Wedding Inspo - Bridal Bouquets

Wedding trends may come and go, but one thing that’s here to stay forever are dreamy bridal bouquets! We see a ton of these beauties each season and they come in just about every style, from the chic romantic arrangements to the wild boho stunners to larger-than-life ultra colorful varieties. We’re not history buffs, but we wanted to share just a few of our favorite facts about bridal bouquets!!!

The tradition of brides carrying bouquets down the aisle (and, in our case, all over) on wedding days stems back to ancient Roman times. Back then, bouquets were not only made of herbs, spices, and grains, but they were thought to ward off evil spirits and signify new beginnings. However, more modern floral bouquets didn’t pop up in the wedding scene until the mid 1800s during the Victorian era and tended to only include roses (we can’t deny how much we love this stunner of a flower). During this time period, sending specific flowers (based on their meanings) to a lover became increasingly popular, leading many brides to pick flowers for their bridal bouquets that best reflected their ideals.

Flashing forward to the 21st century and bridal bouquets come in soooo many amazing colors, varieties, and sizes that we’re truly overwhelmed by all the beauty! We can’t wait to see what new twists our 2020 brides will take with their own florals. Cheers to hundreds of more insanely beautiful bouquets!!!

Featured Florists
Floriography Flowers
Renegade Floral
Forth & Floral
Bagels’ Florals
Desert Flower Co.
Albuquerque Wedding Florist
Blue Ridge Blooms
Artichokes and Pomegranates
Florecita Flowers
Ruidoso Flower Shop
Agave Florist
The Bouqs Co
For the Love of Flowers
People’s Flowers

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

Jordan + KC, a Cristo Rey and La Fonda Wedding

Fall weddings in Santa Fe are ALWAYS next level so we were beyond grateful when Jordan and KC asked us to capture their big day in New Mexico’s beautiful capital! A stunning ceremony at the ever historic Cristo Rey Catholic Church right off of the plaza, followed by the best party ever at La Fonda made this day sooo freaking amazing!!

They always say that you find love where you least expect it and Jordan + KC’s story brings that truth to the light. About 5 years ago, KC spotted Jordan at a local gym in Santa Fe and knew that she just had to get this hunk’s attention! She was leaving with a close friend (who happened to be a guy, but just a guy friend KC assures) and not wanting Jordan to mistake her friend for her boyfriend, KC snuck a cute little note with her phone number into Jordan’s gym locker! The rest is history because these lovers have been together ever since (ladies, let KC be your inspo for making the first move in 2020!) .

Fast forward to fall 2018 and these lovers were on a trip in Austin, TX for KC’s 30th birthday when Jordan surprised her with a proposal. He made sure that all of they friends were there for this major surprise!

One year later, Jordan and KC made it last name official with the prettiest, yet incredibly meaningful Santa Fe celebration. Opting out of a first look, these two got ready with their closest friends and then started off the day with an intimate ceremony at Cristo Rey Catholic Church (the same parish that KC was baptized at). We’ll (probably) never get over Jorden’s reaction to KC walking down the aisle or the unique beauty of this special church. We snuck off with these two for lots of dreamy romantics in some of our all-time favorite Santa Fe spots before capturing them twirling away on La Fonda’s terrace during blue hour. And if these babes couldn’t be even more fun, they not only danced to “Diamonds and Twine” by Ryan Hurd for their first dance, but they kicked off the party with a SECOND first dance to “All My Life” by KC n JoJo (pretty clever huh?!).

We can’t get enough of these genuine, kind, downright beautiful human beings! Jordan and KC, thank you for reminding us of why we love this sweet gig, we love capturing love!!! Cheers to many more years of being one of Santa Fe’s hottest couples!!! #KCnJoJoSayIDo

Vendors
Venues - Cristo Rey Catholic Church + La Fonda on the Plaza
Florals - Renegade Floral
Invitations + Signage - Minted
MUA - Marisa Lux Makeup
Hair - Chic Boutique by Julia and Krista Peterson
Bridal Gown - Lillian West
Bridal Boutique - The Dressing Room West
Bride’s Shoes - Vince Camuto from BHLDN
Gift Book - Love Book Online
Custom Rings - deBella Jewelry
Bridesmaid Dresses - Birdy Grey
Bridesmaids Gifts - Michael Kors + Birkenstock
Groom + Groomsmen Suits - Hockerty
Ties + Pocket Squares - The Tie Bar
Shoes - Cole Haan
DJ - John Edwards
Cake - Cake Odyssey
Lead Photographer - Alicia
Second Photographer - Bre
Assistants - Jaclyn + Taylor

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

John + Anna, an avant-garde La Fonda wedding

Over the last few wedding seasons we’ve spent a lot of time at the ever gorgeous historic La Fonda on the Plaza and we’ve captured so much love at this beautiful venue. So when John and Anna came all the way from Brooklyn, NY to celebrate their big day at La Fonda, we couldn’t wait to see how they’d make their day so perfectly unique. Lets just say, they did not disappoint. These lovers not only brought big East Coast glam to the heart of the Southwest, but they did it in a way that was outrageously fun, remarkable, and truly a celebration like no other!

