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

Scott + Moxi, a White Sands Wedding

After their initial wedding in Vietnam was cancelled back in March, Scott and Moxi were still determined to make the celebration of their new marriage meaningful and beautiful so they decided on a tiny session with just them and their parents at White Sands National Park. We spent an early fall evening with these two at this dreamy Southern New Mexico spot with an incredible full moon in the distance.

Both originally from Albuquerque , Scott and Moxi have known each other since middle school through their families’ mutual Chinese community ties. However, even though their parents are super close friends, they didn’t really start to get to know each other until a combined ski trip in college where they realized just how much they had in common. At the time, they were attending different out-of-state colleges so after the trip Scott and Moxi moved on with their separate lives. It wasn’t until 2014 that these two really hit it off when they both attended a software bootcamp in San Francisco. They dated for 4 years before getting engaged in 2018 and now these cuties live together in the Bay Area with their two guinea pigs.

Being able to capture this dreamy little evening out on those pearly white sand dunes was such an incredibly special experience for us. From hanging out with their sweet family members to seeing Scott and Moxi being so dang cute and still so in love, this tiny celebration was everything. The biggest congrats to Scott and Moxi, we adore you both so much!!!

Vendors
Location - White Sands National Park
Bridal Gown - Wtoo by Watters
Bridal Boutique - BHLDN
Photographer - Ashley

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Wedding Planning Advice from Just Lovely Weddings

If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far in 2020, its to expect the unexpected and to embrace joy where we find it. Luckily for us, and for a ton of our couples, Lauren of Just Lovely Weddings and Darling Details Rentals has been an absolute angel in guiding everyone through it all.

This wedding coordinator queen gave us some insight on what couples are doing to still celebrate love during a pandemic, how to deal with planning a wedding/elopement in the face of uncertainty, and what to expect in the future of weddings!

Alicia Lucia Photography: Long before 2020 and all of its challenges, how did Just Lovely Weddings and Darling Details Rentals come to be?

Just Lovely: I got started with events in 2012, when I worked as a catering manager for a small hotel. I had a series of similar roles in the industry until early 2015, when I started Just Lovely and took on my first wedding that summer. It’s crazy to think that 2020 would’ve been/is my 6th season as an independent wedding planner & coordinator. Near the end of 2016 an industry colleague asked me if I wanted to take over Darling Details, and I have been working to grow our rental collection since then. I’ve loved being a part of so many special days, sometimes for both Just Lovely & Darling Details, and sometimes for just one or the other. 

ALP: With the major shifts of 2020, what are more and more weddings starting to look like?

JL: Every wedding is different, and the needs of each couple reflects that. None of us wanted this to happen, and it’s just terrible for everyone. I am so grateful that most of our clients have decided to postpone, but I also get why some couldn’t. A lot of couples have decided to elope this year and have a party later on when they feel it’s safe. Some have decided to downsize significantly and have very intimate ceremonies and go to dinner after. The best decision right now is the one that feels most comfortable to the couple. 

ALP: How is Just Lovely changing and pivoting during this time?

JL: My biggest goal in all of this has been to show up for our affected clients, providing advice and basically just guiding them through this challenging situation and showing them that they aren’t alone. We’ve helped them move dates and also transition to elopements. This is new territory for all of us and I am grateful to be in a position where I can guide my couples on the best options for them. 

ALP: How should/can couples plan a wedding during a pandemic?

JL: My advice is to trust your feelings. Planning right now is a challenge due to uncertainty, so if you’re starting to feel stressed or anxious about your date (and if gatherings will be allowed then) start to consider a backup plan and discuss options with your vendors. Also, the wedding industry has taken such a hit, so try to be patient with your vendors. Most of us are in this industry because it’s where our hearts are, and our lives have been turned upside down. Any grace that we’re shown is appreciated even more right now. 

ALP: How do you think this is going to change the industry? 

JL: With only smaller celebrations being allowed, many couples have had to transition to more intimate gatherings than they would’ve originally considered. I think that this shift has started to show couples that, truly, all that’s needed to get married is a couple of witnesses and an officiant. Everything else should be fun, so hopefully this will alleviate some of the pressure to plan in the future, and help guide couples to plan events that are meaningful to them.

