Wedding Inspo - 5 Albuquerque Venues to Fall in Love With

Even though the past few wedding seasons have been filled with the most magical destinations both near and far from our beloved New Mexico, there’s nothing quite like The Land of Enchantment, especially our sweet little hometown of Albuquerque.

While we do spend a huge amount of time up north in Santa Fe, we never say no to enchanting celebrations in the city where everything started for us over a decade ago. On the surface, Albuquerque may not seem like a typical wedding destination, but if you you peek around all of its little corners you’ll be absolutely astonished with the divine wedding venues hidden in our quaint city. From heavenly lavender farms to epic historical landmarks to tranquil gardens, Albuquerque is truly a haven for wedding nuptials.

We couldn’t resist the chance to feature just a glimpse of a few of the Albuquerque wedding venues that continually take our breath away, season after season. Our hearts beat just a little faster every time we get to capture love at these incredibly special locations and we’re forever crossing our fingers for even more “I dos” at a few of our favorite gems.

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Venue - National Hispanic Cultural Center
Located right near downtown Albuquerque, this historic location is known for its grandiose performing arts center, unique architecture, and rich history. However, one of the many details we love so much about National Hispanic Culture Center is the way that it also makes for the most perfect of wedding locations. Its blend of soft garden touches and stunning southwestern flair makes it truly the best of both worlds.

Venue - Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

While this world renowned lavender farm needs no introduction, we simply can’t help falling madly in love with it time and time again. With its downright bewitching grounds (including an endless lavender field, iconic silos, and countless gardens) this beauty is a place we are always able to find a little bit more charm in every single time we visit. We can’t wait for more of our darling couples to become as spellbound with Los Poblanos as we have been for all of these years.

Venue - Casas de Sueños + San Isidro de Capilla
We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to feature one of the most entrancing wedding location combination we’ve ever laid eyes upon. The pure white, non-denomination beauty of San Isidro de Capilla makes for the perfect blank canvas for any couple desiring a classic wedding chic feeling that still lends perfectly to the even the most modern of fêtes. And truthfully, we think that one of the most delightful ways to follow up a ceremony in this Albuquerque staple is with an al fresco celebration at Casas de Sueños, a tiny garden known for its irresistible beauty. This little spot is close enough to the stunning bosque, yet far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city, making it the most quaint location.

Venue - Old Town Farm
Perfectly tucked away right near Old Town Albuquerque, this darling little venue is truly the most peaceful of locations. From its stellar red barn to its tiny corn field to vast grounds, Old Town Farm is captivating beyond belief. And if its charming features weren’t enough, this alluring little spot perfectly reflects all of New Mexico’s seasons with its constantly changing foliage.

Venue - Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
Last, but never least is one of our all time favorites and one of the first venues we ever photographed. Hotel Albuquerque is known for its incomparable beauty, from its Spanish-inspired ceremony pavilion to its stunning, open-air garden, to its famous architecture. We adore this space and the way that couples have continually loved it year after year. We couldn’t dream up a more romantic setting to make if official in the heart of Albuquerque.

Wedding Inspo - Soft Minimalist Weddings

While our 2021 wedding season is in full swing and we’re obsessed with all of the new, stunning trends coming into the picture this year, we’re forever in love with easily one of the most iconic trends of all, soft minimalist weddings. These days are seriously everything to us and, truthfully, its not hard to see why.

A twist on the ever romantic classic wedding trend, soft minimalist weddings combine that old style glam with a dash of modern chicness. For us, there’s so much to adore about this trend. Whether its the sleek bridal gowns, the understated yet beautiful florals, or even the clean and simple details, we find something new to to crush on every single time. We love the way that minimalist weddings can take place at a lavender farm, in a backyard, or even on a rooftop in Santa Fe! Our couples who chose these elegantly simple days always know how to make their celebrations effortless and beyond lovely.

Here’s to all the pretty, ethereal days to come, we can’t wait to soak in all the soft minimalist beauty!!

Featured Love Stories
Dominic + Maggie at a Private Estate in Albuquerque, NM (coming soon to the blog)
Tom + Justine at La Fonda on the Plaza in Santa Fe, NM (coming soon to the blog)
Chris + Ari at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm in Albuquerque, NM
Zach + Coli at Hotel Albuquerque + Casas de Sueños in Albuquerque, NM
Matt + Allie at a Private Estate in Santa Fe, NM

Weddings by Alicia Lucia Photography Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Old Town Weddings and Elopements

If there’s one part of town we love getting to rediscover over and over every season its beautiful little Old Town Albuquerque. Even though wedding season looked a whole lot different this year, we loved every second spent in this enchanting little area capturing tiny nuptials.

