When it comes to makeup, I tend to only have 1-2 tricks up my sleeve in my day to day routine. And when I say tricks, I mean alternating eyeshadow and lip colors… But with 16 years of experience, Nashville hair and makeup artist Kara Gaylor knows all the tricks of the trade. And if you're like me, Kara's a great person to help you out in this area! Not only is she an exceptional choice to hire for your wedding hair and makeup, but she can even do lash extensions! How amazing would it be to wake up on your wedding day with a lush full set of eyelashes? Plus, she can even teach you how to do your everyday makeup and make the most out of your makeup bag! Check out our interview with Kara below - and make sure you read until the end for a special giveaway!
Kara: I am an independent stylist in Nashville, TN offering a full range of services to cover all your beauty needs. Everything from custom hair color & haircuts, makeup tutorials, on-location hair & makeup styling for events, weddings and photo shoots, and most recently eyelash extensions.
How long have you been in business? How did you get started in weddings?
Kara: I started as a freelance makeup artist out of college, and kept getting asked if I did hair as well. A few years later I attended the Aveda Institue in Atlanta, and have been doing both hair and makeup ever since. I've been working in the beauty industry for over 16 years.
When I was first getting started as a freelance makeup artist years ago, weddings were some of my first jobs that came through friend referrals. Over time it snowballed into more and more referrals, clients that are wedding planners referring me to brides, and relationships with other vendors that I've made. It's a huge part of my overall business.
What's the philosophy behind your company? What are your strengths?
Kara: I strive to enhance people's natural beauty, and show them how to work with their features and strengths instead of fighting against it to achieve a particular look. I like to think that I see in others what they do not see in themselves and I help bring that out.
Being an independent stylist allows me to have more of a personal connection to each client. I've been told that I listen well and pay close attention to detail. I want everyone in my chair to feel important and special.
What attracts brides to your business?
Kara: My aesthetic of "enhanced natural" really connects with a lot of brides. I'm not about heavy contouring, airbrushing, etc. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but in my opinion, it has a time and a place and is not for everyone. A bride should look and feel like herself, especially on her wedding day. My goal is to bring out her most beautiful self. I think what I hear most often from brides that find me is, "you have a soft, natural aesthetic, and all your work looks like a real person, not an overly made-up face of makeup."
What is the most innovative new trend in your industry?
Kara: I'd have to say eyelash extensions for sure! They can really enhance your eyes without mascara, and last longer than a temporary false lash.
Tell us more about Lash Extensions! What all is involved in the process?
Kara: I think my favorite thing about them is the ease it provides. You wake up with your eyes already done without the need for mascara or any other eye makeup.
The process is a very detailed one. A synthetic eyelash is one-by-one adhered to each individual natural lash. There is a range of lengths, thicknesses and curls, so it is completely custom to each person. They last on average about 6 weeks and will shed as your natural lashes shed. A fill is recommended about every 3 weeks to account for the different stages of the lash growth cycle. I think that there is a lot of assumption out there that lash extensions all end up looking way too long and spidery. They don't have to, and that is certainly not my goal. I approach this the same way I do hair and makeup styling -- enhancing their look while keeping the health and integrity of their natural lashes intact.
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Thank you so much for sharing your story and philosophy behind your business, Kara! And I have some more great news...
2) Like the giveaway posts on @karagaylor_stylist and @ashleysbrideguide Instagram pages.
3) Tag a friend in the comments on either Instagram post to complete your entry.
Contest starts now through Monday, August 1st. Winner will be chosen and announced on Tuesday, August 2nd. Good luck!
Bonus for ALL ABG readers, Kara is offering 10% off lash extensions when you book an August appointment now through Wednesday, August 15th! Contact her now at [email protected].
You've seen it on Instagram. The incredible photos of clawfoot tubs against navajo print walls. The platform beds with soft faux fur blankets. The quirky wallpaper with antler accents. It's Nashville's hottest bed and breakfast: Urban Cowboy.
Located in a Queen Anne Victorian mansion in East Nashville, Urban Cowboy houses 8 rooms that uniquely dance to their own beat. Urban Cowboy gives Nashville newlyweds a boutique wedding night experience like no other. Each room is equipped with a luxurious tub (7 of them are clawfoot!) and a bold "Southwestern deco" theme.
Founders Lyon Porter and Jersey Banks began their journey in Brooklyn in 2014 opening up the first Urban Cowboy location. It quickly became a staple of Brooklyn culture - uniting travelers with big ideas. Banks and Porter decided to open the second location for this urban movement in our very own Nashville, TN. With the hopes of bringing artists, adventurers, designers and wanderers together to connect, the East Nashville mansion is situated with two communal areas. And what a treat is has been to our creative culture so far!