ALP: What has been the hardest part of this pandemic for your business? And, conversely, what has been the most rewarding part for Just Lovely?

JL: The hardest part has been our hearts breaking for our couples whose plans changed overnight; they had to make some really tough decisions, but at the end of the day I think they all did what was best for them and their guests. The second hardest part has been losing the majority of our income for the year, for both businesses, while expenses did not change. 

The most rewarding part has been seeing the value of what a planner does, and how much we can truly help the couples we work with. Also, forcing myself to consider different sources of revenue and opportunities will make the businesses stronger in the long run. 

ALP: What are your goals for Just Lovely past this pandemic and into the future?

JL: My goal past the pandemic is to continue to show up for our couples. I have been thinking a lot about how I can provide more resources and more value, and have been working on new processes and content to be able to do that. In the future, I would also love to get into planning more corporate events as well!


ALP: Finally what do you miss the most about big weddings? And what do you love the most about little weddings?

JL: I love weddings of all sizes! What I miss most about weddings in general is seeing the love and friendship that surrounds a couple on their wedding day - that’s what is most important. I feel like there has been this pressure to live up to this standard of weddings that was exhausting for everyone. I hope that at the end of this we all just remember that weddings are celebrations, and they’re meant to be fun and filled with love.

Featured Weddings + Styled Shoots by Just Lovely Weddings
David + Lauren at La Fonda on the Plaza
Whimsical Wedding Inspo in Albuquerque, NM
Ashwin + Lauren, a Catholic-Hindu Wedding In Santa Fe
Desert Romance Styled Elopement at Los Poblanos
Intimate Desert Compass Wedding in Old Town Albuquerque (coming soon to the blog)
Tyler + Cassie, a La Posada Wedding
Geoff + Jocelyn, a Hacienda Doña Andrea Wedding
Michael + Lucia, a Los Poblanos Wedding
Drew + Lauren, a La Mesita Ranch Wedding
Michael + Caitlin, an Old Town Wedding
Tyler + Jordan, a La Fonda on the Plaza Wedding
Shane + Megan, a Backyard Albuquerque Wedding


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

Elopement Inspo - Romantic Dallas Elopement Sessions

Long before the madness of a pandemic took hold of the world, our gal Alicia traveled to Dallas, TX for a few of the most stunning styled elopements we’ve ever seen. Forever wishing we could just live in these absolute daydreams!

For the first session, we journeyed to The Olana, a seemingly real life castle, for a modern day fairytale. Two divine couples in the most beautiful bride and groom wedding styles were just the tip of the iceberg on this day. We loved getting to shoot with wedding planner extraordinaire Traveling Weddings with Taylor for this day!

And on our second day of shooting, we captured just a few sweet moments with some real life lovers at The Emerson venue, aka a tiny white chapel heaven. We loved the dreamy florals by Slow Darling and the absolute bridal beauty created by the glam queens at Hello Flawless Artistry. In a perfect world, every single day would look like this one!

We can’t wait to travel more and to capture even more beauty all over, cheers to all the pretty days ahead!

The Olana Elopements
Location - The Olana
Planning - Traveling Weddings with Taylor
Florals - Moss Floral
Paper Goods - Write This Way Calligraphy
Rentals - Big D Party Rentals
Hair + Makeup - Millionaire Brides Club
Bridal Gowns - Made Bride by Antonea + Eisen Stein Bridal
Grooms’ Attire - Don Morphy
Models - Katie + Jay, Nicole + Bryan


The Emerson Elopement
Location - The Emerson Venue
Planning - The Shootout Society
Florals - Slow Darling
Hair + Makeup - Hello Flawless Artistry
Bridal Gown - Watters
Bridal Boutique - BHLDN
Real Life Lovers - Clay + Erika

Styled Sessions by Alicia of Alicia Lucia Photography
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

