Expert Tips for Glowing Skin at Your Winter Wedding

Nothing says cold weather in New Mexico like green chile roasting over an open flame and luminarias framing walkways. Unfortunately, another telltale sign of cold weather in our dry desert climate, is dull, dry skin. The only thing worse than chilly temperatures, is the dry skin that accompanies it — especially, when you’re planning a winter wedding.

Not to worry, however, the experts at Bliss Salon & Spa and Gypsy Trail Makeup & Hair gave us some great tips to help you look your best for your winter wedding. Once you get started with these exclusive tips, you’ll be well on your way to glowing skin after a summer spent at the beach. But first, we want to get you started with a few easy tips of our own.

  1. Stay Hydrated: First and most obvious, drink lots of water. If you’re not keeping hydrated from the inside, it’s going to be more difficult to keep your skin healthy and hydrated on the outside.
  2. Eat Healthy: Eat a balanced diet rich in plant based foods and healthy fats. Foods like these help to plump the skin from the inside out. And avoid processed and sugary foods as much as possible
  3. Switch Moisturizers: Like the seasons, our skin changes and has different needs throughout the year. Use a richer moisturizer during the winter to help combat dryness. If you’re like me and don’t like the feeling of heavy moisturizers on your face during the day, find one you can use at night.
  4. Keep Moving: We tend to slow down during the winter, but it will do your skin wonders if you continue to workout. Fight the winter blues and get out of your warm bed to go for a morning run or yoga session before you get pampered on your big day. Exercise will open your pores and get your blood flowing for a natural, radiant glow.
  5. Avoid Hot Water: While steamy-hot showers feel good during the winter, the hot water actually does more to dry out your skin than anything else. Shower with warm water to avoid stripping your skin of natural oils.
  6. Cover-Up & Stay Warm: If you’re going to spend a long stretch of time outdoors this winter, do your best to keep your face protected. The cold air drys up your skin, and if exposed for long periods of time, it can also get chapped.

Now for some tips from the experts…

First up, Bliss Salon & Spa

Start off with a hydrating facial including a microdermabrasion treatment and hydrating mask. Follow with alternating a glycolic or lactic cleanser and a cream cleanser. Exfoliate three times a week and make sure to use a richer moisturizer.

— Angelique, Bliss Salon & Spa

Finally, a few tips from Gypsy Trail Makeup & Hair

  1. Moisturize: Every skin type needs to be moisturized. Regardless of how oily you are, your skin still needs moisture.
  2. Protect: Wear sunscreen everyday! Sun does so much damage to our skin — even under our makeup. It’s hard to accomplish a great glow when your body is fighting battles beneath your skin.
  3. Avoid Tanning Beds: They suck the moisture right out of your skin, which takes away that beautiful, natural glow. There are some great spray tans out there — that aren’t orange! Get a lavender based spray and you’ll save your skin now and in the future.
  4. Exfoliate: And not once the night before your wedding. Months before, to assure your skin won’t react with a harsh breakout. Exfoliation is a process. You want your best skin to shine through!
  5. Routine is Key: Find a skincare regimen you love the moment you become engaged and stick to it. Discipline and consistency results in glowing bridal skin.

— Macey, Gypsy Trail Makeup & Hair

Photos by Blue Rose Photography

To get started on your skincare regimen, get in touch with one of these amazing beauty experts today!

Smallcakes: The Only Way to Celebrate Everything!

What better way to celebrate the holidays, or any occasion for that matter, than with delicious, mouthwatering cupcakes!? But not just any cupcakes, the one and only Smallcakes in all of Albuquerque!

As you may know, Smallcakes is a nationwide franchise with national recognition, including The View, Food Network and USA Today. Lucky for us, we have our very own Smallcakes right here in the Duke City.

With more than 120 flavors to choose from, the possibilities are endless! From Pink Chocolate and Lemon Drop to Peaches & Cream and Birthday Cake, you are sure to find the flavor of your cupcake dreams.

Aside from their amazing cupcakes, however, they also make the most beautiful wedding cakes. Check out this gorgeous cake the folks at Smallcakes made for a recent Earthy Autumn styled shoot.

