While getting to know Kara + Mark in the days leading up to their wedding, I discovered that Kara is a girl after my own heart as she has read all seven Harry Potter books on multiple occasions! I'm even a step above her on the HP nerd scale as I have all seven on audiobook and listen to them on repeat while cleaning or when driving home from a destination wedding. (Weasley is our King!) So although they wouldn't be having a HP themed wedding, they did plan on having a beautiful celebration where friends and family could enjoy themselves and have fun. I was so excited and honored to be chosen as their wedding photographer.

I met Kara + Mark through a previous Courtney Carolyn Photography couple, Brooke + Ben, and I knew these two would be just as amazing to work with! Mark loves to skate and also plays hockey so when Kara suggested one afternoon that they go on an ice skating date he didn't hesitate in secretly planning out the sweetest proposal ever! A month went by before Kara + Mark made it to the rink in downtown Detroit at Campus Martius Park, and unbeknownst to Kara, Mark had spoken with her family about his intentions to propose just days previously. As Mark zoomed around Kara on the ice, a soft drizzle started to fall and the twinkling Christmas lights on the park's tree glistened. Mark stopped Kara in front of the tree and knelt down to tie his skates. When Kara looked down, Mark was on one knee as he pulled out a ring and asked, "Kara, will you marry me?" In complete shock, Kara blurted out, "Are you serious!?" Mark and Kara both busted out laughing at her words and she corrected her initial reaction with a resounding, "Yes!"

Kara + Mark's wedding day finally arrived, and as Kara walked down the aisle lead by her father, Mark was stunned by his beautiful wife-to-be. Frankie Valli said it best when he sang, "Pardon the way that I stare, There's nothing else to compare, The sight of you leaves me weak, There are are no words left to speak..."

The day wouldn't have been complete for these two Red Wing and hockey loving fans without a quick visit to the Joe Louis Arena for some wedding party portraits! We then traveled to Belle Isle for some more relaxed and romantic portraits of Kara + Mark. The celebration continued well into the night at Laurel Manor with heartfelt toasts, tender slow dances, and crazy awesome dance moves.

Kara + Mark I want to say again how truly honored I was to have been your photographer and I wish you nothing but a lifetime of happiness and adventures together!

Love Always,

Courtney Carolyn