Ben + Emilee, a Stunning Sandia Event Center Wedding

Long before Ben and Emilee said “I do” on the prettiest fall day, they met when they were just kids. Even though they’re seven years apart, these two soulmates still found each other and finally made it last name official this past year!

Growing up with their families being very close, Ben and Emilee have known each for a very long time (their dads even went to elementary school together!), but they didn’t hit it off until later in life. In between Emiliee’s junior and senior years of college, while her and Ben were living together in the same town, Ben told his future wifey that he wanted to propose. Despite fancy dinners and long, romantic walks (planned by Emilee), nothing happened! Finally, during a casual night in of grubbin’ on Jimmy John’s, right there in their living room Ben popped the question.

For these cuties, not only was a dreamy venue with views of the Sandia mountains important, but they wanted to have an all out party for their loved ones! Sandia Event Center was the obvious choice and they included so many lovely details from bespoke invitations by our pals at Funky Olive, to custom Nike reception shoes for Emliee, to Ben’s super unique suit jacket (that had a print of skiers in it!). Ben and Emilee kept their ceremony short and sweet — while incluing Emilee’s childhood pastor as officiant for the ceremony), snagged some of the prettiest dang romantics during golden hour, and then threw the bash of the century allllll night long! We wish that we could post every single photo from this day, it was nothing short of amazing and a total blast!

Congrats Ben and Emilee, we love you two and your absolutely FAIRYTALE love story!!

Vendors
Venue - The Event Center at Sandia Resort and Casino
Florals - Peoples’ Flowers
Paper Goods - Funky Olive Design
Decor - Black Swan Events
Hair - Amanda of D’Ambrosio Designs Hair Studio
MUA - Susan Grace
Bridal Gown - Lazaro Bridal
Bridal Boutique - Schaffers’ Bridal (Scottsdale, AZ)
Bride’s Shoes - Stuart Weitzman
Reception Shoes - Nike
Bridesmaid Dresses - BHLDN
Groom’s Suit - Icon Suits
Groomsmen Suits - Mr. Tux
Officiant - Scott Sharp
Cake - Simply Sweet by Darci
Cookies - Jaylyn Clayton
Sweets - Brenda’s Perfect Brittle
Champagne - Gruet Winery
Ceremony Music - Giovanni String Quartet
DJ - Cutmaster Music
Lead Photographer - Bre
Second Photographer - Molly

Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Wedding Inspo - First Look Moments

One of the biggest decisions to be made for your wedding is whether or not to do a first look, and if you know one thing about our gang its that we ADORE first looks!

The biggest bonus, besides being able to shake off some of the pre-ceremony jitters, is that with a first look you and your hunny get even more time alone together on your wedding day (something that is surprisingly hard to get on the biggest day of your lives!). In addition to extra time, you get a few special, quiet moments together to take in how gorgeous/handsome your future spouse looks without anyone else around (except for us of course!). Although some might argue that seeing each other before walking down the aisle takes away from emotional reactions, we couldn’t disagree more. In fact, first looks just add to that magic because you get to experience seeing your lover in front of all of your friends and family too!

There’s also the major plus of getting extra photos together during and after a first look! And who doesn’t want even more gorgeous wedding photos without having to stress about squeezing in all of the romantics into the day after the ceremony? And with a first look you can also get wedding party and family photos done which means that everyone gets to enjoy alllll of cocktail hour!

We could seriously list off five million reasons why first looks are amazing, but we’ll let all of our couples in this special post do the talking for us!

Our Real Life Love Stories
Chris + Ari at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Jason + Natalie at La Fonda on the Plaza (coming soon to the blog)
Colton + Lindsey at Hyatt Tamaya
John + Anna at La Fonda on the Plaza
Morgan + Mattie at Las Campanas
Geoff + Jocelyn at Hacienda Doña Andrea de Santa Fe
Ryan + Jennifer at Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
Carter + Carrie at La Fonda on the Plaza
James + Lauren at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Randy + Elizabeth at the Santa Fe Opera
Shaun + Jessie at Sarabande Bed and Breakfast
David + Lauren at La Fonda on the Plaza
Drew + Lauren at La Mesita Ranch Estate (coming soon to the blog)
Mack + Shelby at Four Seasons Santa Fe
Jake + Angela at Sandia Event Center
Jon + Paige at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm

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

Groom Style - Second Edition

Last January we featured our first ever groom style edit here on the blog and we’re soooo excited to present the second edition! From classic black tuxes to dark crimson jackets to navy blue suits, there’s seriously a style for every groom out there. Peep some of the amazing accessories too, from custom watches to stylish shoes to roadrunner pins (made by the groom himself) to presidential cufflinks! Check out all of our incredibly handsome grooms of 2018 here and get inspired for wedding seasons to come!

