Miss Cherry Pie, Seattle/Polebridge, Montana
Age and Occupation: 25, Marketing Communications Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Nurse Practitioner
Engagement Date: August 26, 2006
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: April 1, 2008
Venue: A tiny town just outside of Glacier National Park
About Me: I think of life as a journey and I love the places it's taking me! I went to school to study Magazine Journalism, ended up with a second major in Japanese language, and now work at a company that makes software for libraries. I love writing, computers, photography, and the great outdoors. I spend most of my time playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band or geeking out online with Mr. Cherry Pie. I'm happiest when I'm on the road, especially traveling abroad, or just nesting quietly at home with my sweetie, who is a fabulous cook and bakes a delicious rendition of a certain cherry-filled dessert!
Hair Today, For Tomorrow
May 6th, 2008 @ 11:03 am by Miss Cherry Pie
I’m blessed with long, straight, easy-to-style hair. Though I will admit that strawberry blond is not my natural color (it’s more “dishwater” blond, blech), I am happy with everything else about my locks.
I still haven’t decided what I want to do with my hair for the wedding. Sometimes I imagine it up, sometimes down, sometimes half-back. But I’m just not sure! So I’ll list a few ideas and you can help me decide…
Originally I was convinced that I would want a classic up-do, like a French Twist. But the more photos of French twists I looked at, the more I worried my head would look like it was at a prom while my body looked like it was at a wedding. So I searched for some variations on that theme and found several bun and chignon styles that I liked a lot.
I like chignons because they are simple and elegant but they don’t have to be too matronly. And there are so many variations with twists and curls and wisps. Moreover, they stay in place and are probably a lot less likely to fall down than curls, half-backs, or other up-dos.
My hair doesn’t hold curl very well because it’s thick and only slightly naturally wavy, but I am very partial to curls and I might try to sneak one or two in there that will look wispy as they loosen up.
When I was trying on wedding dresses I would usually tie my hair back in a bun and I liked the way it accented my cheekbones. But when I started letting my hair down (if I had the time to dry it before I rushed off to an appointment) I was startled by how much I loved it. Some of the most beautiful wedding photos I’ve seen have been of brides with their hair down. They look less severe and more natural.
I think that up-dos certainly serve an important purpose- they add a cosmetic elegance and certainly keep hair from flying away or getting in the bride’s face. (I definitely don’t trust the wind to not massacre my hair if it’s loose my wedding day.) But up-dos can also be a sticky, messy pain.
So I’m considering more natural looks, too. I’m sad that I can’t really pull off curls, but I can do waves and some volume, which would look nice with a hair ornament. I also like my hair pulled half-back sometimes, which keeps it out of my face.
I’m about half-convinced that I want to buy the chapel-length silk veil I tried on with my dress. But leaving my hair down and trying to work in a veil seems asking for it to fall out. A half-back might be a nice compromise, but I’m still wary of wind and weather and I just LOVE some of the up-dos in that collage up there.
Honestly, my first pick for the moment is for a simple, side-parted up-do with a bang sweep, a style like the one Mrs. Petunia wore on her wedding day!
What do you think, should I style my hair up, down, or half-back on my wedding day?
9 Responses to “Hair Today, For Tomorrow”
It’s really hard to say. I was 100% convinced I’d wear my hair down, or at least partially down - how I normally wear it. When trying on my dress, I tried it once with my hair down, and once with my hair up. Then, I liked it better with my hair down. When I had my trial, I am SO glad we did make-up first. It really made all the difference with the hair. I usually don’t like my hair up, but with my makeup on I ended up liking the updo the best!
aaaaannnddd… I just realized I probably was absolutely no help. 
I say down or half-back, I think the less fussy look will be beautiful with your “rustically elegant” wedding!
But, as miss toucan said, you might want to try it multiple ways to see for sure.
For your Montana wedding, I honestly prefer the look of the updo in this image http://bp2.blogger.com/_-LT1p8BKNrM/SBkY_-RMvPI/AAAAAAAAASM/7HC0j9Ss3n8/s1600-h/updos.jpg that is on the top right OR the style in this image http://bp0.blogger.com/_-LT1p8BKNrM/SBkbOeRMvQI/AAAAAAAAASU/JrB_71FPwxM/s1600-h/half-back-and-down.jpg that is on the far left
hmmmm…since you have described your Montana wedding as ‘rustic’ sooo many times, an updo doesnt seem to fit in my mind….unless its one of those delightfully messy type of things that look kinda unkept, but in every good way possible…..
perhaps, half up would be best? you get to highlight your cheekbones but keep you hair in the back loose and flowy.
i think that would be pretty.
For some reason, I see you in the down-with-pretty accent look of the pic right underneath your icon (and again in the top left of the last batch.)
The accent (hair pin, flower, whatever you choose) adds some interest and helps keep it neat, but is more unusual and fresh that a traditional up-down.
That said, a soft and wavy updo would work too.
Wear a top that is similar in style to the top of your dress to your hair trial and that should give you the best idea of what will look best.
Oh! I forgot to add, you can wear a veil with your hair down. When I went in for my trial, I voiced some concern over the veil falling off my head with a down-do. To keep the veil from falling off, you can tie a tiny hidden pig-tail underneath the top layer of your hair that will keep the veil from falling. 
I second miss toucan - you CAN wear a veil with hair down! Check out this link for detailed instructions on the technique: http://www.veilshop.com/When-the-Comb-Wont-Stay-In-Your-Hair_ep_60-1.html - I test drove it this weekend, with my baby fine, stick straight hair, and it worked really well, very secure, and super easy to do.
I say you nix the veil altogether and go for a wreath of flowers in your hair. I saw pics of a rustically elegant wedding (wish I could find the pics again!) where the bride, bridesmaids and flower girls wore flower wreaths in their hair and it was beyond beautiful.
Okay, so I think it’s time for us to see a pic with your hair naturally wavy!
I think that every time I’ve seen a picture of you, your hair has been straight - or am I crazy?
I’m trying to imagine what the loose wavy chignons would look like on you - but I think the texture of the hair makes a HUGE difference…
