Kara Purtell Photography

We shot a wedding:)  The 2012 season started last weekend with Dan & Kristi’s wedding down in Louisiana.  I knew the weather would be nice down there in March, but I never thought we would be leaving 80 degree weather up here.  Crazy crazy!  Anyway, I couldn’t have asked for anything better than the day we had on Sunday.  The clouds rolled in just in time for the ceremony to keep everyone cool and keep the lighting nice and even for our photos.  Now for those of you who don’t know, Southern weddings are pretty different than Northern ones.  The whole thing lasted only 4 hours – ceremony at 5:30, and send off at 9:30.  But they squeezed in everything in those 4 hours….including as much dancing and partying that we do in a 5 hour reception!  We didn’t have a second to sit down once the reception started, as everyone was up and partying the whole time.  I’ve included just a snippet of that, so multiply what you see below by like 50!  It was nuts, but so much fun  In just 5 weeks we get to see the whole family again for Kristi’s sister Kelly’s wedding in Florida – Can’t wait!

Dan reading a letter from his bride to be…

I think the laugh has to do with the fact that Kristi’s sister Katie is up the back of her dress right now fixing the poofy slip thing ( I know there is a technical term) – that’s what sisters are for!

Lots of bridesmaids!

It is very hard for Kristi not to smile, but we tried it for one pic…. it was so worth it – Stunning!!

Last minute before the ceremony with mom – and a pic of all three girls, mom, and grandma’s rings – borrowed from Kristi’s pinterest page

The wedding was on a plantation where they built this amphitheater thing for ceremonies.  it was really beautiful.

Darrell got this totally unscripted shot of post ceremony giddiness – my fav.

This was the best cake smashing I have seen yet!

Dad and his 3 daughters – pretty sure it was “We are Family” playing….

This wedding had the most jumping and lifting of people I have ever seen – see above and below.

Hope you guys are having an amazing honeymoon!  See you soon

We got to meet so many amazing couples this year and got to shoot in some really beautiful places.  Thanks to everyone for making this a great year, we are looking forward to another one!

We had an amazing time at Justin & Aimee’s wedding this past weekend.  Their ceremony was held at Kirk of the Hills Church in Bloomfield Hills, and was followed by the reception at Orchard Lake Country Club.  Aimee and Justin live in New York, so Aimee got her dress at Kleinfeld’s.  I had a little starstruck moment when they were talking about her fitting and Vera (those of you who watch the show know what I mean).  Which is weird because I’ve been on shoots before with real celebrity’s and never got starstruck.  But Vera, I mean come on!  Anyway…. the day went so smoothly and everyone had a great time.  Orchard Lake Country Club was perfect and beautiful, everyone there was so helpful.  It was a wonderful day for a super happy couple, I hope you enjoy the pics!

Aimee’s grandma is laid to rest out in the back of the church, so this is a pic of her looking over.  Followed by a pic of her other grandma a little emotional to see her.

Darrell got some awesome shots of the guys getting ready.  It is always hard when you have to tie your own bow tie

This is what I love about late fall and winter weddings.  Sun flare all day!

Aimee was such a trooper.  We had her outside in 27 degree weather for about 20 minutes and I didn’t hear one complaint.  The best part is she doesn’t even look cold at all in these pics!

The boys in their Kilts, and the girls rendition of The Bridesmaids movie poster.

Orchard Lake Country Club was amazing.  Their decorations for Christmas made it extra beautiful, and the food, oh man, the food!

Aimee held it together pretty well all day, until their first dance.  Darrell caught this sweet moment!

They decided that instead of Justin taking the garter off of Aimee, that the kilt provided and interesting option….

Justins ring was HUGE, so we got a really cool opportunity to do a different ring shot than normal

To see more pics from their wedding go to our slideshow page at http://www.slideshows.karapurtell.com!