Doug + Marissa, a Magical National Hispanic Cultural Center Wedding

As if it were a day straight from a dream, Marissa and Doug were wed on an ethereal September day in a celebration filled to the brim with bliss. These lovers’ adoration for one another took center stage on a fall day that won’t be forgotten soon.

These sweet angels first met back in 2017 at Marble Brewery in Albuquerque, NM and after one date they immediately knew their love was beyond special. After many years of exploring the world together including hiking, camping, traveling, eating amazing food, and hanging with their cutie pup Addie, Doug and Marissa were ready to take their love to the next level. In spring of 2021, Doug proposed to Marissa at Zion National Park with the most divine ring (part of which was the Marissa’s mother’s original wedding band).

Marissa and Doug knew that they wanted their wedding to feel elegant, yet boho and true to their Southwestern home, so they decided to bring the party to the iconic National Hispanic Cultural Center located in the historic Barelas neighborhood of downtown Albuquerque. With its close proximity to the wilds of the Bosque and its uniquely gorgeous architecture, this New Mexico staple made the perfect backdrop for these cuties’ nuptials. Doug and Marissa kept their style incredibly elevated with classic wedding day elements (such as Doug’s sharp suit and Marissa’s divine bridal look) paired next to modern elements (just peep all that pampas grass and that stunning sweetheart table). And, to make their day even more fun, these lovebirds had over 20 of their closest friends in their wedding party (and they were truly the best freaking crew on the planet!!!). Opting out of a first look with one another, Marissa and Doug spent their pre-ceremony moments with their besties (Marissa did the sweetest first look with her gals and Doug spent a little extra time with angel pup Addie) and when they finally got to see one another, everyone present could feel just how deep and real their love truly is. After their emotional ceremony, Doug and Marissa took in some of their first moments as newlyweds wandering around National Hispanic Cultural Center’s dreamy grounds, soaking up all of their love for each other and excitement for their new chapter. To top it all off, Marissa and Doug held the party of the century with the best people, most delicious food, and loveliest scenery. These angels danced right into their life as husband and wife surrounded by all of their favorite people and it was the most magical of evenings.

From the first moment we met these two cuties, we knew they were beyond special humans and their wedding was such a testament to how wonderful they are to know and love. Doug and Marissa, we’re forever obsessed with you both, let’s do it all again soon?!

Vendors
Venue - National Hispanic Cultural Center
Florals - Charlotte’s Flowers
Invitations - Seventy Six Studio
Hair + Makeup - Something Ginger
Bridal Gown - The Dressing Room West
Bride’s Shoes - Badgley Mishcka
Rings - John Thomas Jewelers
Bridesmaid Dresses - Baltic Born
Groom’s Attire - Men’s Wearhouse
Groomsmen Attire - Stitch and Tie
Signage - Scrybe
Ceremony Decor - Til Death Collective
Officiant - Amor Ceremonies
Cake - Toothache Cakery
Catering - City Treats Catering

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - 5 Albuquerque Venues to Fall in Love With

Even though the past few wedding seasons have been filled with the most magical destinations both near and far from our beloved New Mexico, there’s nothing quite like The Land of Enchantment, especially our sweet little hometown of Albuquerque.

While we do spend a huge amount of time up north in Santa Fe, we never say no to enchanting celebrations in the city where everything started for us over a decade ago. On the surface, Albuquerque may not seem like a typical wedding destination, but if you you peek around all of its little corners you’ll be absolutely astonished with the divine wedding venues hidden in our quaint city. From heavenly lavender farms to epic historical landmarks to tranquil gardens, Albuquerque is truly a haven for wedding nuptials.

We couldn’t resist the chance to feature just a glimpse of a few of the Albuquerque wedding venues that continually take our breath away, season after season. Our hearts beat just a little faster every time we get to capture love at these incredibly special locations and we’re forever crossing our fingers for even more “I dos” at a few of our favorite gems.

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Venue - National Hispanic Cultural Center
Located right near downtown Albuquerque, this historic location is known for its grandiose performing arts center, unique architecture, and rich history. However, one of the many details we love so much about National Hispanic Culture Center is the way that it also makes for the most perfect of wedding locations. Its blend of soft garden touches and stunning southwestern flair makes it truly the best of both worlds.

Venue - Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

While this world renowned lavender farm needs no introduction, we simply can’t help falling madly in love with it time and time again. With its downright bewitching grounds (including an endless lavender field, iconic silos, and countless gardens) this beauty is a place we are always able to find a little bit more charm in every single time we visit. We can’t wait for more of our darling couples to become as spellbound with Los Poblanos as we have been for all of these years.

Venue - Casas de Sueños + San Isidro de Capilla
We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to feature one of the most entrancing wedding location combination we’ve ever laid eyes upon. The pure white, non-denomination beauty of San Isidro de Capilla makes for the perfect blank canvas for any couple desiring a classic wedding chic feeling that still lends perfectly to the even the most modern of fêtes. And truthfully, we think that one of the most delightful ways to follow up a ceremony in this Albuquerque staple is with an al fresco celebration at Casas de Sueños, a tiny garden known for its irresistible beauty. This little spot is close enough to the stunning bosque, yet far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city, making it the most quaint location.

