Michael + Mariah, a Sultry White Sands National Park Elopement

We captured one of our first elopements of the season down south at White Sands National Park with absolute babes, Michael and Mariah. Their romantic day doubled as a maternity session as these hunnies prepare to welcome their new little bundle of joy into the world.

When Michael and Mariah told us that they wanted a sultry session we knew they’d bring the heat, but dang did they make this day about 100 degrees hotter than we imagined. From their killer style to their intense love for another, these lovers really know how to make magic out in the desert.

Bring on all the steamy afternoons with the most stellar lovers, they’re truly our jam!

Location - White Sands National Park
Lead Photographer - Bre B
Second Photographer - Lexie

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Caleb + Erin, an Ethereal Hacienda Doña Andrea Wedding

Every season we get to be around some of the most wonderful humans on the planet, but once in a great while we get to meet couples that truly leave us speechless in the best way possible. Caleb and Erin are two souls who truly embody everything we believe about love, kindness, compassion, and beauty. Being a tiny part of their magnificent August day was one of the greatest gifts we received last season.

Long before they graced us with their presence, Caleb and Erin were both in college at Doane University in Create, Nebraska when they met each other by chance at a dance club on campus. They ended up performing in a small show together, but fell out of touch afterwards. A few years later, Caleb and Erin once again crossed paths while at a bar, this time through mutual friends, and hit it off. Erin, being the absolute QUEEN she is, decided to shoot her shot and went in for a kiss just as the bartender announced last call. Caleb sent Erin a Snapchat the very next and the rest is truly history.

A few years down the road in early 2020, Erin made the journey down to Albuquerque to visit Caleb, not knowing that he had been planning to propose to her during her trip. After his initial masterplan of proposing at Tent Rocks fell through due to closures, Caleb secretly coordinated with their friends and family to change plans and took Erin up on a little hike in the Sandia Mountains. After convincing Erin to bring along her camera to take a few photos using the self-timer, Caleb popped the question to which Erin said YES (and he captured it all on camera, just like Erin had always dreamed of).

In the summer of 2021, these angels made it last name official at one of our favorite spots near Santa Fe, Hacienda Doña Andrea. This joyful day was truly plucked out of a movie, Erin and Caleb’s celebration was one that touched everyone present. Wedding designer extraordinaire Molly Donovan made this dream day go off without a hitch while the babes at Manmade and Sage created florals that perfectly blended modern elegance, Southwestern flair, and under-the-sea vibes. On top of this, Erin’s bridal style was ethereal beyond belief; she included soft glam by Ashley of Betty Rose by Alanna and Jewel Hair Design alongside an effortlessly divine Alena Leena gown. And if their details weren’t enough, Caleb and Erin’s ceremony had everyone in tears when they expressed their unending love for each other. Caleb and Erin finished off their unforgettable day with romantics on the roof (!!!!) and a reception filled with incredible food and timeless music. Truth be told, not even a little bit of rainfall could stop these hunnies from partying it up all night long in the name of love.

We’ll forever have the most love and gratitude for these babes and for their little August day. Caleb and Erin, we adore you guys, let’s do it all again soon?

Vendors
Venue - Hacienda Doña Andrea
Planning - Details by Molly Donovan
Florals - Manmade and Sage
Invitations + Signage - RK Creative Design
Hair - Jewel Hair Design
Makeup - Ashley of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridal Gown - Alena Leena Bridal
Bridal Boutique - Arc Bridal Boutique
Bride’s Shoes - Bella Belle Shoes
Vow Books + Ring Box - Etsy
Rings - Helzberg Diamonds
Bridesmaid Dresses - Show Me Your Mumu
Groom + Groomsmen Attire - Men’s Wearhouse
Rentals - Colorado Party Rentals
Catering - Paloma Restaurant
Cake - Figs and Honey Cake Co
Band - Diamond Empire Band
Lead Photographer - Alicia
Second Photographer - Molly
Assistant - Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Dogs in Weddings

When it comes to weddings and elopements, there’s one guest we adore above all: dogs. We are absolutely smitten each time one of our couples includes their sweet fur babies in their special day and always have to squeeze in a few extra photos (and pets) with them.

No matter the type of wedding, we truly believe that including dogs should be a YES every single time. From the biggest, most elegant days to the quieter, more intimate nuptials, pups really do make everything that much more fun and exciting. We love seeing these precious furry angels ‘get ready’ with their parents, be a part of the ceremony, and (of course) be the star of any and all portraits.

If you’re on the fence about including your pups in your wedding or elopement, this is your sign to do it and to bring us with you!!

Featured Weddings + Elopements
Logan + Audry at Taos Ski Valley
Ben + Chelsey at White Sands National Park
Kenny + Molly at La Posada de Santa Fe
Andrew + Deanna at Hotel Andaluz
Tyler + Taylor in the East Mountains
Bobby + D’anndra at Hacienda Doña Andrea
Collin + Amber at a Private Estate in Albuquerque
Owen + Amelia at Hotel Albuquerque
Matt + Allie at a Private Estate in Santa Fe
Daniel + Nat at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Morgan + Mattie at Las Campanas

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

Lisa + Vina, an Ethereal White Sands Proposal

When sweet angel Lisa fist reached out to us about capturing her surprise proposal to long-time partner Vina at White Sands National Park, we knew it was going to be an incredibly beautiful moment to capture. We never could have imagined how deeply we would be touched by these two or how epic their day in southern New Mexico would truly be.

