Wedding Inspo - 7 Weddings Trends to Look Out For in 2022

We’re on the brink of wedding season which means a whole lot of new and stunning trends are upon us. Last season we captured so many stellar details and looks that it was hard to pick our favorites, but we’ve rounded up 7 of our absolute favorites.

From stunning dried floral design to unique bridal accessories to elegant wedding gowns, these trends are definitely next level. We adore seeing our couples bring all the wildly beautiful touches to their incredible days and we already know that our 2022 couples are going to bring even more gorgeousness.

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

Trend: Multiple Wedding Days Looks

Featured Designers + Boutiques
Jenny Yoo
Baltic Born
BHLDN
Enzoani/Elysse Bridal
Trudy’s Bridal
Shraeen Bridal
Happy Isles Salon
Allure Bridals
Maggie Sottero
Bridal Elegance by Darlene

Trend: Dried Florals

Featured Florists
A Beautiful Theme
Viva Flora
Florecita Flowers
Reverie Floral

Trend: Unique Bridal Accessories

Featured Crowns + Gloves
Twigs & Honey
The Lucky Sixpence

Trend: Blue Suit & Tuxes

Featured Designs + Shops
The Black Tux
Men’s Wearhouse
Michael Andrew Bespoke
Indochino
Ralph Lauren

Trend: Uniquely Shaped Invitations

Featured Designers
Funky Olive Design
Letterpress Made
Natalie Soud
AM + Co

Wedding Inspo - Wedding Cakes

If you know our team, you know that wedding cakes hold such a big space in our hearts. Truth be told, we’re downright obsessed with seeing how our couples bring together their unique style with this traditional staple.

Each and every season brings out new cake trends as well as the classic styles we’ve come to absolutely adore over the years. We’ve been crushing so dang hard on all of the funky shag rug cakes, incredible heart-shaped beauties, and those pressed flower darlings, but we’re also major fans of those ever-so-stunning buttercream floral cakes that compliment literally any wedding out there. And the best of all is when we get to witness a perfect blend of a tried and true trend with something brand new (peep that floral cake adorned with custom made jewelry shapes below!).

We’re so dang ready to kick off our 2022 season and see all of those deliciously divine creations every single weekend, bring on all the sugar-coated goodness!

Featured Cake Bakers
Planty Sweet
Maggie’s Cakes
Feathers and Frosting
Chocolate Maven
Figs and Honey Cake Co
Cake Fetish
Toothache Cakery
Simply Sweet by Darci
Sweet Treets Bakery
A Cake Odyssey

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

Lisa + Vina, an Ethereal White Sands Proposal

When sweet angel Lisa fist reached out to us about capturing her surprise proposal to long-time partner Vina at White Sands National Park, we knew it was going to be an incredibly beautiful moment to capture. We never could have imagined how deeply we would be touched by these two or how epic their day in southern New Mexico would truly be.

Vina and Lisa first met nearly a decade in 2012 ago via Tumblr as they both worked as graphic designers. At first they were both surprised with how attracted they were to each other (neither had been in a LGBTQ relationship before), but before long these cuties knew that they were destined for one another. After several years of long distance and then finally living together, Lisa and Vina set out to move back to the Bay Area together and start their next chapter.

We knew months in advance that Lisa would be surprising Vina with a proposal, but Lisa didn’t know that Vina would propose back home in California just a short time before their journey to New Mexico! When the day of their White Sands visit finally happened, Vina instantly said yes to Lisa’s proposal. We got to catch every sweet second of it and roam around this heavenly national park with these babes. And, as if the universe didn’t already prove that Lisa and Vina’s love was written in the stars, Mother Nature sent the most stunning rainbow over White Sands just in time.

We’ll forever be so blown away by those stories of our couples who make it through it all together, it truly is the biggest highlight of our jobs. Cheers to these angels, we can’t freaking wait to capture their 2023 wedding in Los Gatos, California!!!

Location - White Sands National Park
Rings - Brilliant Earth
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

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

Kenny + Molly, a Heavenly Santa Fe Elopement

Kenny and Molly, aka one of the sweetest most chic couples on the planet, invited us to capture their intimate, sun-drenched Santa Fe day last fall and damn was it an absolute dream.

Long before these two were snuggling up in Santa Fe with their sweet little pup Mika, these lovers first met through work in Colorado. After about a year of dating, Molly made the move to Los Angeles to be with Kenny and they’ve been inseparable ever since. They added their pup to their family four years ago and love spending time traveling (especially to our beloved Santa Fe) and being with all of their close loved ones. We were lucky enough to meet these babes almost 3 years ago while capturing the wedding of some of their close friends and let’s just say we’ve been Instagram besties with Molly since then.

Even though Kenny and Molly had to rethink their wedding celebration, they still wanted to make it intentional and beautiful. They traded out a huge wedding for a small, intimate day at a family residence in Santa Fe with a whole lot of stunning details. From Renegade Florals’s luxe, colorful florals to Molly’s divine, unique bridal gown to Kenny’s pristine (and so dang cool) attire, everything about this little day was absolutely top-notch. We loved every second with these two, and Mika (of course!), out in that unreal Santa Fe light.

Cheers to Mr. + Mrs. Barela, we adore you both so much!!!

Vendors
Location - Private Estate in Santa Fe, NM
Planning + Styling - Jessie Baca
Florals - Renegade Floral
Hair - Jasmine Weidner
Makeup - Jacquline Chavez
Bridal Gown - Halston
Bride’s Engagement Ring - Sarah O Jewelry
Bride’s Wedding Band - Mark’s Diamonds
Groom’s Attire - Ralph Lauren
Groom’s Ring - Shiprock Santa Fe
Photographer - Bre

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Smithwick Family, a Heartwarming Studio Session

Last December was the very first time we got to meet marketing queen Camille, but dang did it feel like we had been friends forever. And as if this sweet little family shoot couldn’t get any better, we also got to capture all the cuteness at the newly opened Light House Studio, the most divine natural light studio in town.

