Southwestern Rustic Wedding Inspiration in Austin Texas

Hey friends! I'm Laura, the owner of Laurentina Photography + Video and a proud BasicInvite partner. My business is based in the Washington DC Area, and I often travel around the country and around the world to capture the love stories of my couples. I'm also a lover of matcha green tea lattes, being active through running and yoga, and all things Italian. My passion for photography started during my semester abroad in Orvieto, Italy where I began to understand what it meant to live in the present moment and festeggiare (to celebrate!) life.

One of the highest callings in my work as a photographer is that we get to help not only to preserve the magic behind every moment, but to make it last a little longer. We are more than just storytellers or trustees of "authentic moments" -- we get to start their first heirloom. And that is why I adored working with Mike and Jadzia, a DC couple who decided on a destination wedding at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, TX (one of my favorite US cities).

I'm SO very grateful to have been a part of Jadzia & Mike's special day since that stormy July evening in 2016, when Mike (and their black lab Gunner - via the Orlando Sentinel) proposed to Jadzia in front of the Newseum in DC. I connected with their beautiful story of love for each other, celebrating life as a journey rather than a destination and above all... their vibrant personalities. Throughout their engagement session, I secretly wished that I could also photograph their wedding and on September 30th, 2017 it finally happened!

 

Their chosen venue of Lady Bird Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas could not have been a more perfect location for both the ceremony and reception. The leaves were just starting to turn from green to hues of gold, bronze and merlot-- echoing that seasons may change but their love will remain constant. Mike and Jadzia's wedding instantly brought me back to my time living in Italy, dining al fresco and enjoying each other's company under the stars.

When it came time to celebrate with family and friends on the day of their wedding, everyone came together to make their wedding the party of a lifetime! I was so grateful for ample time after cocktail hour to document the reception decor -- which was put together with lots of love. Details such as Texan succulents in the bride's bouquet, fruitwood vineyard tables laced with a greenery garland, chiavari chairs and Trusses of hanging candles in glass domes combined natural + earthy tones with a modern aesthetic for the most romantic Southwest wedding. Jadzia's blush pink dress also complimented the official wedding colors of ivory, mint and slate. Not to mention, Gunner as the "Best Dog" of the wedding.

Jadzia and Mike's wedding captured both the essence of the famous Austin wildflower center and the vibrant personalities of the couple. As a photographer, my job is focused on documenting your day, and photojournalism -- I do very little posing and allow the moment to simply unfold, which allows you to enjoy your day without constant photo interruptions!

As you can imagine, the entire evening was magical and a dream come true. It was hard to pick my favorite candids from their wedding celebration, so I hope you enjoy what I have put together!

These two lovebirds also celebrated their first anniversary last month, so I would also like to take this moment to wish them (and Gunner) a very Happy Anniversary! I can't wait to meet again to continue documenting their family heirlooms for years to come.

Thank you to the Vendor Team for making this wedding a dream come true!

PlannerSomething To Celebrate  VenueWildflower Center  Officiant: Jill Grothusen CatererRoyal Fig FloristLast Petal  Ceremony MusicMusical Discovery DJAltared Weddings Live Music (Band): Horizon RentalsMarquee LightingIlios  TrussesFloral Philosophies  Hair & Makeup: Pearl Maris Bridal Hair: Ramon Alonso Getting Ready VenueOmni Austin Downtown StationeryThe Inviting Pear  // CakeSimon Lee Bakery

Bride's JewerlyKendra Scott // Groom's Shoes + CufflinksJ. Hilburn

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