By Laura Briedis

Oftentimes hairdressers become trusted friends. Sometimes they even become part of a client’s extended family, there for the biggest moments—most notably weddings.

At Cory’s Hair Studio & Day Spa, many of the hairstylists have been beautifying generations of family members.

“I take pride in my clients who have been with me for decades, and now their daughters are also coming to the salon,” says Corinne Calabro, owner of the eponymous salon. “It is special that these girls who had their first haircut at Cory’s are now coming to us to style their hair on their wedding day.”

Here are three brides and their hairstyles for their big day, courtesy of Cory’s Hair Studio.

Wearing Hair Down

A family affair for Denise Canda, four years after her daughter Kaitlyn got married, her younger daughter Kristen turned to Cory’s Hair Studio once again for the perfect wedding hairstyle. Just like her sister, Kristen has been coming to the salon for all her girly events, from her first haircut to first communion and prom to wedding day.

When it came to picking out a bridal hairstyle, she wanted a natural look, so she opted to wear her hair half up and half down with her natural brown hair color.

Along with her stylist Cassie (who came back early from maternity leave for a trial hairstyle consultation), they worked together for the perfect hairdo, which was pulled off her face with loose curls cascading down to mid-back.

“I was not stressed out on my wedding day as I trusted Cory’s to do exactly what I wanted because they know me so well,” Kristen says.

Enhancing Hair Color

Mother-daughter duo Deb Tovey and Bridget also have spent a lot of time at Cory’s.

“Growing up I would bring my daughter and a friend every year on her birthday for spa services,” says Deb. “So when it came to her wedding last fall, we turned to Cory’s.”

A couple weeks before the wedding day, both mom and daughter got their hair colored at the salon. Cory colored Deb’s a gorgeous red, and Cassie colored Bridget’s a deep reddish-brown.

Then, on the wedding day, the hairstylists went on location to the downtown hotel to do the hair and makeup for the entire wedding party—for the ultimate convenience.

The bride’s hairdo was half up and half down, pulled back with a braid on top and the rest of hair softly cascading down.

“My mom had Cory do her hair when she got married, and now I went to Cory’s salon so it’s cool how it has come full circle,” Bridget says.

Adding Hair Extensions

A client at Cory’s for 30-plus years, Teri Shoff started to bring her daughter, Melissa, to the salon as a young girl, where she got her first haircut and first manicure. Over the years, Melissa became a client, too, and entrusted the staff at Cory’s to do her hair and makeup for every special occasion. So when she started to plan her wedding last August, she knew she would go to Cory’s for her bridal hairstyle. “I feel like I have basically grown up at Cory’s,” Melissa says.

Working together with stylists Cassie and Wendy, they came up with the perfect hairstyle by adding extensions. Melissa’s hair was a little below the shoulder, so her stylist added tape-in extensions to create a soft, flowing hairstyle. “I always envisioned having my hair down for my wedding, but I wanted longer hair,” she says.

Teri also opted for some extensions to give her more volume, but nothing too dramatic so the spotlight was all on the bride.

“The entire wedding party went to the salon the morning of the wedding,” Melissa says. “It was beyond amazing as they had breakfast and mimosas. It was the perfect kickoff to start the day off on a fun note. I didn’t have to stress, as I knew I was in good hands. I could just take a deep breath and enjoy the moment.”

Find Your Bridal Style

Up or down? Swept to the side or pulled back? Sleek or curly? When it comes to hairstyle choice, there are so many decisions brides have to make.

“We always are abreast of the trends, but we also tell brides to do what looks best on them and fits their personality,” says Corinne Calabro, owner of Cory’s. “We make recommendations that will complement their dress neckline and headpiece.”

Here are bridal hairstyles topping the list for 2023.

• Ponytail – Paired with wispy bangs, a dressed-up ponytail is an option for those with long hair. It can be worn either as a low, sleek ponytail, or a higher, puffier version. If you have short hair, you can opt for hair extensions to achieve this posh look.
• High Ballet Bun – This classic style never goes out of fashion, and it pairs beautifully with a tiara.
• Chic Chignon – Relaxed yet elegant, chignons are a bit undone to add a romantic feel.
• Half Up, Half Down – If you cannot decide between wearing your hair up or down, consider this style that will let your tresses flow but still keep hair out of your face.

Cory’s Hair Studio & Day Spa is located at 7216 Pearl Road in Middleburg Heights. Call 440-888-8864 or visit CorysHairStudio.net.