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

2020 - Moments with Alicia Lucia Photography

2020 was by far one of the most challenging years our team has ever faced, yet through all the difficult descisons and make-or-break moments, we still found the light on the other side of it all.

After an intense global pandemic forced our weddings and shoots to a screeching halt, we weren’t sure what to do, but somehow we found a new path and gained a better perspective on our lives, our business, and our community. We found new ways to capture weddings/elopements and support our couples as they navigated this insane year. And we also found even more opportunities to create beauty through styled shoots and portrait sessions. If one thing is sure, 2020 reminded us of why we set out to do what we do in the first place: love. Watching love win over and over and over again this year, despite all of the odds was something to behold. And we once again fell in love with with what we have the immense privilege of doing, capturing those undeniably beautiful moments of pure joy.

The biggest thank you from the bottom of our hearts goes out to every single couple, family, and individual who continually put their trust in us during a year where everything was uncertain, yet everything mattered even more. And to all of our vendor friends, thank you for riding this one out with us, we’ve never had so much faith in the wedding community as we do right here and now.

No year will ever be quite like 2020, and while we’re grateful to see beacons of hope at start of the new year, we’re forever be grateful for the year that gave us all a chance to start anew and to believe in the magic that is love.

Weddings, Elopements, Styled Shoots, and Portrait Sessions by the Alicia Lucia Photography Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia

Wedding Inspo - Intimate Weddings Part II

Earlier this year we posted a blog about some of our favorite intimate wedding inspiration, but after about a dozen more tiny weddings just in the past few months, we decided to make a part two!

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a dozen times, we ADORE intimate weddings. Everything about these little weddings is absolute perfection, from being able to spend more time with your guests to having a less limited budget due to overall lower costs to even just being able to enjoy more moments soaking up those first few hours of marriage. Over the past few months, we’ve been absolutely blown away by how our couples have taken intimate weddings to the next freaking level. Backyard weddings with all the pretty garden details, stoop weddings followed by mini parades, and the most adorable little farm weddings have just been the beginning of a whole new era of micro-weddings.

We’re not sure when giant weddings will be a consistent possibility in the coming months, but dang are we thankful for these beautiful, heartfelt, downright incredible intimate weddings. We can’t wait to share even more of these gorgeous days still to come!

Real Love Stories + Styled Shoots
Ysidro + Celestina at Casa Pera Art Space (coming soon to the blog)
Andrew + Deanna at Hotel Andaluz (coming soon to the blog)
Kenny + Molly at a Private Estate in Santa Fe (coming soon to the blog)
Eric + Lauren at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (coming soon to the blog)
Angie + Brittany at a Private Home in Nob Hill
Gates + C.C. at a Private Estate in New Mexico
Matt + Allie at a Private Home in Santa Fe
Nate + Cait in Downtown Denver, CO
Brad + Kenna at Old Town Farm
Stuart + Kelly at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Zach + Natalie at The Desert Compass
Andrew + Shay at a Private Home in Albuquerque (coming soon to the blog)
Jawara + Jazz at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Ryan + Jennifer at Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
Zach + Coli at Hotel Albuquerque and Casas de Sueños
Paul + Carolyn at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

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