Michael + Mariah, a Sultry White Sands National Park Elopement

We captured one of our first elopements of the season down south at White Sands National Park with absolute babes, Michael and Mariah. Their romantic day doubled as a maternity session as these hunnies prepare to welcome their new little bundle of joy into the world.

When Michael and Mariah told us that they wanted a sultry session we knew they’d bring the heat, but dang did they make this day about 100 degrees hotter than we imagined. From their killer style to their intense love for another, these lovers really know how to make magic out in the desert.

Bring on all the steamy afternoons with the most stellar lovers, they’re truly our jam!

Location - White Sands National Park
Lead Photographer - Bre B
Second Photographer - Lexie

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Kevin + Caroline, a Charming La Posada de Santa Fe Wedding

Texas sweethearts Kevin and Caroline brought the absolute party to Santa Fe this summer and it was truly beyond our dreams. Every last detail of this gorgeous day was not only unique, but so dang perfect.

These cuties first met a long time ago in high school, but sparks didn’t fly between Kevin and Caroline until one college break when they were both home with mutual friends. Even thought they started off as best friends, once these two realized how special their connection was, they quickly fell in love. In 2019, Kevin completely surprised Caroline and popped the question surrounded by their close friends and family.

Since these two call Midland, TX home, Caroline and Kevin wanted to have their wedding in a city that gave them that small town feel and Santa Fe was perfect. They soon decided that La Posada de Santa Fe would be the prettiest place to say “I do” and these lovers found the most killer vendor team to make all of their wedding dreams come true. From the luxe floral designs and amazing planning by A Beautiful Theme to the gorgeous water color details by Pearly Gates Designs to the most elegant custom bridal gown by Lea Ann Belter to the most dapper blue wedding tux by The Black Tux, these Texas babes pulled out all the stops for their beyond lovely day.

From the very first moments of their pretty day to those final electric moments on the dance floor, Kevin and Caroline just knew how to be the most amazing couple around. Cheers to the Packinghams and their brand new adventure together!!!!

These lovers have already been featured on two beautiful blogs, follow the links below to see it all:
Kevin + Caroline on Carats and Cake
Kevin + Caroline on Lea Ann Belter Bridal

Vendors
Venue - La Posada de Santa Fe
Planning + Coordination - A Beautiful Theme
Florals - A Beautiful Theme
Invitations - Pearly Gates Designs
Signage + Hand Lettering - Darling Details Rentals
Bride’s Makeup - Alanna of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bride’s Hair - Madi Noel Hair
Bridesmaid Makeup - Ashley of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridal Gown - Lea Ann Belter Bridal
Bride’s Shoes - Loeffler Randall
Bride’s Earrings - Leighton Jewels
Rings - Cathy Eastham Fine Jewelry
Bridesmaid Dresses - Brideside
Groom + Groomsmen Attire - The Black Tux
Officiant - Revrand Barbra Kirk-Norris
Cake - Chocolate Maven
Rentals - American Tent Rental
Ceremony Music - Absolute Entertainment
Reception Music - Diamond Empire Band
Videography - Cesar of Alicia Lucia Photography
Lead Photographer - Ashley
Second Photographer - Cameron
Assistant - Cheyenne

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Backyard Weddings

If 2020 and 2021 have showed us anything, its that backyard wedding are here to stay forever. Over the last few seasons, we’ve captured some of the dreamiest backyard celebrations, but when 2020 changed everything, these incredibly special weddings took center stage.

Even though things have calmed down quiet a bit in the wedding world this year, so many of our couples are still opting for amazing backyard soirées and truthfully they’re some of our most treasured days. From the dainty, simple celebrations to the wildly-elegant bashes, backyard weddings come in all shapes and sizes. Whether its a day that only includes close friends and family or one that brings guests from near and far, our couples always find the perfect ways to kick off their marriages.

We’re so excited to see even more of these amazing little days so very soon, we already know they’ll each be so dang beautiful and unforgettable!

Featured Love Stories
Dominic + Maggie in Albuquerque, NM
Matt + Allie in Santa Fe, NM
Colin + Amber in Albuquerque, NM
Jebb + Abbie in Tesque, NM
Angie + Brittany in Albuquerque, NM
Nate + Cait in Denver, CO
Gates + C.C. in Northern New Mexico
Andrew + Shay in Albuquerque, NM
Suraj + Celina in Albuquerque, NM
Trey + Clara in San Patricio, NM
Shane + Megan in Albuquerque, NM

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

David + Kelly, a Dreamy Santa Fe Engagement

Even though these Texas cuties are tying the knot in Charleston, South Carolina, they spent the prettiest evening with us in the heart of downtown Santa Fe. We loved exploring some of our favorite old locations with these babes.

David and Kelly met in 2020 on Hinge right in the middle of Covid and they just knew it was meant to be. These hunnies bonded over their mutual loves of cooking, listening to music, and of course planning trips around the world. David and Kelly are going to make it official with a small, yet so freaking special wedding with only their closest friends and family this November and we couldn’t be more excited for them.

Location - Hotel St. Francis + Downtown Santa Fe
Photographer - Bre

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Robert + Betsy, an Intimate Ten Thousand Waves Elopement

Right in the middle of our insanely busy summer wedding season we got to spend the most quiet, perfect weekday with lovers Robert and Betsy for their elopement. These cuties made it official at the iconic Ten Thousands Waves Japanese Resort and it was truly perfection.

Even though these two worked next door to each other, Robert and Betsy initially met online and had an immediate attraction. After a while, these two knew it was meant to be and decided that they wanted to be together forever. Robert and Betsy opted out of a big wedding for a tiny elopement; they were officially married at the Santa Fe Courthouse with only their witnesses, officiant, and Betsy’s mom (on FaceTime!) present.

Robert and Betsy decided to celebrate their union with a mini staycation at Ten Thousand Waves, a place that reminds them deeply of their treasured Japan trip from a few years ago. These lovers incorporated a few soft, minimalist details into their including a dreamy bouquet, custom ring, and coordinating linen attire for an effortlessly simple feel. We loved exploring this special location on the most stellar summer day with these angels.

Cheers to more dreamy little elopements in all the amazing, unconventional locations, we’re so down for it all!!

Venue - Ten Thousand Waves Spa
Ring - Annika Fine Jewelry
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

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