Our Favorite Suit Designers
Tweed Maker
The Black Tux
Ted Baker
ASOS
Jos A Banks
Banana Republic
Men’s Wearhouse
Mr Tux (local to New Mexico)
Indochino
Perry Ellis
Zegna
Suits Unlimited

Photos by Alicia Lucia Photography Team
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography

Ryan + Cristina, a Prairie Star Wedding

Ryan and Cristina, the most genuine/laid-back lovers on the planet, had the sweetest fall wedding this past October right outside of Albuquerque, NM.

They met in high school (their first moments together involved Ryan copying off of Cristina in Spanish class 😂), but sparks didn’t fly until senior year when Ryan asked Cristina to the homecoming dance.  Even though Cristina completely curved Ryan (by rejecting a kiss), he never gave up on chasing her and, after realizing what a total catch this Ryan was, the rest was history! Years later, Ryan proposed to Cristina in their home only a few days after Ryan spent countless hours picking out the perfect ring.

Ryan and Cristina’s wedding at Prairie Star was full of gorgeous views of the majestic Sandia mountains, amazingly personal details (Ryan’s aunt put together all of the stunning florals for this day!), and the best entertainment around from our friends at Cutmaster Music.  Cristina made the most beautiful bride with her simple, down to earth style and kind aura. These two had everyone (including all of us) absolutely in tears when they read their own vows and shared personal stories of each other. We loved their totally down-to-party, yet sweet bridal party and had so much fun capturing each of them partying it up the entire night. This wedding was extra special as we got the most amazing and ultra gorgeous, golden-hour romantic shots.

Ryan and Cristina, we’re beyond grateful for you two and this day! Cheers to married life cuties!

Vendors
Venue - Praire Star Restaurant and Wine Bar, Santa Ana Star Casino
Planning + Coordination - Orange September
Florals - Groom’s Aunt
Cake - Planty Sweet
Hair + Makeup - Genica Lee
Bridal Gown - David’s Bridal
Bride’s Accessories - Charming Charlie
Bride’s Shoes - Tieks
Bridesmaids Dresses - David’s Bridal
Groom’s Attire - Mr. Tux
DJ - Cutamster Music
Second Photographer - Bre Bloomquist

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

Josh + Delaney, a Paa-Ko Ridge Wedding

Long before they had the dreamiest mountain top wedding at Paa-ko Ridge Gold Club, Josh and Delaney met through Greek life events in the fall of 2014 at New Mexico State University. These babes instantly clicked, Delaney admired Josh for his quick wit and incredibly caring heart while Josh was immediately smitten with Delaney’s bubbly personality and her genuine beauty. While still in college Josh lavilered Delaney (a Greek life tradition wherein a fraternity brother presents his significant other with a necklace of his frat letters as a symbol of commitment and love. Major swoon right?!) and knew that she was his forever.

In fall of 2017 Josh decided to make it last name official and proposed to Delaney during holiday photos in the Albuquerque foothills. Knowing how important Delaney’s sorority sisters are to her, Josh made sure that he popped the question right before her final college semester so that she could celebrate her engagement with her closest friends.

We ventured up to Par-ko Ridge Golf Club this October to capture these lovers with one of the most genuine, heartfelt days of the year. From opting for pre-ceremony letter reading near each other instead of a first look to having one of their close friends officiate the ceremony to partying all night, Josh and Delaney were so much fun to hang with for one magical day! We also low-key loved when Delaney and her dad, Sam, shared a quick little pre ceremony drink. Cheers Josh and Delaney, we hope marriage is a blast.

P.S. lets throw a giant party in the mountains again soon okay?

Vendors
Venue - Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club
Florals - Floriography
Flower Arch Florals - Mauldin’s Flowers
MUA - Betty Rose by Alanna
Hair - Shelia Kirkham
Rings - Jared the Galleria of Jewelry
Bridal Gown - Maggie Sottero
Bride’s Shoes - Badgley Mischka + Kate Spade New York by Keds
Bridesmaids’ Dresses - Show Me Your MuMu
Groom + Groomsmen Attire - Mr . Tux
Cakes - Simply Sweet by Darci
Sweets - Cheesecake Factory
Spirits - Nuevas Niñas Winery + Paa-ko Ridge
Centerpieces - Hobby Lobby
Music - DJ Just Incredible

Photos by Ashley + Jen of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography