Solve + Alex, a Festive Wedding at La Mesita Ranch

In the middle of this warm, yet gorgeous summer, Solve and Alex invited us to capture their dreamy nuptials in northern New Mexico. These lovebirds colorful day at La Mesita Ranch is one that we’ll truly remember forever.

This stunner of a wedding started way out west at La Mesita Ranch, a property tucked away near Nambe Falls and known for its breathtaking views and unique touches. With a little bit of magic from the Just Lovely Weddings team and the floral goddesses at Manmade and Sage, the details from this day were truly unmatched. Our dream bride Alex combined the best of classic wedding glam with boho details through her chic wedding gown from Ann Matthews Bridal and her stunning glam by Betty Rose by Alanna while Solve looked extra sleek in an all black tux.

For their stellar ceremony, these cuties included a larger than life floral arch filled with the most unique florals and the sweetest little petal toss. And to top it all off, Alex and Solve’s reception had so much damn beauty. From the incredible lounges by Darling Details to the divine table settings to the most out-of-this-world music by local band Le Chat Lunatique, this July day was perfection to the next level. If all of those touches weren’t enough, we were blown away by these lovers romantic first dance and surprise tambourine party with all of their guests on the dance floor.

We’ll forever be obsessed with the way Alex and Solve brought together all of their loved ones for the most killer summer party, cheers to newlywed life babes!!!


Vendors
Venue - La Mesita Ranch
Planning + Coordination - Just Lovely Weddings
Lounge Rentals + Signs - Darling Details Rentals
Tent + Table Rentals - Colorado Party Rentals
Florals - Manmade and Sage
Bridal Hair - Danielle Griego
Bridal Makeup - Alanna of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridesmaid Makeup - Ashley of Betty Rose by Alanna
Bridal Gown - Ann Matthews Bridal
Bride’s Shoes - Badgley Mischka
Reception Music - Le Chat Lunatique
Linens - BBJ Linens + La Tavola Linen
Catering - Dig and Serve
Photo Booth - Snapshot Selfies
Lead Photographer - Ashley
Second Photographer - Briana A
Assistants - Jaclyn + Autumn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Jake + Becky, a Magical Ghost Ranch Wedding

Jake and Becky’s long awaited wedding at Ghost Ranch was an incredible celebration that we’ll truly never forget. These Austin angels brought the best of everything Southwestern glam to northern New Mexico for the most dreamy June day.

Many years before they became husband and wife, Jake and Becky first met in college at The University of Kansas. These two ended up sitting next to each other on their first day of college in a 1000 person lecture hall and have been inseparable ever since. Years later, Jake proposed to Becky with on the prettiest evening with their sweet pup Millie at Ziller Park in her hometown of Austin, TX. These cuties decided that Ghost Ranch was the perfect place to tie the knot after they had both spent lots of time in New Mexico together.

After planning (and then re-planning thanks to covid), Jake and Becky were finally able to start their next chapter together in The Land of Enchantment surrounded by all of their friends and family. They decided to use the colors of the desert and the beautiful expansiveness of Ghost Ranch shape their day. For their ceremony, these lovebirds chose Pot’s Hollow, a secluded area filled with cottonwood trees, to make their “I dos” extra romantic. After making it last name official, we got to roam around this mystical Southwestern landscape for the portraits of our dreams. To top it all off, our design and planning queen Just Lovely Weddings created the most beautiful reception tent filled with soft boho details, dreamy florals by Viva Flora, and the most magical atmosphere to party the night away

Vendors
Venue - Ghost Ranch
Planning + Coordination - Just Lovely Weddings
Rentals + Signage - Darling Details Rentals
Florals - Viva Flora
Paper Goods - Minted
Hair + MUA - Andrea Gomez
Bridal Gown - Truvelle
Bridal Boutique - Blue Bridal Boutique
Bride’s Earrings - Child of Wild
Bride’s Shoes - Free People
Bridesmaid Dresses - Two Birds New York
Groom + Groomsmen Suits - Indochino
Catering - Walter Burke Catering
Cake - Chocolate Maven
Name Shapes - Tumble Jewelry
DJ - Dream Factory Productions
Lead Photographer - Ashley
Second Photographer - Carissa
Assistant - Jaclyn

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - Boho Chic Celebrations

Over the past few seasons a newer trend, that we think is here to stay (!), has become a favorite for so many of our couples. Boho chic weddings and elopements bring together maximalist wedding vibes with unique details for some of the most wildly gorgeous days we’ve ever encountered.

Pampas grass, neon signage, hand-stitched wedding gowns, and that carefree-kind-of-love bring these stellar celebrations together. We adore how boho chic weddings can happen anywhere, whether its on a ranch in Texas Hill Country, in a tiny backyard in Albuquerque, or even at a luxury hotel in Santa Fe. These magnificent days have become a staple for so many of our couples and we are so dang here for it.

We’re so here for all of the larger-than-life, incredibly beautiful boho celebrations this year and beyond, bring on allllll the pretty!!!