ALP Team Picks - Bre's Fave Weddings

Last, but certainly not least, is our girl Bre and her favorite weddings! Known for her stunning work with our team as one of the best second shooters on the planet (and the boss babe of her own newborn photography business), she stepped it up and beautifully lead shot five of our weddings in addition to a bunch of our engagement sessions (including the most amazing Central Park session in NYC)! She’ll be back this season as both a lead and a second photog, and she shared her favorite weddings from 2019. We can’t wait to see how she captures some of our lovers in 2020 and allll we can say is #gobrego

Emilee and Ben:
I loved the style that Emilee had for her wedding. The slick hair back with the bold red lip is something you don’t see often and she pulled it off so well. The groom is a golfer and they got married on the golf course which was a great personal touch. This couple grew up together, grew apart and came back together at a family gathering and now they are spending their future together and it was the most precious thing to see and everyone could feel it in the room. Their food was also the best food I had!

Laura and Conner:
I loved ending the year with this wedding at Los Pablanos. The color palette she chose was gorgeous with the landscape. I love ho laid back they were and having the cake cutting and toasts in the library made for an intimate setting. They braved the cold during their portraits and the fur she had for some of her portraits was stunning and fun to incorporate. They also had a perfect balance of having an intimate gathering and having a party.


Anna and John
:
This New York couple was so cool and so down to earth, and we laughed a lot with them. She absolutely nailed her look for her wedding in that stunning Vera Wang gown, and then in their true style, she changed into a more dancing dress when they got announced at the reception. It was Gucci mixed with Granola vibe and I was there for it. It was quirky and elegant and so much fun.


Lead Photographer - Bre
Second Photographers - Molly, Cameron, and Melanie

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

ALP Team Picks - Alicia's Fave Weddings of 2019

Each year we kick off a new chapter by reflecting back on our favorite moments from the previous season. First up for 2020 is our boss babe and incredibly talented photographer, Alicia. She picked her two favorite weddings of the 2019 season and we’re super in our feels over these sweet couples!!

Alicia:
”When i think of back at my most memorable, favorite moments for 2019, there are bits and pieces from each and everyone of our weddings this year that instantly come to mind. But when Jaclyn said to narrow it down to just two, I knew I was in for quite the challenge! 

First up is Ari & Chris's incredible September day. Ari was a dream bride with her kind yet confident & witty self & Chris was sincerely every photographers dream groom, being up for it all, accommodating & just all around awesome, funny & so dang sweet. Those two together just made our job so incredibly FUN, laid back and sincere. Their approach to their wedding was uniquely special and one I'll admire forever. First, they vocalized on many occasions how they wanted to prioritize their time with family and wedding guests and wanted to be sure and be as intentional as possible while still maximizing any possible solo moments together and allocate tons of bride & groom portrait time. Because of that, not only were we able to get a plethora of candids & capture super sweet in-between moments, but we also got an incredible amount of gorgeous editorial and romantic shots, both silly and sweet! After wrapping up their portrait time, they rolled right into some of the most heartfelt speeches we've ever heard & the dance party of the century. Ari and Chris, thank you for having us…we'll love you forever & ever!! 

KC & Jordan were simply incredible from day one. Their love story was inspiring, their personalities were beyond sweet, open minded, thoughtful, and their wedding day, well that was just a blast! They made it a point to let us know throughout their entire wedding planning process that they trusted us wholeheartedly and wanted to give us complete creative liberty to do our thing, and because of that, we were able to deliver some of our all time favorite images we’ve ever created! Similar to Ari & Chris, KC & Jordan also valued time with family and guests but planned their day seamlessly where it gave us plenty of solo portrait time with just them two. Their gallery is one I was so eager to share with them because it included an abundance of darling candid moments & some of my all time favorite editorial bride+groom shots all over downtown Santa Fe! KC + Jordan your sweet day was one for the books and i'll treasure it forever!”