Besides being incredibly iconic, Old Town is a place that oozes magic and charm around every single corner. Whether its an intimate wedding at the ever so quaint Old Town Farm, a grand wedding at the historic San Felipe de Neri Church right on the plaza, a quiet elopement at The Desert Compass, or a stunning ceremony at Hotel Albuquerque, we always find something new to love about this special part of town. We love getting to see new little venues thrive and older venue get lots of well-deserved love all in the same part of town.

We’re so excited for more enchanting days in this hidden gem of a place, cheers to many more years of our beloved Old Town!!!

Featured Weddings + Elopements
Zach + Natalie, a Desert Compass Styled Shoot
Rob + Antonette, an Old Town Styled Elopement
Russell + Katie, an Old Town Farm Elopement (coming soon to the blog)
Zach + Coli, a Hotel Albuquerque and Casas de Sueños Wedding
Michael + Caitlin, a San Felipe de Neri Wedding
Brad + Kenna, an Intimate Old Town Farm Wedding
Dillon + Stephanie, a Hotel Albuquerque Wedding

Weddings, Elopements, and Styled Shoots by Alicia, Ashley, Bre, and the ALP Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Intimate Weddings

As 2020 progresses, it feels like there are different possibilities for weddings on a daily basis. And while big weddings, especially in New Mexico, might not be a reality for a little bit, we adore that intimate weddings are starting to become a bigger staple in the wedding industry.

For clarity, intimate weddings and elopements might seem similar, but they’re actually quite different. In a typical elopement, usually just the couple, the officiant, and the photographer are present. However, in an intimate wedding, usually both sets of parents of the couple, the officiant, a few close friends/family members, and the photographer are present. Sometimes, when there’s not a pandemic taking place, an intimate wedding can even look something like 15-45 guests, usually just a short list of the most important people in the couple’s life.

So far this year, we captured one of the sweetest intimate weddings here in Albuquerque at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm, but in the past we’ve captured a handful of tiny weddings that have filled our hearts with absolute joy. Some of the bonuses of intimate weddings aren’t just cost related (or in 2020’s case, health related), sometimes the best things about smaller weddings involved being able to spend quality time with pretty much every single guest. Another factor is even being able to allow moments of the day to feel less hectic such as making timelines that have less rushed portraits and ceremonies with smaller weddings parties (which means a lot less stress too).

While big weddings will someday be a possibility again, having intimate weddings in their place until we can all gather together safely again might just be the next best thing. Here’s to finding new ways to celebrate and never ever giving up on love, no matter what the universe throws our way!!

Featured Intimate Weddings + Styled Shoots
Brad + Kenna at Old Town Farm
Paul + Carolyn for Rocky Mountain Bride at Los Poblanos
Ben + Katy at The Inn of the Five Graces and Hacienda Corta Caro
Zach + Coli at Hotel Albuquerque and Casas de Sueños
Stuart + Kelly at Los Poblanos
Ryan + Jennifer at Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
Daniel + Natzidielly at Los Poblanos
Ryan + Jason at Ghost Ranch
Daniel + Rebecca at Eldorado Hotel and Neptune Art Space
Oriol + Sarah at Gerald Peters Gallery
Angelo + Rocio at Los Poblanos

Weddings + Styled Shoots by Alicia, Ashley, Bre, and the ALP Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Behind the Camera with Alicia

There’s a lot going on in the world right now and amid all of the uncertainty, change, and eventual growth, we’re spending a little time reflecting on our team’s past, present, and future. Our head gal in charge Alicia sat down for a little behind the scenes Q&A and we talked everything Alicia Lucia Photography; from her sweet little beginnings as a photographer to cultivating her business and her team, to why she has major heart eyes for New Mexico, and the future of ALP including just a few of the international (!!!) places she’d love to capture weddings and elopements in once the world reaches a sense of calm again. She also shouted her favorite couples, weddings, and styled shoots from the last few years, and trust us when we say that they are absolutely iconic days for our team!

Alicia + New Mexico, a Match Made in Southwest Heaven

All of my childhood & adulthood, from as early as I can remember, has been spent in our beautiful southwest state. We moved from Texas to New Mexico for a job opportunity that my dad had and have called New Mexico home for the last 20+ years! I love it so much and don't see myself living anywhere else. It has become a huge source of inspiration for my work! Both personally and professionally, I love that New Mexico is our home base for a multitude of reasons, but most importantly i love how we have a variety of drastic environments. I can be shooting a gorgeous desert bridal session in the middle of the white ridge mesa and in 45 minutes can get to our wooded forest for a hike with my family. It's vast and beautiful, it's where I met my husband, where we got married, had both of our children, it's home to both of our businesses and I wouldn't change any of it for the world! Outside of work, we love spending most of our time outside, whether it's going or bike rides, hiking, fishing, (day) camping lol, or working on our ever growing garden!! 

