Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity Build Day

Hyde Memorial Park Lodge

Wedding Day

Brunch

Our Wedding

Alex and Liz met in the summer of 2019 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.Liz had just arrived in town to begin her AmeriCorps term with Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity. She was sitting in the car with her mom and dad when Rob, a staff member, came over to greet them. As they chatted, Rob suddenly said, “Oh! This is Alex. You have to meet him—he also did Bike &amp; Build!” Liz, not knowing who “Alex” was, said, “Okay…” Rob waved someone over, and a car pulled up, blasting jazz music. Out stepped Alex, wearing a cowboy hat. He shook hands with Liz and her parents, then drove off. Liz didn’t think much of it at the time—but that was just the beginning.But over the next few months, Alex kept showing up—volunteering on Saturdays with Habitat. Slowly, a friendship began to form, rooted in shared values: service, nature, and staying active. They started organizing weekly rock climbing and board game nights with friends, going on hikes, and biking around town to local breweries.Liz says she knew she was in trouble the day they spent hours biking around town gathering groceries for a local nonprofit’s Thanksgiving food drive. They had a list, a mission, and a lot of laughs. Somewhere along the way, Alex lost his phone on the bike path. Luckily, they had shared locations (a very modern love story detail), and Liz was able to track it. They watched the dot move across the map—and then Liz’s phone rang. It was Alex’s phone, calling her back.A kind stranger had found it and coordinated a drop-off. His last name? Kiefer. It was a surreal moment—Kiefer was also the name of a close friend (more like a brother) Alex had lost growing up. That coincidence, that name, that day—it all felt like something bigger was at play. And in that moment, Liz knew: Alex was someone truly special.What started as a casual friendship built on shared passions became a love story that brought us here—planning a life together, still biking, still volunteering, still laughing.

It All Started with a Handshake

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

You can start booking at any time by calling 505-982-5952 and asking for the Fitzgerald Wedding (code FTZ) or directly with the booking link below.&nbsp; <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbe.synxis.com%2F%3FHotel%3D64099%26Chain%3D6235%26arrive%3D2026-05-07%26depart%3D2026-05-10%26adult%3D1%26child%3D0%26promo%3DFTZ&amp;data=05%7C02%7C%7Ca4ff852bb4fd4c3f065208de239cf2f1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638987354161222760%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=uPfQIghbeXdXpLPmwvc037Je4dwijPnxvn%2FJtk%2B67dI%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://be.synxis.com/?Hotel=64099&amp;Chain=6235&amp;arrive=2026-05-07&amp;depart=2026-05-10&amp;adult=1&amp;child=0&amp;promo=FTZ</a> 95.00 King or Double Queen rooms. + Xperience Xclusives fee $15.00 per night is a mandatory fee to each guest room. • Fresh Start Breakfast 7 am-10 am daily• Shuttle Service to the Santa Fe Plaza• Wireless Internet is available in all rooms and public areas.• Local telephone calls.• Business Center• Parking in our ample lot.• Swimming Pool 7 am to 9 pm daily. Pool dates are seasonal.• Fitness Center 24hrs.• 15% off food while dining in Social Kitchen + Bar

The Sage Hotel

Guests must book by April 7, 2026, in order to receive the negotiated group rate. All guests not booked by the cutoff date will be booked at the hotel’s current rate. The Courtyard will honor the negotiated rate two days prior/post the group’s dates. Please make your reservation within the group's dates and then email your confirmation number to the Sales Department at catering@finehospitality.com, if you want to arrive early, or stay longer, and we will adjust the reservation.&nbsp;

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Fe

Reservations for the event must be made by individual call-in, referencing the room block for "Fitzgerald Wedding Block," or use the group booking link. On a hill overlooking Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Santa Fe Lodge accommodations include cable TV and Southwestern furnishings. A work desk and coffee maker are provided. The Santa Fe Convention Center and the New Mexico Museum of Art are less than a 10-minute drive from The Lodge at Santa Fe. The Santa Fe Opera is 5.7 mi from the hotel.

