Taylor Falls Minnesota Wedding | Missionary Kids get Married at a Waterpark | St Paul, Minnesota

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Not only did she capture our day perfectly, but she made us all feel comfortable the whole time (even my husband who isn’t a fan of taking pictures). ~ Heidi, Bride

Caleb + Heidi were highschool sweethearts from Faith Academy International School in the Philippines--my old highschool stomping grounds. When they asked me (Laura) to come shoot their wedding, I was thrilled. Missionary kid weddings are often a big international reunion of sorts--rich with understanding and inside jokes and nostalgia. Also, escaping 116 degree heat in Tucson, Arizona was also a perk and I was more than thankful to be shooting anywhere BUT the oven of the summer desert.  

When the couple initially inquired they shared some of their priorities for their wedding that i thought were beautiful and refreshing--they knew that people were most important and they wanted both a personal and journalistic approach to the day. #wegotyou is what I thought and hollered to Maggie Witter, another Faith Academy Alumni and phenomenal photographer based in Minnesota, to come shoot with me! Enjoy the highlights below! (oh and if you missed their pretty epic Rehearsal Dinner on Tayler Falls Paddle Boat!

From the Bride...Caleb and I are both very simple and we want our wedding day to reflect that, we're both just thrilled to be getting married. We're going for a more natural wedding style, with a vibe that reflects who we are as fun, casual people :) ...The most important thing to me is that the candid moments and true joy and happiness of the day are captured through the photos. I'm most excited for images that capture the special moments between Caleb and I. I'm also excited for photos with the special people in my life that are able to celebrate with us (family and best friends). ... In regards to horror stories or concerns that we have...to be completely honest, both Caleb and I aren't the most photogenic people, haha. We can't do the 'serious/model' like photos, it just doesn't suit us well. So I guess just know that and know we're much better at being natural and smiling with each other-- we welcome direction when being photographed :) (apart from just being natural) I also really would love to have a journalistic approach to capture the full story...

When I started wedding planning, the only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted LKM to photograph our wedding. I was so happy that it all came together and she made it out to Minnesota. Laura is absolutely amazing!! ...LKM a pro, so she knows what will look best in terms of lighting, poses, background, etc.— but at the same time she also knows when to let things play out and just photograph the moment unfolding. Now we have stunning photos to look at for the rest of our lives, and I could not be more grateful. If I had to make the decision of a photographer again, I would choose Laura, every single time.
~ Heidi, Bride

Caleb + Heidi, I can't thank you guys and your families enough for trusting LKM with your precious wedding weekend. It was such a refreshing treat to be among missionary families and celebrate a wedding out in the mountains with Faith family! Blessings! ~ Laura

Vista West Ranch | Wedding Videography Highlight Reel

Here is a highlight wedding video from Eric + Katie's Wedding at Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas. *Push Play*

To see highlights and photos from their entire wedding weekend, go HERE.

Vista West Ranch | Austin Texas Wedding Weekend | Jade Green, Babies Breath & Southern Charm

One reason I knew I wanted Laura to photograph my wedding, even before I was engaged, is because she has a personality that will bring the fun, smiles and spunk out of people. She can fit into any crowd. She loves to tell a story with her photography. She wants to capture the emotion and thoughts during each and every moment of your special day... ~ Katie Dollar, Bride
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The Wedding Day Story...behind the scenes recap

Wedding photography for this Austin wedding day began early. My team and I (Makayla, Gavyn & I) made our trek (but first, coffee) to Molly, the make up artist’s house and our jaws dropped with the shiny chrome and class that oozed from Molly’s home studio. Her work was stunning and you could tell that the girls were being pampered well. We hung out a little while the bride relaxed with her girls and mimosa.

We peaced out to the venue 10 minutes down the country road to Vista West Ranch -- a hidden boutique gem of a venue in the middle of Dripping Springs Texas on the outskirts of Austin. The whole location was perfect--nailing the casual but classy vibe of the couple's personality colors were fresh and the sunbeams ROYALLY on par. Also note, Austin wedding coordinator Jordan Smith with Coordinate This helped move things along from the very beginning of the weekend and kept everything smooth and organized!

//VENDORS //

Wedding & Reception Venue: Vista West Ranch // Photography: Laura K Moore Photography // Event Coordinator: Coordinate This // Florist: The Flower Girl // Gown Boutique: Paisley Crush // Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo // Grooms Attire: Men's Wearhouse // Hair & Makeup: Molly Makeup // Caterer: Freebirds // Cake: Gale's Cakes  // DJ: Premier Entertainment // Photobooth: Posers Photobooth // Rehearsal Dinner: Trudy's // Farm table + Vintage Chairs: Petal Pushers // Bartenders: Bar Butlers // Videography: Gavyn Gates Cinematography

The first look was one of the most precious. The couple being nonsense "lets just have fun" kind of people seemed to sink into the moment alone--reading their vows to eachother and breathing in the first real moments of the wedding day. Their affection and eagerness was palpable. From there we swayed into wedding part pictures, family portraits and all the relaxed, casual moments with the VIPs. Can we just take a moment to note that First Look's are crazy intensely game-changing? It was, at least, for Eric & Katie. They had been on the fence but experiencing that space of sweetness and unprompted freedom and privacy--it set the tone of joy for the day!

The ceremony time approached and the bride made her way back to the room to freshen up and cool off a little. (It was a warm one that day). Guests trickled in and the bride watched eagerly from above through the window of the bridal parlor. Because the timeline had provided these margins of space to just breath and enjoy eachother, she used this pamper time to give a few letters to her girls. Good grief were those notes special!

Because we   been able to capture so many of the signature portrait moments and enjoyed family time, bride and groom grabbed a few relaxed moments in creme de la creme late afternoon light and then surprised the guests by joining cocktail hour early and doing a super special receiving line--welcome their guests personally into the dining hall!

The rest of the night was spent eating yummy food, enjoying cake and being merry. (note the Baylor Stadium Groom's Cake!) 

It was an absolute pleasure working with Katie + Eric on their wedding day. They are such a sweet and laid back couple and their love for each other was evident from the moment I met them. They put together a fabulous vendor team, including Laura Moore Photography. Not only were they fun to work with throughout the evening, but their professionalism made the event run smoothly and the whole night went off without a hitch. Of course the images are stunning and something Katie + Eric will be able to treasure forever as they look back on their wedding day. ~ Jordan Smith, Owner & Lead of Coordinate This
What a firecracker and joy to have (LKM & her team) photograph our wedding.... They want to capture the emotion and thoughts during each and every moment of your special day! I would HIGHLY recommend LKM for an engagement and wedding photographer. Thank you, Laura, for all you did for Eric and I. Thank you for going above and beyond! ~ Eric & Katie

Eric & Katie, it was an honor to be part of your wedding weekend! Thank you so much for trusting us with your crazy fun and spaztically awesome wedding day! :D Joy, LKM

To see more from Eric & Katie's wedding weekend, go HERE for their engagement session, HERE for their rehearsal & mini sweetheart session and HERE for their wedding video!

//VENDORS //

Wedding & Reception Venue: Vista West Ranch // Photography: Laura K Moore Photography // Event Coordinator: Coordinate This // Florist: The Flower Girl // Gown Boutique: Paisley Crush // Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Angelo // Grooms Attire: Men's Wearhouse // Hair & Makeup: Molly Makeup // Caterer: Freebirds // Cake: Gale's Cakes  // DJ: Premier Entertainment // Photobooth: Posers Photobooth // Rehearsal Dinner: Trudy's // Farm table + Vintage Chairs: Petal Pushers // Bartenders: Bar Butlers // Videography: Gavyn Gates Cinematography

Dripping Springs Texas Wedding | Rehearsal & "Day-Before" Sweetheart Session | Austin Wedding Photographer

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We adore storytelling and are a bit obsessed about people...the natural, real side of people.

As part of our "wedding weekend" packages we often are able to be a part of the rehearsal and maybe some dinner flare. It offers a chance to meet people, break the ice with our destination wedding folk and start storytelling off on the right foot--with relationship and candor. :)

Eric & Katie spent some sweet moments with us during their wedding weekend -- we met each other Thursday morning before the wedding for a sunrise engagement session on PennyBacker Bridge on the outskirts of Austin Texas. Afterwards we parted ways, edited a few highlights and then met back up again later that evening to casually watch, shoot and meet friends and relatives at their rehearsal on wedding venue property: Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs. 

Below are a few highlights of the chill evening and camaraderie between their favorite people. It set the tone for the weekend -- celebratory, energetic and deeply affectionate and grateful. See highlights from the evening below a!

Go HERE to see Eric & Katie's engagement session on Austin's PennyBacker Bridge & HERE To see their full wedding day highlight story! 

Austin Texas Engagement Session | PennyBacker Bridge & Colorado River Sweethearts

Makayla, Laura & Gavyn flew into Austin thursday night before Dollar Wedding Weekend kicked off! We grabbed a rental car and skiddadled over to Pennybacker Bridge where the couple, Eric & Katie, had asked to do their sweetheart / day-before / kinda-sorta engagement sunrise session the next morning! We scouted the area and noted shadows, parking, greenery that tickled our fancy, watched the light play on the rocks on the side of Lake Austin (i.e. Colorado River) and then made our way back to our AirBnB.

The next morning we met up for the engagement session at PennyBacker Bridge and met Eric & Katie's fur baby Bean. (he may or may not have a ridiculously cute instagram page :D). There was a thin layer of cloud cover that softened the rich greens and rugged browns of the mountains. Eric & Katie were relaxed and...well...just couldn't keep their hands off eachother :) 

To see Eric + Katie's wedding day go here!

Tim + Jenna | Deserty Lovin' and a Fiesty Dancer | Tanque Verde Guest Ranch Engagement Session

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Tim & Jenna were from Tucson but lived in Phoenix and were getting married in Cancun. They had seen some of our wedding pictures styled by Margarita Potts via her instagram feed with her team at I Do Hair & Makeup Artistry and reached out for prices and a quote for the whole shibang: storytelling in Tucson and following them to Cancun.....we coulnd't say "yes please" fast enough. :) 

Jenna cared most about being natural, clean light, real emotion and bright colors. She liked light and liked wine and she knew how to strut some heals like a gazelle across the jagged rocks of the Sonoran desert (hats off lady). Tim...well, he was skeptical. An email following the session read, "Tim just told me...wow! that was actually kind of fun and way better than i expected." (*laughing*... #nailed it. I'll go for "kinda fun" from any tough cookie who'd rather be chill than posed or passed off as a schmuck. I get you sir. I don't want you lookin' schmuckly either.) 

So they drove to Tucson, grabbed a room at Tanque Verde Guest Ranch and I met them there to talk wedding details, frolick about in the desert, drink some wine, navigate a few sweetheart moments, get them comfortable with my style -- expressing their affection-- (not difficult) and got to know each other. Here are a few highlights! :)

(P.S. we are sharing highlights from their destination wedding in Cancun tomorrow on the blog! Stop back by!)

Balboa Inn Newport Beach California Wedding | Rainbow Ambrosia Dress + Birds of Paradise

Joshua & Joyce knew that wrangling family for their wedding was going to be tricky. So they hijacked an evening during their family reunion this summer and made sure it happened. The day was low key and casual with a few sprinkles that made it special. Her dress was handmade by a dear friend with dye-tipped ends and led lights sewn in to surprise guests as the sunset. Balboa Inn was the historical venue where all pre-gaming and prep happened. The gazebo across the street had been reserved and up until ceremony time, guests were welcome to lounge on the beach, enjoy barbecue and leisurely engage till vow time. Here are a few highlights from the day :) 

Unique Wedding Rehearsal Dinner on a Paddle Boat | Taylor Falls, Minnesota Wedding | The "Day Before" Session

Caleb and Heidi's rehearsal dinner go down as hands-down, the most jaw-droppingly scenic. :) Uniquely so, the soon-to-be-weds decided to book Taylor Falls Scenic Boat Tours and treat their close friends and family to their favorite meal (thanksgiving themed!) on an incredibly beautiful June summer day while playing couple trivia, swapping memories,  enjoying their college and missionary kid reunions. The evening was glowy and the joy and eager anticipation ofthe next day's promises were palpable....

bahaha. found this fun "behind the scenes" gem being excited about being on a river, in the mountains, with a bunch of missionary kid friends on a boat called "The Princess" and wondering which state I was in :) 

Turkey Hill Farm Engagement Session | Portland, Maine | Chris + Megan

Chris & Megan are getting married tomorrow! Makayla and I flew into Boston last night and drove up to Portland Maine this afternoon to meet up with the soon-to-be-weds to grab a sweetheart session to just connect and laugh and diffuse and help get them familiar with direction and posing and not posing and just enjoying each other in front of the camera. And... before we even started Makayla and I just looked at each other and nodded, "they are going to be PERFECTLY FINE tomorrow..." :D 

FEATURED WEDDING | John + Lauren Destination Wedding | Bisbee, Arizona

John + Lauren's small destination wedding in Bisbee, Arizona is being featured on INTIMATE WEDDINGS this week! IntimateWeddings.com is the #1 go-to wedding site for planning a small wedding! Go here to see the full feature! 

Go HERE to see the rest of the feature and HERE to see some of the behind the scenes story :)

Some sweet words from the bride: We hired Laura K. Moore of LKM Photography to capture the whole day, and we wanted to truly enjoy seeing our guests and enjoy our time with them, without seeing a bunch of cameras instead of their faces! It was great and I felt like our guests were really present with us, in every moment instead of being distracted by phones and cameras. And can I just give a shout out to my photographer Laura?! She is AMAZING! She caught moments that I don’t think anyone else even noticed. She is a true artist. Hands down the best wedding photographer out there! She blended herself right in and it didn’t feel like we were at a photo shoot. She made sure we kept the intimate vibe flowing throughout the entire day. // Thank you so much John + Lauren!! Congrats on the feature!