A Southern Arizona Love Story

A style shoot to introduce couples to the INCREDIBLE possibilities of a destination wedding near Tucson, Arizona.

The Tumacacori Mission, in it's preserved state, is not part the Catholic Church, but is run as a park by the state of Arizona, so, anyone of any faith can get married here with the right permits.

Creating this shoot was truly a labor of love—a love for the place I call home, a love for the romance of a wedding day, and a love for my family and our shared history here in Southern Arizona.

Creating this shoot was truly a labor of love

If you know me, you know I tend to obsess—in the best possible way—over creating meaningful events, and I’m endlessly passionate about the lifestyle we’re lucky to live, both at my own venue and throughout this region. It may seem a little unusual for a venue owner to design a shoot where the ceremony happens somewhere else, but I can’t emphasize enough how much I adore the three locations featured here: the Tumacácori Mission, Abe’s Old Tumacácori Bar, and, of course, my own home and venue, Agua Linda Farm.

Southern Arizona offers incredible possibilities for memorable celebrations. Read on to see how these locations—and the history, architecture, artisans, and natural elements that define our area—came together to create a wedding and reception that celebrate this region and my family’s legacy within it.

Tiffany windows and 18th century Flemish tapestry in the dining room at Agua Linda Farm

Working With Family

Working with family is at the heart of the wedding business I run. We live and work on our family farm turned venue, and my husband handles sound and DJ services. For this shoot, our daughter Jasmine of The Loew Light Photography was not only behind the lens, but a key creative partner. The models were family as well—the "groom" even proposed for real at the end of the shoot. My sister helped set up each stage at the mission, and the rest of the family was there pitching in wherever needed.

The Vision

The vision for this shoot was deeply rooted in a love for Southern Arizona.

From the crumbling walls of a Spanish mission to the warm, earth-toned palette of a historic hacienda, this shoot celebrates the unique cultural richness of the region.

The color palette for our shoot was inspired by the earthen adobe brick of the hacienda—tones of sunbaked clay, terracotta and ochre. Foraged greenery and young pomegranates, were utilized into the bridal bouquet, altar décor and cake decor.

The Ceremony

The ceremony was set at the awe-inspiring Mission San José de Tumacácori, a Spanish colonial church founded in the late 1600s. Now part of the Tumacácori National Historical Park, the mission stands as a preserved ruin. It’s weathered adobe walls, vaulted ceilings, and arched entryways created a ceremony setting that is steeped in history. The altar design was intentionally simple and organic—a rustic wooden table draped in ochre textile, masses of flickering candles and foraged greenery.

Cocktail Hour

After the ceremony, the couple walked across the street to Abe’s Old Tumacácori Bar, established in the 1920s, to enjoy a cold Mexican beer and a quick game of pool. The stop felt like a nod to the easygoing spirit of our area—nothing fancy, just real life and local history woven in.

Hollyhock gardens - a May and June highlight at Agua Linda Farm

Before the reception, we spent time in the hollyhock garden at Agua Linda, a spot that bursts into towering blooms every spring and early summer. It’s one of my favorite places on the property—quiet, warm with color, and deeply tied to our family’s years of tending this land. The couple’s portraits captured by Jasmine, created a soft, romantic bridge between their stop at Abe’s Old Tumacácori Bar and the intimate reception that followed.

The Reception

The reception took place in the dining room of Agua Linda Farm’s hacienda in Amado. Built in 1942, the Spanish Colonial home was designed by architect Josias Joesler. The dining room. was an addition designed by my mother-in-law, Regina and features vaulted ceilings, a large fireplace, a Baccarat chandelier, Tiffany stained-glass windows, and an 18th-century Flemish tapestry, reflecting an Italian Baroque influence. Tables were set with the family's custom monogrammed Rörstrand china, Waterford crystal, and heirloom silver. This room, which resembles a small chapel, remains a private part of the Agua Linda venue—reserved for family and special occasions. It’s also where my husband and I held our own wedding ceremony, so using it for this shoot felt especially meaningful. The space was the perfect fit for the intimate nature of this celebration, adding a personal layer to the story we were creating.

