Wedding Inspo - a Heavenly New Mexico Desert Elopement

Last season we finished off one of the prettiest years yet with a beyond dreamy evening way out west in the middle of the desert. This little styled elopement had all of the soft Southwestern touches we love with a touch of whimsical beauty.

We met up with real-life lovers Dillon and Jordan and our creative angel, Alanna Garcia, to bring this oh-so-special evening to life. This shoot had all the things we love: boho-chic wedding style, divine florals, unreal bridal glam, and a killer view. After wandering around in the desert, we topped off the day with a few shots of the epic Sandia mountains as the perfect backdrop.

Being able to dream up the prettiest evenings and roam around some of our favorite places definitely keep of hearts so dang full. Cheers to more wildly beautiful New Mexico evenings.

Vendors
Location - New Mexico
Styling - Alanna Garcia
Florals - Floral Elegance
Makeup - Alanna of Betty Rose by Alanna
Hair - Michelle of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridal Gown - Wilderly Bride
Bridal Boutique - The Dressing Room West
Bride’s Hat - Brixton
Sunglasses - Ray Ban
Bride’s Boots - Betsey Johnson
Groom’s Jacket - Men’s Wearhouse
Models - Dillon + Jordan
Photographer - Alicia
Assistants - Jaclyn + Lexa

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Joseph + Nhi, a Divine Desert Engagement

Our sweet angel Nhi is get hitched next year and damn are we excited for it. Nhi and her sweet fiancé Joseph are starting their next chapter together with a beach-side day in Cancun and we already know its gonna be the party of the century!

These lovebirds first met almost four years ago at a downtown block party and have been together ever since. Joseph proposed to Nhi in early 2021 and these cuties just knew that their journey together just had to kick off in Mexico!

We adore the way these two love each and are deeply inspired by their sweet little story. Nhi loves how Joseph brings so much joy into her life every single day (he even makes her breakfast in bed, so major #husbandgoals right here) while Joseph loves how comfortable Nhi makes him feel and he’s a huge fan of how she lights up every room.

Joseph and Nhi’s stunning desert engagement sessions was one of our absolute favorite evenings this year, we can’t wait to celebrate with them in 2022!!!

Location - New Mexico
Engagement Ring - Brilliant Earth
Bride’s Dress - SHEIN
Hair + Makeup - by bride
Photographer - Alicia

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Bouquet Inspo Third Edition

No matter what kind of celebration we’re capturing, we know that there’s guaranteed to be some variety of magical florals involved. For us, bouquets always take the cake on wedding and elopement days, these beauties say so much about a couple, their nuptials, and their love story.

From the tiniest blooms to the biggest florals, bouquets are always one of our favorite details. Whether they’re dainty and soft or bold and bright, bouquets know how to steal the show. We love seeing our couples chose the most elegant, classic florals or even opting for something modern, colorful, and completely out-of-the-box.

2021’s bouquets were the downright dreamiest, we can’t wait to see what 2022 and beyond have in store for our floral-loving hearts!!!!

Featured Florists
Renegade Floral
Manmade and Sage
Bagels Florals
Floral Fetish
A Beautiful Theme
Mini Falls Farms
Floral Elegance
Floriography Flowers
La Flora Floristry
Viva Flora
Two Baroque Girls
Whim Hospitality
Noble Floral
The Flower Company
Stems of Austin
Good Seed Floral
Rose Rebels Floral Design
Foraged Santa Fe
Florecita Flowers
Albuquerque Florist
Something Special with Flowers

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

Johny + Jessica, a Beautiful Backyard Wedding

When Alicia’s long-time friend Jessica reached out about capturing her pretty Santa Fe nuptials, we knew it was going to be an incredibly special day. This precious June day with Johny and Jessica was one we’ll truly never forget.

These New Mexico cuties decided to make it official in Santa Fe on a bright, beautiful summer day. Surrounded by only their closest friends and family, Johny and Jessica made sure that their wedding day was not only beautiful, but extremely intentional as well. From colorful florals to dreamy romantics to the best freaking reception party, these two kicked off married life in the most amazing way possible.

Cheers to capturing old friends on new adventures and for celebrating love in the stunning Southwest!

