Wedding Inspo - Top 5 Santa Fe Wedding Venues

Being from the gorgeous state of New Mexico, we spend a whole lot of time in our beautiful capital city of Santa Fe. We picked our top five places to tie the knot in The City Different and, dang, are they dreamy.

From the adobe-adorned plaza to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to way out in the desert, there are so many uniquely stunning places to say “I do” in and around Santa Fe. We adore spending time at La Fonda on the Plaza and La Posada de Santa Fe, both of which are located right near the heart of the city and have the most divine, historic architecture. We’re also head-over-heels for all the venues out in the wilds of New Mexico. From Georgia O’Keeffe’s beloved gem Ghost Ranch to the the hidden mountain beauty of Four Seasons Santa Santa Fe to the eclectic, wildly unique vibes of Hacienda Doña Andrea, couples have a plethora of ethereal, Southwestern spots to make it last name official.

We’re obsessed with all the incredible celebrations we’ve captured at these stellar venues and can’t wait to witness even more love and magic at them soon!

Our Top 5 Santa Fe Venues w/Featured Love Stories
La Fonda on the Plaza - Carter + Carrie and Derek + Brigitte
Four Seasons Santa Fe - Garrett + Kyla and Adam + Shubha
Ghost Ranch - Jake + Becky and Jason + Ryan
Hacienda Doñ Andrea - Zac + Shelly and Geoff + Jocelyn
La Posada de Santa Fe - Ashwin + Lauren and Tyler + Cassie

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

Tom + Justine, an Elegant Santa Fe Wedding

When New York lovers Tom and Justine reached out to us almost two years ago to capture their day, we knew it was going to be one for the books. These two brought all that East Coast glam to the heart of the Southwest and we’re still so incredibly obsessed with it all.

These stunners fell in love after meeting in 2017 and have been together ever since. They’re currently both attorneys and live in New York City with their sweet sweet labradoodle Sam. Before the pandemic, we got to hang out with them for the dreamiest Central Park engagement session we’ve ever seen and we’re still so in love with it.

Even though 2020 forced them to change their wedding date several times, Tom and Justine were still able to do the dang thing this spring at dreamy little La Fonda on the Plaza. Not even crazy weather could keep these sweethearts from saying “I do” surrounded by all of their family and friends. From their soft, yet classic florals to Justine’s beyond elegant bridal look to the most perfect first dance, these two set the bar so high. We adored catching their emotional first look and the most magical post-rain shots right after their ceremony.

Cheers to these stellar newlyweds, every part of their day was beyond unforgettable!

Vendors
Venues - La Fonda on the Plaza + Hotel St.Francis
Invitations - Mesh by Alex
Calligraphy - Meredith Allison Calligraphy
Florals - Floriography Flowers
Rings - Marisa Perry Atelier
Velvet Ring Box - The Mrs Box
Hair + Makeup - The Beauty Bar
Bridal Gown - Amsale
Groom’s Attire - Label Custom Clothing
Officiant - Keith Lewis
Escort Cards + Candles - Seda France
Baker - Chocolate Maven
Napkin Linens - La Tavola Linen
Band - Diamond Empire Band
Gift Boxes + Gift Items - Mr. Takeout Bags + The Essential Market
Lead Photographer - Bre
Second Photographer - Briana
Assistants - Mikey + Autumn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Ceremony Altars

Whether its a mini-wedding with a handful of guests or a giant, incredibly lively wedding with a whole bunch of friends and family members, our couples always find a way to make their ceremonies extra gorgeous, especially when it comes to the backdrops they pick to stand in front of to say “I do”. From stunning floral installations to incredible ceremony arches, we’ve seen it all, but we love looking back at some of the most show-stopping ceremony set ups we’ve seen over the past year.

As expected, we captured a ton of floral arches, from the bright and bold to the soft and whimsical varieties. Arches, both of of the wooden variety and of the purely floral design are becoming a wedding staple that we’re sure will always be a fan fave.

But besides this new classic, what other beauties have adorned alters and made vows that much more special? There are a few pretty little designs that come to mind and wow, are we still drooling over them. Just a few of our current faves include a dreamy mauve-toned geometric backdrop, the most eye-catching florals being draped from a tiny balcony, and a boho rug framed with giant pampas grass arrangements. And, of course, we can’t forget how one of our couples opted for that wide open New Mexico sky to be their ceremony background as they exchanged vows at a backyard wedding in the Santa Fe mountains.

We’re not sure what new altar trends will take the wedding world by storm in the coming years, but we do know that they’ll be absolutely divines and we’re so dang here for it all.

