Weddings
What do I have to do to have a wedding at White Sands?
All wedding requests at White Sands must go through a permitting process and be approved by the Superintendent. This process requires at least seven business days to complete (some applications may take longer). Permit applications can be obtained by calling
575-479-6124 ext. 222 or by scrolling
down to the bottom on this page. Applications can be sent to you via mail, e-mail, fax, or
by making an appointment with the Special Use Coordinator (at the number above). Please be patient, leave a message at the number above and someone will contact you as soon as possible. DO NOT CALL ANY OTHER MONUMENT NUMBER WHILE WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.
FAQ
Do I have to pay a fee to get a permit? Yes There is a $25.00 non-refundable fee required to obtain a wedding permit. This fee must be paid by cash,
cashiers/travelers check, or money order (PERSONAL AND/OR BUSINESS CHECKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED).
Are there any other fees that I need to know about?
The Monument may add additional charges depending on the impact consideration that each wedding presents. The fees include but are not limited to: cost recovery due to resource or vegetation damage, need for traffic control or parking, dumpsters/ trash cans, or port-a-potties.
Early Opens/Late Closes
For entry into the Monument before or after normal hours of operation, there is a $50 per hour charge. This type of access is limited and depends largely on the availability of staff to fulfill the request.
Do my guests have to pay to enter the Monument for my wedding?
Wedding guests entering the Monument for the sole purpose of attending a wedding ceremony WILL NOT be charged entrance fees. However, if you choose to have a reception/recreational activity prior to or after your service your guests will be charged fees as they enter the Monument.
Where in the Monument may I hold my wedding?
There are three areas available, by reservation, for weddings. All three areas have chains across the entryways to restrict public vehicular traffic. (These areas may require an additional charge.) You may also choose practically any other area in the Monument to hold your event.
Is there anything else I need to know about having a wedding at White Sands?
* White Sands offers only the permit and the location. The Permittee is responsible for providing any additional equipment or services. * White Sands has no indoor facilities available for public use. * The dune field has only picnic shelters, grills, and restrooms. There is no water and virtually no shade once you pass the entrance station. * Any equipment needed for your event must be provided by you. The Monument provides the scenery only. * Park/state/federal laws apply at all times. * Have an alternate location available away from the park in case of foul weather. * Permits are valid until one day past the date of the wedding. If you do not have your wedding within the specified time of the permit, you must begin the permitting process again. * Alcohol is prohibited from February 1 through May 31. * The Monument’s Group Use Area can be reserved with an additional $25 fee. This area has picnic shelters, grills, and a restroom. * Permits can be amended prior to their expiration dates. * Ask lots of questions. We can provide information on average temperature, times of sunrise, sunset, moonrise and set, heavy visitation times, etc. Please contact the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce for information on local Justices of the Peace, Chaplains, Ministers, equipment and supply companies, caterers, etc. 505-437-6120
Wedding Decorations Are there any decorations or materials that I CAN NOT bring into the Monument? THE FOLLOWING ITEMS/ACTIVITIES ARE PROHIBITED INSIDE THE MONUMENT:
Living flowers/plants or any plant material (NO LIVE OR DRIED FLOWERS) Balloons of any size/style or type. Throwing of rice, birdseed, confetti, living flower petals, etc. Glass bottles, glassware, etc.
What decorations and equipment CAN I bring into the Monument?
* Flower Arrangements, garlands, sprays, bouquets, etc.: Must be silk or other man-made material. * Kites or pinwheels * Candles/Torches/Candelabras: wax must be picked up and disposed of outside the Monument. ABSOLUTELY. No open fires on the sands * Instead of throwing rice, try bubbles or bells. * Tarps/Tents/Awnings/Canopies/Arches/Lattice/ Columns: Must be securely attached to the ground using stakes and rope * Instead of glassware, try Lexan or other plastics * Chairs, Tables, Red Carpets/Runners, etc. Do not trample any vegetation in the dunes. * Motor homes, trailers: for dressing rooms, equipment, etc. & generators: please be considerate with generator noise * Horses/Carriages: must follow Monument’s rules * ANY OTHER REQUESTS NOT COVERED WILL BE DEALT WITH ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS
Please Scroll Down For Application and Conditions Page
(NPS Form 10-930) (OMB No. 1024-0026) (NEW 10/00) (Expires 12/31/2010)
National Park Service
White Sands National Monument PO Box 1086; Holloman AFB, New Mexico 88330-1086 Application for Special Use Permit
Please supply the information requested below. Attach additional sheets, if necessary, to provide required information. Allow at least five (5) business days for processing. A nonrefundable processing fee may be required to accompany this application unless the requested use is an exercise of a First Amendment right. You will be notified of the disposition of the application and the necessary steps to secure your final permit. (Note: there may be additional fees charged, and you may be required to provide proof of liability insurance.) Applicant Name: Organization Name: Social Security #: Tax ID # Street/Address: Street/Address: City/State/Zip Code: City/State/Zip Code: Telephone #: Telephone #: Cell phone #: Cell phone #: Fax #: Fax#: Description of Proposed Activity (attach diagram):