Alicia’s Fave Weddings
Chris + Ari at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Jordan + KC at Cristo Rey Catholic Church and La Fonda on the Plaza

Lead Photographer - Alicia
Second Photographers - Bre (Jordan + KC), Cameron (Chris + Ari)

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

Hidden away in Albuquerque’s north valley lies one of the loveliest places on earth, Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm. Dreamy, secluded, and downright otherworldly, this beauty of a venue has quickly become the destination for not only visitors to the Land of Enchantment, but so many lovers including a ton of our brides and grooms.

Every single time we step foot on its grounds, Los Poblanos feels mysterious, beautiful, and teeming with wonder. From spring to winter, weddings here always carry an air of beguiling charm, while still feeling like a cozy home-away-from-home. We’re not sure if the endless garden options for ceremonies or all the little hidden spots we’ve discovered for romantics over the years, but this lavender farm certainly lives up to all of its expectations. And with its amazing wedding day staff, complete with our gal pal Chelsea Martinez as Wedding Coordinator, Los Poblanos is nothing short of an absolute dream come true.

Rain or shine, we’ve captured some of the sweetest, most intimate, tear-worthy moments with some of the most amazing couples around at Los Poblanos. We can’t wait to be back at this stunner of a location many many times this wedding season!!!

Venue - Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

Our Lovers
Conner + Laura (coming to the blog soon!)
Chris + Ari
Adam + Jill
James + Lauren
Gustav + Jackie
Qwist + Cara
Dustin + Ashley
Michael + Lucia
Bobby + Simone Styled Shoot

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

2019 Wedding Moments

To our 2019 couples,
As the year winds down and we get ready for brand new decade, we cna’t help but reflect on all of 2019’s stellar weddings! From the super intimate, heartfelt days to the incredible bashes full of life and amazing details, this season was truly one for the books.

From Southern New Mexico to Albuquerque to Santa Fe, we’ve been to some pretty incredible places and seen some amazing love stories. We adored each and every one of our couples, from our New York City cuties to our Las Cruces lovers to our stunning Santa Fe babes, this season has been full of love from across the U.S.! We can’t wait for what’s to come and we can’t help but thank these beyond amazing couples for letting us be a little part of their forever! We adore each and every one of you to the moon and back!

Love,
The Alicia Lucia Photography Team

Our 2019 Lovers
Trey + Clara Peter Hurd Guest House and a Private Residence in San Patricio, NM
Qwist + Cara at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Patrick + Niki at Enchanted Vine Barn
Geoff + Jocelyn at Hacienda Doña Andrea
Gustav + Jackie at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Garrett + April at Casa Perea Art Space
Carter + Carrie at La Fonda on the Plaza
James + Lauren at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Morgan + Mattie at Las Campanas
Adam + Jill at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Zach + Coli at Hotel Albuquerque and Casas de Suenos
Ashwin + Lauren at Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi and The Inn & Spa at Loretto
Ashwin + Lauren at La Posada de Santa Fe
Ryan + Jennifer at Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
Jake + Angela at Sandia Event Center
Pablo + Alejandrina at Old Town Albuquerque
John + Anna at La Fonda on the Plaza
Chris + Ari at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Jason + Ryan at Ghost Ranch
Ben + Emiliee at Sandia Event Center
Colton + Lindsey at Hyatt Tamaya
Drew + Lauren at La Mesita Ranch Estate
Jason + Natalie at La Fonda on the Plaza
Jordan + KC at Cristo Rey Catholic Church and La Fonda on the Plaza
Suraj + Celina at a Private Residence in Albuquerque, NM
Michael + Sarah at La Fonda on the Plaza (coming to the blog soon)
Bryan + Jennie at Loretto Chapel and Four Seasons Santa Fe
Brad + Kenna at Old Town Farm (coming to the blog soon)
Conner + Laura at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm (coming to the blog soon)

2019 Lead Photographers - Alicia Padilla, Ashley Shaw, Bre Bloomquist, and Brittany Miller
2019 Second Photographers - Cameron Storie, Melanie Montoya, Molly Morgan, and Brianna Archuleta
2019 Assistants - Jaclyn Younger, Cameron Storie, and Taylor DeJong

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

Ryan + Jennifer, a Sarabande Bed and Breakfast Wedding

In the midst of our totally crazy busy wedding season we ended up with the sweetest, most intimate B&B wedding in the heart of Albuquerque with Ryan and Jennifer. This day was not only gorgeous, but super laid back and still sooo dang fun!

