PT 1: Kris + Kristen | Miss USA's Enchanted Garden Wedding | Simi Valley, CA | Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

Kris + Kristen's wedding was exquisite. The details. The sparkles. The beautiful people. There was glamour. There was friendship. There were details from incredible vendors pulled from all corners to make this enchanted garden wedding happen. I'm working on a culled list of all the brilliant hands that pulled together to make this event happen! Here are a few particular details that were so special to these two...

- DETAILS: Sparkles. Sparkles and white light everywhere. Those are some of Kristen's most favorite things. Along with fairy tales, glamour, whimsy and an effort to bring an enchanted garden to life. //  FIRST MOMENT: Kris & Kristen didn't want to see each other before the wedding but they did want to give gifts and pray together before the ceremony. She gave him a treasure chest dubbed "For His Eyes Only...A Taste of What is to Come." It contained her favorite images from her luxury bridal / boudoir session we had shot a week earlier...and he gave her a precious book of memories along with a jaw-dropping aqua diamond ring. oh my stars...so incredible! // BRIDESMAIDS: All the girls were close friends and family part of the Miss USA journey. With prestigious titles, hollywood credits, modeling contracts, sough-after designers, speakers, writers... but despite all the craziness, on the day of, all eyes were on the bride. They honored her and rejoiced over her with every ounce of joy they had. // HIM: the patience and anticipation Kris showed...(swoon). His men were goofy. They laughed and sprawled out in the stellar bachelor's room. They had a few drinks. They relaxed. They bonded...But as the ceremony got near Kris donned a pair of headphones and asked for alone time. He waited quietly for the ceremony... and oh his face when he finally did see her for the first time... go HERE for part two and HERE for part three

... so here is the prelude...

Go HERE for Pt 2!

VENDORS:

Venue: The Vineyards // Hair: Emily Dawn Artistry // Make Up: Katarina Van Derham // Flowers: Laura Williams of PoppyHill Flowers // Cake: Delicious Bakery // Bridesmaid's Jewelry: Marrin Costello // Bridesmaid's Dresses: Alfred Angelo // Photographer: Laura K Moore Photography // Videographer: Janelle Perusi // Lighting & Sound: Diversity Sounds DJ Services by DJ Christopher Tandy // Musical Performers: Cameron & Kelly Brier // Wedding Coordinator: Alice Issac: 00aliceissac00@gmail.com

Doug + Brienne | Urban Color & Sea-Spray Sass | La Jolla Engagement Session | San Diego Wedding Photographer

Our afternoon was spent in a variety of obscure locations around San Diego. Doug & Brienne met and dated in this incredible city and wanted to tell their engagement story in its context. So there is green and there is city and there are small coffee shops with perfect views and cliffs and secluded shores with singing seals and sea-spray that glittered in the setting sun. There was laughing and twirling and snarky banter and sarcasm and arm-punches and lots of kissing and sunbeams in the middle of parking lots and chai and large over-sized trucks honking at the wardrobe changes made in the back of cars. 

I love these moments. I love the silly and the sweetness. I love that Doug & Brienne let go; relaxed, trusted, flirted, laughed and let the sun set on a pretty wonderful adventure of an afternoon. Only one of many, I. am. sure.  | LKM

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

Backyard DIY Vintage Wedding | Pasadena, Wedding | PART THREE

Jeff & Abby // Backyard Vintage DIY Wedding

PART THREE // THE FINALE

The day after Jeff & Abby's wedding day they called me. I know. I was as weirded out as you are right now. What are they doing calling me the day after their wedding? Im in big trouble. I just know it.  I picked up the phone tentatively, wincing, waiting....

"Laura, we're sitting here remembering yesterday's details. And we have come down to one thing. And we needed to talk to you about it."

I'm in SUCH BIG TROUBLE. (pause)

"Well, we've just decided that our most favorite thing about the whole day was taking pictures at sunset. It was perfect. We loved it. We would have had it no other way. We would have had no other person. You were perfect." 

Speechless. Perfect. Whelp. That's as good of a customer feedback as you can possibly get. Excuse me while i beam for 3 months afterwards. Carving out time to have pictures together on your wedding day can be a super beautiful thing. Whether it's before or after the ceremony...it just allows for THIS kind of beauty to happen...It was the finale--the beauty after the prep. The patient lull before the evening party. The time to defuse and be alone in the foothills with sunbeams, butterflies, evening gnats and an over-zealous media cohort was bliss. 

