Backyard Vintage DIY Wedding | Pasadena, California | PART TWO

Jeff & Abby // Backyard Vintage DIY Wedding

PART TWO // THE VOWS

They stood back-to-back, porch door between them. The moment he grabbed her hand it was that cinematic moment where the buzz hushed, giggles muffled, mom sniffed, flower girls peaks around the corner. They giggled. They were awkward. Abby fought back tears. Jeff couldn't stop smiling. It was one of my favorite moments of their day. And the way he prayed for his bride; surrendered their expectations and their party; honored and anticipated his beloved...Guests started to trickle in and there was a cranky ring-bearer in the room, something about somebody's hair wasn't done, a mason jar broke somewhere outside, the flurry picked up once more....but something had been diffused. All was right in the world.

Abby's laughter was the centerpiece of the wedding ceremony. Jeff literally fist-pumped his way through "you may kiss the bride." Afterwards, family meandered to the front yard to catch some formal pictures followed by a good chunk of time navigating the wedding party, their ravenous hunger, the beer in mason jars, cheese and crackers, reminiscing, sillyness....so. much. bonding. 

And then the bride and groom pulled away for their sunset session in the foothills...

To check out Jeff & Abby's stellar downtown Pasadena engagement session Go Here.

To check out PART ONE of Jeff & Abby's Pasadena Backyard Wedding Go Here

Check back for the third and final part of Jeff & Abby's wedding day! 

Backyard Vintage DIY Wedding | Denim, Burlap & Lace | Part One

Jeff & Abby // Backyard Vintage DIY Wedding   

PART ONE | THE PRELUDE 

Fresh spring air rose up over Pasadena's foothills. The private residence was quaint. Decorated with nostalgia, family heirlooms and frosted with more make-up and DIY favor remnants than we knew what to do with. Chickens clucked on the trampoline, tablecloths waved in the fresh morning breeze and the laughter of long-time friends sprinkled throughout last minute responsibilities, anticipation and the emotion of, "FINALLY." 

My highlights from the very beginning were the way her girls took care of her. They tended to details. Painted vases in their PJs. Put Abby first. And then there was the bride herself.  Abby's up-do was one of the most beautiful i've seen. Her one simple jewelry choice was this perfect blue stone on a gold chain. The denim jackets, the flower girls and their boots, the tosses of babies breath against these perfect bridesmaid dresses...

And then she put that dress on...and her girls were laughing and her mom was crying and all Abby could do was LAUGH. SO. HARD....

Meanwhile Jeff waited in the foothills with his merry men...

More from this Pasadena Backyard DIY Wedding tomorrow!

Disney Acrobate and Hollister Model Engagement Session | Padua Hills Theatre | Claremont, CA

{Lillie & Aaron | Disney Acrobate & Anakin Skywalker Engaged | Padua Hills Theatre, Claremont, Ca} So much giggles during this engagement session earlier this past summer! Anakin Skywalker (cough), i mean Aaron, dotes on his little lady and she gets equally googly-eyed. The whole time we shot he was strutting his model curves and she'd kidney-shot him from time to time. We were in stitches by the end of the day!

These two are getting married today! And I'm pretty sure there is nobody more giddy on the face of the planet than they are....wait. (time lapse). nope. i checked. | LKM

Happy Birthday Kristen Dalton Wolfe! | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

Happy Birthday to this lovely lady today! Kristen, I hope this year of 'firsts' is rich with wonder. I hope this birthday and this first christmas as a newlywed is wrought with joy and precious memories and new traditions! Blessings girl! | To learn more about Kristen's heart and passion, check out her website http://sheismore.com/.  | lkm

"Portrait of promise in waiting" | Andy & Rachael | teaser

 {Andy & Rachael | Rancho Cucamonga, California Wedding} This image of Rachael takes my breath away. It captures every bit of her as I observed on her wedding day. So much joy. Complete surety that the day was perfect; that it had arrived full of promise and sweet innocence of everything waited for, hope for, prepared for...Rachael, you were a stunning bride! | lkm

Kristen J. Dalton | Celebrity Wedding Photography | Beverly Hills Bridal & Boudoir Portraits

{ Kristen J. Dalton | Celebrity Wedding Photography | Miss USA 2009 | SLS Beverly Hills | Bridal /Boudoir Portrait Session}

This girl couldn't have made my job much easier. :) The ease and finesse of posing and experience as a model made shooting a dream. Kristen is a sweetheart and when she called to set up details for a bridal/boudoir portrait session a week before her wedding, I jumped into high-gear to make sure pieces fell into place and we'd get the images ready in time for her wedding day! We weren't sure where to do the shoot...and then Kristen's text early Monday morning went like this..."WE GOT IT! THE SLS IS AVAILABLE! WERE IN!" This creme dela creme of a hotel is JAW-DROPPING. My public repertoire is a bit limited for this shoot, (I don't often make boudoir images public. Those are for "his eyes only" if you catch my drift) but here are a few highlights from Kristen's  Bridal / Boudoir session ... :) | lkm

