Every season we’re continually blown away by our couples’ incredible wedding day style, but our 2022 lovers definitely took the cake for best dressed. Last year, our grooms brought the heat in some of the most sleek, jaw-dropping wedding looks ever.
From classic black tuxes to the cleanest all-white suits to outfits in every single hue, our grooms understood the assignment in the fullest. We’re forever obsessed with all the ways these guys showed us how to keep weddings unique and unforgettable with their style.
If 2022 was any indicator of the all the incredible groom styles to come this season, we’re already over the moon for it all!
Featured Designers + Menswear Shops
Ted Baker
The Black Tux
Jack Victor Limited
Sew Generously Bespoke
Ralph Lauren
Indochino
Gargee Designers
Martin Patrick 3
Isaia
Gucci
SRG Fashion
Mr. Robbie’s Suits NYC
Suit Supply
Don Morphy
Express
Trumaker
Generation Tux
Men’s Wearhouse
Bert + Jess Clothiers
Suits Unlimited
Weddings + Elopements by the Alicia Lucia Photography Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
2022, a Year with the ALP Team
2022 was truly a year filled with the deepest amounts of love, unparalleled connections, and unforgettable humans who we were lucky enough to cross paths with on wedding days and beyond.
This year took us everywhere and back again, from Sin City to Mexican beaches to the heart of Texas Hill Country to all over The Land of Enchantment, leaving us surrounded with wonder and adoration. We know that the new year will bring even more places, even more breathtaking weddings, and even more love stories, but for now we’ll continue to revel in all that this year gave us.
Here are our favorite moments of this year, see you in 2023 lovers.
Weddings + Elopements by Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Angela + Rich, an Elegant Santa Fe Wedding
Even though East Coast sweethearts Angela and Rich officially tied the knot in 2020 during the pandemic, they knew that the next chapter of their lives wouldn't be complete without their dream wedding in Santa Fe. Nearly two years later, all of their wishes came true on the most serene Southwestern day.
These cuties first met in 2016 through a dating app and after their first date at Pennylane Coffee in New York City, they knew their connection was something extraordinary. They instantly connected over their love of travel, snow sports, and having as much adventure as possible in life. Soon after that kismet initial encounter, Rich and Angela quickly fell in love. In December of 2018, Rich surprised Angela with a Central Park proposal complete with many of Angela's favorite things including a lit-up Christmas tree, the iconic Alice in Wonderland statue (located right near Central Park's beloved Conservatory Water), and the dreamiest engagement ring we've ever seen. These two soon began charting the journey back to their beloved New Mexico for their wedding celebration.
However, when the global pandemic halted their initial plans, Angela and Rich decided to get married in a very intimate ceremony, forever hoping that their Southwestern wedding plans might still come to life someday. In 2022, the stars finally aligned for these lovers and they were able to celebrate their love with all of their friends and family in the heart of New Mexico.
Opting to make their wedding truly unique (and so incredibly luxe we might add) these hunnies went for a moody, lush wedding design complete with some of the most jaw dropping details we've ever seen. From the insanely gorgeous florals by Artichokes and Pomegranates to dark, elegant details by Just Lovely Weddings throughout their reception (especially those chargers and sugar skull cookies) to their custom wedding day looks (Angela's heavenly bridal gown paired perfectly with Rich's dark green tux) to neon signage that paid homage to Angela's love of Alice in Wonderland (and made for the perfect echo back to their engagement) to ending the night with not only a traditional tequila donkey, but also surprising their guests with a CO2 cannon (truly giving those immaculate East Coast club vibes), this day truly had everything we could have ever dreamed of.
And if all of those details weren't sweet enough, Rich surprised Angela during their emotional first look in the desert with a custom wedding ring that contained several of her family's heirloom diamonds. Following this heartfelt moment, we were blown away even further when these two decided to make their ceremony a vow renewal, truly such a sign of their steadfast, unbreakable bond with one another.
We are deeply enamored for all the little ways these babes continued to surprise each other and their loved ones throughout the day. We adored celebrating this insanely beautiful day in Santa Fe, it was by far one of the most unreal fêtes we've ever been lucky enough to be a part of; here's to even more blissful days like this one.