Hotel Glorieta

Travel

Nothing beats heading over to Iconik Coffee by the rail yards for a relaxing cup of coffee and enjoyable atmosphere. Other honorable mentions include: Henry and the Fish (on the plaza) Java Joes Tribes Coffee House Kakawa Chocolate House Ohori's Coffee Roasters Sky Coffee

Coffee Shops and Relaxed Hangs

Santa Fe has more than 400 restaurants that range from fine dining to uber-casual, and the scene continues to blossom with restaurants embracing artisan and farm-to-table craft foods and beverages.&nbsp; Nearly any restaurant will be worth the visits, and even more so with great company! Alex and Liz's favorite restaurants: Alicia's Tortilleria (pictured above): Liz's order: Barbacoa burrito with horchata! Alex's order: Chile Relleno burrito with extra tortillas and beans on the side. Rancho De Chimayo: One of our favorites and a special spot. It is a drive outside of town, but along a beautiful route. If you make it out there, be sure to have a margarita! Wine Bistro: a quaint fancy, but non-fancy spot on the plaza. Great food and even better wine! Tune-up Cafe: A real local joint near Alex's old home. Blakes Lottaburger: Blakes got us through the beginning days of the pandemic. Whatever you get, be sure to add green chile! The breakfast burritos are also solid. Be sure to order these "Christmas Style" (both red and green chile). Horseman's Haven: On the outskirts of town, but worth the drive. Used to have the hottest chile in town. Always loved their stuffed sopapillas. The Pantry: An institution in Santa Fe. They have been serving up classic New Mexico dishes for some time! Always good. Dions: Always loved their pizza. Classic order is half green chile with mushrooms and half green chile and peperoni, with a side of ranch of course. El Parasol: a few spots around town, but one of Alex's personal favs. Standard order would be a chile relleno burrito with a side of chips and salsa. A little on the spicy side. India House: Our favorite India Food place in town. They have a lunch buffet that is sure to make your buttons pop! Cleopatra's: Another off the beaten place joint that has great Mediterranean food. Second Street Brewery: Here, you can get great food and beer! Dolina: Great brunch and coffee with an Eastern European twist. Millet: A wonderful French bakery with great coffee and quiche! Jambo Cafe: An African-Caribbean fusion that is a local favorite. The Red Enchilada: A small, off the beaten path restaurant. Favorite is the pupusas.

Food

Santa Fe is full of great beer and watering holes. Santa Fe also has the Margarita Trail, which will take you all through town tasting some of the best Margaritas you can find! Just give it a quick google and you can get started! Some of our favorites include: Santa Fe Brewing- The Braker Room (Personal Favorite- lots of dominoes and chess where played here) and the main tap room off 25 is a good vibe too with plenty of outdoor seating and live music. Second Street Brewing- One location is in the Santa Fe Railyards (A great hang close to the plaza) or try visiting our favorite location on Rufina (site of our weekly board game meet-ups), close to Meow Wolf and Alicia's! Honorable mentions include: Tumble Root Brewery Rowley Farmhouse Ales Leaf and Hive Brewery Tonic Santa Fe Spirits Susan's Fine Wine and Spirits Cowgirl's (get a lava lamp, it is Liz's favorite)

Breweries and Libations

Be&nbsp;inspired by the rich blend of history, arts, and cultural heritage at 20&nbsp;different state and private museums and countless galleries around Santa Fe! Some favorites include: The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Center for Contemporary Arts Santa Fe, IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, and the Chuck Jones Gallery (Shout out Looney Tunes). Learn more about museums and galleries here: <a href="https://www.santafe.org/visiting-santa-fe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Visiting Santa Fe</a>

Museums, Galleries, and More!

The heart of downtown Santa Fe for nearly 400 years, the Plaza remains the central part of the city, hosting Indian and Spanish Markets and other annual events as well as community gatherings, concerts and more. Always a fun time to cruise around and check out the shops, galleries, and eateries. You will also get your fill of historical landmarks which include The Palace of the Governors, Lorreto Chapel, Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, and much more!