John and Anna met through mutual friends at a holiday party and although John tried to get Anna’s number from their friend James, he was unsuccessful (but still managed to get in contact with her!). After several years together, John (discreetly) proposed to Anna with her grandmother’s wedding diamond (swoon) at Grand Central Station before surprising her with dinner at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in upstate New York.

Even though their wedding day had a surprise rainstorm, Anna and John didn’t let anything stop them from celebrating their love! During a slight drizzle (which truly made their ceremony all the more romantic), these two said “I do”surrounded by all of their loved ones on La Fonda’s famous La Terraza balcony. And if their ceremony wasn’t enough to make us super heart-eyed over them, John and Anna’s absolutely killer vendor team including Renegade Floral (bringing those stunning arches and bouquets), Maggie’s Wedding Cakes (with the craziest rainbow creation, shag rug inspired greatness), makeup artist Kata Baron (who’s the queen b of that natural bridal glow), Vera Wang (with a classic yet so dang modern bridal gown) and Diamond Empire Band (a crew that always brings down the house with reception jams) made this day one for the books! They also brought in paper goods and signage from their incredibly talented friend Natalie Soud (please come design our entire lives!) and bluegrass ceremony music courtesy of Santa Fe based Kitty Jo Creek Band.

To top it all off, these two surprised everyone with a choreographed first dance that included just the right amount of both ballroom dancing and disco! John and Anna didn’t just have a super glam wedding, they had a wedding that was completely theirs, true to them and we adore them so much for it! Thank you for letting us be a part of your epic Santa Fe party, congrats Mr and Mrs Redmond!!!

Vendors
Venue - La Fonda on the Plaza
Invitations + Paper Goods + Signage - Natalie Soud
Florals - Renegade Floral
Hair - Beauty Bar Santa Fe
MUA - Kata Baron
Bridal Gown + Boutique - Vera Wang
Bride’s Shoes - Ralph Lauren + Stuart Weitzman
Bride’s Earrings + Rings - Zwikker and Zacher
Reception Gown - The Law Bridal from The One Bridal Boutique
Ring Box - The Mrs Box
Bride’s PJs - Oliva Von Halle
Bride’s Purse - Loeffler Randall
Bridesmaids’ Robes - Ten Thousand Waves Resort
Groom’s Suit - Ralph Lauren
Groom’s Bolo Tie - Moonlight Gemstones
Groom’s Boots - Lucchese
Ceremony Music - Kitty Jo Creek Band
Reception Music - Diamond Empire Band
Cake - Maggie’s Wedding Cakes
Lead Photographer - Bre
Second Photographer - Melanie
Assistant - Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Vendor Feature - Renegade Floral

As wedding season quickly approaches, not only are we excited for all of the incredible bridal gowns, cakes, and golden hour romantics, but we are sooo pumped to see all of the incredible florals our couples incorporate into their special days. One of our favorite little floral teams, Renegade Floral, is notorious for whipping up some of the dreamiest bouquets, arches, and arrangements we’ve ever laid eyes on! We can’t hardly wait to see what this incredible girl squad envisions this year!

Florals
Renegade Floral

Venues
La Fonda on the Plaza
La Posada de Santa Fe
La Mesita Ranch
Inn of the Five e Graces
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

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

Real Weddings - Alter Inspiration

No matter how many weddings we shoot every season, we are constantly in awe of the incredible decor, especially floral designs, that couple select for their alters. Whether its a lush floral arch, a unique wooden tepee, or even a collection of pretty little lanterns, so many of our lovers have picked the dreamiest adornments to say “ I do” in front of and under. Don’t mind us while we’re forever lusting after these incredible set ups.

Real Life Love Stories
Tyler + Cassie at La Posada de Santa Fe
Chris + Emma at Hacienda Doña Andrea
Brian + Ashley at Eldorado Hotel & Spa
Walker + Addie at La Posada de Santa Fe
Rocky Mountain Bride Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Dustin + Ashley at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Chris + Alexa at La Fonda on the Plaza
Scott + Leanne at SITE Santa Fe
Alex + Amber at High Country Lodge (Pagosa Springs, CO)
Josh + Delaney at Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club
Derek + Brigitte at La Fonda on the Plaza
Randy + Elizabeth at the Santa Fe Opera
Keith + Clare at La Posada de Santa Fe
Loren + Julia at Four Seasons Santa Fe
Gary + April at La Mesita Ranch
Amy + Crystal at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Thommy + Kathryn at Hubbell House
Chris + Teresa at Albuquerque Railyards
Shane + Megan at Private Residence in Albuquerque, NM

Photos by Alicia, Ashley, Bre, Jen, and Brittany of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blot + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Fall Wedding Florals

The only thing more exciting than the beginning of October and the amazing season of fall, is all of the incredible floral color palettes that come out this time of the year.  From deep reds, to soft pops of orange, to dark berry details & classic creams, its hard to pick our fave floral combination for this season. We decided to showcase some of the most epic bouquets, killer ceremony florals, and downright incredible reception arrangements from a few of New Mexico’s most amazing florists.  We’re beyond ready for all the beauty to come this autumn!