Requested Location: _______________________________________________________ Date (s): _______________________________________________________________ Event set up will begin Event will begin Event will end Removal will be done:
Maximum Number of Participants
(Please provide best estimate)
Maximum Number of Vehicles _____________________ (attach parking plan) Support Equipment (list all equipment)________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ Support Personnel (contractors, etc. including addresses and telephones)_____________ _______________________________________________________________________ Individual in charge of event on site (include address, telephone and cell phone numbers):__________________________________________________________
Is this an exercise of First Amendment Rights? Are you familiar with/ have you visited the requested area? Do you plan to advertise or issue a press release? Will you distribute printed material? Is there any reason to believe there will be attempts to disrupt, protest or prevent your event?(if yes explain on separate sheet)
Y Y Y Y Y
N N N N N
The applicant by his or her signature certifies that all the information given is complete and correct, and that no false or misleading information or false statements have been given. Signature Date _________
Information provided will be used to determine whether a permit will be issued. Completed application must be accompanied by an application fee in the form of a cashiers check or money order in the amount of $25.00 made payable to National Park Service. Application and administrative charges are non-refundable. This completed application should be mailed to Park address information. Note that this is an application only, and does not serve as permission to conduct a filming project or any other use of the park. If your request is approved, a permit containing applicable conditions and regulations will be sent to the person designated on the application. The permit must be signed and returned to the park prior to the event. ************************************************************************ The above application form is provided with the understanding that parks will insert appropriate park names and addresses and the amount of the application fee as desired. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected to allow the park manager to make a value judgment on whether or not to allow the requested use. All the applicable parts of the form must be completed. A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 30 minutes per response including the time it takes to read, gather and maintain data, review instructions and complete the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspects of this form to the National Park Service, Special Park Uses Program Manager, 1849 C Street NW (2460), Washington, D.C. 20240 You may download this form, fill it out, and email it to whsa_special_park_uses@nps.gov
White Sands National Monument Special Park Use Coordinator:
Erik Briske Phone 575-679-2599 ext 222 erik_briske@nps.gov fax 575-479-4333 Addresses: Mailing: White Sands National Monument Physical: White Sands National Monument ATTN: Special Park Uses ATTN: Special Park Uses PO Box 1086 19955 Highway 70 West Holloman AFB, NM 88330-1086 Alamogordo, NM 88310
Wedding Signs
Signs must be designed exactly as the example below Signs must be placed on full size sheet of brightly colored poster board. The lettering must be done using TWO INCH THICK BLACK LETTERS DO NOT INCLUDE ARROWS ON YOUR SIGNS Signs must be dropped off at the White Sands Entrance Station the morning of the wedding day. A Ranger will then collect the signs, attach them to sandwich boards, and set them along the Dunes Drive road. Groom’s First Name & Bride’s First Name Wedding
Signs that do not meet the above specifications WILL NOT BE set up
Wedding Decorations
Flower Arrangements garlands, sprays, bouquets, etc.: Must be silk, dried or fake (ABSOULETY NO REAL FLOWERS/PLANTS/ OR PLANT MATERIAL WILL BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE PARK) Balloons: NOT ALLOWED; try instead kites or pinwheels Candles/Luminaries/Torches/ Candelabras; wax must be picked up and disposed of outside the Monument; potential fire hazards if luminaries catch on fire, also, should use our sand for luminaries; ABSOULETY no open fires on the sands Throwing of Rice, Birdseed, Confetti, or Flower Petals; NOT ALLOWED; try instead; bubbles or bells Tarps/Tents/Awnings/Canopies/Arches/ Lattice/ Columns: Must be securely attached to the ground using stakes and rope Glassware: NOT ALLOWED; may use Lexan or other plastics Chairs, Tables, Red Carpets/Runners, etc,: do not trample vegetation Motor home, trailer: for dressing rooms, equipment, etc.: generator: please be considerate with generator noise
Horses/Carriages: must follow monuments rules ANY OTHER REQUESTS NOT COVERED WILL BE DEALT WITH ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS
Missile Tests
The monument and the missile range coordinate to minimize any impact to the park schedule but occasionally we must close during a testing period to ensure public safety. The monument will do everything possible to avoid a closure during any period when a wedding permit has been issued. However, we recommend that you call the monument up to two week prior as well as the day before your wedding to insure that a missile test has not been scheduled. Missile testing is scheduled anywhere from one month to one day in advance and is subject to change, cancellation, or extension at any time. I have read the above regulations and I understand that if my signs do not meet the above specifications they will not be set up. I also understand that I am responsible for following all the regulations on decorations as well as calling the monument prior to my wedding to check on the missile test schedule. _____________________________________________________
(Applicants Signature)
__________
(Date)