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

What We Heart About Santa Fe Weddings

Anyone who knows our team has seen how much we adore Santa Fe weddings and all of the amazing little spots where we’ve captured our couples and their love stories. From its vast architecture to it rich culture, Santa Fe is a gem among the Southwest and we feel so dang lucky to spend so much time exploring it.

One of the most iconic locations for weddings is, of course, the Santa Fe Plaza, but what many don’t realize is the vast number of different venues of all shapes and sizes for weddings.

Do you want a huge wedding with a parade around the historic plaza followed by an outdoor reception? There are several hotels including La Fonda on the Plaza, The Inn and Spa at Loretto, and La Posada de Santa Fe that are pros at these celebrations.

Or are you a bit more low-key and want an intimate wedding at a stunning hacienda or tiny inn? Spots like Hacienda Corta Caro and The Inn of the Five Graces are the coziest of wedding nooks.

Maybe you want a venue with an iconic past or one that’s even an art gallery? Places like Peters Projects at Gerald Peters Gallery, SITE Santa Fe, and The Santa Fe Opera are just a few of those unique, art focused spaces.

There’s even two incredibly famous churches right on the plaza, Loretto Chapel and The Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, for more traditional weddings.

And what about places for couples wanting to venture a bit outside of the usual Santa Fe scene for venues nestled among the mountains and vast New Mexican landscape? Venues like La Mesita Ranch Estate, Las Campanas, Hacienda Doña Andrea, and Four Seasons Santa Fe all provide amazing views and details for any and all weddings they host.

Not only does Santa Fe have so many amazing venues, but so many unique New Mexican and Southwestern traditions have stayed in style season after season in The City Different. Every season mariachi parades around the plaza take center stage, tequila donkeys like sweet Conchita make an appearance at receptions, and all the chili, cactus, and skull details accent every inch of weddings. We love how couples from near and far fully embrace all the special little pieces of Santa Fe that we have such a soft spot for. And we can’t help but absolutely love it even more when our lovers from previous wedding seasons continue to visit Santa Fe year after year just to always have a part of the Southwest with them.

In our eyes, any venue in Santa Fe is the perfect venue and every tradition is beyond special. We’ve been so fortunate to capture a huge amount of couples in the most unique locations and honestly, we can’t wait to explore new places with brand new love stories.

Featured Santa Fe Venues
La Fonda on the Plaza
Hacienda Doña Andrea
La Mesita Ranch Estate
La Posada de Santa Fe
Santa Fe Opera
Las Campanas
SITE Santa Fe
Gerald Peters Gallery
Hacienda Corta Caro
Loretto Chapel
Inn and Spa at Loretto
Inn of the Five Graces
Eldorado Hotel and Spa
Four Seasons Santa Fe

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

Wedding Inspo - A-line Wedding Gowns

If there’s one thing we know, it’s how universally loved A-line wedding gowns have been the past few wedding seasons. Flattering on every body type and unique for every single bride, this type of gown is the ultimate win-win for every wedding! Whether you’re throwing a huge bash and need a gorgeous gown or making it last name official in a more low-key way and just want a simple dress, A-line bridal gowns are any bride’s best friend! We’ve added all of our favorites, from intricately detailed long-sleeved beauties to minimalistic subtlety detailed gems, our little team has a thing for this style of dress!!

Wedding Dress Designers
Lazaro Bridal
Lilian West by Justin Alexander
Rue de Seine Bridal
Terese Rose Designs
Claire Pettibone
Flora Bridal
Monique Lhuillier
Maggie Sottero
Lea Ann Belter
Lihi Hod

Bridal Boutiques
The Bridal Collection (Denver, CO)
Terese Rose Designs (Albuquerque, NM)
Lovely Bride (Charleston, SC)
Dress Me Bridal (Bullard, TX)
Neiman Marcus
A and Bé Bridal (Dallas, TX)
Low’s Bridal ( Brinkley, AR)
d’Anelli Bridal (Denver, CO)
The White Room (Minneapolis, MI)
Felice Bridal (Colorado Springs, CO)


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

Vendor Feature - Jessie Baca

Attention to details on wedding days are definitely one of our favorite things here at Alicia Lucia photography and we can’t help but gush over other wedding vendors who share that same love & passion. Our girl Jessie Baca has coordinated countless weddings and styled shoots here in New Mexico and we’ve been lucky enough to capture so many of her ultra creative, amazingly gorgeous ideas. From pampas grass adorned seating charts at the iconic Santa Fe Opera to the moodiest winter wedding table arrangements at Los Poblanos to incredible Spanish inspired hacienda weddings in the heart of Santa Fe, there isn’t any creation of Jessie’s doing that we haven’t fallen in love with at first sight. We love this talented lady and her endless passion for all things southwestern and beautiful!!!