Vendors
Venue - Private Estate in Santa Fe, NM
Planning + Florals - Simply Done Events
Hair - Miquela Sean Garcia
Makeup - Ambra Baca
Bridal Gown - Still White
Bride’s Nails - Nails by Ivana
Officiant - Shanna Sasser
Catering - Misanta Catering
Videographer - Emily Brown Media
Photographer - Alicia

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Alex + Shannon, a Colorful Desert Engagement

If there’s one way to spend a dreamy evening, its with one of the most stellar couples ever. Alex and Shannon’s engagement session was full of color, laughs, and the most stunning mountain views!

These cuties first met while both studying art at The University of New Mexico and their love blossomed during long coffee dates and endless rounds of 21 questions. Nearly 7 years later, these lovers are sooo freaking ready to throw the party of the century at The Albuquerque Museum (they say its going to have a ton of “Beyonce rents out the Louve” vibes!).

We can’t wait to have a blast with Alex and Shannon next year, see you in 2022 babes!!!

Location - New Mexico
Ring - Porter Gulch
Photographer - Bre

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Davis Family, a Precious White Sands Session

Earlier this summer, we headed to Southern New Mexico for a pretty evening at White Sands National Park with the Davis family. These three were the absolute sweetest to capture, we’re fully obsessed with family sessions at National Parks.

We braved some of the craziest weather with the Davis family, but dang was it worth. We captured the moodiest skies over White Sands and it was truly something incredibly unique. Bring on all the sessions at all the insanely pretty locations!!!!

Location - White Sands National Park
Hair + MUA - Genica Lee
Photographer - Alicia

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Michael + Kieu-Vi, an Ethereal White Sands Engagement

When Houston sweethearts Michael and Kieu-Vi reached out to us about capturing their gorgeous engagement at White Sands National Park, we knew it would be an unreal evening. These two and their love for each other were an absolute dream to witness and we’re clearly still up in the clouds over this session.

These lovers have been together for almost 11 years and Michael was even Kieu-Vi’s first boyfriend! They were immediately smitten with each other when they first met and haven’t been apart since. Together they’ve learned to love the individual growth they’ve experienced after a whole decade of love. Michael and Kieu-Vi are making it last name official this fall in Houston.

We adore all of the breathtakingly beautiful evenings we get to spend at White Sands, cheers to even more magic at this gem of a location.

Location - White Sands National Park
Photographer - Bre

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Southwestern Glam Celebrations

There’s no party quite like a party in the Southwest, so when our couples make sure to include tiny pieces of our little corner of the world into their special days, it seriously makes for the best celebrations. Southwestern inspired nuptials are truly something to behold and dang are we lucky to capture them every single season.

Whether its bolo ties, turquoise, or adobe venues, we adore when couples fully embrace all of the charm that the Southwest has to offer. Seeing lovers come from all over the country just to celebrate their new chapter in our pretty home state leaves us on cloud nine. Plus, any opportunity to explore an amazing, authentic part of New Mexico is always the perfect excuse for us to obsess over this gorgeous state.

Cheers to all the crazy-beautiful, wildly fun, downright enchanting celebrations of love to come!!

Featured Weddings + Styled Shoots
Jake + Becky at Ghost Ranch (coming soon to the blog)
Kenny + Molly at a Private Santa Fe Estate
Zac + Shelly at Hacienda Doña Andrea (coming soon to the blog)
Robert + Antonette in Old Town Albuquerque
Zach + Natalie at The Desert Compass
Paul + Carolyn at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Tyler + Cassie at La Posada de Santa Fe

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

Garrett + Kyla, a Captivating Desert Engagement

On the dreamiest June evening we got to hang out with longtime sweethearts Garrett and Kyla at one of our favorite little spots in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains. These cuties were seriously everything and more.

Besides this engagement being one of the dreamiest, were were so excited to get a quiet evening alone with Garrett and Kyla during their wedding week. They made it official with an incredibly romantic, super colorful celebration at Four Seasons Santa Fe.

We can’t wait to share all the beauty from these lovers’ wedding, but until then we’ll be right here obsessing over their amazing engagement.

Location - Albuquerque Foothills, New Mexico
Makeup - Madeline McCue
Photographer - Ashley

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Colin + Amber, a Dreamy Desert Engagement

We started off our summer engagements with these little darlings at a coveted spot in all the Southwest. Colin and Amber made this sweet evening so dang fun and beautiful.

The two first met on a dating app about 4 years ago and immediately hit it off with their mutual love for all things outdoors and being total homebodies (the best combination— in our opinion). A few years, and many fur babies later, these sweethearts are making it last name official with a gorgeous garden-inspired wedding at Amber’s grandfather’s home in the heart of Albuquerque's North Valley.

