Saguaro Buttes Peach & Peonies | Alex + Kirstie's Spring Garden Wedding | Tucson, Arizona

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We have wrapped up our Spring Weddings for 2017! Spring in the desert has us breathless each and every season. It's just so stinkin' perfect. Kirstie had wonderful aesthetic taste and Alex's vision for their wedding day was a treat to develop.

We were going for was a great outdoor party. Neither one of us wanted the proceedings to be too formal, and we wanted to focus on making it a fun night to remember! Of course, the original, half-joke half-serious theme we tossed around was “beer garden,” which I think captures the atmosphere we wanted to create – laid back and lighthearted. - Alex

 Their fresh garden wedding was complete with bright pops of peach, subtle sage, modern understated design at one of Tucson's hidden gems of a wedding venue. The staging provided a modest, classy garden pallet that was free and lively -- matched only by the bride and groom's effervescent enthusiasm and sincere joy in each other, family and freinds! Mollee Fitzgerald with POM Events nailed the look with the help of flower director Katie Mclain and her florist team at Posh Petals. Saguaro Buttes was a perfect backdrop for the fresh, relaxed but classy vibe -- a venue tucked away on the east side of Tucson; a hidden oasis set in the middle of a mesquite grove and up against the Rincon Mountains. 

Our personal favorite part of the whole day was how each little section of the day was filled with authentic joy. Alex and Kirstie just make each other laugh and love and their friends were so excited for them! And their unabashed joy in each other--Alex's face and embrace during the first look nearly made me lose it, ceremony vows were both witty and sincere and moving, portraits with family were hilarious, sunset sweetheart time was jaw-dropping gorgeous and the party down in the twinkle-light gilded garden was sheer fun! Here are a few highlights and Kirstie & Alex's review at the end :)

VENDOR TEAM

Venue: Saguaro Buttes // Wedding Planner & Day of Coordinator: P.O.M Events // Photography: Laura K Moore Photography // Videography: Black Sheep Filmworks // Make-Up & Hair: I Do Hair & Makeup // Dress: Lulus Bridal Boutique // Bridesmaid Dresses: J. Crew // Shoes:  // Bridal Party Gifts: Anthropologie // Food: Edge Catering // Cake: Sugar Song // String Musicians: Aracelli Strings LLC 

Alex's reaction during their first look was, hands down, my favorite part of the day...he just melted into her with awe and joy and held her so hard. We were able to capture nearly ALL the fun and classy portraits with wedding party and family before the wedding. The couple were eager to just have natural and authentic time enjoying their family and capturing images that were casual but classy and beautiful and REAL. 

The couple wrote vows for each other that had people laughing and crying equally hard.

After the ceremony we were able to slip away for some golden hour sunset portraits and breathing space. This time is our most favorite time of the day... the light was lovely, the weather was perfect, vows had been made and the party awaited...

and then the party.... SO much laughter and fun!  

Our experience with Laura was absolutely fantastic. From start to finish, I felt like we were in the best hands possible. It was great to know we didn’t have to worry about pictures, or our photographer understanding us – LKM just got what we were trying to accomplish, and helped us make the most out of our vision! I felt like there were many times LKM knew what we wanted more than we did, and it really helped to have LKM share her experience from other weddings to help us make the most of our photos. I am SO SO SO SO SO happy with how the photos turn out – I must look at them at least once a month, and they capture all the moments that are so important to me.If you want a photographer you can trust to capture your image, vision, and hopes for your wedding day… look no further than Laura K Moore Photography! - Official Review from Alex & Kirstie

Oh! Here is the highlight cinematography reel by Black Sheep Filmworks! Enjoy! 

More from the couple:

A. why did you choose LKM as your photographer? Were you pleased? What were your highlights?

After reviewing many, many photographers, we knew we had to have LKM as our wedding photographer. Her pictures are magical and we didn't want anything less than the best for our wedding. OF COURSE we were pleased - our pictures are amazing and we will cherish them forever. The highlights? The first look and the pictures of everyone dancing!

B. What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?

​Alex and I wanted our wedding to feel like a funky backyard party. We are really into visiting different breweries and hanging out outside and we didn't want it to feel like a formal, ballroom type of event. We mostly just wanted everyone to be able to kick back and have some fun with us. 

C. What was your color palette and your style vision? ​

Alex and I are both from Tucson, AZ and since we moved to Texas, we have both developed an even deeper love for our hometown. Tucson is such a special place, for many reasons, and we both miss the desert so much. We wanted a rustic feel for our wedding with lots of neutral colors that you pick up in the Tucson landscape – succulents and all.

D. What unique elements or DIY details did you include?

​My cousin's husband created a logo for our wedding that we had printed on pint glasses and gave those to guests as our wedding favors. We also purchased a really nice piece of wood to use as our cake stand and eventually want our logo etched into the cake stand to hang in our home. 

E. What was your favorite moment? 

Every moment of that day was so special so this is a tough question to answer. I think my favorite was walking down the aisle to Alex. After not seeing him all day (except for the first look - another favorite moment!), walking down the aisle to him felt like walking home. Finally getting to say our vows, exchange rings and kiss as husband and wife was a moment I'll never forget. (This is supposed to be sappy, right?)

F. Your favorite crafted detail? ​

My lumberjack of a husband built the bar for the reception, so I’d say that was my favorite crafted detail. He’s rad. 

G. Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, etc. 

Everything came together so beautifully. Posh Petals did an amazing job with the flowers – everything was just as I imagined, and I barely gave Katie any direction. I’m pretty useless when it comes to flowers, but she knew exactly what I had been describing and all of the colors and textures looked perfect. The floral arrangement that was placed on the ceremony arch was just as romantic as I had hoped. I purchased my gown from LuLu’s Bridal Boutique in Dallas and it was stunning. I keep trying to think of places I can wear it again. I felt amazing in my dress, and my flower crown from Posh Petals topped it all off. We wanted to play up the beer garden theme, so the pint glasses we handed out as our favors were perfect and I love that we were able to include a logo on them. I still dream about our wedding cake – it was that good. Lorie with Sugar Song Cakes did a delicious job. It was an orange blossom cake with lots of citrus fillings, honey basil citrus icing and buttercream frosting. Mollee with Peace of Mind Event Design and Waitstaff was a godsend. I didn’t have to worry about anything the day of the wedding and she pulled it all off without a hitch. 

H. What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?

The planning process is a necessary evil, but you’ll get through it. I was smiling like an idiot the entire day and couldn’t tell you a thing that went wrong. It was perfect, and yours will be too.  Oh yeah, and don’t skimp on the photographer and the videographer – they’re incredibly worth it.