ALP Team Picks - Ashley's Fave Weddings

Our gal Ashley captures a big portion of our team’s weddings as a lead photographer and 2019 was extra special for her! Beyond just Albuquerque and Santa Fe weddings, she traveled to Southern New Mexico (twice!) for some of the most stunning days we’ve ever seen. These incredible, colorful days with some of the best couples were some of our favorite moments of last year!

Ashley:
”When Jaclyn asked us to send over our favorite 2019 weddings, my first thought was “can I just choose all of them?!” I truly treasure each and every wedding I had the privilege of photographing in 2019. Each had its own unique magic that I’ll keep with me forever! Sadly, I can’t take up the next month of blog posts with my favorite weddings!

Clara and Trey’s wedding was my first of the season and what a way to begin it! I remember driving into San Patricio, NM that morning and pulling up at the location where we were supposed to meet for bridal prep. This place, guys, I can’t even begin to describe this treasure of a spot but I was blown away! We ended up doing a bridesmaid first look and I got to be the one to help Clara get into her wedding dress which is a memory I will treasure! The emotion and love in the air during their outdoor ceremony was palpable. Trey’s reaction to Clara walking down the aisle will stay in my list of favorite images forever. We then got to sneak back to the little secret garden of a location for romantics and guys! I can’t even stress how important it is to carve out a good chunk of time for bride and groom portraits. We had so much fun and got such a variety of mindblowing images and Clara and Trey got time to just breathe and enjoy their first hour of being Mr. and Mrs. Correa. I still dream about that greenhouse, the gazebo and all the amazing walls and doors. This perfect day was topped off with the sweetest first dances and toasts under a stunning white tent on a beautiful April day. 


Nikki and Patrick’s day was what photographer dreams are made of! The details and the venue were out of this world (hello Louboutins ,amazing florals and an insanely beautifully decorated barn). I could spend an entire post just talking about these details! Can you please please look at the cake also? On top of these amazing touches was a couple that was seriously so beyond sweet and yet had so much passion as well. I was brought to tears multiple times during the day, starting with first look with dad and a prayer between Nikki and Patrick. We didn’t have to go far to get the prettiest light for bridal party pictures and romantics. Nikki in her amazing denim bridal jacket will remain one of my favorite bridal images ever. Everyone knew how to party at their reception and Nikki and Patrick really went for it with their cake cutting. Or do we call it a cake smash? I left that night with the biggest smile on my face, feeling lighter and happier after knowing these two!

I first got to meet Mattie and Morgan at their beautiful rehearsal dinner and instantly loved them both. Both of them so down to earth and go with the flow. That entire weekend just flew by without one stressful moment! Just the details at the rehearsal dinner made me so excited for what the next day would bring and I was far from disappointed. I walked in to Mattie’s parents breathtaking home to see all of Mattie’s bridesmaids (as well as her Mother and Mother-In-Law) clothed in these beautiful embroidered Mexican day dresses. They were all so relaxed, just sitting around watching chick flicks and enjoying each other's company. We then got to have first looks with Mattie’s dad, her bridesmaids and finally with Morgan. When we made it to the venue for the ceremony, I was speechless. I need you to look at these florals. All of them. The most stunning variety of florals I have ever witnessed. We had such beautiful weather for their outdoor ceremony and reception, followed by some of the prettiest golden hour romantics. The tequila donkey kicked off the beginning to one of the most fun-filled, lively receptions I’ve ever gotten to attend.”

Ashley’s Fave Weddings
Patrick + Niki at Enchanted Vine Barn in Ruidoso, NM
Trey + Clara at Peter Hurd House and Private Estate in San Patricio, NM
Morgan + Mattie at Las Campanas in Santa Fe, NM

Lead Photographer - Ashley
Second Photographers - Melanie, Bre

Blog + 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