Santa Fe Plaza

Once you arrive in Santa Fe—the highest elevation&nbsp;capital city in the United States at more than 7,000 feet—you may find yourself astonished by the beauty and variety of the landscape. Located in the southern Rocky Mountain chain at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains,&nbsp;Santa Fe is a semiarid climate at the crossroads of grass and shrub lands,&nbsp;piñon-juniper woodlands, and 1.6&nbsp;million acres of high mountain coniferous national forest. There is hiking galore around Santa Fe. Some of our favorite trails include: (please remember to always check weather forecast and bring plenty of water. The altitude should also be considered) Aspen Vista Dale Ball Trails Atalaya Mountain Trail Sun Mountain Trail Chamisa Trail Nambe Lake Trail Picacho Peak Trail

Hikes

Collected Works Bookstore & Coffeehouse

If you're looking for a relaxing addition to the start or end of your trip. The hot springs, food, and massages are unreal; you will leave beyond relaxed. Great hammocks to read, take a little nap, and enjoy the sunshine!

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa

The original permanent Meow Wolf exhibition,&nbsp;<a href="https://meowwolf.com/watch/series/behind-the-scenes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House of Eternal Return</a>&nbsp;is a monumental achievement in DIY world creation and collaboration, featuring over 70 rooms made by local and community artists.

Meow Wolf Santa Fe's House of Eternal Return

The City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County have several itineraries for new visitors to explore and experience the best of Santa Fe. Feel free to explore the sites below for additional ideas and recommendations: City of Santa Fe Itineraries: <a href="https://www.santafe.org/visiting-santa-fe/itinerary-ideas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Itinerary Ideas</a> Santa Fe County Itineraries: <a href="https://santafenmtrue.com/food-spirits/dining" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dining | Santa Fe County is New Mexico True | Santa Fe is New Mexico True</a>

Additional Ideas and Itineraries

Things to Do

Registry

When Liz moved to Denver, CO and Alex remained in Santa Fe, NM, the couple found a meaningful way to stay connected: books. In September 2020, a month after they “made it official,” they launched a two-person book club, taking turns selecting titles and meeting weekly via FaceTime to discuss the chapters they’d read. These calls quickly became a rhythm—sometimes deep, sometimes silly, always grounding.Occasionally, Liz joined Alex’s other book club, a lively circle that included Cole Bailey, Brandon Rodriguez, and the occasional guest star, Ethan Grinell. Those nights were filled with laughter, hot takes, and the kind of spirited debates only good friends and good books can spark.Now, Alex and Liz live in their first home, nestled in a historic neighborhood in North Fort Worth, where their love of reading has found new roots. Monthly book club meetings have quickly become one of their favorite neighborhood rituals, filled with good stories, great company, and plenty of yummy snacks.The couple does confess that the last six books in the list below for their personal Page Flippa Book Club have been lovingly “borrowed” from the neighborhood lineup.

Our Long-Distance Book Club

In Lieu of Cards 

Alex and Liz are building a home library filled with stories that matter—In place of traditional cards, they invite guests to bring a book that holds meaning: one that shaped you, made you laugh, reminded you of them, or simply deserves a spot on their shelf. Each book will become part of their wedding bookshelf—a growing collection of love, wisdom, and shared memories. If you’d like to participate, feel free to sign your book and leave a note inside. Whether it’s a dog-eared favorite or a fresh new find, your words and stories will help fill their home with heart.

Page Flippa Book Club Books

- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak- Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez- The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by: Dalai Lama XIV, Desmon Tutu and Douglas Abrams-The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald- The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway-The Burning: The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 by: Tim Madigan- Breath: The Science of a Lost Art by James Nestar- Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr- Educated by Tara Westover- Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention by Manning Marable- What are we doing here? by Marilynne Robinson-Wilderness Essays by John Muir-The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson- Home by Marilynne Robinson- Lila by Marilynne Robinson- Jack by Marilynne Robinson- Where the Deer and Antelope Sing by Nick Offerman- Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka- Slaughter House-Five by Kurt Vonnegut- A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman- Anxious People by Fredrick Backman- Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt- Poverty, By America by Mathew Desmond- The Second Mountain by David Brooks- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides- James by Percival Everett- The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell- The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury- The Body by Stephen King- Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Happy reading, and thank you for being part of our story!