Ryan and Jennifer’s love story began at everyone’s home away from home, work. Jennifer had recently moved back to her hometown, Albuquerque, and had started working for a local medical group where Ryan was a surgeon. She initially planned to move to Austin, TX, however, the universe had other plans. A co-worker, who may or may not be a modern day Cupid, conspired for Jennifer and Ryan to meet during a work presentation. Jennifer, who didn’t know who Ryan was yet or that she was destined to meet him, was desperately attempting to get out of said meeting (because who isn’t trying to avoid work meetings tbh). However, Jennifer ended up at the meeting and after seeing Ryan for the first time, decided to stay. After the meeting, Jennifer and Ryan chatted briefly about a few of their mutually similar things including their dogs, spending time with their families, and what its like moving back to Albuquerque after living elsewhere.

Over the course of several months these two crossed paths at drinks with co workers and work events, but after awhile Jennifer assumed Ryan wasn’t into her. Then one day, while monitoring her company’s Facebook page, Jennifer saw a touching message from a patient about how Ryan’s surgery on her had changed her life. Jennifer sent it over to Ryan and after several exchanges between them, Ryan finally asked Jennifer out. Ryan planned on proposing while they were on vacation in Italy in August of 2018, but decided to bump it up to their trip to Napa in July of 2018. However, Ryan didn’t want to wait anymore and in June of 2018 he pulled Jennifer into their home office on a random Tuesday night and asked her to marry him (honestly swoon).

After initially looking at several venues in Santa Fe, Ryan and Jennifer decided to check out our favorite little north valley gem, Sarabande Bed and Breakfast. They immediately fell in love with this uniquely beautiful space and knew it was where they wanted to make it official. With a tiny guest list and the dreamiest details, Jennifer and Ryan’s day was just one of those days where everyone feels so relaxed and like family. They kicked everything off with a 12 minute (!!!) ceremony and super fun romantics around their venue right before it started pouring rain. Everything about this day was genuine and intentional, from Jennifer’s sweet gifts to her two flower princesses to a teary-eyed father and daughter first look to a reception that felt more like a big family dinner and not just a wedding, this day was one we will always remember!

Cheers to the Tyners, we loved being a part of your day!!!

Vendors
Venue - Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
Coordination - Pilar of Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
Florals - Aspire Florals by Albuquerque Wedding Florist
Invitations - Minted
MUA - Betty Rose by Ashley
Hair - Revelry Salon
Bridal Gown - Wtoo by Watters
Bridal Boutique - BHLDN
Bride’s Shoes - Badgley Mischka
Groom’s Attire - Lanieri
Catering - Eatentions
Decor + Rentals - Simply Decor and Events
Music - Empire Strings
Bar - Quarters BBQ
Lead Photographer - Ashley
Second Photographer - Melanie
Assisitant - Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Venue Feature - Hacienda Doña Andrea de Santa Fe

Hidden high up in the mountains of Madrid, New Mexico with only a short drive to Santa Fe, Hacienda Doña Andrea de Santa Fe is quickly becoming a new favorite gem for local and destination couples. We first shot at this quirky, yet totally magical spot last spring with Brooklyn lovers Ethan and Sarah and couldn’t help but adore its unique, colorful accents set against its traditional Southwestern adobe building. Since then, we’ve captured two more sweet couples, Chris + Emma last fall and Geoff+ Jocelyn this summer, at this special little hacienda and ALWAYS notice something new about it. Whether its finding a hidden hallway to capture a few quick romantics in or taking a ton of detail shots of all of this property’s insane art, Hacienda Doña Andrea never fails to surprise us with its interesting beauty and personality. We’ll be back next season and we can’t wait to see what we discover at this amazing little venue.

