Kari and Derick met on the dance floor at a New Year’s Eve party after the clock struck twelve! As they danced together they immediately were attracted to one another. It took some time, but Derick finally convinced Kari to give him her phone number. It only took about three times! They soon started dating and Kari realized that this could be the guy!

Derick and Kari were engaged, and they immediately started planning the big day! Kari grew up always dreaming about a princess wedding. Being a lover of Disney as a child and still is today, she pictured a very unique and special place to be wed.

When they went to visit the English Manor, they both knew that this was their magical place! With all of the special gardens and property, it was going to be a garden wedding for sure!

The forecast all week has been a bit threatening so anticipating your wedding day spent in an English garden could be quite daunting to say the least. We did have a wash out with a strong rain that never let up. I assured them that we would make the most beautiful inside wedding ever!

The girls were busy in the bridal suite getting dressed and ready for the day. Derick and his best men were celebrating in the groom’s suite enjoy some time together. One of my favorite moments of the day was when Kari descended the staircase and met her father at the bottom. I have a special place in my heart because Kari and her dad grew up together. Her dad’s sister is my best friend so this wedding was not only a client but family! What a joy to capture.

I love first looks! When Kari entered the ballroom and Derick turned around, there were joyful tears for sure. She looked like a princess!

When you are stuck inside on a wedding day, I knew that I had to really come up with some unique and special portraits. Thankfully, the English Manor had a little landing with a full wall window and tucked into the corner a beautiful gold mirror. I knew that place would be my favorite. We found so many little places to create their perfect portraits.

The ceremony was filled with so much joy and smiles and the Pastor’s message was so beautiful. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a wonderful time of cocktails and socializing.

Kari and Derick secretly has been working on an opening first dance that was perfect! Kari’s dress was so perfect for their dance as Derick twirled her around the dancefloor. It was wonderful! At around seven oclock I talked Kari and Derick into going outside for the first time all day to create just a few portraits with some cute bubble umbrellas. The totally rocked it and we created some of my favorite images! The English Manor is such a unique venue I knew we needed to capture some outside!

The night continued with dancing and great food. The DJ had everyone up and dancing all night. I especially loved the stories given by Kari’s dad, the maid of honor and best man.

Soon it was time to leave and we had planned a sparkler exit. We had everyone outside with umbrellas trying to keep the sparklers from extinguishing. We captured some of the cutest rainy sparkler pictures. I just love them so much! What a perfect ending to the most beautiful wedding day!