We can’t wait to capture all of the magic this fall with Colin and Amber!!!

Location - New Mexico
Hair + Makeup - Savannah of Betty Rose by Alanna
Photographer - Ashley

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Doug + Ray, a Romantic Desert Engagement

Earlier this spring we got to hang out with Doug and Ray for a whole evening and dang was it such an amazing night. These San Francisco hunnies are tying the knot in Santa Fe this fall, but we loved seeing them out in the wilds of New Mexico for the most gorgeous engagement session.

These two have been together for almost 7 years and first met in college, they even shared their first kiss at a Childish Gambino concert! All these years later, Ray and Doug still love doing new things together from skiing to playing pickle ball to trying all the amazing foods out there.

Doug and Ray are making their love story official with a dreamy Southwestern wedding complete with a ceremony at the historic Cathedral Basilica de Saint Francis of Assisi and a huge party at La Posada de Santa Fe. We can’t wait to celebration with these west coast babes in The City Different this October!!!

Location - New Mexico
Makeup - Ashley of Betty Rose by Alanna
Photographer - Alicia

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Rudy + Deana, a Desert Engagement

Our pretty spring engagement season started with long-time Texas lovers Rudy and Deana. These babes traveled all the way from the Lone Star State with their fur baby, Belle, for a breezy, yet completely beautiful evening in the desert.

Rudy and Deana first met over five years ago and even though they started off as friends, they eventually started dating and have been together ever since. They went to the same college, have a shared friend group, and even worked together for a bit. These hunnies are making it official up in Oregon with an intimate Cannon Beach wedding later on this year.

This evening with these cuties was nothing short of a dream, we’re still so obsessed with Rudy and Deana. Cheers to all the dreamy lovers and to the most stellar Southwestern evenings in our favorite desert spot!

Location - New Mexico
Hair + Makeup - Genica Lee
Photographer - Alicia

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Where to Elope in New Mexico - Adventurous Locations

If last year showed us anything, its that you can elope literally anywhere in beautiful old New Mexico. Our couples traded luxe venues and typical wedding days for stunning desert landscapes and national parks, and lets just say that none of that wedding day magic was lost.

With the pandemic forcing so many couples to either postpone or drastically change their plans, so many of our lovers took their nuptials outside to some of the most epic locations. From White Sands National Park’s ethereal atmosphere to the unreal rock formations of White Mesa to the beautiful, yet tangible history of Pecos National Historical Site, our couples took us on some of our favorite adventures of all time.

Even as slightly bigger weddings start to return to our lives, we’re hopeful that couples will still opt for some of the stellar, natural locations in our gorgeous Southwest home. We’re so beyond ready for even more adventurous love stories all over the place!!!

Featured Locations + Love Stories
Owen + Amelia at Elena Gallegos Open Space
Ben + Chelsey at White Sands National Park
Jimmy + Maggie at Pecos National Historical Site
Travis + Rahni at White Mesa
Gabe + Amy in Grants
Brad + Kenna at White Mesa
Christian + Kristal in Santa Fe

Elopements by Alicia and Ashley of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Edgy Weddings

We’ll always be the biggest fans of super glam, classic weddings and of those incredibly beautiful, chic, boho weddings, but we have a whole lot of love for those badass, do-whatever-you want, completely unique edgy celebrations. These days have been some of the wildest, most stellar days around and its not hard to see why we’re obsessed with them.

Edgy nuptials not only let couples do something special and different for their day, but these days also make anything possible. You want to wear a painted leather jacket for your special day? Check. Do you want a moody, insanely unique bouquet? Check. And do you wanna ride off into the sunset with the love of your life on a motorcycle? Also check. Everything about these days leaves us feeling so inspired and like the sky is truly the limit.

Cheers to doing the damn thing however the heck you want to and making it the most killer way to start forever with your lover.

Featured Styled Shoots
Rocker Romance Inspired Elopement at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Wild + Free Route 66 Inspired Elopement in Nob Hill Albuquerque
90s’ Romeo + Juliet Inspired Elopement in Downtown Albuquerque
Elegant Avante-Garde Studio Bridal Editorial at Terese Rose Designs

Styled Elopements by Alicia
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Engagement + Wedding Rings

Every single season we’re awestruck over the stellar wedding details our couples bring front and center to their celebrations, so its no surprise that we’re consistently blown away by all of the stunning rings we get to see up close and personal. No matter how dainty or how elegant, every single ring catches our eye.