Venue
Hacienda Doña Andrea de Santa Fe

Real Life Love Stories
Geoff + Jocelyn
Chris + Emma
Ethan + Sarah

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

Wedding Inspo - Sheath Bridal Gowns

If there’s one current wedding trend that we can’t get enough of, its how popular sheath gowns have become over the past few years. Chic, modern, and effortlessly elegant, this style of dress can go from a backyard wedding to a Santa Fe Plaza wedding to an art gallery wedding to an elopement in the mountains! We love how this minimalist design can be paired with a simple jeweled belt or a lace overlay to make it even more gorgeous. Shout out to one of the most universally flattering designs out there, we can’t wait for more brides to shine in sheath gowns!

Wedding Gown Designers
Lovers Society
Sarah Seven
St. Patrick
Justin Alexander
Maggie Sottero
Lulus
Enzoani
Katie May Collection
Pronovias
Martina Liana
Jenny Yoo
Made With Love Bridal
Badgley Mischka
Jovea
Terese Rose Designs
David’s Bridal

Wedding Gown Boutiques
Lovely Bride (Dallas, TX)
Sarah Seven (Los Angeles, CA)
Suzanne’s Bridal (Mesa, AZ)
Mockingbird Bridal (Dallas, TX)
Bridal Elegance by Darlene (Albuquerque, NM)
BHLDN (Multiple Locations)
Mia Bridal Couture (Houston, TX)
White on Daniel Island (Charleston, SC)
The Dressing Room West (Santa Fe, NM)
Patsy’s Bridal Boutique (Dallas, TX)
Bridal Boutique ( Lewisville, TX)
Unbridaled (Houston, TX)
Danelle’s Bridal (Pueblo, CO)
Terese Rose Designs (Albuquerque, NM)
David’s Bridal (Albuquerque, NM)

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

Geoff + Jocelyn, a Colorful Hacienda Doña Andrea Wedding

Geoff and Jocelyn invited us to party with them on a Monday (!) high above Madrid, NM at Hacienda Doña Andrea. This weekday wedding was one for the books: intimate, laughter filled, and completely amazing!

These lovers met at a mutual friend’s BBQ while petting the same dog (honestly the best way to meet anyone) and Geoff proposed in 2018 over Veteran’s Day Weekend during a road trip between LA and San Francisco. He asked Jocelyn to be his wife on Windy Hill, a special place from his childhood, and in addition to giving her a gorgeous ring, Geoff also gave her a photo album about their love story (forever teary eyed over this detail).

We adored how much fun and stress free Geoff and Jocelyn’s June wedding truly was, from their “friend testimonials” during the ceremony (complete with quotes from Wedding Crashers) to their uber pretty romantics around Hacienda Doña Andrea’s unique property to their downright fun reception, we’re wishing that we could party every single Monday with these two. Congrats Geoff and Jocelyn, let’s do it all over again!

Vendors
Venue - Hacienda Dona Andrea
Planning - Just Lovely Wedding
Bridal Bouquet + Groom’s Boutonnière - Renegade Floral
Arch + Centerpiece Florals - Marketplace
MUA - Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridal Gown - Jenny Yoo
Bridal Boutique - BHLDN
Bride’s Shoes - Kelly and Katie
Officiant - Amy Hope (family friend)
DJ - Oskar Porter (family friend)
Catering - Walter Burke Catering
Transportation - Road Runner Shuttle
Lead Photographer - Alicia
Second Photographer - Cameron
Assistant - Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Vendor Feature - Just Lovely Weddings + Darling Details Rentals

If you’re looking for a local New Mexico wedding planner and rental vendor that pulls together dreamy big day details, you’ll probably fall in love with Just Lovely Weddings and Darling Details Rentals, both run by our sweet friend Lauren Mestas. Based out of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, these two incredible little businesses help streamline wedding day planning and help make bridal daydreams a reality. From Southwestern chic to classically elegant to uniquely personal, Just Lovely Weddings and Darling Details know how to pull off just about any type of wedding you can think up! We can’t wait to see what Lauren and her team have up their sleeves for us this wedding season!