So, if your bridesmaids are calling out for a fun and artsy bachelorette adventure, Urban Cowboy is just the place! And there's no better way to relax with your girl group than having an in-room massage like the Head Over Heels for a head or foot massage. Or go all out and spend a romantic afternoon with your husband with the Couples Retreat massage and a Salt of the Earth bath. It's just another way to spend the day in one of these swoon-worthy rooms!
Plus, Urban Cowboy is now offering (gasp) private event space! Host an intimate engagement party with friends or even a rehearsal dinner hangout of sorts. Contact them for more information.
Be SURE to follow Urban Cowboy on Instagram for some incredible magazine-worthy photos.
With summertime comes summer savings! Many of our well-respected Nashville wedding professionals are now offering deals on their services. From photography sessions to chandeliers, I've scoured the local bridal social media scene to find the best vendors offering the best deals this week. Take a look:
It's Christmas in July at Mrs. Boydstun Photography! Save 25% on your photography package when you book before July 31st. Claim the Facebook offer here.
It's Tax Free Week at Nashville's Olia Zavozina Boutique. Olia will waive your taxes on your wedding dress from now through July 30th. Schedule your appointment today: 615.760.5174.
Liberty Party Rental is now offering special pricing on their Radius Lounge Furniture Collection! $55 for an ottoman, $75 for the curved bench and $125 for the curved couch. Each piece comes in Sterling Sand, Avanti White or Avanti Bronze. Contact them at 615.822.4392 to reserve yours today!
Becca Stoll of Rebecca Renee Photography is giving away 2 free engagement sessions on Instagram! Like the post and complete the entry form before August 15th for your chance to win.
Finding more deals online? Contact us so we can share them with more brides!
Who doesn't love the cello? I Play Cello offers solo cello and ensembles focused around the cello for weddings in and around Nashville. Whether it's during your ceremony, cocktail hour or dinner - Kaitlyn Raitz, also known as I Play Cello, can play a wide array of musical requests. From classical to bluegrass to jazz, I Play Cello can do it all and will enhance the beauty of any event!
So don't count on your iPod to get you through your ceremony... Kaitlyn will gladly perform with cello in hand and make your day so much more memorable! And with 8 years experience, Kaitlyn has even played on stage at Carnegie Hall! Needless to say, you can trust her with your wedding ceremony jams. :)
Here's more from the cellist herself, Kaitlyn Raitz:
How long have you been playing cello?
Kaitlyn: I have been playing weddings for the past eight years, but only decided to brand myself as I Play Cello in the last year.
What makes I Play Cello different from other ceremony musicians?
Kaitlyn: I want to help make your wedding the most special day of your life. I Play Cello prides itself on being not only able to accommodate any musical request, but also able to play that request in a style that is authentic.
What type of bride would hire I Play Cello?
Kaitlyn: The bride who is most attracted to I Play Cello is interested in the details. She knows that the details in a wedding, including the live music, are what make her wedding special and unique to her and her tastes.
What are some trends you're seeing in wedding music?
Kaitlyn: The cello has had sort of a pop revolution lately with bands such as 2Cellos and The Piano Guys taking the viral internet by storm. Because of this, brides have realized the simple beauty of a cello playing their favorite songs. It sounds like singing. The cello is, after all, the instrument most closely related to the human voice.
Take a look at this beautiful video I Play Cello put together for ABG!
Songs featured:
Christina Perri "A Thousand Years"
Johann Sebastian Bach "Suite No. 1, Prelude"
Cherokee Shuffle (traditional)
It's your wedding planning dream come true - meeting Nashville's top wedding vendors face-to-face in one place. Make it a reality on Sunday, August 7th at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs for the Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show!
During my wedding planning process, the personality of each and every vendor I booked was key. A great way to scope out the Nashville wedding market is meeting vendors face to face at a bridal show. And with a variety of booths sponsored by venues, bakeries, cakes, dress shops, and more, you can book your vendors all in one day! Your check list will thank you once the day is done. :)
Plus, Ashley's Bride Guide will have our own booth at the Perfect Wedding Guide Bridal Show! I'm happy to announce we're partnering with Frozen Exposure to provide their photo booth for our ABG booth at the show! So please be sure to stop by, say hi and take a photo with your #girlsquad using the Frozen Exposure Photo Booth. Here's what you're in for:
At Ashley’s Bride Guide, we’re always on the lookout for innovative and exciting wedding ideas.
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