PT 3 | Joey + Christiana | Barefoot Bride, Katniss Braid, Peaches & Cream | Minooka Park Picnic Wedding

Joey + Christiana // Minooka Park, Waukesha Wisconsin Picnic Wedding // Part Three

If you missed PART ONE go HERE or PART TWO go HERE. Or if you want to start at the beginning, check out their precious Waukesha, Wisconsin engagement session HERE.  

Joey + Christiana share their highlights...

- The father-daughter dance.  That was one of the best/worst moments of the reception.  My dad and I are extremely close and have been through a lot together.  We were both in tears as we danced to "I Loved Her First..." As a little girl I always told my Daddy I would never get married because I just wanted him to be my man forever. Also...My dad, who has had a long, miserable, and at times severely debilitating journey with Lyme's Disease, felt a little better for the day.

- The weather was absolutely perfect-- for being such a bipolar weather month in Wisconsin, it really was the ideal May day... warm but not scorching, and (wonder of wonders) not a drop of rain.

- The Maid of Honor's speech.  My dear friend Heidi recounted, to my horror, my former days of staunchly "preaching" 1 Corinthians 7 and singleness for the mission field.  I'd stuck a sign on our dorm room that said, among other things, "As for me and my dorm, we will not text boys."  When Heidi and my roommates discovered that I "liked a boy" and was in fact guilty even of texting him, they had ripped the sign into little pieces and stuck it all over my desk...

- My awesome, crazy, wonderful Uncle Rick (gnarliest busker at places like Arts Alive! in Humboldt Country, Nor Cal) and his legendary 'stache not only made it to the wedding, but fulfilled the years-long dream that he might be able to bring his accordian and place during the reception. 

- Along those lines...the song from "Fiddler on the Roof" and being lifted up in the air on our chairs during said accordian-playing-- did NOT know that was going to happen!

- The cake fight. That was great.

- The motorcycle getaway. We love our motorcycle ride dates.

And just to add one more fave.... Joey is an amazing artist who hand crafts and repurposes all sorts of industrial pieces. He made Christy's ring....out of melded silver and GUITAR string...

::CLIENT REVIEW::

 I'm so thankful for the friendship made with Joey + Christiana and am honored to have been trusted with their precious, precious day. Here are some final thoughts from the Kuhlows regarding their experience with LKM. Excuse the shameless horn-tooting. Or embrace it....because I sure do. It's the stuff of survival in this industry.

Q. What were you looking for in a photographer?

A. Good quality pictures with modern composition. I had been following Laura's pictures for a long time and didn't even consider anyone else!

Q. What was your experience with LKM's customer service?

A. It was great! She flew all the way out to Wisconsin to accommodate for our wedding, and worked with us taking our engagement pictures the day after our wedding. Laura always stayed happy with us through all the stresses and was phenomenal at helping us feel relaxed and comfortable with her during the shoots. It was a great privilege to have a friend shooting our wedding :)

Q. What were 3 highlights of having LKM shoot your wedding?

A. The easy laughs. Always comfortable (no awkwardness). Phenomenal pictures and albums for a great price!

Q. How did your pictures turn out? What were your favorite things about them?

A. Pictures turned out great :) I like when pictures look phenomenal without looking fake. I know a lot of editing took place to get the pictures where they are, but the end result still looks very natural with no awkward effects that distract from the content of each picture. (woo hoo!)

BLESSINGS JOEY + CHRISTIANA!

I hope this year has been rich and beautiful and mind-blowing and extravagantly full of His mercy and joy. | LKM

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PT 2 | Joey + Christiana | Barefoot Bride, Katniss Braid, Peaches & Cream | Minooka Park Picnic Wedding

Joey + Christiana // Minooka Park, Waukesha Wisconsin Picnic Wedding // Part Two

If you missed PART ONE of Joey & Christiana's wedding day yesterday, go HERE. Or if you want to start at the beginning, check out their precious Waukesha, Wisconsin engagement session HERE.  

Christiana is a beautiful spirit of a woman. I asked her and Joey to offer their narrative of their wedding day. I'd much rather hear her highlights...especially considering how many little moments she remembered and meant so much to her...Here is their recap...

Guhhhhhh... It's so impossible to pick a favorite moment during the ceremony! The moment that might take the cake though, was between "I now pronounce you man and wife" and "You may kiss the bride..." Adam (the officiant) paused between the two statements and Joey was already leaning in to swoop me up...... haha :)  Joey's favorite moment: "Her coming down the aisle."

We loved how well Laura organized everyone and made us all laugh... no one was sick of the picture-taking because she really made it fun with all her social skills and energy!  As for the photos of just us as a couple after that... We love how well the pictures captured the greenery of springtime in Wisconsin.  We're especially in love with that one taken by the trees and water between "prompts" where neither of us is smiling...!

Stay tuned for PART THREE..

Joey + Christiana | Barefoot Bride, Katniss Braid, Peaches & Cream | Minooka Park, Waukesha, Wisconsin Picnic Wedding | Part One

Joey + Christiana // Minooka Park, Waukesha Wisconsin Picnic Wedding // Part One

The morning of Joey & Christiana's wedding I woke up early and experienced Wisconsin. I drank in the green and siphoned it straight to my soul...