Vendors
Prep + Reception Venue - La Posada de Santa Fe
Ceremony Venue - Loretto Chapel
Planning + Coordination - Just Lovely Weddings
Rentals - Darling Details Rentals
Florals - Artichokes and Pomegranates
Invitation Suite - Pure Invite
Itineraries + Menus - Minted Weddings
Rings + Jewelry - Bellman Jewelers
Bride’s Hair - Laura of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bride’s Makeup - Addie of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridal Gown - Galia Lahav
Bridal Boutique - Bridal Reflections
Bride’s Shoes - Jimmy Choo
Bridal Prep Outfit - Nadine Merabi
Reception Dress - Jovani
Reception Shoes - Loeffler Randall
Bridesmaid Hair - Jayce of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridesmaid Makeup - Jackie of Betty Rose by Alanna
Groom’s Tux Jacket - Mr. Robbie Suits
Groom’s Suit - SRG Fashions
Cake - Maggie’s Wedding Cakes
Sugar Skull Cookies - Feathered Arrow Cookies
String Quartet - Cielo Quartet
Mariachi Band - Absolute Entertainment
DJ - Desert Disco Music
Neon Signage - Yellowpop
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Wedding Inspo - Classic Weddings
When it comes to wedding styles, we have the biggest space in our hearts for all things boho, minimalist, and currently on-trend, but we can’t lie when we say that we adore classic, chic celebrations so freaking much. We love the way that classic weddings perfectly blend the past and the present for the most elegant nuptials ever.
Besides just being obsessed with the sleek, romantic moments of classic weddings (e.g. the pristine black and white details, the simple florals, and the hints of glam), we are in love with how they can happen just about anywhere, Whether its on a ranch in Texas Hill County, in the middle of bustling downtown Albuquerque, at a quiet and tucked-away lavender farm in the North Valley, in the heart of historic Santa Fe, or even in the middle of nowhere in Southern New Mexico, classic weddings take on new life no matter the setting. These timeless days are the weddings we always reflect back on with so much nostalgia and love, their sheer elegance is always enough to take out breath away.
We’re so dang ready for even more of these divine, sophisticated days here in the Southwest and beyond. Bring on all the graceful beauty and all the opulent details.
Real Life Love Stories
Herbie + Kelsey at Ginger Ranch (Fredericksburg, TX)
Andrew + Deanna at Hotel Andaluz (Albuquerque, NM)
Derek + Brigitte at La Fonda on the Plaza (Santa Fe, NM)
Eric + Lauren at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (Albuquerque, NM)
Trey + Clara at Peter Hurd House (San Patricio, NM)
Kirk + Taylor at Loretto Chapel and La Fonda on the Plaza (Santa Fe, NM)
Weddings 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
2019 Wedding Moments
To our 2019 couples,
As the year winds down and we get ready for brand new decade, we cna’t help but reflect on all of 2019’s stellar weddings! From the super intimate, heartfelt days to the incredible bashes full of life and amazing details, this season was truly one for the books.
From Southern New Mexico to Albuquerque to Santa Fe, we’ve been to some pretty incredible places and seen some amazing love stories. We adored each and every one of our couples, from our New York City cuties to our Las Cruces lovers to our stunning Santa Fe babes, this season has been full of love from across the U.S.! We can’t wait for what’s to come and we can’t help but thank these beyond amazing couples for letting us be a little part of their forever! We adore each and every one of you to the moon and back!