Florists
Renegade Floral
Viva Flora
Floriography
Jessica Wonder Events
People’s Flowers
Albuquerque Florist

Venues + Locations
La Fonda on the Plaza
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Ghost Ranch
New Mexico  - Various Mesa and Desert Locations

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

Real Weddings - Fall Reception Inspiration

As temperatures cool down, wedding color palettes warm up in anticipation for one our favorite seasons, fall!! Autumn weddings have a special place in our hearts, from romantic candle arrangements to moody florals to the coziest of details to touches of crimson just about everywhere, its not hard to see why this season is a fan favorite for couples and photographers alike. We’re so excited for the most wonderful season of the year that we’ve found our favorite fall wedding reception touches right here on the blog!

Venues
Los Pobalnos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
La Fonda on the Plaza

Florals
Floriography
Vivia Flora
Renegade Floral
Stephanie Yardman Floral Design
People’s Flowers

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

Derek + Brigitte, a La Fonda Wedding

Derek and Brigitte, where to even begin? We were so stoked to kick off 2018 with these two and shooting their stunning wedding in the heart of the Santa Fe Plaza. Along with all of their dreamy wedding day details, we were truly struck by this couple's genuine, open, REAL love. There is nothing more affirming and incredible than witnessing an authentic connection between two beautiful souls. Derek and Brigitte were so ready and willing to not only begin their lifelong journey, but to let everyone around it (including us!!) be completely immersed in their breathtaking love story.  From their love for their adorable son Jude, to their close knit family/friends to their never ending laughs and smiles, Derek and Brigitte are proof that the once in a lifetime kinda love everyone searches for, is out there. Thank you for inspiring us with your love you two, congrats on your beautiful new chapter together!!!!

Vendors
Venue - La Fonda on the Plaza
Planning + Coordination - Samie Doerfler of La Fonda
Florals - Renegade Floral
MUA + Hair - Genica Lee
Bridal Gown - Maggie Sottero
Bridesmaid Gowns - BHLDN
Wedding Stationary - Minted
Officiant - Daniel Dangaran
Cake + Sweets - Bakery B&B
Guitarist - Roberto Capocchi
DJ - Vicky Speer of Absolute Entertainment
 

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

Adam + Cecille, an Intimate Santa Fe Wedding

Although it was one of the smallest weddings we've photographed lately, Adam and Cecille's day in Santa Fe was full of heart and incredibly sweet, family-centered moments. These lovers decided that even though they wanted a traditional church ceremony, they still wanted to throw in a more modern trend and do a first look before tying the knot! After saying "I do" at The Church of the Holy Faith, Adam and Cecille headed to La Fonda on the Plaza to celebrate their new life together with 30 of their closest family members. We loved capturing this sweet pair and their intimate day!

Vendors
Venue - La Fonda on the Plaza
Florals - Renegade Floral
MUA - Monica Stark
Hair - Ana Cladia da Silva
Invitations - The Stationary Company, Denver
Bridal Gown - Justin Alexander
Bridal Boutique - Low's Bridal
Bridal Shoe's - Menbur
DJ - John Edwards

Photos by Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn Younger of Alicia Lucia Photography

Gil + Joanna, a La Posada de Santa Fe Wedding

While from out of state, our sweet couple Gil & Jonna, chose Santa Fe as the perfect place to start the next chapter of their love story! They were wed at La Posada de Santa Fe on a warm August day with an incredibly moving ceremony and a reception for the books! Amid the colorfully eclectic background of Santa Fe, Gil and Joanna paired classic wedding elegance with soft pastel details, sparkling gold bridesmaids dresses, and bold, yet romantic florals.  They even included Conchita the Tequila Donkey, a crowd favorite,  in their celebration! Congrats to these darlings, we will never stop being in love with your magical day!

Vendors:
Venue - La Posada de Santa Fe
Planning + Coordination - Just Lovely Weddings
Florals- Renegade Floral
Conchita the Tequila Donkey - Eric Roybal at La Posada Santa Fe and Bear Creek Adventures
MUA + Hair  - Betty Rose by Alanna, The Honeycomb Beauty Studio
Bridal Gown - Kelly Faetanini
Bridal Shoes - Schutz
Bridesmaid Gowns - Etsy
Groom + Groomsmen Tuxes - The Black Tux
 

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