Karen Pike Photography Rotating Header Image

September, 2010:

Bruise and BOT’s Wild and wonderful wedding

Sep 27th, 2010
by kpikephoto.
3 comments

What a day for Nicole and Jaime (aka Bruise Control and Notorious B.O.T. of Green Mountain Derby Dames fame). I have photographed hundreds of weddings over the years, but I have NEVER shot anything like this wedding.

Nicole wore a vintage black lace dress and Jaime donned a page boy outfit reminiscent of one worn by Pee Wee Herman! The ceremony took place in the middle of Lakeview Cemetary, the J.P. was none other than Burlington drag queen Amber Lemay and half the guests came in costume! How many weddings does one go to where the bridal procession begins with someone dressed up as a sock monkey?

The details were so fun and creative: skulls and skeletons, a bicycle-built-for-two for the bridal couple to ride off on after the ceremony, wedding rings designed with their fingerprints embossed in the bands. The reception, held at a local barn, included a penny candy table, jello shots, fake mustaches for all and Sparklers for the end of the night. And I set up a “Take Your Own Photo” studio for some extra laughs.

I love watching Jaime and Nicole together, how their eyes dance when they look at each other, how they giggle and play together. Their love is infectious, truly. When I meet a couple like this, so meant to be together, I breathe a sigh of relief that we live in a state where marriage is celebrated and embraced for everyone, regardless of their sex.

(Of course, I also curse the federal government for refusing to honor these marriages and I wonder how long it will be until all Americans really have the same rights… but I guess that’s a discussion for another day!)

Congratulations, Bruise and B.O.T., and thanks for including me in your unforgettable day!

I had so much fun making this slideshow. Enjoy…

If you’d like to see all the photos from Jaime and Nicole’s wedding, click HERE. This is a password protected gallery, so you’ll need to get the top secret password from the bridal couple.

Natalie and Brett’s Wedding

Sep 24th, 2010
by kpikephoto.
No comments yet

Natalie and Brett’s wedding was spectacular in so many ways. First of all, it was held at Abraham Lincoln’s summer residence, The Hildene Mansion in Manchester, Vermont. The vistas were gorgeous and I was almost overwhlemed by how many places I wanted to place the bridal couple to make portraits. It was breathtaking.

From head to toe, Natalie and Brett looked stunning, as did their wedding party and families. There wasnt a single detail out of place and the decor radiated elegance. At the end of the ceremony, the couple released monarch butterflies into the air,  a symbol of their rebirth together as a couple, free and happy as they flew off together into the Vermont breeze.

Of course, this was also the wedding I wrote about on Facebook, where my skirt literally fell to the ground during the ceremony, after  it slipped, unbenounced to me, down over my SPANX–Yes, I am the Lucille Ball of wedding photographers.  Thankfully, my photo skills are as polished as my comedic timing! Furthermore, I was backed up by two amazing second shooters, Adam Riesner and Jennifer Kiewit. Together, we made a great team.

But enough of these silly WORDS…let’s get onto the photos!!! I hope you enjoy the slideshow…

If you’d like to see all of the photos from Natalie and Brett’s wedding, please click HERE. Remember, this is a PASSWORD PROTECTED gallery, so be sure to the get the password from the bridal couple!

<

Vermont Wedding Salon opens!

Sep 15th, 2010
by kpikephoto.
7 comments

I went to a great event this afternoon that I’m excited to share with everyone–the Grand Opening of the Vermont Wedding Salon in Stowe. It was created by Carrie and Eric Lane, owners of Storied Events event planning and design and it’s the first of it’s kind here in Vermont.

Modeled after several successful Bridal Bars and Wedding Libraries around the country, The Wedding Salon will be a  modern resource boutique for engaged couples seeking professional wedding vendors and services. It’s a totally cool concept and I’m proud to say that I am one of the photographers showcasing my work in their vendor library.

So, this afternoon’s party was a way to show off some of the great work being done by wedding vendors in the state, including gorgeous food by Let’s Pretend catering and desserts by  BakeAria.  YUM!!

So, if you are planning a wedding or know someone planning a wedding, I highly recommend that you contact Carrie and Eric (info@storiedevents.com) or stop by the Salon on rt 100 in Stowe and do some 1-stop shopping for all of your nuptual-worthy needs!

Carrie and Eric looking relaxed in the new digs!

Deserts by  Bakearia, dresses from Fiori Bridal, and  flowers by Painted Tulip

catering by Let’s Pretend 

Fabulous Photogs Daria Bishop, Barrie Fisher and me! (snapped with my camera by photographer Andre Saint Phalle!)

Karen Pike Photography materials on display in the “library”

More yummy food by DISH. (I can’t help it. I’m a foodie!)

The immensely talented Allison Ellis  of Floral Artisty

Nancy Jeffries-Dwyer of NJoy Event Planning samples the food!

Amanda Herzberger of  Orchard Cove Photography tries out tries out the “fainting couch”

(isnt that what it was called in the 1800′s!??)

Barrie Fisher being, well, Barrie Fisher. Love her!

Border Patrol Brawl

Sep 12th, 2010
by kpikephoto.
1 comment

The Green Mountain Derby Dames took on the Montreal Sexpos Saturday at Essex Fairgrounds, with Grade A Fancy skating against the Sexpos in this long awaited rematch. The Black Ice Brawlers started off the day with their own brawl against The Backyard Bullies from Westchester County. To top it off, it was also the last game for both the beloved BASHER BARBIE and tenatious TOFU TORTURE, so the air was thick with excitement.

It was an awesome day, filled with great derby action and lots of fun, but big wins were not to come to the Dames this time… maybe on OCTOBER 9 at THE NIGHT OF THE LIVING DAMES when the Black Ice Brawlers take on Central Mass!!! See you then!!!

Mariesa and Jon’s Mountain Top Wedding

Sep 1st, 2010
by kpikephoto.
1 comment

Mariesa and Jon were married at The Mountain Top Inn, one of my most favorite wedding venues in Vermont. The wedding was gorgeous, the weather was perfect, the views were spectaular and the bride and groom were stunning. A “picture perfect” day, as I like to say.

The wedding was on Saturday, Aug 8, but we decided that I should stay the night so that we could do a fun “trash the dress” session the following day. And, after a long night of dancing and celebrating, the entire wedding party got up, did their hair and make up and got dressed a second time in their wedding best.

Then everyone went down to the lake… and jumped in. For an hour, the bride and groom and their entourage splashed and played in the water and mud and had a ball. The resulting photos are priceless.

Last week I received an email from Mariesa thanking me for that photo session and telling me how much everyone really enjoyed the event. Then she wrote, “Jon lost his wedding ring while we were doing the photo shoot. I know that this may seem tragic to some but for us it was just funny and seems to be a suitable place for it since he doesn’t wear jewerly any way. Somehow it is fitting that the ring which represents our bond is now forever in VT seeing how important a role the state played in our love.”

WOW! I was, and still am at a loss for words. SO, when words fail me, I turn to pictures. Enjoy the slide show and Congratulations to an amazing couple!

If you’d like to see all of the photos from Mariesa and Jon’s magical wedding weekend, please click here . You will need to get the password for this gallery from the bridal couple.