As everything shrivels a little in the heat of desert's summer, this fancy plant is cheerful, resilient and so very stubborn.
I really like these flowers.
And to get a bit nerdy on y'all.... the Red Bird of Paradise is scientifically dubbed Caesalpinia pulcherrima and part of the pea family. It also goes by Pride of Barbados, Poinciana, Peacock Flower, Dwarf Poinciana, and Flamboyan-De-Jardin (translation: Flamboyant Garden).
The Details, Behind the Scenes, Memories and Vendor Highlights that made this day extraordinary
Prep began at the bride's parent's home, surrounded by ladies she loved. The weather was bizarre and stormy. Bridal portraits were done in parent's backyard. Giggles and Fireball whiskey were passed around before the caravan headed downtown.
Downtown at Tucson Museum of Art, the ladies waited while crowds arrived across the street. Katie McClain of Posh Petals arrived with the flowers...
I have never had a favorite flower but thanks to Pinterest I was able to get an idea of my dream bouquet. Katie’s passion alone had me entranced, so fun and bubbly with so much knowledge and advice. She was helpful and determined to help me create the perfect bouquet. The bouquets turned out beautiful looking perfectly spring filled. Charlie and I wanted to stick by our native plants choosing cacti and succulents for the centers pieces. Everything was absolutely beautiful.
Bridal party enjoyed some fancy poses until dad arrived and he saw Ronika for the first time...Their wasn't a dry eye after...including myself...
Charlie had started the day off right, breakfast with his best bud, then a man trip to the club for some hot tub and steam room time. As the day went on he worried about is bride to be with the unpredictable weather, was she freaking out? All he wanted to do was comfort his bride. As he kicked back some Manhattans with the guys, she was still lingering in his thoughts. From putting on the crazy socks, a Ware tradition, to tying the dress ties and swallowing the last gulp of Manhattan Charlie was ready to greet his bride. The boys walked form the historic Hotel Congress to the ceremony they passed a few guests driving past them. It was awesome to be cheered be passing guests, with lots of whoops and whistles.
The weather was cloudy skies and as we drove to the ceremony it started to pour in that moment I surrendered to God knowing Charlie was the man for me and how our outside day of events would somehow be nothing short of perfect. The time had come and it may have been sprinkling rain as I walked down the aisle arm and arm with my dad but no one could have wiped the enormous grin from my face. It was happening now and I was determined to be in this moment and I was. All I could register were Charlie’s eyes.
Charlie could hardly stand the suspense now he could slightly see his bride sitting in a turquoise restored 1960 Impala. He watched her walked toward him and just before she was to handed to him he jumped the gun and reached for her hand before it was given. ( that was a super cute moment during the ceremony. see below...)
Family stayed behind and lingered in the El Presidio Courtyard while sunbeams came out with a fanfare full of joy. Family portraits were a blast. Everybody just laughed and laughed. Family Formals are always a little like herding cats but mix in a bit o' humor and funny uncles and a spirit of "best day ever" and you get some pretty wonderful moments...
Downtown sparkled with dew and celebration. While the wedding party wrapped up their show at favorite restaurant La Cocina, bride and groom stayed behind to take a few more pictures alone.
Megan Crain of MC Events helped design and coordinate Charlie & Ronika's wedding day. Here are some of their thoughts about her role in their wedding day...
Charlie and I decided we wanted to celebrate our wedding with everyone we love. We saw our wedding as a day of celebration and wanted to be the best celebration/ party ever! With our guest list reaching near 300 people I wanted to get the best deals and explore all my options when it came to food entertainment and décor costs. When we met with Meagan it was a no brainer that she would be worth investing in. Meagan directed me with all the essential guidelines as far as questions and timelines I needed to answer and create. She worked hard for me to get the best prices so I could stay within my budget.
And then the party began. Guests got settled in, wedding party introduced, and bride and groom came rejoicing in, danced and dinner...
Caterer Carte Blanche was willing to be creative giving us a traditional Mexican menu with a exotic modern twist. Prickly pear meatballs and veggie stuffed quesadillas for the cocktail hour. I loathe the time between a ceremony and reception with no food. Everyone’s thinking whose table is going to get served first, so I insisted on hefty appetizers during the cocktail hour. Our experience with Carte Blanche was awesome and I love their promise that there will always be more than enough food. It is pricey to feed 300 guests but Carte Blanche made it possible to feed my guests a delicious appetizers and meals until their tummies were stuffed, all while staying within budget.
During consults the year preceding wedding time, Charlie & Ronika MOST talked about their day being relaxed, natural, uncontrived, non-cheesy, celebratory and totally 'them.' When the floor was opened, people danced...and danced...and laughed...and danced. I even got off the clock and was invited to stay and hit the floor too!
We wanted to party the night away dancing with all our favorite people. DJ Andrew Wagner of Tucson's Muse DJ learned our taste in music and really listened to all of our requests. He set up a sharp sound system and provided us a never ending selection of tunes!
Of course every bride wants to look fabulous on her wedding day and look back at the pictures in awe. Well Laura K Moore Photography was my top pick. She is able to get people to come out of their head while in front of a camera. I knew she would be able to capture the best shots. Turns out I was right the photos are ridiculously amazing; from happy, to sexy, to goofy and precious we got every emotion of that spectacular day captured--so full of life and real emotions! I got my dream wedding photographer. Enough said.