Love,
The Alicia Lucia Photography Team
Our 2019 Lovers
Trey + Clara Peter Hurd Guest House and a Private Residence in San Patricio, NM
Qwist + Cara at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Patrick + Niki at Enchanted Vine Barn
Geoff + Jocelyn at Hacienda Doña Andrea
Gustav + Jackie at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Garrett + April at Casa Perea Art Space
Carter + Carrie at La Fonda on the Plaza
James + Lauren at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Morgan + Mattie at Las Campanas
Adam + Jill at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Zach + Coli at Hotel Albuquerque and Casas de Suenos
Ashwin + Lauren at Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi and The Inn & Spa at Loretto
Ashwin + Lauren at La Posada de Santa Fe
Ryan + Jennifer at Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
Jake + Angela at Sandia Event Center
Pablo + Alejandrina at Old Town Albuquerque
John + Anna at La Fonda on the Plaza
Chris + Ari at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Jason + Ryan at Ghost Ranch
Ben + Emiliee at Sandia Event Center
Colton + Lindsey at Hyatt Tamaya
Drew + Lauren at La Mesita Ranch Estate
Jason + Natalie at La Fonda on the Plaza
Jordan + KC at Cristo Rey Catholic Church and La Fonda on the Plaza
Suraj + Celina at a Private Residence in Albuquerque, NM
Michael + Sarah at La Fonda on the Plaza (coming to the blog soon)
Bryan + Jennie at Loretto Chapel and Four Seasons Santa Fe
Brad + Kenna at Old Town Farm (coming to the blog soon)
Conner + Laura at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (coming to the blog soon)
2019 Lead Photographers - Alicia Padilla, Ashley Shaw, Bre Bloomquist, and Brittany Miller
2019 Second Photographers - Cameron Storie, Melanie Montoya, Molly Morgan, and Brianna Archuleta
2019 Assistants - Jaclyn Younger, Cameron Storie, and Taylor DeJong
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Wedding Inspo - Trumpet Wedding Gowns
Among all of the gorgeous wedding dress designs to choose from today, there’s something so dang stunning about trumpet style bridal gowns. Blurring the lines between chic, minimalist sheath wedding gowns and classic, break taking ballgowns, trumpet dresses are beyond incredibly unique and stunning on every bride.
Although they aren’t as common, these gowns always catch our eyes with their perfect match up of traditional bridal elegance and modern bridal glam. Sleek bodices along flared out trains make trumpet gowns the perfect fit for almost any bride. The trumpet gowns we’ve captured over the last few seasons have been truly unforgettable, from illusion necklines to blush tones to dreamy floral appliqué details, these beauties are still some of our favorite dresses.
Scroll through and find your favorite, we know that its hard not to adore each and every one of them!!!
Bridal Gown Designers
Monique Lhuiller
Paloma Blanca
Rita Vineris
Mia Solano
David’s Bridal
Casa Blanca Bridal
Martina Liana
Bridal Boutiques
Bridal Galleria (San Francisco, CA)
Serendipity Bridal (Austin, TX)
LUV Bridal (Phoenix, AZ)
Julian Gold Bridal ( Austin, TX)
David’s Bridal (Albuquerque, NM)
Weddings by Alicia, Ashley, and Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Vendor Feature - DRS Color Studio
We may not get to work on a ton of weddings with her, but we absolutely adore Diana Rose of DRS Color Studio. From weddings to styled shoots, she always makes our brides look downright stunning! Plus, she’s one of the sweetest, most supportive gals in the industry. We love her work and can’t wait for more pretty days with this talented one!
Hair + MUA - DRS Color Studio
Love Stories + Styled Shoots
Adam + Jill at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Kirk + Taylor at La Fonda on the Plaza + Loretto Chapel
Romantic Rockstar Styled Elopement at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Weddings + Styled Shoots by Alicia, Ashley, and Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Guest Blog Feature - Advice for Brides
This week we’re featuring a guest blog from writer Hannah Stevens on mistakes for brides to avoid on their wedding day! We’ve included photos from our brides who went above and beyond to not only avoid these mistakes, but to make their weddings seamless and wonderful. Whether its allocating extra time with their sweethearts, to adding super personal wedding details, to having perfect timelines & being more intentional, these are just a few of the stellar brides that our team constantly thinks of when it comes to helping their weddings flow, while still being what they envisioned for their big day!
