brides by kari.

Now that we have our wedding pictures back I've been trying to sort out how I want to share all of our crafty ideas and amazing vendors with you! So I figured I'd just work my way through the day! Our first stop was Posh Hair & Make-Up Studio in Milford, MI.

I met Kari a few months back when I had her cut and highlight my hair. I knew I had wanted her to do my wedding hair so I started getting acquainted with her and her studio...which isn't hard to do...she's probably one of the most outgoing people I know and her studio is oh-so-charming!

*NOTE Go for your hair and make-up trails on the day of your bridal shower. This way you look gorgeous and can get the feel of how you'll look on your big day!

Kari was more than willing to have me come back in and try out a couple different styles until we found the right one for me! I ended up with my hair down in a loose curl adorned with a diamond hair brooch by local bridal fashion designer, Arbie Goodfellow!

I was told my look was refreshing and I felt comfortable and confident with how I looked all through our wedding day!

Here's some of our wedding pictures that focus on my hair!

{Photography is copyright of Kel Leigh Coale Photography & Design. All rights reserved}

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Close up of my diamond hair brooch from Arbie!

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I had also bought my Maid & Matron of Honor a package at Posh as their attendant gift! I was really happy with how all of our hair and make-up turned out!

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Posh Hair & Make-Up Studio is located at 239 North Main Street, Milford MI 48381
You can schedule your appointment by calling 248.685.1560 or visiting their website!

vamp up your wedding.

We're less than a week away from the highly, over, uber - anticipated release of the third movie in the Twilight Series!

And as you can imagine, the Romeo and Juliette of our time, is inspiring wedding themes! And no...you don't need to pass out fake fangs as favors or exclusively serve bloody marys to pull of a Twilight inspired wedding!

Not only did I find you one...but two...extremely different ways to pull off this trend!

This setting goes for the kill as it pulls out all the stops with blood red, black, and white embellishments!

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Perhaps too pretty to take a bite out of!?

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This table would not be complete without the red apple...

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Just the right splash of red...

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Now this second setting hints at what the backyard wedding of Bella and Edward just might look like!

An intimate backyard wedding...

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Hanging roses all around...

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An earthy bouquet wrapped with your love quote!

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The Cake and Candles...

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The Invitation and Favors...Team Bella and Edward buttons, wraps to keep warm on a cool Forks night, and baby trees to add to your backyard forrest! And of course, the invitation in Edward's own script...

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Seating assignments carved into apples and appropriately names tables...

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Table scape full of simple flowers & of course, pictures of the happy couple!

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Whether you've read the Twilight Saga or not...you'll have to admit, as much as these settings are opposite...they are to die for!

Photo Credits: {First Setting} The Wedding Chicks {Second Setting} Style Me Pretty

Also be sure to see more Twilight wedding ideas {here} on The Knot!

citrus twist.

After the Jimmy Buffett concert last night...I'm on island time for sure this morning!

Feeling inspired by all the 'parrot heads', bongo drums, and sunny lyrics, I naturally couldn't help myself from searching the internet for the latest in beach themed wedding trends.

At first it was nothing less than the typical turquoise bridesmaid dresses and fuschia orchid strewn settings...until my search led me to a more modern, glam if will, type beach wedding!

I've only been married two months {tomorrow},
but this makes me want to start planning a renewal of vows...
...with our toes in the sand,
...which is all the rage these days among celebrities!


A different twist to the orchid...
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...they can be edible and adorn your champagne!
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A gorgeous four tier wedding cake that's beyond glam...
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And the inside looks just as gorgeous as the outside!
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Check out these candied favors!
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The bridesmaid in a sunny yellow...
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The beautiful bride...
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The shoes...
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The bouquet...
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I'm in love! Such a refreshing twist on a beach wedding!

Photo credits: Style Me Pretty

Check out another great beach wedding {here}

Browse local designer Arbie Goodfellow's Etsy Shop for some beach inspired hair accessories!

don't go for second best, baby.

I don't know if Madonna was just playing on Kel Leigh's iPod or if it just popped into my head...all while getting us listed for your votes on WDIV's '4 The Best'...but it seemed a little fitting! We love our friends, family and brides...hoping you'll love us back and vote!

Put your love to the test!
We're Competing badge
{click on the link above to vote and leave a comment!}

frost yourself.

So you want to wear diamonds and crystals, but not in the traditional way? Here are some interesting alternatives that I've come across to help you sparkle on your big day!

Not your average garter! Made by GarterLady on Etsy!

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Who would have thought about diamonds on the unity candle!? Made by Leigh-Ann Kline on Etsy!

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As if the bridal boutquet isn't already a show-stopper, step it up a notch with these fun bouquet wraps! Made by Kirsten Kuehn Designs on Etsy!

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How about a feather fascinator drenched in vintage Swarovski crystals!? Made by Jadore Dolce Couture on Etsy!

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Sparkle and Shine!

flights of fancy.

Okay...so I didn't realize that one of my old favorite websites for invitation inspiration, Betsy White Stationery Boutique, had a blog! Loved browsing 'Flights of Fancy' last night...hoping you'll enjoy it as well!

Loving this eggplant, peach, and putty colored inspiration!

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See their blog post {here} for photo credits.

Wildflowers.