Featured Love Stories
Stuart + Kelly at Sunset Ranch (Fredericksburg, TX)
Andrew + Shay at a Private Estate (Albuquerque, NM)
Drew + Lauren at La Mesita Ranch (Santa Fe, NM)
Patrick + Niki at Enchanted Vine Barn (Ruidoso, NM)
Jason + Natalie at La Fonda on the Plaza (Santa Fe, NM)
Mack + Shelby at Four Seasons Santa Fe (Santa Fe, NM)

Weddings 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 - Groom Style Third Edition

While its true that we have a huge affinity for stellar bridal style on the blog, we can’t help but share a little bit of love with our stylish, dapper, and downright handsome grooms! Not only are these guys total on-camera knockouts, they’re also some of the kindest, most personable dudes you could ever ask for on wedding days!

We love a sleek, traditional black suit or tux, so how do grooms elevate this classic style? Our grooms have tapped into everything, from incorporating Southwestern flair with bolo ties or designer cowboy boots to adding personal touches like a cool pair of sunglasses or a surprise pop of color in their boutonniere or suit jacket lining!

And we’ve had plenty of grooms chose other colors for their wedding days suits as well including blue, grey, tan, and even mix-and-match colors! We’ve loved seeing how these guys dressed up colors other than black for their big day and adored seeing so many unique details including ties with tiny prints on them (from polka dots to florals) to broaches (instead of a traditional bow tie or tie) to opting for unique textures like wool.

Last season we saw an incredible variety of groom style and honestly we’re thrilled to see what our next guys have in store for us, we’re crossing our fingers for a few extra daring grooms with non-traditional suit colors! Until then, take a look at these wedding day hunks, we had the best time capturing each one of these wedding day hubbies!

A Few of Our Favorite Suit Designers + Shops
The Black Tux
Bonobos
ASOS
Mango
Ralph Lauren
Indochino
Suit Supply
Ted Baker
Lanieri
Neiman Marcus
Jos. A Bank
Banana Republic
J. Crew
Kenneth Cole
Hockerty
The Tie Bar
Tommy Hilfiger
Perry Ellis
Joseph Abboud
Men’s Wearhouse
Suits Unlimited

Weddings by Alicia, Ashley, Bre, and the ALP Team
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

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

Patrick + Niki, an Enchanted Vine Barn Wedding in Ruidoso NM

Our summer weddings started off with the biggest bang thanks to Niki + Patrick! These lovers not only had the most exquisite details and the prettiest location, but they are are also two of the most genuine and down to earth people around.

Niki and Patrick initially met in high school and even though it was definitely love at first sight, Niki was not single at the time. But even that didn’t stop Pat from reaching out to Niki’s mom to tell her that Niki and her boyfriend should break up (a bold, but amazing move). Eventually, these lovers got together and had an undeniable connection. Patrick and Niki broke up for a few years while Patrick was off at college, but when he returned, fate brought these babes right back where they belong. Patrick proposed early in January of 2018 at Inn of the Mountain Gods in Ruidoso, NM and even used tiny posters featuring the song “The Greatest Love Story” by LANCO to do it.

Flash forward a year and a half later and these two sweethearts pulled off one of the most beautiful weddings we’ve ever photographed! With the incredible Enchanted Vine Barn as their venue, Niki and Patrick pulled out ALL of the stops for their incredible summer, boho bash. Vibrant florals from our newest floral muse, Forth and Floral, were featured on a gorgeous ceremony arch and throughout the reception decor and if that wasn’t enough flowers, Niki’s family created a giant floral chandler to hand directly above the dance floor. They had a custom neon “Lovers” sign for guests to take photos under & Maimie’s Cakes brought out the big guns with a five tier (!) hand decorated cake with a sweets table completely dedicated to Patrick’s love of hunting! And if ceremony and reception details weren’t enough, Niki surprised us all by being the most glam, yet low-key bride on the planet. She adorned her amazing little Lovers Society sheath gown with jewelry from Kendra Scott and some HOT Christian Louboutin heels (yes we’re still drooling over them). She also brought out a super cute denim bridal jacket from Pistola Denim for a few bridal portraits. To top it all off, Niki and Patrick had the BEST playlist, with everything from Dan + Shay to Beyonce to Shania Twain.

We’re 10000% sure that these two couldn’t have been more of an absolute dream to capture and hang out with for a day. Hey Niki and Patrick, we adore you guys! Cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Ganaway & can’t wait for all the Ganaway babies!! :)

Vendors
Venue - Enchanted Vine Barn
Prep Venue - Inn of the Mountain Gods
Planning - Kelli Bailey
Florals - Forth and Floral
Hair - Taylor Degroot
MUA - Alysia Arreola
Bride’s PJs - Victoria’s Secret
Bridal Gown - Lovers Society
Bridal Boutique - Lovely Bride (Dallas, TX)
Bride’s Shoes - Christian Louboutin
Bride’s Jewelry - Kendra Scott
Velvet Ring Box - The Mrs Box
Denim Bridal Jacket - Pistola Denim
Bridesmaid Dresses - Morilee
Groom’s + Groomsmen Attire - The Model (Hobbs, NM)
Invitations - Minted
Videography - Hayley Magness
Cakes - Maimie Cakes
Catering - The Buttery
DJ - Taud Phillips
Floral Chandelier + Other Decor - Mother of the Bride + Family
Neon Lovers Sign - Little Pineapple Neon
Glass Welcome Sign - Mulberry Market Designs on Etsy
Officiant - Bradley Bishop
Lead Photographer - Ashley + Melanie
Second Photographer - Melanie
Assistant - Jaclyn


Wedding by Ashley of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography