Kari & Jim
Madi Lane bride Kari got to marry the love of her life Jim after sixteen years of love in our TESSA dress in Big Sur along the California coast. The beautiful nuptials took place by the sea, amongst mountains, and surrounded by wildflowers in full bloom – it doesn’t get more romantic than that. Keep reading to hear Kari and Jim’s love story from meeting to marriage, with a little over a decade (give or take a few years of love and life together) in between. And of course, our biggest congratulations and best wishes for all the years of wedded life still to come!
Tell us your proposal story.
Kari met Jim the classic way, doing her duty as a best friend playing wingwoman at a bar. But perhaps did a better job than she could have imagined – instead meeting her future husband along the way. “I was playing wingwoman for my bestie who has her eye on someone. turns out her crush knew my future husband. One chance introduction, a little laughter, and fifteen-plus years later here we are: married and still laughing.” If only every chance meeting could be as perfect as this one! Naturally, the proposal was just as perfect. “Jim absolutely crushed it [the proposal]. After fifteen years together, he whisked me off to Ireland and proposed with a dreamy picnic at Powerscourt Waterfall outside of Dublin. It was wildly romantic – the sound of cascading water, champagne, and his big, nervous smile.” And it doesn’t stop there either, their celebrations continued into the evening with a hotel room full of flowers and custom desserts at dinner! Kari adds “Yes – this man smuggled a ring across the Atlantic in a travel fanny pack. Iconic.” We completely agree. Super iconic move Jim.
Which Madi Lane gown did you fall in love with, and why?
For Kari, her dream dress was “Tessa. All. The. Way.” She said yes to the dress at Something White Boutique in Kansas city, with a clear idea in mind for what she was after, “I wanted something unexpected, perfect for a wildflower-season wedding on the cliffs of Big Sur.” She knew Tessa was the one right away, “When I slipped into Tessa, my curiosity turned into butterflies. The moment we added the detachable sleeves, I was done for.” Additionally to the sleeves, she loved Tessa’s versatility, “I had three looks in one dress (a custom scarf for pre-ceremony photos, the sleeves for the ‘I do’s’, and a sleek no extra’s vibe for dinner and dancing.) It felt completely and unapologetically me.” Her last point is perhaps the most important part of all when it comes to finding your wedding dress. That it is an extension of yourself.
Where did you get married? Tell us about the location, and style of your wedding.
Kari’s wedding took place amongst the natural grandeur of Big Sur, making for an incredibly scenic and picture-perfect day for our blushing bride. “We said ‘I do’ on a Big Sur cliff with wildflowers blooming all around us. It was intimate and magical. Just our children, their partners, our siblings, plus ones included. And my two childhood best friends officiating.” The theme was simple, easily provided by the location alone, “Think wild elegance meets West Coast romance, with a side of ocean breeze.” We couldn’t have described it better, it sounds like an absolute dream!
What was your favourite moment from the big day?
We love asking our brides this question. Following the hustle and bustle of wedding planning, dress shopping, and right amongst the energy and excitement of the big day – what moments stand out when there are so many you’ll always treasure? “Watching my childhood besties officiate was incredibly special. Sharing the day with our children and siblings made it feel like a true family celebration. And running around Big Sur with our photographer – posing on cliffs, strolling barefoot on the beach, twirling in wildflower fields, and wandering through redwoods. it felt like a cinematic dream.”
What advice would you share with future Madi Lane Brides?
“Break the rules. Create little moments of magic that you’ll want to replay forever. Your wedding should feel like an adventure written just for you.“
We just love that advice! Thank you so much for choosing Madi Lane Kari.