Photos by Briana Nicole Photography

More deliciousness from Smallcakes…

Check out this brief history of our local Smallcakes

Can’t get enough of Smallcakes!? Stop by to get your fix today! 🙂

Lori & Trevor’s Dîner en Blanc Wedding at ABQ BioPark

Dîner en Blanc is a worldwide event spanning six continents, in which people flash-gather in a public space and set up a temporary, chic dining area. Guests attend in white attire to enjoy gourmet food and wine and, of course, a once in a lifetime experience. Dîner en Blanc comes to Albuquerque each year, but this was Albuquerque’s first ever Dîner en Blanc wedding!

Once they arrived to the Dîner en Blanc event, family and friends received invites at their seats instructing them to head to the ceremonial garden at a certain time. It was only when the ceremony started that they realized it was a wedding! With a starry night, a magical venue, and thousands of new friends around you, anything is possible at a Le Dîner en Blanc event!

Best of all, two of our nearest and dearest wedding professionals were there to contribute to this amazing wedding in their areas of expertise. King Mobile Music created a truly electric atmosphere with their expert use of lighting and state-of-the-art equipment in the lawn area while Matt Blasing Photography was there to capture it all with impeccable skill and detail.

Photos by Matt Blasing Photography

Congratulations, Lori and Trevor!

Meet the professionals who helped make their dream a reality:

Photographer + Ceremony Lighting: Matt Blasing Photography | Lawn Lighting Equipment + Electric Atmosphere Specialist: King Mobile Music | Venue: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden | DJ Services + Ceremony Lighting: A Perfect Night DJ Services | Event Producers: Dîner en Blanc

Plan Your Dream Wedding at Hacienda Vargas

Located along the Rio Grande Valley between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Hacienda Vargas has been the only bed and breakfast on the Camino Real since the 17th century. With thick adobe walls, genuine saltillo tile floors, authentic folk art by local artisans and breathtaking natural surroundings, you won’t be disappointed with Hacienda Vargas. Whether you’re a traveler passing through, newlyweds looking for a romantic honeymoon stay or an engaged couple planning a wedding, look no further!

From elopements to full scale weddings, Hacienda Vargas has all you need for an authentic New Mexico wedding in their historic facilities. They can do everything from small weddings for up to 15 guests in their gorgeous chapel to large weddings for up to 150 guests. If you’re planning to elope, however, their elopement package starts as low as $575 and includes an intimate ceremony in their historic chapel or location of your choice, a wedding officiant and witnesses, a honeymoon suite and gourmet breakfast.

For convenient and cozy lodging for your wedding party, friends and family, or even out-of-town guests, Hacienda Vargas has seven unique rooms to accommodate up to 20 guests a night. Each room at Hacienda Vargas is fully decorated with original southwestern furniture and comfy bedding to make you and your guests feel right at home. Plan your wedding at Hacienda Vargas and welcome your guests to an unforgettable experience immersed in New Mexico’s rich history, vibrant culture and unique cuisine.Britianie Tyler PhotographyBritianie Tyler PhotographyBritianie Tyler PhotographyBritianie Tyler PhotographyBritianie Tyler PhotographyBritianie Tyler PhotographyBritianie Tyler PhotographyBritianie Tyler PhotographyBritianie Tyler Photography

Britianie Tyler Photography
Photos by Britianie Tyler Photography

As you can see, Hacienda Vargas is an obvious choice for a New Mexico wedding. To see more photos of this gorgeous wedding at Hacienda Vargas take a look at Ted and Dena’s Old Adobe Wedding on our local Perfect Wedding Guide Blog.

Catherine & Mikael’s Rainy & Romantic Los Poblanos Wedding

From the first sign of sunshine peaking over the Sandias, the rain drizzled at a slow and steady pace throughout the day to grace their wedding with luck and good fortune. The air was crisp and the weather calm. Perfect for Catherine and Mikael’s wedding last fall.

With photos captured by Elizabeth Wells Photography and Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm for the venue, you know it’s bound to be magical — and magical it was. From the first rain drop to the final farewell, everything came together perfectly and seamlessly.

Unlike traditional weddings, Catherine and Mikael walked down the aisle side by side as a symbol of their unwavering commitment to each other. In honor of their new life together, they both took on a new last name, Ayele, which means, “becoming stronger.”

Although they say rain is a sign of good luck on your wedding day, it is obvious that the love between these two is much more lasting, binding and true. Their dreamy and romantic, yet completely unique wedding was simply a grand display of true love.