We returned to a victory tunnel and a whole mess of eager guests ready to eat, drink and be merry!

So thankful I got to be part of this amazing day! :) | LKM

If you missed J + A's downtown pasadena engagement session go here. 

If you missed PART ONE and PART TWO of J + A's wedding day, go there.

Oh! And one last SUPER important thing....SHOUT OUT to ShaunPaulCreative (videography team) for their cinematic artistry. You can go HERE to see the final wedding video from Jeffery & Abby's wedding day. I may or may not have watched in 100 times now. 

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

"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

Andy + Rachael | Padua Hills Engagement Session | Claremont California | Los Angelas Wedding Photographer {Inspiration: Yellow, Stripes, & Chill}

{Andy & Rachael | Padua Hills Engagement Session | Claremont California | Los Angelas Wedding Photographer {Inspiration: Yellow, Stripes, & Chill}

What a beautiful afternoon!! The sun mixed with a soft haze to create a soft, glowy, romantic atmosphere. Andy needed some insisting at first. (grin) It feels weird--I get it--to have somebody ask you to kiss..for a long time. and like it. and LOOK like you like it...and THEN get up in your business and snap pictures of it. I get it! But about 10 minutes into shooting, we hit a stride and i backed off a bit...we found a few stellar spots around Claremont College campus to enjoy each other a bit. Once done enjoying The Claremont Colleges, we made our way up to Padua Hills...and oh did the foothills deliver. I have a love affair with grass and all things green and sunbeams. I just breathed in the smell of spring blooming...and by this time, I saw Andy & Rachael falling into eachother even more...  I went to a photographer's conference recently. One of my favorite speakers, Sue Bryce, pushed me to slow down and really aim for a connection with the client. my groom. my bride. the person(s) in front of me who'se trusting me to 'capture them'...not just pose and go. It's easy to get so caught up in racing the sunset or making sure settings are right or your directing them well enough...but taking a deep breath, letting the clients rest, find their moment together and then nudging them to be more vulnerable and relax even more....such a skill...such an art...such a goal...  My dear friends, I am tickled pink to be trusted with this crazy awesome stage of life for you guys! Can't wait to see you again and celebrate with you both on your wedding day in June! | LKM

Wil & Rachel | Walt Disney Concert Hall + Santa Monica Pier Engagement Session | Los Angelas Wedding Photography

 {Wil & Rachel | Walt Disney Concert Hall + Santa Monica Engagement Session | Los Angelas Wedding Photographer} Holy Moly. Shooting in LA was a treat--a real break from the desert and a breath of fresh sea air. We filled our lungs and dove head first into this session. Starting early Friday afternoon, Rachel made her way to my pad to get hair and make-up done (by my amazing RIGHT HAND WOMAN for this trip, Ms Dana Buchanan of Buchanan Studios!) We planned out last details of outfits and made our way to meet Wil downtown. (Aside: Wil, if there was anything MOST awesome about this shoot, was watching you relax and love your woman. thank you for trusting me; letting me give you weird funny direction. laughing. being goofy. oozing affection over your bride-to-be. it was a joy to meet you and spend time with both you and a sweetheart!) Rachel...girlfriend, you owned this one. You are going to be one STUNNING bride :) | lkm This building was fantastic to play with! Did you know that the Walt Disney Concert Hall used to actually be uber shiny but it caused too many downtown traffic accidents with glare in the afternoon sun so they actually had to go scrub out the shine and 'matte' it up?? Crazy. kinda miss the sparkle. but i suppose people are more important than pictures.  We made our way to the Dorothy Chandler Pavlilion Courtyard to play a bit... And then we scooted west and headed towards Santa Monica Pier... so much PLAY... :)  so incredibly stoked to shoot Wil & Rachel's continued love story this June...at their wedding...on Redondo Beach. More sand and tides to come baby. "May the love roll in evermore!" WOOT | lkm

LEAVE SOME LOVE FOR THE COUPLE AND CHECK OUT THEIR FACEBOOK ALBUM:

Wil & Rachel Highlight Engagement Album | Facebook.