After spending time in the unbelievable 'bazaar' of the SLS, we were led to the black and white VIP suites where we spent a good 2 hours nailing a pretty incredible BOUDOIR experience. I can only give you a few discreet 'peeks'...(note the HUGE CROWN CHANDELIER hanging in the background)...fave. Kristen, thank you for being wonderful. flexible. gracious. And Claire, partner-in-awesomeness, I'm so glad Kristen asked you to come be there for this shoot. You were the best production assistant ever. You helped put her at ease and I'm pretty sure I'm going to hire you for my future LA sessions as comedic relief and lamp holder. Who else would be cozy enough to grab onto my arse as i'm precariously perched above bride...Just saying.  | LKM

Kristen J. Dalton | Los Angelas Wedding Photography | Beverly Hills Bridal Portraits | teaser

Kristen-J-Dalton-Los-Angelas-Wedding-Photography-Laura-K-Moore_0010

 {Los Angelas Bridal Portrait Session | Miss USA 2009 Kristen Dalton | Summer 2013} I'm absolutely falling in love with bridal portrait sessions; a session within weeks of the wedding where the bride and I get to bond, get beautiful, get crazy, get comfortable, do a few trial runs, practice working with the body, the dress, the shoes, the hair...it's like an epic dress rehearsal that delivers epic images that may or may not be POSSIBLE on a wedding day. While it started in the south, west coast is picking up on the trend to have a few of these images shared at the wedding itself. Fun stuff. Love love loved my time with Kristen a week before her wedding. More sparkly goodness coming soon :) | lkm

Jesse + Sam | Southern California Wedding Photographer | Horse Town USA { Inspiration: Country Chic, Pride & Prejudice, Literary Passion & (a dash o') Baby's Breath } PART ONE

{Jesse & Sam | Norco Horse Town USA | Southern California Wedding Photographer | Inspiration: Country Chic & Baby's Breath } I get choked up every time I think about Sam's wedding day. I met this young lady when she was still in highschool. She loved people. She loved life. She loved Jesus with all her heart, mind and soul. It's been a long, arduous road since then to the day I watched her stand before Jesse and vow her life and heart to share with him. The celebration was epic. The joy in the air was contagious. It was a day to give back to this girl who was characterized by giving so much of herself. And it was. absolutely.delightful. My heart continus to sing as i share these highlights. (Note: go HERE to revisit their fun surprise proposal/engagement session earlier last year!) | lkm

love her little details. pearls. sparkles. lace toms.... we got all the girls gathered up to go shoot in the hills of Norco....and yes i drooled THOROUGHLY over all that lush, green grass! (yes, i live in desert) i gave her a sneak peak of these shots and she squeeled, "oh my gosh! it really is just like pride and prejudice!! those rolling hills! Gah!" then we headed over to the Pawley's house...where she did SO much life; her 2nd home. :)best friend and MOH time together :)hashtag: resting, refreshing, sunbeam recharge, etc.meanwhile...the guys were  getting their duds on..props to second shooter Emily for helping snag their dapper-ness... :) and then they got ready for their first look :) best first look expression ever!he was so taken...so tenderand then it was PARTAY time with the wedding party! and this was only the beginning! the awesome prelude! check back for PART TWO!

Ryan & Samantha | Yellow and Teal Couture Wedding Photography | San Diego, Green Gables Estate | Pt.1

{Ryan & Samantha | Yellow and Teal Couture Wedding Photography | San Diego, Green Gables Estate | The Girls}

So...i'm breaking highlights from this amazing San Diego wedding into multiple parts. There is just...too much awesomeness. Yellow and deep teal were Sam's colors with a splash of couture inspiration. With Guess heels and Vera Wang dress, Ms. Fashionista herself was glowing. My team and I arrived at the 'girls pad' late morning with time to spare so we could just hang out and bond a bit while they gussied up...

oh that dress.... Vera Wang did not dissapoint! Sam and her mom had a really special bond... Once we donned the dress, touched up the make-up we had planned to spend a good amount as 'just us girls.' We hit up mom's orchards in the backyard  first... sam was more than willing to do pretty much anything...until winds picked up and we were frozen to the bone. The rest of the bridal party went to go warm up in the car while MOH Catie and Sam enjoyed a few last minute laughs and poses. then meandered over to some awesome nearby train tracks and let the 'sass' spew. Back at the Green Gables Estate, we avoided San Diego's once-in-a-lifetime hurricane remnants  and gushed over the incredible Bridal Prep room decorated with posh little quaint details.

oh man....these little ones.... :)

the lady in waiting... ;) love these moments of anticipation. the excitement OOZED... :)

to be continued... :) | lkm