Wedding Blog
Oh, weddingbee community, have I told you lately that I love you? That you are the SMARTEST group of people on this earth? And, uh, the prettiest??
I’ll just get right to it: I need help! My wedding is in TWO MONTHS *gasp*!!! And I have two questions that I know weddingbee can solve. Pretty pretty please??
Question #1: Can I open my presents??
The other day, I got home from work, and THIS was sitting on my kitchen floor:
I circled it several times wondering, “hmm, what wedding-related thing could I have ordered from Target?” - and then it hit me… THIS IS A PRESENT! Our VERY FIRST wedding present! Isn’t she beautiful??? The box is SO BIG. And I am DYING to know what’s inside. So the question is - am I allowed to open this? What’s the etiquette??
Question #2: Where should I get my hair done?
Yeeeaaaah, I haven’t made a hair appointment yet. Mainly because I just don’t know any hair places in Southern Maine. And I am like, seriously cutting it close here. I want something like this:
Pretty, yes? So if any of you out there have any experience with a hair salon near Old Orchard Beach, could you send that glowing recommendation my way? Or warn me if there’s somewhere I should definitely avoid??
I thank you much in advance. 
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Share this post: Advice Needed
Miss Bubblegum,
Etiquette dictates that regardless of how soon before a wedding gift is received, you should send out a thank you note within 2 weeks of receiving the gift. So yes, you do need to open it.
I always thought it was silly because you can’t tell them how lovely it was to see them at the wedding, but that’s just what you’re supposed to do.
You should definitely open the present! I think this is actually appropriate etiquette so you can get a thank you note in the mail promptly, which also lets your guest know that their gift arrived safely.
As far as your hair, I’ve never even BEEN to Maine, but I say start calling around, seeing whose available, and getting every recommendation possible! Get on it, girl 
You could try yelp.com to see if there are any hair salon reviews there.
yes, open it and send your thank you note. the only thing that some people have hang ups about is actually using the gift before the wedding, you know, just in case. but definitely open the box to see what you got!
I think you should start looking into hair places soon- you’re not getting married in Manhattan and you don’t want to wind up with an unsophisticated ‘do because it’s a rural area. Do you have a wedding planner who might offer recommendations? Or ask at your venue who brides have used in the past.
Yes, open away! It’ll help you get on the road to finishing those Thank You’s. You won’t have so many on your plate after the wedding.
OPEN!!
No need to repeat, but OPEN IT!! 
The ettiquette is that gifts can be given as soon as someone learns about the wedding or where you’re registered, and up to a YEAR after the wedding. By opening it you can get the thank you off promptly, and assure the giver that their gift arrived! Will also help you guys stay on top of all the thank you notes.
Also, ettiquette technically says that even if you OPEN a gift before the big day, it shouldn’t be used until AFTER… I might do this with some things, but I’m sure I’ll be too excited and cheat with others!
Good luck finding someone to do your hair. My only recommendation is you don’t hole yourself in by only looking in one place. A lot of stylists travel (if you’re willing to pay a bit more to have them come to you), which means you’ll have a bigger pool if you look in surrounding areas as well.
I agree, open it.
As for the hair- DONT DELAY. And, when you go to your chosen stylist to do the trial-run (at least 2 weeks in advance), make sure they do it just as perfectly as you want it the day-of. Otherwise, schedule a second trial-run.
My stylist couldnt get the hair right during our trial-run, then said he’d practice on a mannequin, and said he got it down. Well, morning of the wedding, he spent 3 hours trying to get it right (and turned out great!), but threw me into a gigantic rush to get everything else done in time. Total panic.
No matter how easy you think it will be, make sure the trial is perfect!
I’ve heard Capellies on Grant is a good salon but I don’t know how they do with styling just cuts. i know someone who goes there and her cuts are alwasy good.
HI- I stumbled upon your blog as I get google alerts for things around Old Orchard Beach. I suggest the Carriage House Salon and Day spa in Saco or Illusions. Both very close to OOB, and to a previous poster, a lot of Southern Maine is not that rural and very similar to towns outside of Boston (where I lived all my life until I moved to Scarborough, ME last year) –so you should be fine. I get my hair cut and colored by Anton who just moved from the Carriage House to Illusions and use to work in Boston. I have never had it just styled, so I do suggest a meeting beforehand as well to make sure you are comfortable with the person and they understand what you want. Best of luck-
I totally agree with Cindy! I grew up and now live just outside of Boston, and I also lived in Old Orchard for over a year. It is not rural! Kind of funny that people see it that way, but I guess I can understand it. Southern Maine has traffic, malls, colleges, industrial parks, huge offices, spas… same as here in Boston. We’re lucky to live here!
I love that hair style and I’m sure you’ll find a great place to have it done. I personally don’t have a salon to recommend, but I can share a funny anecdote - there’s a cute little place in OOB called “Curl Up and Dye” - I think that’s so cute!
And yes, open that gift!!
open it! open it!
also, I think that style is pretty AND pretty easy to whip up so, while I believe that you should hop to it in making an appt, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble finding someone you’re happy with.
Open it! See what it is, who sent it and send out a TY card! There’s nothing to gain by waiting to open it. Nothing to lose either!
I’ve been letting FH open all the big boxes that have been arriving when he gets home from work. I’ve been paying too much attention to the registry so I am not as surprised as I’d like to be. But HE doesn’t know what’s going on and loves to rip open the box. So maybe you can let Mr. bubblegum open the box for the thrill.
Thank you all for your help!
tberry and Cindy - thanks! I’ll definitely give those places a look - I just felt odd picking a name out of a book without getting any recommendations!
six degrees in portsmouth is AMAZING…i love them. that’s not SUPER close to old orchard beach, but it could definitely be further.
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Mrs. Bubblegum, Exeter, NH
Age and Occupation: 24, Actuarial Analyst
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Ressearch & Development
Engagement Date: February 9, 2007
Wedding Date: May 2008
Blogging Since: November 2, 2007
Venue: Dunegrass Golf Club
About Me: I can be summed up by the four things I love most: kitties, cheese, math, and Mr. Bubblegum. I am knee-deep in DIY projects to keep wedding costs low but quality high for the special day when I get to marry my bestest friend.
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