Unique Desert Chic Wedding at the Alamo Motel

Bride and groom kissing, holding hands, wedding day

The vintage motor lodge vibe of the Alamo Motel in Los Alamos, California is what inspired Chelsea and Nick to have their unique outdoor wedding right there. They kept their decor true to the theme of the Motel with 60’s inspired details and featured potted cacti and a relaxed SoCal vibe throughout.

The bride relied on her vendors to understand her vision, and they did so flawlessly. From the vibrant free-flowing florals to the custom candle favors and more, every piece of this wedding fell perfectly into place to complete her overall vision. Danielle Bacon did a stunning job capturing this day, so check out the highlights below. When you’re ready for more, don’t miss the full gallery.

Wedding dress hanging in front of Alamo Motel sign on sunny day

White building with wooden doors and cacti under bright sunny day

Beige tapestry with blue pattern, flowers, and shoes on bench Rustic chair with a vibrant floral arrangement by the window

Brown suede Steve Madden wedge sandals on white fluffy surface

RELAXED SOCAL VIBE

From the bride: I wanted it to feel like you just walked into a party in the 1960's with touches of surfer vibe and summertime...probably makes no sense but with the help of my amazing florist, I was able to bring what I had in my mind to real life. I wanted to have an all over relaxed SoCal vibe. I was really blessed to have so many vendors who knew what I was going for without a lot of explanation.

Bride with bridesmaids holding bouquets posing outside on grass

Woman in teal dress holding a vibrant floral bouquet Beautiful bride in white dress holding flower bouquet outdoors

Bride holding a vibrant pink and purple flower bouquet

Four groomsmen in blue suits posing for a wedding photo Elegant blue suit with a boutonniere, perfect for a wedding day

Bride and groom exchanging vows at outdoor wedding ceremony

Wedding couple kissing in front of a MUNI sign after the ceremony

Groom kisses bride on forehead, holding a flower bouquet at their wedding Beautiful couple on their wedding day standing in front of wall

Happy couple embracing in wedding attire against a rustic backdrop

Personal touches

Because I was the main stylist and planner (with the exception of a great day of coordinator) I tried not to take on a lot of DIY projects. My mom helped me pick out cactus for the ceremony and then Nick and I re-potted them. I was also blessed to be surrounded by talented people who added all the personal touches- like the For Scenses Candles party favors, and the awesome calligraphy name tags by Janelle Quire, Dahlia and Peony Ink.

Palette seating chart with vintage key ring place cards Wooden table sign with floral decor for a rustic wedding

Elegant table setting for a wedding outdoors with flowers and chairs

Bohemian themed wedding table setting with floral centerpiece and gold accents A beautiful floral arrangement in an amber glass vase on a white table

Elegant wedding table setting with fan, decor and floral arrangement

Relaxed vintage inspired wedding at the Alamo Motel Two leather chairs and a cactus on a cozy outdoor lounge area

potted cacti and bright florals

The flowers were a big part of the look I wanted to create. Amy, Desert Rose Florals, kept everything really loose and flowy. I wanted a large bouquet. A lot of people tried to discourage it, but it was probably my favorite part of my whole look. The centerpieces had pampas grass and bougainvillea which I feel really gave to the summery and chill vibe I wanted. I wanted to keep the ceremony simple, so I purchased cactus and put them in terracotta pots (which now sit by our front door) and Amy accented the table with mini cactus and succulents which I still have in my house today.

Outdoor wedding decor with charming table and chairs setup