Featured Weddings + Styled Shoots
Zach + Natalie at The Desert Compass
Emerson Venue Styled Wedding
Nathan + Caitlin in Denver, CO (coming soon to the blog)
Jawara + Jasmyn at Los Poblanos
Brittany + Angie in Nob Hill (coming soon to the blog)
Ben + Emilee at Sandia Event Center
Matt + Allie in Santa Fe, NM (coming soon to the blog)
Drew + Lauren at La Mesita Ranch Estate
John + Anna at La Fonda on the Plaza
Jeremy + Michelle at Los Poblanos (coming soon to the blog)
Patrick + Niki at Enchanted Vine Barn
Geoff + Jocelyn at Hacienda Doña Andrea
James + Lauren at Los Poblanos
Morgan + Mattie at Las Campanas
Carter + Carrie at La Fonda on the Plaza
Qwist + Cara at Los Poblanos
Trey + Clara in San Patricio, NM
Zach + Coli at Hotel Albuquerque
Chris + Ari at Los Poblanos
Ashwin + Lauren at La Posada de Santa Fe
Jordan + KC in Santa Fe, NM
Adam + Jill at Los Poblanos
Jason + Natalie at La Fonda on the Plaza
Colton + Lindsey at Hyatt Tamaya

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

Bridal Inspo - Strapless Wedding Gowns

A true bridal classic we see season after season, strapless wedding gowns are both elegant and just a tiny bit flirty. From the constructed couture variety to the plush blush styles to even the most gorgeous hand painted ones, strapless wedding gowns are definitely the perfect canvas for any bride to find her own unique style in for her big day!

One of the most special aspects of strapless wedding gowns is that the silhouette can still come in a multitude of styles. From sleek curve hugging gowns to ballgown inspired dresses to even the slightest mermaid bridal train, strapless gowns are each incredibly individual and downright beautiful!

We’re so excited to see what new designs and inspirations future strapless gowns will take on and we can’t wait to capture all of them!!!

Featured Bridal Gown Designers
Vera Wang
Eisen Stein Bridal
Ines di Santo
David’s Bridal
Stella York
Allure Bridals
Maggie Sottero
Hayley Paige
Reem Acra
Kelly Faetanini
Casa Blanca Bridal
Lillian West
Watters

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

Wedding Inspo - Why We Adore Elopements

Here in New Mexico, our team thrives in shooting the many big, bold, beautiful weddings all over the state, but we also live for the moments when we get to be a part of the sweet, quaint, intimate elopements! Just like larger, more traditional weddings, the main focus is always love, devotion and commitment, however, elopements tend to be much simpler and, of course, much much smaller. Here’s a few reasons why we have a soft spot for elopements!

- Intimacy
While we absolutely love getting to spend the day capturing those huge celebrations, there’s something magical about being alone with a couple sharing their first moments of married life with no one else around. We of course get to see lots of the same emotions as a traditional wedding ceremony, but we get to be even more up close and personal with our couples which makes it that much more meaningful for us behind the cameras.

-Cost
Its no surprise that elopements cost much less than average weddings do and today many couples all over the world are opting for elopements for just this reason. You can still get a stunning gown, a pretty bouquet, and a stellar hair/makeup artist without spending too much cash which is a huge bonus of elopements. In financially hard times, elopements are a great way to still look and feel amazing on your wedding day while still supporting a few small businesses along the way.

-Stress
Most of our wedding seasons consist of pretty big wedding days with some jaw dropping details (from floral installations, to killer reception music, to out of this world bridal fashion), but we know that the stress of putting together days like this might not be for everyone. And for that reason, elopements are a great alternative because a simple, intimate day with just you and your sweetheart (and a photog you both love) doesn’t put any pressure on you to having a larger than life floral arch or entertainment all of your guests will love. You get to focus on something a little bit simpler and a lot longer lasting, your love story and your future together.

-Location
Lastly, a really neat factor about elopements is that they can take place pretty much anywhere your heart desires. You can take a more classic route and head to the courthouse or they can be in the middle of a desert. The world is truly your oyster when it comes to eloping and while we have a few favorite locations that we adore for elopements here in New Mexico, we love seeing how they unfold across the globe.

A Few of Our Favorite Elopement Spots in New Mexico
White Mesa (San Ysidro, NM)
Nob Hill (Albuquerque, NM)
Los Poblanos (Albuquerque, NM)
White Sands (Southern NM)
Ghost Ranch (Northern NM)
Eagle Nest (Northern NM)
Sandia Mountains (Albuquerque, NM)

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

Wedding Inspo - Pampas Grass

We’ve always had a soft spot for that soft, flowy, ever so subtlety-netural toned plant known as pampas grass, so when this pretty little plant started to take off in the wedding world, we were absolutely thrilled to capture it even more!

Originating from Southern American countries including Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, pampas grass was first introduced to the United States in Santa Barbara, California in the mid 1800s. And while this plant can sometimes push out other vegetation, it still manages to be extremely beautiful, unique, and very photogenic. Besides its common golden-yellow hue, pampas grass can also grow in colors from silvery-white to a soft pink (two shades that we want to see up close and personal).

Over the past few seasons, we’ve seen more brides and grooms take advantage of this versatile plant in their wedding decor. From using it as an accents in bridal bouquets and boutonnieres to subtlety placing it in reception centerpieces to adorning floral headpieces with it to letting it take center stage in both ceremony arches and aisle arrangements, the range of of what pampas grass can do truly seems unlimited!