If rain at a wedding is a sign of good fortune, then consider us lucky! Despite waking up to dark clouds and the first wet weather of the season, we had nothing to worry about — not only because we were in the capable hands of Los Poblanos, but also because nothing could diminish the natural beauty and tranquility of this venue.

As most of our guests were attending from out of state or overseas, many visiting New Mexico for the first time, we wanted to offer an authentic, unique and memorable introduction to our beautiful state. Not only did Los Poblanos deliver, they exceeded our expectations with unparalleled cuisine, rich character and seamless coordination.

Even though it was the biggest party we’ve ever thrown, it was also the most intimate and romantic. Los Poblanos kept us warm and dry while accommodating our multicultural celebration in a way we never could have imagined and will never forget.

— Catherine, Bride

Photos by Elizabeth Wells Photography

Congratulations, Catherine and Mikael! May your love “become stronger” with each new year together!

Meet the professionals who helped make their dream a reality:

Venue: Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm | Photographer: Elizabeth Wells Photography | Hair + Makeup: Genica Lee | Cake: Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm | Photo Booth: Pink Mustache

For more on everything Wedding + Wedding Planning, visit us at: PerfectWeddingGuide.com

The Best DJs to End Your Wedding with a Mic Drop!

After the dress, the reception entertainment may well be the most important part of your wedding celebration. A boring officiant will soon be forgotten after the nuptials are exchanged, and mediocre food will be forgiven with a good old-fashioned piece of cake, but bad reception entertainment will be hard to recover from.

That, my friends, is exactly why you need to hire someone who knows what they’re doing! — someone who can get the party started, someone who can get your guests off their seat and on their feet, someone with skills! Lets face it, brides and grooms want their wedding to be epic and that can only be accomplished with good entertainment.

If your guests slowly make their escape because they would rather be counting sheep, chances are you don’t have good entertainment, but if you have to kick them out because your contract with the venue just expired, you probably aced it. To ensure your wedding is the latter, we’ve compiled an exclusive list of our favorite DJs just for you!

Photo by Cutmaster Music

Our Favorite DJs in Albuquerque + Santa Fe

  1. COMPLETE Weddings + Events
  2. Cutmaster Music
  3. Absolute Entertainment
  4. Bad Dog! Multimedia
  5. King Mobile Music
  6. Dream Factory Productions
Photo by Bad Dog Multimedia

A mic drop is the gesture of intentionally dropping one’s microphone at the end of a performance or speech to signal triumph. Figuratively, it is an expression of triumph for a successful event and indicates a boastful attitude toward one’s own performance.

— Wikipedia

Photo by Absolute Entertainment

For more on everything Wedding + Wedding Planning, visit us at: PerfectWeddingGuide.com

Delight the Senses with Table Occasions

Like so many other success stories with humble beginnings, the gals at Table Occasions got their start with a small batch of tablecloths and the rest is history. Table Occasions soon blossomed into a successful event planning and design business with convenient locations in three major cities throughout the southwest including Santa Fe, Las Cruces and El Paso.

The thing that sets Chia and Claudia apart from the rest, however, is their remarkable eye for design and their custom made décor. Unlike the competition, this dynamic duo designs and manufactures their linens from sketch to event. Creating their own unique linens not only frees them from the ordinary styles of conventional designs, but it also sets Table Occasions above the rest as a chic and luxurious design brand.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, birthday, anniversary, corporate event or thanksgiving dinner, leave it to Table Occasions to transform your special day into a stunning soiree to delight the senses. From event planning, design and management services to fine furniture and décor rentals, you can be sure your event will be exquisite, inspiring and unforgettable.

The best get together should be as fun to prepare as they are to attend. At Table Occasions, our goal is to incite your creative spirit and to translate your color and vision into a one-of-a-kind event — fit for a Gatsby Party and Royal enough for a King or Queen.

— Chia and Claudia, Table Occasions

Photos by Table Occasions

For more on everything Wedding + Wedding Planning, visit us at: PerfectWeddingGuide.com

Sanctuary on the River: The Perfect Venue to Say, I Do

If you haven’t found the right venue for your wedding ceremony and reception, chances are you haven’t found Sanctuary on the River. This amazing and very unique wedding venue is one of New Mexico’s best kept secrets. About a three hour drive southeast of Albuquerque, this exclusive getaway is the ideal location for a wedding unlike any other.