Vina and Lisa first met nearly a decade in 2012 ago via Tumblr as they both worked as graphic designers. At first they were both surprised with how attracted they were to each other (neither had been in a LGBTQ relationship before), but before long these cuties knew that they were destined for one another. After several years of long distance and then finally living together, Lisa and Vina set out to move back to the Bay Area together and start their next chapter.

We knew months in advance that Lisa would be surprising Vina with a proposal, but Lisa didn’t know that Vina would propose back home in California just a short time before their journey to New Mexico! When the day of their White Sands visit finally happened, Vina instantly said yes to Lisa’s proposal. We got to catch every sweet second of it and roam around this heavenly national park with these babes. And, as if the universe didn’t already prove that Lisa and Vina’s love was written in the stars, Mother Nature sent the most stunning rainbow over White Sands just in time.

We’ll forever be so blown away by those stories of our couples who make it through it all together, it truly is the biggest highlight of our jobs. Cheers to these angels, we can’t freaking wait to capture their 2023 wedding in Los Gatos, California!!!

Location - White Sands National Park
Rings - Brilliant Earth
Photographer - Alicia

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

Davis Family, a Precious White Sands Session

Earlier this summer, we headed to Southern New Mexico for a pretty evening at White Sands National Park with the Davis family. These three were the absolute sweetest to capture, we’re fully obsessed with family sessions at National Parks.

We braved some of the craziest weather with the Davis family, but dang was it worth. We captured the moodiest skies over White Sands and it was truly something incredibly unique. Bring on all the sessions at all the insanely pretty locations!!!!

Location - White Sands National Park
Hair + MUA - Genica Lee
Photographer - Alicia

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Michael + Kieu-Vi, an Ethereal White Sands Engagement

When Houston sweethearts Michael and Kieu-Vi reached out to us about capturing their gorgeous engagement at White Sands National Park, we knew it would be an unreal evening. These two and their love for each other were an absolute dream to witness and we’re clearly still up in the clouds over this session.

These lovers have been together for almost 11 years and Michael was even Kieu-Vi’s first boyfriend! They were immediately smitten with each other when they first met and haven’t been apart since. Together they’ve learned to love the individual growth they’ve experienced after a whole decade of love. Michael and Kieu-Vi are making it last name official this fall in Houston.

We adore all of the breathtakingly beautiful evenings we get to spend at White Sands, cheers to even more magic at this gem of a location.

Location - White Sands National Park
Photographer - Bre

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Where to Elope in New Mexico - Adventurous Locations

If last year showed us anything, its that you can elope literally anywhere in beautiful old New Mexico. Our couples traded luxe venues and typical wedding days for stunning desert landscapes and national parks, and lets just say that none of that wedding day magic was lost.

With the pandemic forcing so many couples to either postpone or drastically change their plans, so many of our lovers took their nuptials outside to some of the most epic locations. From White Sands National Park’s ethereal atmosphere to the unreal rock formations of White Mesa to the beautiful, yet tangible history of Pecos National Historical Site, our couples took us on some of our favorite adventures of all time.

Even as slightly bigger weddings start to return to our lives, we’re hopeful that couples will still opt for some of the stellar, natural locations in our gorgeous Southwest home. We’re so beyond ready for even more adventurous love stories all over the place!!!

Featured Locations + Love Stories
Owen + Amelia at Elena Gallegos Open Space
Ben + Chelsey at White Sands National Park
Jimmy + Maggie at Pecos National Historical Site
Travis + Rahni at White Mesa
Gabe + Amy in Grants
Brad + Kenna at White Mesa
Christian + Kristal in Santa Fe

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

Ben + Chelsey, a White Sands Elopement

Last October we took a quick day trip down to heaven on earth, aka White Sands National Park, for the most serene evening with Ben and Chelsey. We were so incredibly inspired by the soft, yet powerful love these two souls hold for each other and were so excited to capture their elopement.

Out among the endless sea of white, rolling, sand dunes Ben and Chelsey (along with their sweet pup Doug!) made their love and commitment to each other a forever thing. Hearing their words of affirmation and joy for each other was a moment that touched us deeply and one that we will always hold so close to us. After their short, yet wonderful ceremony, we spent the most peaceful evening capturing Ben and Chelsey in those very first magical moments of marriage.

We are so beyond grateful to have crossed paths with two of the most kind human beings on the planet, cheers to so many more years of love and exploring life together Ben and Chelsey!

Vendors
Location - White Sands National Park
Rings - Scenic Route Co
Bride’s Jumpsuit - BHLDN
Bride’s Earrings - Holly Yashi
Groom’s Attire - Vintage
Photographer - Alicia
Assistant - Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Groom Style, 4th Edition

Everyone who knows us already knows that we adore featuring our incredibly gorgeous brides all over the blog, but what about the grooms? Every year, we dedicate a special blog to all of the amazing dudes we get to meet on wedding and elopement days and, of course, take the opportunity feature their killer style.

With all of the changes to weddings in 2020, its no surprise that so many of our grooms opted for unique style choices. Whether it was a pastel blue suit, a simple yet breezy dress shirt paired with slacks, a sleek camel coat with boots, or even a classic black tux, all of the stellar outfit choices these handsome fellas made did not disappoint one bit.

We adore getting to see grooms express their personalities on wedding days, even if its through a simple attire choice, we’re beyond hyped to see what 2021 grooms have in store for us!

Our Favorite Groom Attire Designers + Shops
Bonobos
Ralph Lauren
J. Crew
Limatus Bespoke
Don Morphy
H&M
The Black Tux
Tom James
Men’s Wearhouse
Tommy Hilfiger
Kenneth Cole
Suit Supply
Ted Baker
ASOS
Jos A. Banks
Suits Unlimited

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