Because the region centers around the artist community of Tubac, incorporating local artisans was essential to the theme:


The Details

The invitation featured a hand-painted watercolor rendering of the Tumacacori Mission by Southern Arizona artist Roberta Rogers.

The bride wore a bold, statement necklace by Kim Yubeta, a Tubac-based jewelry artist whose designs can be seen and purchased at The Karen Newby Gallery in Tubac..

The couple’s rings, earrings, bracelet, and bolo tie came from Old Presidio Traders - one of my favorite shops in the Tubac village, known for their carefully curated collection of handmade Native American jewelry.

The groom wore custom boots by Paul Bond of Nogales—perhaps the most iconic designer in the region.

The bride wore a gown provided by Free Ever After Bridal Boutique in Tucson, chosen specifically for its simple, elegant neckline that would beautifully showcase the statement necklace created by local jewelry artist Kim Yubeta. Free Ever After is a unique, mission-driven bridal shop offering pre-loved and sample gowns, with proceeds supporting survivors of human trafficking. Their curated collection and warm, personal service make it a beloved resource for Southern Arizona brides looking for both beauty and purpose in their wedding attire.

Cake

The cake was crafted in the bakery at Café à la C’Art in Tucson, one of our trusted catering partners for Agua Linda Farm’s inclusive wedding packages. Known for their artful pastries, thoughtful seasonal flavors, and long-standing presence in Tucson’s culinary scene, their team consistently creates cakes that are both beautiful and delicious. For this shoot, they baked a simple, elegant cake that we adorned with pomegranates grown right here on the farm—an easy, meaningful way to tie the dessert into the landscape and season.

Natural Elements

The greenery used throughout the shoot—including the ceremony pillars, the bridal bouquet, and the accents on the cake—was gathered from Agua Linda Farm’s own gardens and surrounding landscape. I foraged armfuls of Hackberry branches, vines, and foliage (and even feathers from my chicken coop!) from the property and arranged each element myself, adding a few outsourced flowers, keeping the look grounded in the natural textures and tones of Southern Arizona. Using what grows here felt like the most authentic way to root the design in place and highlight the quiet beauty that surrounds us every day on the farm.

This styled shoot is a true expression of Southern Arizona’s soul—layered with history, regional artistry, and natural beauty. It brings together sacred spaces, handmade elements, family heirlooms and timeless design to inspire couples who are drawn to authenticity.

If you’re dreaming of a small, meaningful wedding inspired by this shoot, I would love to help you create it. With decades of living, working, and hosting events in Southern Arizona, I know the history, landscapes, artisans, and hidden corners that can bring a celebration like this to life. Whether it’s a ceremony at the mission, our gardens, or under one of our giant mesquite trees—or weaving in local culture, food, and natural elements—I can help craft a wedding that feels authentic to our region and deeply personal to you.

Thank you to the team - in celebration of LOCAL!!

Thanks to our models, Maddie and Cade and to my helpful family

Photography: @the_loew_light Jasmine

Event styling: Laurel Loew of Agua Linda Farm and Southern Arizona Living @soazliving

Ceremony Venue: Tumacácori Mission

Cocktail Hour: Abe's Old Tumacacori Bar

Reception Venue: Agua Linda Farm, @agualindafarm

Cake: Café a la C'Art

Bride's gown: Free Ever After Bridal Boutique, Tucson

Original watercolor invitation: Roberta Rogers, Tubac

Groom's Boots: Paul Bond, Nogales

Bride's necklace: Kim Ubeta unique designs available at Newby Gallery, Tubac

Groom's bolo, rings, earings, Old Presidio Traders, Tubac

China/tablesettings: Private collection

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I HAVE to include a pic of the the couple after she said YES to a surprise proposal in the middle of our style shoot - CONGRATULATIONS!

My venue, Agua Linda Farm is a 63 acre ranch in Southern Arizona near Tucson. My husband and I have been hosting weddings, harvest festivals and other events on our property for more than 15 years. I write my blog posts with my clients in mind but also hope to provide a little inspiration applicable to any wedding.

Also - follow my Agua Linda Farm Wedding instagram and my Southern Arizona Living Instagram

Happy Planning!. - Laurel Loew