Surrounded by the picturesque mountain landscape of Ruidoso, Sanctuary on the River is naturally beautiful and perfect for that woodland style wedding. With the fresh smell of pine blowing through the cool mountain air and the soothing sound of the Ruidoso River in the background, Sanctuary on the River is the ultimate setting for a romantic outdoor wedding.

Even better, their all inclusive packages make it easy to plan the wedding of your dreams without all the added stress of conventional venues. From Spa Botanica and Hair We Are, their onsite spa and salon, to their talented wedding planners and gorgeous facilities, Sanctuary on the River has everything you need to make your wedding come to life.

Look no further than Sanctuary on the River. Our lovely indoor and outdoor spaces offer couples a variety of options that are guaranteed to make your wedding day an event to remember.

— Sanctuary on the River

Photos by Sanctuary on the River

Check out this clip of Tara + Logan’s wedding by Gray’s Studio at Sanctuary on the River:

For more on everything Wedding + Wedding Planning, visit us at: PerfectWeddingGuide.com

Relax with a Romantic Spa Date Before You Say, “I Do”

In the midst of all the wedding planning excitement, it is always a good idea to slow down and remember what’s really important — your love for each other and your soon-to-be new life together. One of the ways couples are staying grounded is with a relaxing spa date or “pre-moon,” if you will.

Depending on your idea of relaxation, however, there are many ways to recharge in New Mexico, and some at little to no cost. For instance, you can go for a hike at one of our beautiful national preserves like the Valles Caldera or melt your cares away in one of our crystal clear hot springs.

Of course, a luxurious day at the spa is always a convenient option to slip away for a romantic mini getaway and perfect for pampering pre-wedding day! If you would like to unwind before your big day, slip away to one of these beautiful spas right here in the city or just a short drive away.

Photo by La Fonda on the Plaza

Five of Our Favorite Spas Across the State

  1. Green Reed Spa at Sandia Resort & Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  2. The Spa at La Fonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe, New Mexico
  3. Spa Botanica at Sanctuary on the River, Ruidoso, New Mexico
  4. The Spa at Isleta Resort & Casino, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  5. Bliss Salon & Spa, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Photo by Sanctuary on the River

For more on everything Wedding + Wedding Planning, visit us at: PerfectWeddingGuide.com

Dark & Moody Woodland Beauty: A Northern New Mexico Styled Shoot

Danessa Gonzales, of Black Bow Events, did what she does best for this stunning styled shoot. After her imagination took off and the planning and design stage started to take shape, Danessa recruited some of her favorite experts to bring her vision to life, including Jasper Kay Photography, Bridal Elegance by Darlene, The Flower Company and even Rebel Donut.

At the pleasure of Danessa’s parents, these lovelies set up in the back yard of the Gonzales family residence in the beautiful mountain town of Questa, New Mexico. Everything about the property and surrounding landscape was the perfect setting for the dark and moody color palette paired with dusty pink accents to compliment our legendary pastel sunsets.

As you can see, their hard work paid off and the finished product came together so naturally. Every contribution and design element added the perfect touch, including the place settings by Nambé and the unique jewelry by Lilly Barrack. With a little inspiration and collaboration, the team you hire can make your ideas a dream come true.

My vision for this styled shoot was to showcase the beautiful and opulent lands of northern New Mexico, while going bold with all of the designs. My goal as a planner and designer is to broaden the visions of engaged couples and remind them that nothing is impossible and every vision is worth creating — big or small.

At the heart of my design was the lacy black wedding dress, which perfectly complimented the woodland vibe. From the donut tower to the mountainous backdrop and intimate table setting, there was nothing mundane about this styled wedding shoot. Adorned with thousands of twinkle lights and candles, it was the perfect amount of glimmer and romance.

— Danessa R. Gonzales, Black Bow Events

Photos by Jasper Kay Photography

Meet the professionals who made this styled shoot possible:

Planning, Styling & Décor: Black Bow Events | Photographer: Jasper Kay Photography | Gown: Bridal Elegance by Darlene | Makeup: Edgar Campos | Hair: IG @hmiram + @finessebarberstudio | Jewelry: Lilly Barrack | Suit: Dillard’s | Floral Design: The Flower Company | Beverages: Nuevo Cerveza + Bloody Maria | Place Settings: Nambé | Dessert: Rebel Donut | Venue: Gonzales Residence, Questa, NM

For more on everything Wedding + Wedding Planning, visit us at: PerfectWeddingGuide.com

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