We have a feeling that this interesting plant is here to stay for a few more seasons (and hopefully forever in the wedding world) and honestly we can’t wait to see what our couples do with it next. Long live pampas grass and all the bohemian vibes it encompasses on wedding days!

Featured Florists
Renegade Floral
Viva Flora
Albuquerque Florist
Floriography Flowers
Forth & Floral
A Beautiful Theme
Gaia Stvdio
Blue Ridge Blossoms
Placed by Polito

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

Wedding Inspo - Boho Bridal Gowns

If we know anything, its that boho brides have taken over the wedding scene these past few seasons! They bring in a carefree, wild-in-love, major queen bridal vibes and we are so on board for them. One of our favorite highlights about these lovelies are their gowns and how these dresses perfectly encapsulate that free-spirit energy we love so much on wedding days!

And just like every other style of gown, boho bridal gowns can be found in every single season and for every type of wedding day. From a long sleeve Lillian West stunner during a winter elopement at Eagle’s Nest in Northern New Mexico to a sultry little Lovers Society number for a summer wedding at Enchanted Vine Barn in Southern New Mexico to the most incredible, glistening Chosen by One Day beauty for the most insane White Sands elopement, we’ve seen gowns beyond our dizziest daydreams.

We can’t wait to see how boho bridal gowns, and the incredible women who wear them, continue to awe us on wedding days and beyond!

Featured Bridal Gown Designers
Jasmine
Chosen by One Day
One Day
Lovers Society
Lillian West
Rue de Seine
Made With Love
Claire Pettibone
Lihi Hod

Featured Bridal Boutiques
Bridal Elegance by Darlene (Albuquerque, NM)
Lovely Bride Denver (Denver, CO)
Lovely Bride NYC (New York City, NY)
Lovely Bride Dallas (Dallas, TX)
The Dressing Room West (Santa Fe, NM)
Dress Me Bridal (Bullard, TX)
Unbridaled (Houston, TX)
The White Room (Minneapolis, MN)

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

Wedding Inspo - Bridal Hair

With our official wedding season kicking off in only a few short weeks, our team wanted to share our favorite bridal hair styles from last season. We are still super in love with all of these dainty updos, long braided styles, and floral adorned beauties.

We can’t wait to see how this seasons brides absolutely kill the bridal glam game!

A Few of Our Fave Hairstylists
Genica Lee
Santiago Romero
The Vanity
Chrome Salon and Blowout Bar (Santa Fe)
Jewel Hair Design
The Beauty Bar (Santa Fe)
The Honeycomb Beauty Studio
DRS Colorstudio
Madeline McCue

Photos by the Alicia Lucia Photography Team
Blog + 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

Styled Sunday - a Ghost Ranch Vow Renewal

When it comes to the Southwest, there is simply nothing more magical than a glowing twilight evening at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico.  Bold hints of turquoise, soft dusty rose hues, and ethereal touches of cream make the perfect color palette for an romantic, authentic evening in the desert. Set amid the dramatic backdrop of New Mexico's expansive mountains and never-ending plains, this perfectly intimate, family-centered evening is complimented by Mother Nature's Southwest region. From lush adornments of  pampas grass to the burning of Palo Santo to indulgent Zapoteca drinking chocolate, this vow renewal is anything but ordinary. Welcome to an evening of all things extraordinary.

Vendors
Venue - Ghost Ranch
Planning + Coordination - Jessie Baca
Rentals - Rust Vintage
Florals - Viva Flora
Hair + MUA - Alana Banner at The Beauty Bar Santa Fe
Sweets - Kakawa Chocolate House
Models - Jules Fullerton + Percy Stith

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

Chris + Alexa, a La Fonda Summer Wedding

This June we were lucky enough to kick off our summer wedding season with Chris and Alexa's bright, Southwestern destination wedding at La Fonda on the Plaza. These lovers brought the party all the way from Houston, TX for an absolutely unforgettable day filled with bold wedding colors, a unique vintage wedding ring that belonged to the groom's grandmother, and the most divine crocheted wedding gown from Made With Love Bridal. From first look tears to a mariachi-led procession around the ever enchanting Santa Fe Plaza to a film-worthy sparkler send-off, Chris and Alexa set the expectations soooo freaking high!!! Huge congrats to the Heffrons, we were beyond thrilled to help you celebrate the beginning of your marriage in our gorgeous state of New Mexico!!!

Vendors
Venue - La Fonda on the Plaza
Planning + Coordination - Jessie Baca
Florals - Renegade Floral
Wedding Stationary + Invitations - Half Moon Lettering
Hair + Makeup - The Beauty Bar Santa Fe
Bridal Gown - Made With Love Bridal
Bridal Boutique - Unbridaled
Bridal Shoes - Stuart Weitzman
Bride's Engagement Ring - Groom's Grandmother
Bride's Earrings - Bride's Mother
Bridesmaid Gowns - Show Me Your Mumu
Groom's + Groomsmen's Suits - Men's Warehouse
Officiant - Reverend Bishop David Doyle
Cake - Chocolate Maven Bakery
Band - Bounce Band

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