Our Brides (and their Grooms) Who Went Above + Beyond
Leanne + Scott at SITE Santa Fe
Taylor + Kirk at Loretto and La Fonda on the Plaza
Niki + Patrick at Enchanted Vine Barn
Coli + Zach in Old Town Albuquerque
Car + Qwist at Los Poblanos
Brigitte + Derek at La Fonda on the Plaza
7 Mistakes a Bride Makes During Her Wedding Week
A Guide for Brides by Hannah Stevens
Wedding days are meant to be special. It is the time where you celebrate your love with your partner – a day to remember for the rest of your life. If everything doesn’t turn out the way you expect, however, you might remember the stress instead of happiness. Although you cannot control everything, there are some common pitfalls you can avoid to make sure that your wedding goes as planned.
Procrastination
Perhaps the biggest mistake brides make is waiting until the last second to finalize the details of their weddings. Always remember that doing so gives you a small window for beauty treatments, spa days, and wedding rehearsals. Make sure to finalize everything as soon as possible to keep everything on track for a smooth wedding day. Consider making a list of tasks to accomplish before the wedding.
Not Having Hair and Makeup Trial Runs
Waiting until the wedding day to try out your makeup and hairstyle might catch you off-guard. Bear in mind that part of a successful wedding day is feeling as confident and beautiful as you can be, after all, which includes having your hairstyle and mascara in sync. In order to avoid disappointment, always do a trial run of your makeup and hairstyle to ensure that you are satisfied with the way you look.
Hiring the Wrong Photographer
Oftentimes, couples fall into the trap of hiring the wrong photographer. When looking for the right fit, it is crucial to look for someone whose work matches your vision for your wedding day. This is not only to ensure that you will be proud of the images when you post them online but also helps make sure that the images stand up for decades to come when you show them to your children or even your grandchildren.
Scheduling Bachelorette Parties during Wedding Week
Bachelorette parties are exciting. After all, it is the last time to go out with your girls as a single lady. It is a good idea to try and schedule bachelorette parties for at least a few weeks before the wedding. Alternatively, you can schedule a bachelorette party during the wedding week – but make sure that it does not involve heavy partying or drinking as both activities can leave you feeling less than your best while walking down the aisle.
Failing To Tie Up Legal Ends
Failure to tie-up legal ends is an expensive problem. So, make a checklist of all the legal paperwork needed before your wedding day. Also, don’t forget to check the local laws and obtain a marriage license within a set timeframe. Keep in mind that laws differ from state to state, too, so you’ll want to either work with a professional or make sure you’re reading regulations for your specific state.
Doing It All
Every bride wants to be in control of their wedding. Unfortunately, not letting others step in and help can prove detrimental to the success of the event. During the wedding week, make sure to step back and delegate tasks like finalizing seating charts. Better yet, you can hire a professional to take care of the little details of the wedding.
Not Getting Enough Rest
In the week of the wedding, it is quite normal for a bride to be anxious, but don’t let it keep you up all night. Lack of sleep often results in exhaustion, a weak immune system, skin problems, and difficulty concentrating. Always stay well-rested and follow a sleep guide to avoid compromising your big day.
Guest Blog by Hannah Stevens
Weddings by Alicia, Ashley, and Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Real Weddings - Borrowed and Blue
Love stories are by far one of our favorite things on the planet, but what we adore a little extra is the history and love behind the couples we get to capture. Every single wedding brings a new story and lots of exciting touches, especially when it comes to the “somethings” of wedding days. From dainty vintage rings passed down through generations that brides have as their “something old” to stellar veils from a loved one as “something borrowed” to discrete turquoise and navy shoes as “something blue”, our brides never fail to wow us with their extremely personal, unique, and downright beautiful details. We loved the stories behind these amazing little touches as much as we loved seeing them in person!!