Alicia’s Photography Roots

I got into photography way back when we still were developing prints in a lab! I was around 13 years old when a family friend gifted me my first film camera & was totally that friend in highschool snapping away. In college, I pursued a different route, but deep down I always had a love for documenting people, places and love through photography. In 2012 I got the opportunity of assisting on a few weddings and in the fall of 2012 I shot my very first elopement solo! It was such a special experience and one that I will always treasure and be forever grateful for. I remember it like yesterday, I was a ball of nerves, but so happy and ecstatic to be given the chance.

Alicia Lucia Photography’s Beginnings + Growth

I started the company in 2013 and by 2015 we had already shot over 25+ weddings/elopements and brought on Ashley to shoot full time as co-lead! 

By 2017 we were growing at the speed of light. It was a bummer to not be able to take on as much work because I was either busy shooting or growing our social media. That winter, I decided to outsource all social media and blogging and brought on Jaclyn our amazing social media and blogger maven. Soon after, I went full time on booking out weddings to Ashley, Bre, and me! It's been amazing so far and are able to be a part of documenting that many more love stories!! 

On the Horizon for ALP

The future is such a loaded idea and one that I never do super great with. The uncertainty of the future, especially now with COVID-19 terrifys me, but I know our little team will make it through and I honestly seeing us traveling the world at some point! I would love for us to go beyond our home state and the Southwest region, and shoot across the country and world at some point! My top international destinations are Morocco (and other regions of Africa) and Iceland!

Fave Wedding Moments

Truly love it all. Every last part of it. Even when the nerves and anticipation from the slight chaos and tight schedules sets in, it's part of the thrill! I'd say the most memorable part of the day for me is getting to document the emotion of pure joy and elation at the realization of being just married after the couples come down the aisle! Their look and embrace to each other is always so sincere and sweet! That and the parent dances always, ALWAYS gets me. 

The Best New Wedding Ideas + Trends

I'm loving that couples are doing their own thing, wholeheartedly! That they aren't going the traditional route, just for the sake of tradition and instead are opting for details or parts of the day that are true to them. We are seeing less of the bouquet and garter throwing, smaller or no bridal parties at all and brides who have multiple looks because who says you should only wear one dress or look? Couples who are writing their own vows or having friends and family members officiate. Couples who are opting for less of the structured photo time and instead just want candids and being intentional with guests, friends, and family! I really love the direction we're headed to, more intentional, wholesome and meaningful! 

A Little Note to All the Lovers Out There

There is no right or wrong way to host your wedding, do what feels right and true to you. Try to not get caught up or stressed on the fine details and instead remember the real reason why you are celebrating! Also consider a day of coordinator. (hint: Lauren with Just Lovely Weddings + Darling Details Rentals is truly the best of the best!!)

Alicia’s Fave Days

So many favorites instantly come to mind but here are some: 
- Zach + Coli (Hotel Albuquerque + Casas de Suenos, 2019)
- Chris + Ari (Los Poblanos, 2019)
- Drew + Lauren (La Mesita Ranch, 2019)
- Scott + Leanne (SITE Santa Fe, 2018)
- Dave + Lauren (La Fonda on the Plaza, 2018)
- Rocky Mountain Bride x Los Poblanos Editorial (2018)
- Derek + Brigitte (La Fonda on the Plaza, 2018)
- Romantic Rockstar Styled Elopement (Los Poblanos, 2018)
- Tyler + Cassie (La Posada de Santa Fe, 2018)
- Shaun + Jessie (Sarabande Bed and Breakfast, 2018)
- Boot + Mallory (Eagle Nest Elopement, 2017)

Weddings + Styled Shoots by Alicia, Ashley, Bre, and the ALP Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Wedding Guest Style

Who says wedding parties get to have all the fun when it comes to style? One the past few seasons, we’ve seen wedding guests up the ante with some MAJOR looks that went above and beyond our dreams!

Even though wedding style varies from wedding to wedding (based on the overall vibe of the day and the couple), time and time again guests have left us awe struck with their incredible celebration outfit choices. From intricate and colorful dresses to sparkly jumpsuits to cowboy black tie- inspired numbers to modern twists on classic outfits, we love finding our favorite look of every wedding we get to capture!

Scroll through, find your fave, and maybe let these amazing guests inspire your next look!!!

Weddings by Alicia, Ashley, and Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography