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