Camille, who owns and runs CRS Social Media Marketing, isn’t just a brilliant business woman, she’s also incredible mamma and wife. The love Camille and her adorable family holds for each other is so apparent, we loved every second of this touching portrait session.

We love love love spending time with adorable little families, we can’t wait for more sessions like this one!

Vendors
Location - Light House Studio
Makeup - Kata of Something Ginger
Hair Color - Alyssa of Lavish Hair Lounge
Hair Stylist - Desire of Lavish Hair Lounge
Photographer - Alicia

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Andrew + Deanna, an Elegant Downtown Wedding

Although weddings in 2020 may have been much smaller than we could’ve imagined, not an ounce of magic was lost. Even after New Mexico sweethearts Andrew and Deanna rescheduled their wedding (and then rescheduled it again), they still created the most beautiful, intimate day filled with love for each other.

Long before a global pandemic and even longer before these two even began planning their happily ever after, Andrew and Deanna first met by chance through a serendipitous connection between Andrew’s sister and one of Deanna’s closest friends. After these two gals decided that Andrew and Deanna should meet, Andrew’s sister played matchmaker to set up the future lovebirds. Andrew and Deanna eventually went on their first date at Le Trouqet, a French restaurant, followed by drinks at Hotel Andaluz (two places that also made it into their wedding day!!!) in Downtown Albuquerque and the rest is history. Right from the beginning, these two knew their connection was the real deal and something beyond compare.

A few years down the road in October 2019, Andrew proposed to Deanna on the front porch of her college sorority, The University of New Mexico’s Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter. The proposal, a total surprise to Deanna, not only involved one of the most memorable places in her life, but Andrew made sure that all of their close friends and family member were there to celebrate with them. And, being absolute husband goals, Andrew even called Deanna’s hairstylist the day before (!!!!!) to make sure his future finance looked and felt absolutely beautiful for their moment.

Originally aiming for a spring wedding, Andrew and Deanna opted to push back their wedding to the fall after the pandemic shut down the entire world. Yet, despite all the challenges of 2020, these two still started their next chapter together in the most wonderful way. Andrew and Deanna tied the knot with a small wedding at the ever divine Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in downtown Albuquerque followed by a dreamy fall reception at the place where it all began for them, Hotel Andaluz. And even though they were only able to celebrate with a few close friends and family members, their day was one for the books.

While 2020 had halted their initial plans, Andrew and Deanna still pulled out all of the stops for one of the most memorable weddings of the year. Deanna channeled a little bit of modern glam with a whole lot of classic elegance for a bridal look that we’re still day dreaming about. From her ethereal Martina Liana gown (which looked beyond perfect next to Andrew’s sleek black suit) to her epic veil to the tiny vintage details she included, Deanna brought in an amazing amount of intentional beauty to her day.

After their nuptials, we got to steal Deanna and Andrew away for some of the most incredible romantics all over downtown. From murals to iconic downtown architecture spots to the restaurant where they had their first date, Andrew and Deanna took us all over to capture their first moments of absolute newlywed bliss together. And if that wasn’t enough, these babes brought a vintage Mercedes Benz along with them for the most insanely gorgeous, straight-out-of-a-film romantics on a nearby rooftop. They capped off this dream of a day with a quiet reception filled with stunning florals by Floral Fetish and impeccable designs from Darling Details. We loved watching these two soak in all of the special reception moments with their closest loved ones and finally getting to make it last name official.

We were absolutely blown away by Andrew + Deanna’s love for each other and their determination to make the beginning of their new chapter together as beautiful and meaningful as possible. Cheers babes, we loved being a part of your gorgeous day!

Vendors
Venues - Hotel Andaluz + The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Rentals - Darling Details
Florals - Floral Fetish
Paper Goods - Funky Olive Design
Rings - James Allen
Hair - Waves Salon
Makeup - Ashlynne Padilla
Bridal Gown - Martina Liana
Bridal Boutique - Ella Blu Bridal
Bride’s Shoes - Badgley Mischka
Groom’s Attire - J.Crew
Cake - Cake Fetish
Cookies - Wren Made
Vintage Car - Santa Fe Classic Limo
Guest Transportation - Albuquerque Trolley Co
Reception Lighting - Black Swan Events
Videographer - Southwest Wedding Films
Lead Photographer - Ashley
Second Photographer - Melanie
Assistant - Taylor

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - White Sands National Park

We always say that New Mexico is one of the most beautiful places on the entire planet, so its no surprise that the ever ethereal White Sands National Park is part of that magic. From elopements to intimate wedding celebrations to engagements, we’ve been lucky enough to capture so much beauty at this natural wonder over the last few seasons.

About three hours south of our home base in Albuquerque, this incredible place is beyond otherworldly. Described as one-of-a-kind, White Sands is one of the only natural gypsum sand deserts on the planet. Upon arrival, this gorgeous destination holds both timeless history and the perfect blank slate for any couple or shoot. White Sands’ endless landscape of immaculate possibilities always leaves us in absolute awe and desperate for more adventures there.

Truthfully, we sometimes wish that we could just live at White Sands year-round, its immense beauty is unmatched and deeply powerful to us. We can’t wait to see which of couples take us back to this literal heaven on Earth!

Location - White Sands National Park

Real Life Love Stories + Styled Elopements
Ben + Chelsea, a White Sands Elopement (coming soon to the blog)
A Day in Dubai, a Styled White Sands Elopement
Scott + Moxi, an Intimate Wedding Celebration at White Sands
Jason + Natalie, a White Sands Engagement

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