••• PhotoDevoto ••• » wedding

Estes Park Wedding | Brian and Erin

Kara — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:33:11 +0000

I haven’t second shot for another photographer in a while, so it was really fun to shoot with Denver wedding photographer Gino Siller this past Saturday. It’s a lot less pressure and Gino makes sure it’s a fun and relaxed atmosphere. It was a cloudy, drizzly day in Estes Park which made for great lighting in pictures – and none of the groomsmen had to sweat through the ceremony. Here’s a few of my favorites from the day.

The toasts were really emotional – here, Brian’s brother addresses Brian’s daughter during the best man speech

And of course, Erin’s dad – how cute?!

Chicago Vow Renewal | Brent, Kelly, Paul, Jake, Lyla and Jayla

Kara — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:25:15 +0000

I got a call from a friend, Alexis, with Volte Photos , who I went to grade school with (she was at my 7th birthday party) less than two weeks before this surprise wedding in Chicago was supposed to take place. I was in NYC shooting a couple of weddings and wasn’t too excited to turn around to travel again, but when Alexis started describing the wedding to me – I jumped at the chance. And that was before she told me Brent was a (now former) player on the championship Chicago Blackhawks and we would also be shooting their family portrait while they ate cereal out of the Stanley Cup (that blog post will come later). Ummm, can you say fun!?!

Poor Jayla burned her finger on a curling iron, hence her finger in water

This wedding was a vow renewal and they were surprising all their guests, telling them they were coming to a cocktail party. Brent and Kelly have been married 10 years, and he’s done a gazillion romantic things, like renting out a hotel ballroom, renewing their vows with a string quartet, dinner and dancing – for just the two of them. (Ladies, that’s just one story – I was like can he give pointers to all the guys out there?)

But they’d never had a real full-blown wedding.

Brent gave Kelly a silver pin with a heart on it that had part of their vows enscripted on it – I know, right?!

Kelly was like a little girl on Christmas morning as she watched guests file into their backyard from her upstairs bedroom – so giddy at the surprise. Brent walked their German Shepherd, Grit, down the aisle and their son, Jake, walked Kelly down the aisle. It was such a sweet ceremony with their kids included and ended with Brent and Kelly riding their tractor down the street.

Spying on the guests, like mother like daughters :)

Kelly’s mom gave her her earrings that she wore on her wedding day

Lyla got emotional during her older brother’s speech – so cute!

Couldn’t this photo be from like 1880? It feels like another time to me.

These guys have been on the Food Network Challenge a few times and keep winning – now I know why. Yum!

The country chic style party continued under a beautiful tent with bales of hay and white couches to sit on in their backyard. Passed hors d’oeuvres, a great DJ with The Panache Group and a starry night. But from what I heard, the party really only started once the photographers left :)

Kelly and Brent – it is really wonderful to see true love. Your marriage is a wonderful, loving example for your adorable children. Thanks for being so great to work with. Congrats!

Click to view more Chicago wedding photography from Kara Pearson Photography

Chicago Wedding | Amanda and Chris

Kara — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:17:25 +0000

I’ve had the hardest time editing this blog post down to a manageable number of photos. Maybe it’s because I’ve known Chris and Amanda for almost 10 years, maybe it’s because there was a ton of emotion and laughter on their wedding day, or maybe, just maybe, it’s because their wedding rocked it!

My first inclination that this was going to be an emotional day was when I was taking pictures of Amanda getting her make-up done, and I stopped to look at her and said, “Wow.” And she started crying. Her trick to keep from crying throughout the day? To stare up at her eyebrows. It seemed to work!

Chris and Amanda got married at the Most Holy Redeemer in Evergreen Park, IL and then took a trolley over to their reception which was at The Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park, IL. Their reception was a full-blown dance party that ended with mini-burgers and a Ryan Adams singalong. (my favorite way to end a night :) )

A big thanks to Chicago photographer, Eddie Quinones with Luzco Photography for your help! Congrats to Chris and Amanda – I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you two! Thank you for trusting me with shooting your wedding – it was a blast.

Click here to view their gallery!

Eddie’s shots of the guys getting ready:

Watching The Sox

I love that his mom made sure he cut his fingernails

Eddie’s shot:

Hottie boom body!

And let’s end with a picture of Chris and his dad singing karaoke together

Manor House Wedding | Julie and Nate

Kara — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:47:02 +0000

Julie and Nate are an ambitious couple who gives to their country unselfishly. Nate is serving in the Air Force, getting his medical degree. Julie is getting (got?) her masters in global public health and set to join the Air Force as well. How they found time to attend their wedding, let alone plan it from across the country – I’ll never know!

Family and friends from all over the country came to celebrate the marriage of these two lovebirds. The ceremony and reception was at the Manor House in Ken Caryl and wedding coordinator, Kristen Rutkows ki with Bellissima Bride had everything looking wonderful. And giant thanks to Denver photographer Matt Allen with M David Media for shooting with me.

Click here to be notified when Julie and Nate’s full gallery is up!

Julie reading Nate’s note to her

Matt’s shots of the groom getting ready:

Both their rings were engraved with Nathan + Julie Amor Vincit Omnia (love conquers all)

Julie couldn’t get Nate’s ring on because it was too swollen!

And then they danced down the aisle :)

Matt’s shot:

Cracking me up how excited everyone was for the cake smash

Click to view more Denver and mountain wedding photography

Wild Basin Lodge Wedding | Joanna and Blake

Kara — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:10:24 +0000

Joanna and Blake are so laid back and caring. They didn’t worry about a thing on their wedding day – just enjoyed every moment of it. I think this was the most relaxed I’ve ever been shooting a wedding! And they saw each other before the ceremony (which I highly recommend). We had an hour to meander around the area of Wild Basin Lodge, taking portraits where ever we felt like it. It was so nice not to be rushed during the portraits.

Their ceremony was out in the middle of a meadow, overlooking Long’s Peak. It was so beautiful that I think most people forgot about the mosquitoes! Blake’s Uncle Mike performed the ceremony with his Chicago accent (I felt right at home listening to that accent :) ). Their ceremony was short, sweet and to the point. They even recited their own vows.

Cocktail hour went on while Joanna and Blake had their own private cocktail hour – getting to enjoy champagne and appetizers by themselves. It was really cute. Congrats to the two of you!

To be notified when Joanna and Blake’s wedding gallery is up, click here.

Joanna and Blake with their one-month-old niece, Lane

Love this outtake, I think Joanna had a mosquito bite that needed scratching. By the way, maid of honor, Gwen, was the best moh I’ve ever seen. Kudos!

Popping bubbly!