seth + kari beth
Selfless Love. As two individuals who devote themselves to serving others, Seth and Kari Beth got the much deserved day that was all about them.
Seth & Kari Beth first felt the sparks fly in high school, but they parted ways after graduation. Three and a half years later, they reconnected during a friendly coffee date, just before Kari Beth transferred to the University of Michigan to complete her pre-medical studies. They fell in love immediately, especially after learning that they were both pursuing medical careers with the objective of practicing in underserved and underprivileged rural and international communities.
They were married on July 26, 2008 at The Blue Dress Barn in St. Joseph. The rustic location with its simple elegance and warm ambience perfectly reflected the bride and groom and their personalities.
The ceremony was held outside in the small, private garden. Kari Beth wore a vintage-looking dress from David’s Bridal, and her florist, Heaven Scent Floral of Mattawan, designed hydrangea-filled paper cones that hung from the chairs along the aisle. Together, all of these elements contributed to the classic and personal feel of the ceremony.
Seth & Kari Beth had so many favorite parts of their wedding day. But what pleased them more than anything was how they were able to achieve a feeling of intimacy and community with a 200-guest wedding.
Their photographer, Jaime McAllister of Nicole Christian Photography was able to capture all of the classic and candid moments of their special day through her own artistic style. After their dance, all the guests filled the dance floor until the end of the night, thanks to the lively music provided by the seven-piece 33rd Street Band.
The reception took place inside the newly-renovated barn, which was decorated by the property owners. Paper lanterns, twinkle lights, and tulle made a magical setting for a night of celebrating.
Instead of using traditional, chronological numbers for the tables, Kari Beth & Seth used numbers that represented special moments they had shared together: ‘26.2’ for Kari Beth’s marathon, ‘2,103’ for the number of miles traveled together on a favorite road trip. This clever idea helped their guests learn more about them as well!
In lieu of traditional wedding favors, Seth & Kari Beth showed their benevolence by making a donation in honor of their guests to the UN Foundation’s charity, ‘Nothing But Nets’. This charity provides nets and health education to prevent the spread of malaria in affected areas of Africa. It was a great opportunity to share their passion for international health and make a positive impact at the same time.
Kari Beth’s dance with her father was made even more special when each of her six uncles took a turn cutting in to share their words of encouragement.
After their dance, all the guests filled the dance floor until the end of the night, thanks to the lively music provided by the seven-piece 33rd Street Band.
In a moment of reflection Kari reminisced, “Our helpful and professional vendors took our ideas and turned them into reality, helping us achieve the perfect day.”
Ceremony Location: Blue Dress Barn, St. Joseph, MI
Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal, Portage, MI
Flowers: Heaven Scent Floral, Mattawan, MI
Entertainment: 33rd Street Band, Kalamazoo, MI
Photography by:
Jaime McAllister, Nicole Christian Photography
www.nicolechristian.com
