2021, a Year with ALP

After the truly life changing year the was 2020, we knew that this year was going to be incredibly special as the world finally opened back up for big weddings and celebrations of all kinds. Our 2021 couples filled our cups to the brim with the must stunning days that we’ll cherish for seasons to come.

If going back to a full wedding season wasn’t exciting enough for us, we were also beyond lucky to travel to so many gorgeous new locations this year. From the vast wine country of Austin to the dreamy mountains of Taos to the ever mystic Ghost Ranch to all the new little spaces in Santa Fe, our scenery was far from the ordinary. On top of this, so many of our couples were finally able to celebrate with all of their friends and family, an experience that we will never take for granted ever again.

Cheers to all the new adventures with the best couples in the most stellar of places, we can’t wait for all that 2022 is sure to bring our way.

Places the ALP Team Visited in 2021
White Sands National Park (Alamagordo, NM)
Bishop’s Lodge Resort (Santa Fe, NM)
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Farm (Albuquerque, NM)
Four Seasons Santa Fe (Santa Fe, NM)
Camp Lucy (Dripping Springs, NM)
Ghost Ranch (Abiquiu, NM)
White Mesa (Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
La Posdada de Santa Fe (Santa Fe, NM)
Lighthouse Studio (Albuquerque, NM)
Camino Real Ranch (Austin, TX)
Breckenridge (Colorado)
Race and Religious (New Orleans, LA)
Hacienda Doña Andrea de Santa Fe (Cerillos, NM)
The Seraphim House (New Orleans, LA)
The Stakeout Taos (Taos, NM)
Sandia Foothills (Albuquerque, NM)
Taos Ski Valley (Taos, NM)
Sandia Resort (Albuquerque, NM)
La Fonda on the Plaza (Santa Fe, NM)
Tingley Beach (Albuquerque, NM)
Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town (Albuquerque, NM)
Sandia Mountains (Tijeras, NM)
Angel Fire (New Mexico)
La Mesita Ranch (Santa Fe, NM)
Hotel Andaluz (Albuquerque, NM)
Inn and Spa at Loretto (Santa Fe, NM)
El Malpais National Monument (Grants, NM)
Hotel St. Francis (Santa Fe, NM)
Farm and Table (Albuquerque, NM)
Ten Thousand Waves Resort (Santa Fe, NM)
Pecos National Historic Site (Pecos, NM)

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

Wedding Inspo - Winter Weddings + Elopements

The temperature might be getting more and more chilly, but we know that winter weddings and elopements always bring the heat. Even though we don’t capture a ton of cold weather celebrations, the ones that we get to be a part of are so incredibly divine.

Winter nuptials are not only insanely beautiful, they’re also deeply serene. From the cozy, romantic little moments to the way this time of year just ushers in those quiet, intimate gatherings, weddings in the coldest part of the year are beyond enchanting.

Keeping our fingers crossed for even more of these magical days in the future, we’re forever in love with celebrations of love in the middle of winter.

Featured Venues + Locations
Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (Albuquerque, NM)
La Fonda on the Plaza (Santa Fe, NM)
The Seraphim House (New Orleans, LA)
Four Seasons Santa Fe (Santa Fe, NM)
Ginger Ranch (Fredericksburg, TX)
Inn and Spa at Loretto (Santa Fe, NM)
Angel Fire (New Mexico)
Hacienda Doña Andrea (Santa Fe, NM)
El Monte Sagrado (Taos, NM)
Eldorado Hotel and Spa (Santa Fe, NM)
Eagle Nest (New Mexico)
Bishop’s Lodge Resort (Santa Fe, NM)

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

Michael + Anna, a Moody Winter Elopement at The Seraphim House New Orleans

This November would took a quick trip down south to New Orleans for a few days of absolute HEAVEN. We were treated to the most divine winter styled elopement at The Seraphim House and dang was it everything we could’ve wish for and more.

On this insanely pretty day in The Big Easy, we were treated to a true feast for the eyes at the beautiful, historic Seraphim House. This tiny gem of a venue was first built in the 1860’s and after being restored from 2012 to 2015, Seraphim House is now more stunning than ever. For this incredible day, our sweet friend Taylor of Traveling Weddings with Taylor put together a styled elopement beyond our wildest dreams. Stunning bride Anna wore the most gorgeous Rita Vinieris gown while her groom Michael complemented her angelic look perfectly with a red, velvet tux from Don Morphy. For the the most divine florals, Louisiana florist Violetta’s created not only the perfect moody bouquet, but also a beyond epic indoor floral arch. To top it off, Papier Handmade came through with a romantic hand-lettering adorned invitation suite.

This dreamy afternoon in Nola sparked our imaginations for all the moody, fairytale inspired nuptials. We’re here for all those stunning fantasy celebrations!!!

Vendors
Venue - The Seraphim House
Planning + Coordination - Traveling Weddings with Taylor
Planning Assistant - Rachel Rose Weddings
Florals - Violetta’s
Paper Goods + Hand Lettering - Papier Handmade
Hair - Jessica Jackson Hair
Makeup - Sarah Walsh Beauty
Bridal Gown - Rita Vinieris
Bridal Boutique - I Do Bridal Couture Covington
Groom’s Attire - Don Morphy
Models - Anna Sistrunk + Michael Durr
Photographer - Alicia
Assistant - Lindsay

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

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

Wedding Inspo - Summer Wedding Florals Second Edition

Even though fall wedding season is quickly approaching, we couldn’t help but share some of our favorite, recent summer bouquets. From the insanely colorful floral arches to the soft, subdued reception centerpieces, to the bold and bright bridal bouquets, summer weddings always bring a wide palette of color options! We adored every single one of these florals and can’t wait for what beauty the rest of this season will bring!

Featured Florists
Forth & Floral
Floriography
Renegade Floral
The Bouqs Co.
Bloomstream Flowers
Florectia Flowers
Mauldin’s Flowers


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

La Fonda on the Plaza - A Venue Feature

One of the best things about our sweet little job is how much time we get to spend in Santa Fe every year. Our capital city lies just to the north of our home base of Albuquerque and there is seriously magic around every corner of The City Different. From quaint adobe buildings to the historic plaza to some of the best New Mexican cuisine in the state, Santa Fe is seriously a gold mine for locals and visitors alike. It comes as no surprise that soooo many of our out of state couples select good old SF as the prime place to tie the knot and their number one destination is our home away from home, iconic La Fonda on the Plaza.

Not only is La Fonda memorable, but it is also incredibly significant to Santa Fe’s history. Initially founded in 1607 as Santa Fe’s first inn, La Fonda’s site is also the oldest hotel corner in the United States of America. However, the building that still stands today and has continually been loved and adored by New Mexicans and travelers alike wasn’t built until 1922. It features architectural influences by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter and John Gaw Meem including hand carved beams, ethereal stained glass window skylight, and a 25 foot cathedral ceiling. More info on this beautiful space can be found on La Fonda’s website.

We’ve spent a whole lot of time at this very special place over the past few years and we can’t wait to return later on in 2019 for even more beauty.

Our Real Love Stories
David + Lauren
Tyler + Jordan
Kirk + Taylor
Chris + Alexa
Derek + Brigiette

Photos by Alicia + Ashley + Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + 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