Joey & Christiana wanted their wedding to be simple. full of people. full of Jesus. full of celebration. They wanted people to have so much fun and thought outside of the box to keep things super personal--unapologetically raw, real and amazingly memorable. 

Christiana got ready in the dorm rooms at New Tribe Bible College where she and Joey met. One of 10 kids, she had family participating everywhere. Joey asked her to specifically wear her "katniss braid" and going barefoot was a non-negotiable. Mom zipped up her dress. Aunt did her makeup. College roommates laughed about old memories and the whole morning was a collision of nostalgia and anticipation. 

I asked Joey & Christiana to share some of their thoughts about their First Look...

The "first look" was a great decision.  We're so glad we did it and would definitely recommend it to other brides and grooms!   I love keeping tradition immensely, but we also knew we would regret it if we waited for Laura to shoot all the "couple" photos after the ceremony when our time with family and guests was too incredibly short as it was.  With the first look, we still got to have that sweet, once-in-a-lifetime moment and it was so much better with just the two of us in private anyway.  The most beautiful thing was getting to pray together alone.  That was a simple moment I will always cherish.  It was very reassuring to come to God together on that day as we had hundreds of times before, and a great way to connect with God together as well as mentally and emotionally put everything in perspective before the whirlwind day began...

Part Two coming soon...

If you haven't seen Joey + Christiana's engagement session, go HERE. 

Andrew + Jen | Big tree. Red Bike. Seaside Tackles. | Manhattan Beach Engagement Session

I grew up with Andrew. Him and his crazy antics and awesome laugh and free spirit--I was over the moon to meet his sweetheart who matched him (and then some) in the laughter department. Their engagement session spread out all over Los Angeles. We met first in Glendora at Big Tree Park. A place that was nostalgic for them--a frequent home of cuddles and sweet nothings. Then we ventured to Manhattan Beach where they put on their date night outfit and stepped even closer to each other. They walked along the boardwalk, danced on the pier, snuggled on life-guard stations, told stories, raced and tackled each other in the sands as the sun dipped behind the evening haze. 

I texted Andrew shortly after our session while going through images, "I think I am excited for your session for a really special reason. You guys progressively seemed to fall into each other as pictures took place. Posing gave away quickly to moments enjoying each other...and...and you look strong Andrew. You look strong and overjoyed and giddy all at the same time...and I watched as Jen leaned into that and let that happen." There is this real authenticity that I particularly love about this session... | LKM

Joey + Christiana | Motorcycles, Green Trails & Railroads: Milwaukee Engagement Session | Destination Wedding Photographer

A little background...Last May I was in Wisconsin and I never got to share the images from that weekend.

I went to school with Joey in the Philippines 14 years ago. It was incredible to hear pieces of the journey into manhood that has ripened his strong soul since i last saw him. He and his sweetheart Christiana were getting married the day after they graduated college. (Efficient right?! :) Due to crazy schedules we decided to actually shoot their engagement session the day AFTER their wedding. One amazing 3 days of life changing experiences and I got to be a part of it. Watch it unfold before me. Capture the pieces that caught my attention. 

Joey & Christiana wanted to shoot their engagement session in a park where they often went running. The meandering paths amid abandoned railways and the nostalgic buzz of cicadas were still and welcoming. The sheer amount of green and fortitude found in the trees was effortless; everywhere. 

We ended our time out on a bike route that Joey & Christiana often frequented to detox from their studies. Their keen sense of adventure is ripe with expectation and I'm confident that the few fist pumps and longing looks captured below tell a story that has only just begun. | LKM

Monique | Wonder, Wilderness & Wildflowers | Tucson Maternity Photographer

Monique has spent the last 8 months nurturing this little life. There have been ups and downs, scares and hospital visits. She has fought for baby Hannah; praying long and hard for Little One to stay in the oven as long as possible. Knowing that this was her last pregnancy, we wanted to make this session special and staged in a setting that would allow Tucson terrain to strut its stuff. My good friend, Dana, treated mommy to a make-over and as Monique walked up to our meeting spot--she was glowing, content and so incredibly beautiful. This session is really special to me. This lady, particularly gives so much. often.

Motherhood really is such a journey--full of wonder, wilderness and wildflowers.

Charlie + Ronika: Tucson Palo Verde Desert Wash & Sunset Bike Ride Engagement Session

Charlie & Ronika are so chill and made my job was painfully easy. I realized that much of their ease would allow me to hush up and let them breathe together. Pre-wedding craziness is at a high and this evening together seemed to be progressively more of a detox "i-love-you-so-much" interlude. And the reminding grace that "oh-my-gosh-i-want-to-be-with-this-person-forever" seemed to wash over them in moments of sweetness and sunbeams...sunset bike rides. I am beyond excited for their wedding at the Tucson Museum of Art. Game on baby. | lkm

EDIT // I asked Ronika for some of the backstory for her and Charlie's wedding day and she gave the sweetest proposal story that i had to add...