Real Love Stories
Chris + Emma at Hacienda Dona Andrea
Scott + Leanne at SITE Santa Fe
Shane + Megan, Private Residence in Albuquerque, NM
Trey + Clara, Private Residence in San Patricio, NM (coming to the blog very soon)
Chris + Alexa at La Fonda on the Plaza
Matthew + Kaya at Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club
Kirk + Taylor at Loretto Chapel and La Fonda on the Plaza
Trenton + Aston at Loretto Inn and Spa
Blake + Jennie at Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs, CO)
Randy + Elizabeth at the Santa Fe Opera
Oriol + Sarah at Gerald Peters Gallery
Ryan + Cristina at Praire Star
Dustin + Ashley at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Tyler + Cassie at La Posada de Santa Fe
Tyler + Meredith at Four Seasons Santa Fe
Weddings by Alicia , Ashley, and Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Big Wedding Advice
Our little photog team absolutely adores the smaller more intimate weddings, but we’ll never say no to the big, downright fun wedding parties! There’s something so exciting about hanging out with a crew of bridesmaids and groomsmen as they help cheer on their closest friends in the next chapter of their lives. From the more chill, laid back bridal parties to the wildly energizing, down-to-party all night crews, we love getting to hang with some of the most memorable wedding day gangs around!
One of our amazing brides, Lauren, answered a few questions on the advantages of hosting a big(ger) wedding as the start to your happily ever after. Check out her answers and scroll through the blog to see a few of our fave wedding day peeps!
On why Lauren and her boo for life, David, chose to have a large wedding:
”We decided we had to have a bigger wedding than we initially wanted because there are so many important people in our lives that we wanted to witness us becoming husband and wife, and we wanted to have a big party!”Their favorite part(s) of having a big wedding
”The best part of having a big wedding was having people from different parts of our lives come together for one event to celebrate us! It was so interesting and sometimes funny to watch our family and friends intermingle with each other. (Ex: My dad actually becoming good friends/ dance partners with some of Dave’s friends to the point he now keeps in touch with them! Or at least makes sure to send messages via me or Dave!)”Lauren’s advice for brides + grooms planning a big wedding
” My advice when planning a larger wedding is to go for it, even if you are apprehensive like I was. I thought I just wanted to have our parents/ couple of best friends there, but after realizing it was one of our only chances to get so many people from all over the country- and even the world together- it clicked! It’s so special to see a large group of your favorite people come together for one night (or a weekend like our case) in a magical city they might not have ever thought to visit! I still have people telling me how much they loved Santa Fe and can’t wait to go back!”
Wedding Venues
La Fonda on the Plaza
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
La Posada de Santa Fe
Four Seasons Santa Fe
Loretto Chapel + The Inn and Spa at Loretto
Photos by Alicia + Ashley + Bre + Jen of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog/Interview + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Kirk + Taylor, a La Fonda and Loretto Chapel Wedding
Kirk and Taylor met many years ago by chance through mutual friends at a bar in Midland, Texas. Taylor was out celebrating a a friend’s graduation from college and Kirk just happened to be tagging along with their mutual friend Stephen. At the time, Taylor thought Kirk was really handsome, but because he had a girlfriend, she forgot about him (for the moment) .
Jumping forward five years and Taylor was back in her (amazing) hometown of Austin, TX and, as fate would have it, Kirk had recently moved back to that same little city after completing his masters in New York City at Columbia University. One summer evening in 2015, Taylor and her family were downtown celebrating her brother’s 21st birthday when, like so many years ago, Kirk tagged along with Stephen for the celebrations. Kirk and Taylor, aka future Mr. and Mrs. Logan, absolutely hit it off when Kirk ended up partying with Taylor’s family all night!
These lovers wanted a classic, yet beautiful ceremony at the historic Loretto Chapel in downtown Santa Fe followed up by an incredible party at one of our homes away from home, La Fonda on the Plaza. From their dreamy stationary designed by a family friend to the sweetest little first look to a post ceremony lavender toss on the steps of Loretto to not one, but two unreal cakes by Chocolate Maven Bakery, this August day was seriously amazing. We’re forever wishing that we could relive it over and over again, congrats to the Logans, we love y’all so much!
Vendors
Venues - Loretto Chapel , La Fonda on the Plaza
Florals - Santa Fe Floral
Invitations - Letterpress Made
Cakes - Chocolate Maven
Hair - Diana Rose Color Studio
MUA - Monica Stark Makeup
Bridal Gown - Rita Vineris
Bridal Boutique - Julian Gold
Bride’s Shoes - Stuart Weitzman
Band - Diamond Empire Band
Videography - Box Light Films
Photos by Alicia Padilla of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn Younger of Alicia Lucia Photography