Venue - Old Town Farm
Perfectly tucked away right near Old Town Albuquerque, this darling little venue is truly the most peaceful of locations. From its stellar red barn to its tiny corn field to vast grounds, Old Town Farm is captivating beyond belief. And if its charming features weren’t enough, this alluring little spot perfectly reflects all of New Mexico’s seasons with its constantly changing foliage.

Venue - Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town
Last, but never least is one of our all time favorites and one of the first venues we ever photographed. Hotel Albuquerque is known for its incomparable beauty, from its Spanish-inspired ceremony pavilion to its stunning, open-air garden, to its famous architecture. We adore this space and the way that couples have continually loved it year after year. We couldn’t dream up a more romantic setting to make if official in the heart of Albuquerque.

Logan + Audry, a Magical Taos Ski Valley Wedding

On the most divine afternoon in August, Logan and Audry said “I do” after nine whole years of being together. These sweet Wisconsin angels invited us to be a part of the magic up in Taos Ski Valley and it was truly heaven on earth.

Long before they were making it last name official in the iconic Kachina Basin at Taos, Logan and Audry were just a couple of college students who happened to meet by chance through mutual friends at a party. They found an almost instant spark and have been falling more and more in love with each other since. A few years down the road, Logan and Audry moved to the beautiful Southwest where they currently live with their two pups, Skip and Georgia. And as if life couldn’t get any sweeter for these cuties, Logan proposed to Audry in 2019 on a rainy day in New York City.

For their special day, these hunnies decided to get hitched at Taos Ski Valley not only due to its immense beauty, but because its the ski resort where Logan taught Audry how to ski and it continues to be one of their favorite places in all of New Mexico. On top of having the most ethereal mountain view for their nuptials, Audry and Logan also had details that were absolutely to die for. From Audry’s divine bridal gown by Made With Love Bridal to out-of-this-world signage and invitations by Funky Olive Design to the most majestic florals by Floral Elegance to the most stunning reception design by Wild in Wonder, this day was nothing short of the most gorgeous day dream. And if their details weren’t enough to swoon over, Logan and Audry even took some time to wander around with us through the beautiful woods and serene scenery of Taos Ski Valley for some of the most enchanting romantics we’ve ever laid our eyes on.

These two and this day will forever be one that we simply can’t get enough of, cheers to all the love and joy Logan and Audry brought to their incredible summer day! We can’t wait for even more mountain weddings that will surely captivate us over and over again!

Vendors
Venue - Taos Ski Vally + The Blake
Planning + Coordination - Wild in Wonder
Florals - Floral Elegance
Invitations + Signage - Funky Olive Design
Ring Box - The Mrs Box
Hair - Jayce of Betty Rose by Alanna
Makeup - Alanna of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridal Gown - Made With Love Bridal
Bride’s Earrings - Katie + Mari
Bride’s Shoes - Lulus
Bridesmaid Dresses - Revelry
Groom + Groomsmen Attire - The Black Tux
Cake - Toothache Cakery
Rentals - Colorado Party Rentals
DJ - Complete Weddings
Lead Photographer - Ashley
Second Photographer - Cameron
Assistant - Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Wedding Cakes

If you know our team, you know that wedding cakes hold such a big space in our hearts. Truth be told, we’re downright obsessed with seeing how our couples bring together their unique style with this traditional staple.

Each and every season brings out new cake trends as well as the classic styles we’ve come to absolutely adore over the years. We’ve been crushing so dang hard on all of the funky shag rug cakes, incredible heart-shaped beauties, and those pressed flower darlings, but we’re also major fans of those ever-so-stunning buttercream floral cakes that compliment literally any wedding out there. And the best of all is when we get to witness a perfect blend of a tried and true trend with something brand new (peep that floral cake adorned with custom made jewelry shapes below!).

We’re so dang ready to kick off our 2022 season and see all of those deliciously divine creations every single weekend, bring on all the sugar-coated goodness!

Featured Cake Bakers
Planty Sweet
Maggie’s Cakes
Feathers and Frosting
Chocolate Maven
Figs and Honey Cake Co
Cake Fetish
Toothache Cakery
Simply Sweet by Darci
Sweet Treets Bakery
A Cake Odyssey

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

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 - Northern New Mexico Weddings

While Albuquerque and Santa Fe might be two of the cities we frequent the most for dreamy weddings, we can’t deny the absolute enchantment of northern New Mexico. From the painted deserts of Abiquiu to the mystic mountains of Taos to the serene aura of Eagle Nest Lake, there’s something charming to be found at every corner of this little part of New Mexico.

Over the past few seasons, we’ve been lucky enough to catch tiny glimpses of all the bewitching area that is northern New Mexico. We’re beyond smitten with every part of the north, whether its the pretty ranches, the historic monuments or even the tiniest, most intimate spaces.

We’re so excited for even more wonderful days in the north, here’s to all the beautiful love stories still to come!!!

Featured Locations + Love Stories
The Stakeout Taos - Nathan + Cathryn
Ghost Ranch - Jake + Becky
Taos Ski Valley - Logan + Audry
Angel Fire - Jacob + Lisa
Pecos Historical Site - Jimmy + Maggie
La Mesita Ranch Estate - Solve + Alex
Eagle Nest Lake - Boot + Mallory
El Monte Sagrado - Matthew + Alysia

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