Page Flippa Book Club

We are excited to work alongside all how can join us for a Habitat Build Day with Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity. Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity is a meaningful part of our story. It’s where we met, where we learned to work side‑by‑side, and where we saw firsthand how a stable home can change a family’s life. We would love to make more memories with each of you! The details for the Build Day can be found below, but please note, the activities and location of the build day are subject to change due to inclement weather. As of 4/15/26, the Santa Fe Habitat Build Day Details can be found below: Date: May 8th, 2026Address: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/q3zcUq2WP2Jq98wZ6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2 Blue Feather, Santa Fe NM 87508</a> (subject to change).Time: 8:30 AM-1:00 PMTentative Workday Activities: Abode and Sheet Rock. Special Note: While the start time is 8:30 AM, it is best to try and arrive between 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM for check-in and registration. IMPORTANT: To speed up the check-in and registration process, please complete <a href="about:blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">your waiver</a> form prior to your first shift, please complete a waiver on site, legibly printed with your contact information and your emergency contact's information. If you are unable to complete the waiver beforehand there will be waivers onsite, but this may cause some delay. Please dress appropriately for construction: closed-toed shoes or work boots and clothes you don't mind getting dirty or stained. A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are highly recommended for working outside. Water is available on site. All volunteers must be age 16 and above. If you are under age 18, you will not be able to work with power tools due to insurance regulations. You are welcome to bring your own tools to the construction site, however our site is stocked with all the tools you will need to complete the construction of a Habitat home. If you do bring your own tools, please make sure they are well marked. The construction site is a drug-free work place. Alcohol, drugs and smoking are not allowed on the site. Please leave the site to smoke and let your team leader know you are stepping away.

If you’d like to celebrate with a gift that gives back, a donation to Santa Fe Habitat supports more families in building safe, affordable housing in a community that shaped us in such an important way. <a href="https://santafehabitat.org/donate/donate-now/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://santafehabitat.org/donate/donate-now/</a>

Santa Fe Habitat Build Day

The road to the wedding venue winds to and fro, so safely in a shuttle it is recommended you go! As such, we have arranged for a shuttle service to and from the wedding venue. The shuttle service has 67 seats and we have 45 reserved. Please reach out to Alex or Liz if you have not reserved a seat on the shuttle and if you have interest in taking the shuttle. (updated 4/15/26). Guest will be able to drive and park at the wedding venue if this is your preference. Parking may be somewhat limited, however.

Departure to Wedding Venue from the Railyard District

The shuttle service will depart from the Santa Fe Depot - Montezuma Avenue at 3:45 PM on May 9th. This location was selected because it is centrally located near many of the hotels and has plenty of parking. The estimated trip time is 20 minutes. The<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rdzei11RuNUvmCyj7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Santa Fe Depot - Montezuma Avenue</a> is also known as the Montezuma Avenue Bus Stop within the railyard district. As indicated in the picture below, the bus stop is between the New Mexico Museum of Art-Vladem Contemporary and New Mexico School for the Arts.

Parking for shuttle: You are able to walk, uber, or drive to this location. If you drive, you, of course, will need to park. Unfortunately, there is limited free parking in all of Santa Fe. While you may be able to find a spot or two, there is also paid parking along many of the streets. The best bet, however, would be to consider paying to park at the Railyard Municipal Parking Garage and then walking over to the Montezuma Bus Stop. As seen in the picture below, it is a short walk. About three minutes. There is additional parking in and around the area should the garage be full.

Departure from the Wedding to the Railyard

The shuttle will depart from the venue at ~9:25 PM and will drop all guest off at Santa Fe Depot - Montezuma Ave. (same spot as the pick-up). The estimated trip time is 20 minutes. Please reach out if to Alex and Liz if you intend on taking the shuttle. We want to ensure there are seats available if you have not already RSVP'd for the shuttle.

Alex & Liz

Alex & Liz

Travel

The Sage Hotel

Courtyard by Marriott Santa Fe

Hotel Glorieta