There are so many dreamy details that go into a couple’s day to make it special so it’s no surprise that we want to highlight one that deserves a moment: wedding gowns. Our brides have donned some show stopping stunners from classic, brocade ballgowns to chic, sheath silhouettes and we are here for all of it!
Our hope is that all brides find their perfect dress, one that makes them feel like a true expression of themselves for their big day. With seemingly endless options of necklines, lengths, and fabric it is such an exciting moment to say ‘yes’ to the dress. And lucky us, we get to capture every detail. From hanging and waiting to be worn to our brides stepping into it and twirling the night away, there is room for every style in our hearts and lenses.
We are swooning over how these brides rocked their dresses. It’s giving queen energy and we bow down to the gown.
Featured Designers + Boutiques
Galia Lahav
JJ Kelly Bridal
Marie Gabriel Couture
Vivienne Westwood
Belle Bridal Atelier
Markarian Bridal
Loho Bride
Rime Arodaky
The Dress Theory
Sarah Seven
Lovely Bride
Fame and Partners
Terese Rose Designs
Wtoo by Watters
Emma and Grace Bridal
Lauren Elaine Bridal
Vera Wang
Calla Blanche
Whittington Bridal
Chamee and Palak
Jenny Yoo
BHLDN
Willowby by Watters
Blog + Photo Curation by Carolyn of Alicia Lucia Photography
Copy Editing + SEO 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
Qwist + Cara, a heartfelt wedding at Los Poblanos
We’ll never tire of reiterating how lucky we are to get to know the couples we capture, but every once in awhile, an out of this world love story comes along that not only knocks us off our feet, but also humbles us to be a part of it! Qwist and Cara’s 12 years in the making love story was just that and we’ll probably never, ever get over it.
Qwist and Cara met over a decade ago in Fort Collins, Colorado while attending an outdoor Common concert. They hit it off instantly when Qwist noticed Cara standing behind him and offered her a better view. They’ve been together ever since those first tender moments and Qwist proposed to Cara in the exact same spot they first met (followed by their families racing out with champagne to celebrate) *cue all the happy tears*.
These two had a heartfelt, genuine, downright beautiful wedding at our most favorite venue in town, Los Poblanos. Simplicity and minimalism not only ruled Qwist and Cara’s special day, but it allowed for their tender love story to shine through. From having Qwist’s grandmothers walk down the aisle as flower girls, to their group sing along of “Lean on Me” during the ceremony (never seen anything like that before, and it moved us to our core), to both the bride and groom including each sets of their parents during the mother/son and father/daughter dances, we can’t help but continually gush about how wildly special it was to witness this June wedding. Qwist and Cara share a love so tangible that it brings joy to everyone around them, thank you babes for letting us be a tiny part of this incredible love story!
Vendors
Venue - Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Organic Farm
Planning - Corazon Events
Florals - The Bouqs Co.
Invitations - Funky Olive Design
Hair - Briana Neverez
MUA - Nicole Cudzilo
Bridal Gown - Sarah Seven
Groom’s Attire - Bonobos
DJ - Cutmaster Music
Officiant - Cynthia Copeland
Wedding by Alicia + Bre of Alicia Lucia Photography
Blog + Photo Curation by Jaclyn of Alicia Lucia Photography