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Father's can play a very important part in a Brides day... they are the ones that get to give us our last advice as we go toward new adventures and officially 'give us away'. And not only do they get to share the spotlight as they walk us down the isle, but they also get to take part in the famed daddy-daughter dance.
I enjoyed narrowing down songs that my dad and i could dance to...however, we are more of the 'we just know we love each other' kinda people than showing it. We had the DJ cut our song down to a minimum to save ourselves a little as we danced during our reception. And even though our dance didn't last long...a song always will.
We had choose Tom Petty's song Wildflowers... it's as sweet as it sounds...perfect for sending off your daughter to the new man in her life.
I love you dad :) Happy father's day!

Wildflowers
You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
Sail away, kill off the hours
You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, find you a lover
Go away somewhere bright and new
I have seen no other
Who compares with you

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free

Run away, go find a lover
Run away, let your heart be your guide
You deserve the deepest of cover
You belong in that home by and by

It's Love.

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As if Trains' song Soul Sister wasn't huge enough, they follow up with It's Love. It's been gracing facebook status updates and in my head all morning!


"If it’s love
And we decide that it’s forever
No one else could do it better
If it’s love
And we’re two birds of a feather
Then the rest is just whenever
And if I’m addicted to loving you
And you’re addicted to my love too
We can be them two birds of a feather
That flock together
Love, love
Got to have something to keep us together
Love, Love
That’s enough for me"



HAVE A LOVELY WEEKEND!!

Bells & Whistles.

You've got the dress...now it's time to accessorize!

We're bringing you the top 5 trends of 2010 from weddingchannel.com!

Bubble Veils

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Take your bridal beauty to new heights:
Trade a more traditional veil style for this girly and fun alternative.

Mini Hats
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Move over, birdcage veils -- hats are back!
Skip the veil altogether and top off your look with a glamorous pillbox style hat.

Statement Necklaces

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You don’t have to pick a fancy gown to sparkle at the altar. If your gown is strapless, drape a gorgeous statement necklace with jewels, rhinestones, or pearls, around your neck.

Instantly stunning!


Gloves
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Pair lace, sheer, embroidered, or cutout gloves with your gown for an instant style upgrade – it’s a great way to personalize your look.


Colored Belts
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Why not wear your “something blue” for everyone to see? After the ceremony, add a pop of color to your gown to change looks for the reception.


Loving that one of our brides is taking inspiration from our business card and getting black gloves for some fun photos!
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Don't forget to visit www.mariellonline.com to see what we can order for you!

Rock the Booth.

If you want to do something entertaining that has long lasting memories for your wedding {or any event for that matter}...Rock the Booth is it!

The recently married {and recently blogged about} Erica & Chris Larson themed a majority of their wedding around the photo booth! From their photo booth inspired Save-the-Dates, to the seating cards, favors and guest book...they all incorporated the photo strip!

As you walked in to their reception you were met with a table full of photo strip frames standing tall and proud...each frame had the guests names and table number on them, along with instructions for using the photo booth.

After visiting the incriminating photo booth, and did everything from normal and cute to crazy and outlandish...you anxiously wait for your photo strip to be printed! As soon as your strip prints out you can slide it right into the frame that was your seating assignment...and now you have your favor!

But wait! It doesn't end there! A second strip also prints out for the "Rockstar Staff" to scrap for you! Each strip gets strategically placed on a blank scrapbook page, you sign underneath...and magic!...you have your Guest Book! As each page fills up, the staff embellishes the page and slides it into the scrapbook...so at the end of the night you have a fully finished guest scrapbook! How fun is that!? It's not a stuffy book filled with cheesy congratulations... it's a book that you'll want to open again and again...and be entertained!

Money well spent....and let's just say...we're still laughing about it!

Here is the lovely couple!

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All the Bridesmaids with the Bride!

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And Mike & I!

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Let's just say Mike rocked it on the last two frames.... "HOW WILL YOU ROCK THE BOOTH!?"

A Cause or 2.

There's so much good going on out there in our world! Two causes in particular in our own backyards!

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The first one is "The Reunion with a Cause". Looking forward to participating on August 13th as we help serve up family activities, entertainment and refreshments! For more information, please see Kel Leigh's great post from her blog! Hope to see you there supporting those we've loved and lost and are surviving cancer!

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The other cause is "Camp Casey"! They were featured on GMA this morning!! I had the pleasure of meeting founder, Molly, at a friends bridal shower and was excited to see her on TV this morning! She has started such a great program for children! Check out more information on their website! Maybe you know someone who can use a 'horsey house call!"

Check out their video from GMA!

North & South.

Just because we're from the North doesn't mean we can't take inspiration from the South!

Loving this blog!

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Glamorous Grey. {Something Blue Bridal Boutique, Holly Michigan}

When shopping for myself I tend to buy everything in black. In an effort to change it up a bit, I've been choosing grey left and right. I know... it's nothing crazy - but maybe a step in the right direction! Loving all these wonderful inspiration boards in glamorous greys! Enjoy!

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How do we feel about grey wedding dresses!?

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Mr. & Mrs. Larson {Something Blue Bridal Boutique, Holly Michigan}

What’s next best to being a Bride?

A Bridesmaid!

I joined five others for the duties this weekend as my long time friend,
Erica Autio, married Chris Larson!

She looked stunning in her LaSposa lace gown! I think they found their next model…

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The couple took dance lessons for their first dance!

First Dance Song: 'Sunday Morning' by Maroon 5.

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Enjoy this little video we took of their first dance!

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Larson! It truly was a beautiful day!
Stay tuned for more inspirational pictures and ideas from their wedding!