Welcome to Ruidoso Weddings – Your Dream Wedding Starts Here!

Lincoln County and Ruidoso have a history as wild as the landscape itself. Long before cowboys and outlaws came along, the Mescalero Apache lived here, wisely enjoying the fresh mountain air, clear rivers, and endless skies. Then the Spanish showed up in the 1600s, followed by American settlers in the 1800s—because, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to live in a place this beautiful?

Things got a little rowdy in the Lincoln County War (1878-1881), a legendary Old West feud that gave us one of history’s most famous troublemakers—Billy the Kid. The town of Lincoln still looks like it did back then, minus the gunfights (which is probably for the best).

Meanwhile, Ruidoso—which means “Noisy” in Spanish, thanks to the rushing Rio Ruidoso—was quietly growing into a mountain retreat. First, it was ranchers and loggers, then tourists seeking cooler temperatures and stunning scenery. By the mid-1900s, the town upped its game with Ruidoso Downs Race Track (where horses now do most of the running) and Ski Apache, operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, proving that winter fun isn’t just for Colorado.

Today, Ruidoso and Lincoln County blend Old West charm with outdoor adventure. Whether you’re exploring historic towns, hiking the trails, or just soaking in the small-town magic, there’s always something to do on this mountain top of New Mexico—just, thankfully, with far fewer shootouts.