Coordination + Styling + Planning - Jessie Baca

Real Life Love Stories + Styled Shoots
Randy + Elizabeth at the Santa Fe Opera
Scott + Leanne at SITE Santa Fe
Chris + Alexa at La Fonda on the Plaza
Styled Elopement at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Styled Vow Renewal at Ghost Ranch
Ben + Katy at Inn of the Five Graces and Hacienda Corta Caro
Alex + Marcela at Four Seasons Santa Fe
Keith + Clare at La Posada de Santa Fe
Oriol + Sarah at Gerald Peters Gallery

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

Real Weddings - Southwestern Inspired Wedding Traditions

One of the best parts about living in the Southwest is all of the amazing culture we are surrounded by and get to experience every single day. And trust us when we say that we absolutely adore when couples incorporate some of our favorite Southwestern, and a few uniquely New Mexican, traditions into their wedding celebrations. Over the last few years some of our favorite highlights have been mariachi led parades around the historic Santa Fe Plaza, cactus shaped cookies (and pretty much cactus shaped everything), brightly colored florals, hand painted tiles, turquoise jewelry, bolo ties/southwestern inspired style, and, of course, Conchita the Tequila Donkey! We can’t wait to see how our future lovers will bring the flavor of our amazing state to their special day!

Our Southwestern Love Stories
Chris + Alexa at La Fonda on the Plaza
Matthew + Kendall at La Posada de Santa Fe
Michael + Lucia at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Duncan + Tatianna at La Fonda on the Plaza
Ben + Katy at Inn of the Five Graces
Keith + Clare at La Posada de Santa Fe
Tyler + Jordan at La Fonda on the Plaza
Gil + Joanna at La Posada de Santa Fe
Ghost Ranch Styled Vow Renewal
Tyler + Cassie at La Posada de Santa Fe
Daniel + Rebecca at Eldorado Hotel + Jupiter Studio Gallery and Event Space
Thommy + Kathryn at Hubbell House
Derek + Brigitte at La Fonda on the Plaza
Rocky Mountain Bride Editorial at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

Photos by Alicia, Ashely, Bre, Brittany, and Jen of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Real Weddings - Unique Wedding Venues

Every wedding season you can plan on us sharing lots of pretty moments from some of our favorite, staple venues with all of the amazing details that make them so very special to us. However, each and every year, our little team is treated to a few new, incredibly unique sweet venues that completely blow our minds. From quaint haciendas hidden right off the Santa Fe Plaza to dreamy unreal, backyard weddings in Albuquerque to a few of our favorite Colorado getaways to giant, wildly designed art museums to the iconic Santa Fe Opera, we’ve experience some venues beyond our wildest daydreams. And trust us, we’re still thinking about them!

Real Life Love Stories
Shaun + Jessie at Sarabande Bed and Breakfast (coming soon to the blog)
Randy + Elizabeth at the Santa Fe Opera
Blake + Jennie at Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs, CO)
Scott + Leanne at SITE Santa Fe
Alex + Amber at High Country Lodge (Pagosa Springs, CO)
Ben + Katy at Inn of the Five Graces and Hacienda Corta Caro
Shane + Megan at Private Residence (backyard wedding in Albuquerque, NM)
Ethan + Sarah at Hacienda Doña Andrea

Photos by Alicia + Ashley + Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Valentine's Day Special - Our Fave First Kiss Moments

With V-Day right around the corner, our little team wanted to do something extra special in honor of the sweet season of love. Right now we’re crushing major on wedding first kisses, you know, those crazy, oh-so-sweet, I can’t believe we finally did it first moments of becoming newlyweds. Something about seeing couples loving on each other just moments after saying “I do” makes our hearts skip a beat. Here’s to those babes who express their love and adoration for each other in the boldest, most romantic ways!

Check out the rest of our blog to see these featured love stories and so much more!!!

Photos by Alicia + Ashley + Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Wedding Signage

If there’s one thing we can’t resist snapping a few extra pictures of on wedding days, it’s wedding signage. We so love how each and every sign perfectly reflects the couple and their celebration of love. From the simple chalkboard signs adorned with florals, to elegant glass signs and handprinted wooden signs, these beauties were the perfect welcome to our couples special guests from near and far.

Scroll through for a few of our faves… we can’t wait to see the beautiful ways our future couples will greet their loved ones!

A Few of Our Favorite Signage Vendors
Hello Jori
Just Lovely Weddings
Minted
Funky Olive
Etsy
For the Love Events
Jessie Baca

Venues
Hotel Albuquerque
La Mesita Ranch Estate
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Hacienda Doña Andrea
La Posada de Santa Fe
La Fonda on the Plaza
Hyatt Tamaya
Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
High Country Lodge (Pagosa Springs)
Hacienda Corta Caro
Inn of the Five Graces
Four Seasons Santa Fe

Photos by Alicia + Ashley + Bre + Jen of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Real Wedding Inspo - Dogs in Weddings

Even though there are so many wedding day details and little touches we love, we're pretty sure that nothing will ever top dogs in weddings! We've added all of the best pups we've been lucky enough to photograph (and pet) in one little blog post. Cheers to these fur babies and the amazing couples that adore them beyond words!!!

Venues
Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club
La Posada de Santa Fe
Four Seasons Santa Fe
La Fonda on the Plaza
Inn of the Five Graces
Hacienda Corta Caro
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

Photos by Alicia Padilla and Ashley Shaw of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn Younger of Alicia Lucia Photography