Whether its a classic square-cut diamond, a uniquely shaped sapphire, or even a Southwestern inspired turquoise piece, every single ring out there is our favorite. We love seeing how how couples express their love and joy for one another, and for their new beginning, with something as simple as their rings.

We already know that 2021 is going to bring the heat when it comes to wedding day jewels and we’re so dang excited to see all the pretty details!

Featured and Favorite Jewelers + Designers
Mociun
Vrai
Ooh Aah Jewelry
Sarah O Jewelry
Shiprock Santa Fe
Samantha Louise Jewelry
Patina Gallery
Tumble
Kristin Coffin Jewelry
Scenic Route Co
Mark’s Diamonds
Albuquerque Gold and Silver
Harold Finkle
Peyote Bird Designs
James Allen
Etsy

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

Ben + Chelsey, a White Sands Elopement

Last October we took a quick day trip down to heaven on earth, aka White Sands National Park, for the most serene evening with Ben and Chelsey. We were so incredibly inspired by the soft, yet powerful love these two souls hold for each other and were so excited to capture their elopement.

Out among the endless sea of white, rolling, sand dunes Ben and Chelsey (along with their sweet pup Doug!) made their love and commitment to each other a forever thing. Hearing their words of affirmation and joy for each other was a moment that touched us deeply and one that we will always hold so close to us. After their short, yet wonderful ceremony, we spent the most peaceful evening capturing Ben and Chelsey in those very first magical moments of marriage.

We are so beyond grateful to have crossed paths with two of the most kind human beings on the planet, cheers to so many more years of love and exploring life together Ben and Chelsey!

Vendors
Location - White Sands National Park
Rings - Scenic Route Co
Bride’s Jumpsuit - BHLDN
Bride’s Earrings - Holly Yashi
Groom’s Attire - Vintage
Photographer - Alicia
Assistant - Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Adam + Shubha, a Desert Engagement

East coast lovers Adam and Shubha might be new to the Southwest, but we’re so beyond excited for these babes to kick off their next chapter in New Mexico. We loved hanging with them on this chilly, but completely gorgeous desert evening!

Even though they didn’t know each other for long, Adam and Shubha knew their love was meant to be from the very beginning. They initially met in Baltimore, MD and after exploring their city (and Canada and Seoul and London!) together, these hunnies decided to keep exploring side-by-side for the rest of their lives. Once Adam received a job offer in the Southwest, they knew it was time for a brand new beginning.

We’re so beyond excited to celebrate with these two this spring high up in the mountains at Four Seasons Santa Fe!

Location - New Mexico
Photographer - Bre

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Groom Style, 4th Edition

Everyone who knows us already knows that we adore featuring our incredibly gorgeous brides all over the blog, but what about the grooms? Every year, we dedicate a special blog to all of the amazing dudes we get to meet on wedding and elopement days and, of course, take the opportunity feature their killer style.

With all of the changes to weddings in 2020, its no surprise that so many of our grooms opted for unique style choices. Whether it was a pastel blue suit, a simple yet breezy dress shirt paired with slacks, a sleek camel coat with boots, or even a classic black tux, all of the stellar outfit choices these handsome fellas made did not disappoint one bit.

We adore getting to see grooms express their personalities on wedding days, even if its through a simple attire choice, we’re beyond hyped to see what 2021 grooms have in store for us!

Our Favorite Groom Attire Designers + Shops
Bonobos
Ralph Lauren
J. Crew
Limatus Bespoke
Don Morphy
H&M
The Black Tux
Tom James
Men’s Wearhouse
Tommy Hilfiger
Kenneth Cole
Suit Supply
Ted Baker
ASOS
Jos A. Banks
Suits Unlimited

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

2021 Wedding + Elopement Trends

Despite all of the uncertainty and struggle of 2020, we’ve seen so many amazing things start to take hold in the wedding industry. From recognizing how amazing small, intentional celebrations can be to couples taking chances on brand new ideas for their special day, we’ve truly been in awe over all of it. We’re hoping that a few of the trends we’ve been crushing on become major elements of weddings and elopements in 2021!

We’re currently obsessed with:
- unique + colorful bridal gowns
- bright + funky florals
- soft baby’s breath bouquets
- tiny, intimate ceremonies with just friends + family
- unique, avant-garde cakes


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