clarypfeiffer

I know what you are thinking...Brendan and Bridget are made up or something because their names sound so perfect together and they look just so perfect together but the fact is they are very dear friends to the lovely Stephanie. B&B had a small ceremony and dinner in the college town where it all started, Champaign, IL. When Bridget emailed me about surprising Brendan with a session I was excited because you know I love shooting in new locations and then I met the newlyweds and excitement turned to bliss.

Congradulations you two!! Lots of Love!

Remember Kari and Brad from their awesome session last year?! The roof top of Brad's studio are some of my favorite engagement pictures ever. I've been excited, as you can tell by the massive amount of pictures in this post, for their wedding since we first met with Shelli, talking about metal making its way into the bridesmaids dresses, invitations/programs by M Haley Design, the flowers, place settings and escort cards (Brad made). Seeing all the hard work of this team put together is the best! 

Kari's something old, her mom's purse she used in HS...love it!

Kari, you are beyond cute!!

Best moment of the day, when Kari's mom lifted her veil:o)

I love winter weddings because they make you want to get in close.

In fact, I think it was about 20 degrees so everyone got in close:o)

favorite.

Ready for all the metal details?

*disclaimer-the cake is not made of metal*

Perfectly crafted menu holders and table numbers by brad.

Kari and Brad, thank you for having me be a part of your day and have a fabulous time on your honeymoon!!

There is a place where dreams come true.

For my last photography project in my first photography class I used Infrared film which captures the chlorophyll bouncing off the plants vs the light so what better place than the Missouri Botanical Gardens to take care of business?! My favorite place, the Rose Garden, where I turned to Trav “Can you imagine how dreamy a wedding would be?” snapped a few pictures, one of which hangs in our dinning room.

Every wedding I think, there is no place I’d rather be than this very moment…sometimes it’s when I see a mom wondering when her daughter grew up or the couple whispering and smiling at each other, the world disappearing, or the bride with all her friends dancing and singing to “Like a Prayer”. As I walked through the Rose Garden, Travis waiting for me with his camera, me rushed from the brides make-up getting finished moments before her limo arrived, this was “the moment” in Hilary and Matt’s day where I wouldn’t want to be any other place in the whole world than the Rose Garden doing what I love, surrounded by friends and family’s love for a new couple, and my very own love with all my dreams coming true.

Brooklyn making another appearance:o)

Isn't Hilary's hairpiece amazing?!! She made it herself so I had to show it off.

I like to spend time with the details of a wedding day, knowing how much they mean to a couple and the thought that went into them, what they mean. Because we were short on time I had to get actions shots of the following. They are my favorite detail shots to date.

My 70-200mm f/2.8 is the ONLY zoom lens I use and I have been debating getting my next fixed lens, 135mm f/2, but saw no reason. Sadly I dropped the 70-200mm at last wedding sending it to the Canon shop and my new 135mm making it's depute here:o) I'm in love.

We only had about 10 minutes of light left to get some pictures of the gorgeous couple but we worked it!

Hilary put this all together, the morning of she was plastering the branches into the black boxes...beautiful.

Just because Courtney and Whitney dance so good and are so cute!!

The last dance.

Thank you Matt and Hilary for having your wedding at the place where dreams come true:o)

Love!

Dallas turned her room into a beauty salon...

Just what you think when you hear "beauty salon"...hair curlers and ladies giggling:o)

I know! How beautiful is Dallas and she doesn't even have her dress on!

Gorgeous

I thought the kitchen would be a great place for the bouquet picture and found out for myself how good the cinnamon rolls dad made. Yummy!

Favorite!!

The amazingly hot girls, make sure to check out the shoes!

You must see it closer!

You two had such an amazing wedding and the two of you together are simply meant to be!!

To my much loved couple,
Thank you for always supporting and encouraging me. Leaving words of praise in my inbox. Sending notes in the mail addressed to "Our Favorite Photographer". You trusted and believed in me when I needed it most. Reaffirming that this is what I must do just a year ago with no weddings under my belt and a few engagement sessions. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your love, the most important day of you lives together. There is a notch in my heart with you two in it.
xoxox