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New York backyard wedding: Kali + Hansel

October 10, 2011

We’re ready to jump right into the week with Kali + Hansel’s wedding, shot by Jesse + Whit of Our Labor of Love. She’s a graphic/package designer. He’s an animator and video producer. Her family is from Georgia. His from Guatemala. She’s a hardcore DIY superstar. He’s got a family that can cook up a storm. Can you tell that this wedding is going to be well-crafted, multi-cultural, and fun? Kali worked her fingers to the bone days, months, and weeks before their wedding, and it truly paid off!

The stunning chiffon goddesss gown Kali wore was purchased on ideeli (bookmark this, Cakelets!) for $100!

Tulle on young flower girls should be required, yes? It’s just too adorable. Our DIY superstar bride purchased the pink tulle at Mood and put this little getup together herself.

Bamboo cutlery is gaining in popularity, and we can see why. It’s eco-friendly and a great alternative to renting silverware, or using plastic utensils. But, personalizing it? That’s something we never thought about until we saw how Kali decorated hers. A little stamp shop in the West Village (The Ink Pad) had the perfect decorative stamp, with food safe ink. She used it on the handle of the forks and knives to look like the embossed decorations you see on most silverware. And, let’s not overlook the colorful paper doily-like decorations she glued together that surround the centerpieces (bundt molds with flower arrangements). Paper stripes + glue = a super unique and pretty way to incorporate color to your tables.

The lanterns hanging in the trees are mason jars that were painted with a mixture of food coloring and craft glue, to resemble stained glass. As far as the colorful twine balls, those were also made by Kali. She blew up balloons and wrapped them with twine (coated in a glue + water solution). When they dried, she popped the balloon and dipped the twine balls in dye so they were two toned.

Kali’s dad created the octagon-tiered stand, and Kali and her mom baked all the cakes. Each layer was a different flavor baked in it’s own unique bundt mold.

No first dances here. Kali + Hansel skipped the formalities and went straight for the dance party!

What’s a party without heart holographic glasses? Kali found these holographic glasses that make points of light look like hearts. She nixed the cheesy graphics and decided to make them into wayfarers. Brilliant! With a silhouette printer, which was an initial investment of $200, she drew the template of the wayfarers in illustrator, let the silhouette printer do all the cutting, then spray mounted everything together into super cute paper sunglasses.

Coolest, cutest couple? We think so. Congratulations Kali + Hansel!

Photography: Jesse & Whit of Our Labor of Love / Venue: Groom’s family home / Wedding planner: Lauren of Loli Events / Flowers: Bride’s Grandma / Mariachi: Mariachi Nuevo Mexico / Food: Groom’s family / Rentals: Camelot Rentals / Bride’s dress: APART & Alice + Olivia / Bride’s shoes: Badgley Mischka / Headpiece: made by bride / Groom’s suit: Zara / Groom’s tie: vintage from Old Hollywood / Flower girl dress:  handmade, shoes: Zappos

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