Overjoyed to share this story. To know these people. To consider them friends. Thank you for letting me be part of this whole process of planning and delighting. You guys are awesome :)
If you want to see more work or keep tabs on what LKM is doing... click on the follow tabs in the right column. | Joy, LKM
Dress: Alfred Angelos // Bridesmaid's Dresses: Alfred Angelos // Bride's Shoes: Dillards // Hair Sylist: Gaetanas Salon // Groomsmen's Suits: Jos A. Bank // Catering: Carte Blanc // Florist: Posh Petals // Coordinator: Meagan Crain of MC Events // Photography: Laura K Moore Photography // Ceremony Location: El Presidio Court Yard // Reception Location: Tucson Museum of Art // DJ: Andrew Wagner of Muse DJ // After-party Location: La Cocina
P.S. And just for fun, if you missed Charlie & Ronika's precious, casual, stupid-sexy engagement session, go here
This weekend I was asked to share one of my texture pieces at our church as part of creative worship. This is the one i chose and you can read the thoughts behind it HERE.
"Aloe Nutbakeri" | Tucson Succulent | Sonoran Desert Museum
ruth be told, one of my most recent desert textures is called "the wild type spanish flag." No joke. I figured it only appropriate...Lots of things happened for Spain last week...(and it's not just Chile's fault.)
This bush is right outside our apartment. The sun sets behind it perfectly. Almost every evening I'm out near it, smelling the its rich, thick honey waft while kids ride their bikes in the courtyard.
My condolences Spain...here is a hug. a historical salute. a solid handshake. a bouquet of wild spanish flags and a solid dose of honey air. If I knew how to send you a gift, i'd send someone important and symbolic a gift...a fine art canvas large and glowing like a bouquet of remembrance and transition. | LKM
"Honey Air" by LKM | Lantana Bush | "Wild Type Spanish Flag" | Sonoran Desert Plant | 16 x 20 Giclee Canvas Print: $150
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.
{Andy + Autumn | Cowboy Meets Cowgirl | Tucson Engagement Session | Arizona Wedding Photographer | Make Up & Hair Artist: Dana Buchanan}
Autumn specifically contacted me because she said, 'i loved your website! it was clean. simple. and your images were beautiful.' AWESOME SAUCE. I've been processing brand identity behind the scenes for awhile now. I'm keeping things clean and simple until i figure it out. And apparently that's just fine because i got to meet, greet and laugh with two awesome little love birds who were precious to shoot. Her gentleness with him was my favorite part. Autumn adores Andy. And I can just tell it makes him walk 10 feet taller. He adores her back. And it makes her eyes dance like a million sunbeams...(grin)...too sappy for you? feast your eyeballs then and swoon later. | lkm
(above) she made those cute little placks herself. so crafty. i'm pretty jealous of craft people ya know. :) (below) Seriously. Her skin is flawless! I went to go do air brushing...and i was like, "uhm...well, i guess i could...nope. not really..."...
this next series in the orange trees are some of my favorites. he just holds her...and she drinks in his embrace.
a boy and his gun...and his girl. :)
Andy is going to be deployed soon. Not sure where. Not sure when. Not sure for how long. But by golly, this will just have to be their FIRST of many sweetheart shoots...one day we're gonna have ourselves a WEDDING! Love you guys! | LKM
{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.
{ Hodge Family | Tucson Sonoran Desert Gates Pass | Portraits | December 2012}
Nikki charmed my socks off with her first facebook inquiry and when we met up at Gates Pass earlier this month, my sixth sense did not disappoint. This little family was a treat! I can't wait to meet and capture more memories with them when baby #2 arrives in February! | lkm
Dad was G R E A T with dex.
Can you believe it? MOM was the one who specifically asked for a 'shot of dad throwing dex really really high in the air.' Most moms would have thrown up if you had only seen the ravine path we were on and the cactus Dex was flying over!
some belly lovin
i love this triptic...
Thank you so much Hodge family! Enjoy enjoy enjoy!! | lkm
{Harry & Hilary | Dessert Engagement Session | Saguaro National Park, Tucson, AZ | Laura K Moore Wedding Photography}
Harry & Hilary made me beam for a solid 2 hours. Granted, this was the wettest engagement session I have ever shot. BUT, I'm pretty sure it ranks up there with a favorite. From the backdrop they chose (saguaro national park) and the special little personal nuances they brought along with them...I'm pretty sure we nailed something special!
they ride bikes in this park ALL the time...
notice Harry on the right below? yea, that's him attempting to be serious...attempting..
notice the rain?? :D did i mention we got wet??
i love this one...
and this one... i LOVE that point of complete abandonment. when i can step aside and a couple trusts enough and is comfortable enough...to just love each other.
they laugh ALL. the. time.
Oh Harry & Hilary, you two were definitely a highlight for my weekend! I hope you enjoy these moments captured as much as I have! | lkm
{Jeremy + Kelly | Engagement Session | Windy Point, Tucson | April 2012}
So teasers are pretty mean. That's why i'll trade you a facebook highlight show if you promise to 'like' that sweet little LKM facebook page. deal? deal.