision a reality while ensuring everyone had a great time. Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony or a moderately sized reception, this property offers versatility and is conveniently located near Santa Fe for catering and other wedding services. Overall, El Caracol exceeded our expectations and left us with cherished memories of our special day.
Photo cred: Jac Dodge Photography
Contact
34 State Rd 503, Santa Fe, NM | NM
El Caracol Court