Wedding Vendors
Just Lovely Weddings
Darling Details Rentals

Featured Love Stories
Tyler + Cassie at La Posada de Santa Fe
Tyler + Jordan at La Fonda on the Plaza
Gary + April at La Mesita Ranch
Michael + Lucia at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Michael + Caitlin at Old Town and El Zocalo
David + Lauren at La Fonda on the Plaza
Shane + Megan at a Private Estate in Albuquerque, NM
Gil + Joanna at La Posada de Santa Fe
Trenton + Aston at Loretto

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

Randy + Elizabeth, a Santa Fe Opera Wedding

Randy and Elizabeth’s love story may have began in San Francisco (where they currently live with their pup Ryno), but these two traveled all the way to sweet Santa Fe, NM for a simple, yet elegant wedding at the ever iconic Santa Fe Opera.

These two met just over four years ago where they bonded over their mutual love for tacos and coffee and after a few years together, Randy proposed on Thanksgiving Day.

Randy and Elizabeth took destination wedding to a whole new level with the most incredible prep and wedding venues. Elizabeth got ready at the quaint and incredible, Hacienda Rose just off downtown Santa Fe (we’re still swooning over this place’s wonderful New Mexican details and endless adobe architecture). We loved Elizabeth’s effortless yet understated glam wedding day style, from her sleek Monique Lhuillier gown accented with a jeweled BHLDN belt to her glitter encrusted Jimmy Choo pumps, this bride knows how to pull off one of our favorite subtle glamorous looks of the year! Elizabeth also included her grandmother’s turquoise broach (that she had purchased in Santa Fe many years ago) on her bouquet as her something blue. We were so excited to capture their first look at the opera and, of course, explore the wildly enchanting grounds for plenty of stunning romantics.

Besides getting to party at the world famous Santa Fe Opera, Randy and Elizabeth’s guests were also treated to a little Jessie Baca and Viva Flora magic including pashmina wraps to keep out the early October chill, the dreamiest guest seating signage, and all the dusty denim/blush/rose gold table accents for days!

We’ll probably never be over this day or these two babes! Congrats Randy + Elizabeth, you two were an absolute dream.

Vendors
Venue - Santa Fe Opera
Bridal Prep Venue - Hacienda Rose
Planning + Coordination - Jessie Baca
Florals - Viva Flora
Rentals + Catering - Adobo Catering
Hair + Makeup - The Vanity
Bridal Gown - Bliss by Monique Lhuillier
Bride’s Shoes - Jimmy Choo
Bridal Accessories - BHLDN
Bridal Boutique - Bridal Galleria (San Francisco)
Groom’s Suit - Zegna
Officiant - Seth Manifredi
Pianist - George Holdcroft
DJ - Cutmaster Music
Transportation - Santa Fe Valet Limosine Service
Second Photographer - Bre Bloomquist

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

Tyler + Meredith, a Four Seasons Santa Fe Wedding

This past August we were so very thrilled to celebrate Tyler and Meredith’s sweet little Santa Fe soirée at Four Seasons Resort and Encantado!

These Colorado babes met five years ago through mutual friends in college and since then have shared a mutual love for road trips, fishing, Jimmy Buffet concerts, and (of course) sending each other pictures of dogs (making them official relationship goals). Meredith adores Tyler’s kind heart, goofiness, smarts, and easy going nature while Tyler loves how bubbly Meredith can be as well as her compassion and generosity.

Knowing that Santa Fe is one of Meredith’s favorite Southwestern cities, Tyler proposed to her in the middle of the historic Santa Fe Plaza under shimmering Christmas lights! We loved their modern, desert inspired day so incredibly much and adore these two even more!!

Vendors
Venue - Four Seasons Santa Fe
Planning + Coordination - R&W Event Planning
Florals - Bouqus
Stationary - Minted
Calligraphy - Megan Speed
Hair + Makeup - Madeline McCue
Bridal Gown - Katie May Collection
Bridal Boutique - BHLDN
Bride’s Shoes - Brian Atwood
Bridesmaid Dresses - Jenny Yoo
Groom’s Suit - Jos A Banks
Groomsmen Suits - Banana Republic
DJ - Rivera’s Mobile Disc Jockey Service

Photos by 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