Modern editor Laurel Smoke's big day finally arrived on November 14th, and with it, everyone's hair questions were answered! Our 2009 Bridal Challenge, with visits to six salons in the Chicago area to let them have their way with Laurel's hair, was a a big success. We had an overwhelming number of votes from stylists and owners on their favorite wedding 'do. And now it's time to reveal the winning stylist and their salon, plus a couple of photos from Laurel's big day and the style she ended up choosing.

And the Bridal Challenge '09 Winner is...
The winner is...

Shyla Samel-Kurnick and Avalon Salon and Day Spa!
Shyla created an ornate, avant garde updo with colorful accents that got the greatest number of votes from readers.

Here's how she did it.











And the Bridal Challenge '09 Winner is...
Second place...
Coming in as a close runner-up was the detailed, precise style from Toni Scott and the Ruby Room! This style was popular not only with stylists and owners, but also with Laurel's sister and maid-of-honor, Amber Smoke, who had a version of the style done with her hair for the wedding.

Here's how she did it.








We also want to thank all the other salons who hosted us and participated in the challenge. If you missed any of the styles, be sure to click through to see what they did and how they did it.

Michael Anthony Salon
Prink
Salon 1800
Salon Coccole

And finally, here a couple of snaps of Laurel on her wedding day. Laurel chose Rachel Glenn of Prink to do her hair on the big day. The hair came down to the wire, becoming a last minute decision, but in the end, she and Rachel borrowed elements from several of the styles to create this perfect look!

And the Bridal Challenge '09 Winner is...































And the Bridal Challenge '09 Winner is...

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