Its beginning: The modest rumble of a triumph motorcycle, led me to you that night. I made my way to the door to thank you, Charlie, for the two colorful assorted bouquets. I found you at the end of the steps looking hesitant but sexy in cowboy boots, fitted jeans, button down gray shirt covered by a brown vest. I walked toward the man who I had desired since a young girl. By our third date I realized he was the face I had tried so hard to imagine, a man full integrity, love and a need for adventure. I opened my arms and you embraced me, I felt the slightest trembling running through your skin. You grabbed my hands and looked up at me with a big determined grin and said, “Ronika a year ago today I asked you to hangout and today I wanted ask if you would hang out with me for the rest of your life!” . The man of my dreams took one knee and asked me to marry him. I was altogether beside myself unable to keep tears of happiness from ruling my entire face. My dreams had become a reality this is a moment I shall always remember....Shall we always to choose to love.

Matt + Marcy: "Alice in Wonderland" Whimsy & Snapdragons, Agua Linda Farm Wedding | Part Two

(If you missed PART ONE of this "Alice in Wonderland" Wedding, go HERE.)

This incredible spring garden wedding was like stepping into a fanciful rabbit hole full of sparkle, dancing and laughter. To continue with some of the back story behind Matt & Marcy's special day, I asked Marcy if she could share a few of her highlights...

• My dress! It was exactly what I wanted, fun, whimsical and a Mexican Alice in Wonderland feel!

•Beautiful flowers! I didn't think I was a "flower" kinda girl and was going to go with fake flowers, but the arrangements of real flowers blew me away! Giant antique roses, hydrengias, peonies, and so many more! what a wonderland!

•Cake and candies! Beautiful cake with cascading peonies and the candies kept all the little ones happy! I love french macaroons! Too cute!

•Friends and family! It felt so special to have loved ones enjoying with us!

•Dance floor! It was well worth the rental! Everyone cut rug!

• The world just stopping as I walked down the aisle looking at Matt. so handsome! Everything just disappeared. we were both in happy tears. beautiful harp music playing

• My Dad and my dance...my Dad really showed his funny personality and we got down! 

• I remember (LKM) was about to take pictures of us right before the cake cutting and everyone rushed us like paparazzi. You just disappeared in the swarm (and let family do their thing). You and your team were just great! You were so good with the crazy dynamic of our families! You guys felt more like welcomed guests! (We felt the same way!)

A few more details and vendor shout outs:

Venue: Agua Linda Farm // Wedding Coordinator: Laurel Loew of Agua Linda Farm // Personal Wedding Coordinator: Deb Tenino // Tucson Wedding Photographer: Laura K Moore Photography // Linens were by La Tavola out of Napa, California // Flowers: Debby Larsen // Party Rentals: Tucson Party Rentals // Bridesmaid's Jewelry: Forever 21 // DIY materials: Joann's

Matt + Marcy, your wedding goes down in my books with so much creative sparkle that I still talk about it! I wish you many more dreamy, whimsical garden picnics, happy dancing, funny memories and enough laughter to fill your tea cups to overflowing. For. ev. er. Happy First Anniversary! | LKM 

Matt + Marcy: "Alice in Wonderland" Whimsy & Snapdragons, Agua Linda Farm Wedding | Part One

What do you get when two artists/graphic designers get married?

Creative overload; details galore; an "Alice in Wonderland" themed wedding that kept us jaw-dropped the whole day. Flowerbeds. Daffodils and larger-than-life Snapdragons. Pocket watches. Bronze trinkets. Antique chandeliers suspended from ivy. An incredible farm in the middle of Nowhere, Arizona with more sunbeams, butterflies and whimsy than I knew what to do with. (I was positive Anne of Green Gables was going to come out of a nook or cranny and belt poetry at any moment...)

Nearly every detail was designed/collected/hand-crafted by the bride and her ensemble of friends and family who helped create this wonderland. 

For more daffodils, daydreams & dancing... go to part two of this Alice in Wonderland Garden Wedding HERE.

{"Like" Laura K Moore Photography / Follow @laurakmoore}

Oh, and if you didn't see Matt & Marcy's engagement session, go HERE.

Bryce + Caroline: Sunbeams & Cartoon Clouds | Desert Engagement Session

Spring was sprinkled in patches, I stepped on a gnarly, dead barrel cactus, we navigated barbed wired and ragweed, and the clouds could have been painted with a disney paintbrush and we wouldn't have known the difference. Caroline's fantastic lace dress was a striking contrast against the sharp contours of the desert. We were wrapping up and heading back to our original meeting spot when the sunset hit it's prime. And despite the clutter of evening traffic and construction, they willingly frolicked into the middle of the street, let romance ooze...then dashed back averting eye-contact from the police man who had inched up behind us. We high-fived each other, waved at the friendly honks and hoots driving by, pow-wowed over a few wedding details and called it an evening. Can't wait for this couple's Scottsdale wedding next month! 

Now excuse me while i go nurse a few cactus battle wounds.