It’s incredible the amount of detail and thoughtfulness Kari and Jim went for at their wedding. Kari says the wedding’s theme and design were driven by two items: her intricate Amsale wedding dress and the conservatory-style reception venue. Beading and subtle, sophisticated sparkle were the featured throughout, but this couple did neglect tradition, either. In a showcase of true Pittsburgh hospitality (the city is Jim’s hometown) the couple hosted a cookie room decked out in yellow and black, with non-stop sweetness for their wedding guests. Yum!
Kari + Jim | September 12, 2014 | Plymouth, Michigan | Dress Listing: Amsale, Plaza
The Ceremony
Our formal, Catholic ceremony took place at the beautiful and classic St. Johns chapel. While smaller in size, this unique church makes for a dramatic entrance as the pews face the center.
The Reception
The reception took place at the breathtaking Atrium Room at St. Johns. This room is one of a kind! The glass ceilings and wrought iron gazebo gave you the feeling of “outside” while in the very comfortable indoors.
Working with Emerald City designs I came up with a fairytale masterpiece. I was going for classic, sophisticated and timeless – with lots of sparkle. When night fell, the room just glistened as the sparkle decorations reflected off the glass. When thinking of the theme – I wanted everything to mesh seamlessly with the dress, which I wanted to make the star of the show. I worked tirelessly on all the stationery; hand-beading everything! The cake, for example, was garnished in pearl & diamond-like embellishments. As a little surprise to the guests, after the party began, we opened up a surprise “Pittsburgh-themed” black-and yellow room accompanied with endless cookies. Jim is from Pittsburgh, so the black and yellow was a necessity and a cookie room is a Pittsburgh wedding tradition.
Kari’s Dress Search
I tried on about 50 dresses, but loved the Amsale one I chose. It was just so classic and elegant. It’s a timeless piece that will not go out of style in 20 years. I wanted to be able to look back on my dress and not think that it was the “trend” at the time and year of the wedding.
How Kari Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Elegant, sophisticated and royal.
Why Kari Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I spent a lot on the dress because I fell in love with it, but I knew going in to it that I couldn’t justify keeping it. It’s so beautiful; I thought someone else would love it too and not have to pay what I did for it.
