Miss Unicycle, Chicago, ILAge and Occupation: 23, Editor for a Web Publishing CompanyFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, MD/PhD StudentEngagement Date: March 26, 2011Wedding Date: June 2012Venue: Bridges of Poplar CreekAbout Me: I’m a writer by trade who likes analyzing pop culture, making fun of celebrities, and laughing until I cry. I’m the queen of half-assed crafts, and there’s nothing I won’t try to DIY. You can usually find me reading blogs on my laptop in front of a good Lifetime movie, wine in hand. I’m planning a polka-dotted summertime wedding to my physics geek college sweetheart, and when I’m not making stupid puns I’m freaking out about my wedding timeline.
I’m not gonna be coy with you guys: I can honestly say that I love my hair. I don’t often admit to liking things about myself. I guess people are less likely to call you a bridezilla if you’re self-deprecating. So before I go on and on about how much I love my hair, I’ll self-deprecate for a few sentences: I look like a 12 year old. I have gaps in my teeth. I’m extremely cheap. And I’m totes awk.
That being said…my hair rocks. No, it rawks. It’s friggin sweet, you guys. OK, it’s not actually that great. But it just may be in the running for my best feature. Coming in at a close second is, um…nothing. (See, self-deprecation for the win.) I always say there are two hair types: hair that needs to be styled before you leave the house, and hair that doesn’t. Straight-haired chicks are always jealous of curly girls and vice versa, but neither has to do much of anything to their hair between showering and showing their face in public.
Mrs. Mole, Los Angeles/Las VegasAge and Occupation: 29, Test Prep InstructorFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, User Experience ArchitectEngagement Date: April 2011Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Wynn Las Vegas/Bouchon BistroAbout Me: I’m a Wisconsinite-turned-Angeleno who is planning a destination wedding in Las Vegas. I am passionate about education: I spent 23 (!) consecutive years in school, and now I work to help other people get into graduate programs. I love running on the treadmill, buying bath products from Lush, learning new moves in step aerobics, and exploring my neighborhood on foot. I am sometimes snobby about food, but I am rarely snobby about books. I read everything from Geoffrey Chaucer to Iris Murdoch to Chuck Klosterman to Candace Bushnell. My fiance and I are getting married on our third anniversary!
So you know how I was wondering about growing my hair long(er) for our upcoming wedding? Everyone who commented (thanks, by the way!) gave me such good advice on the importance of feeling and looking like myself on that day. So, on Thursday, I made a hair appointment at a local salon, and I walked out with this:
The basket at the top of the bookshelf is Halloween candy I am avoiding.
I love this haircut. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, both literally and metaphorically. I made two follow-up haircut appointments between now and the wedding, so that settles any debate!
Anyway, I looked through all of the links and websites that the hive gave me. I found some great hairstyle ideas. I also stumbled across three more sources of inspiration here on Weddingbee, so I am going to pay things back.
Ms. Ferris Wheel, San FranciscoAge and Occupation: 29, PsychologistFiance's Age and Occupation: 27, PsychologistEngagement Date: May 23 and 28, 2010 (one for each of us!)Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Parc55 Hotel (city lights ceremony, ballroom reception)About Me: Born in the Southeast, educated in the Northeast, and over-educated on the West Coast, I finally earned my city-girl credentials and have put down roots in gorgeous San Francisco. I’m a raging perfectionist with a lightning quick wit and a terrible sense of both time and direction. Our wedding task list is endlessly growing because of my predilection to think that DIY projects I can make = DIY projects I should make (so not true!). I always go to bed wishing there were more hours in the day to enjoy all the things I adore, whether that be hobbies, friends, my career, our two dogs, or Mr. Ferris Wheel. Ours is a story of a non-traditional couple living an oddly traditional life planning a not-so-traditional wedding in this city we adore. Together we are bustin’ out all of our best skills (and some of our worst ones) to plan a laid-back-chic DIY-craftastic love-alicious affair!
Of the many things that I love about my appearance, perhaps my very favorite physical features are my eyes and my hair. Nearly every time I look in the mirror, I notice one or both of those and I can’t help but smile at my reflection. It’s not vanity, and I hope it doesn’t come across that way. It’s just that I truly believe everyone should have aspects of themselves (physical, relational, emotional, intellectual, etc.) that they can acknowledge as strong, positive features (even if, at times, it’s simultaneous with less positive features—for instance my acne-prone skin).
So, given this love affair I have with my eyes and hair, you’d think I’d have spent more time considering my wedding hair and makeup. But, in actuality, I had one very brief moment of hair inspiration and zero ideas about makeup. I don’t know if it was anxiety or just feeling overwhelmed with other stuff, but I showed up to my trial session with one inspiration picture and almost no ability to articulate what I was looking for. Thankfully my amazing hair and makeup artist Lucy Flint knew just what questions to ask to get a sense of my wedding day vision, and then she began to work her magic. (Side note: She even continued with said magic as the building was rocked by a 3.8 magnitude earthquake. That’s running a business in the Bay Area for ya!)
Over the course of a few hours we tried out a makeup look, with and without false lashes, and two different hairstyles. I was so pleased, relieved, and excited about how great everything turned out that I wanted to go back for a second trial to do a bit of a different hair version. You know how I love me some options!
Forgive the poor lighting—it was dark by the time we finished. Read more…
Mrs. Raccoon, IndianapolisAge and Occupation: 22, StudentFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Graduate StudentEngagement Date: Christmas 2010Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Catholic Church, Chateau Thomas WineryAbout Me: I'm a wholesome Midwestern girl, TV series junkie, professional shower singer, and Anglophile. I love my fiance, crock pot cooking, my cat Heepo, going for the gusto, and all things wedding. Mr. Raccoon is pretty sweet, too! He’s a mad scientist that loves to travel. We met my first night on campus and have been inseparable since.
My hair is naturally curly, and it’s a fact about myself that I just started accepting recently. I still enjoy a good ol’ hair straightening for special days. Don’t worry, it’s nothing but a case of the “you always want what you can’t haves.” Here, I’ll let you see what I’m working with.
Miss Fox, Washington DC/Havre de Grace, MDAge and Occupation: 26, Massage TherapistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Field Support EngineerEngagement Date: April 18, 2010Wedding Date: June 2012Venue: Vandiver InnAbout Me: I’m a dancer turned massage therapist who was born and raised in New York. Alas, true love has brought me “south” where I still maintain my penchants for pretty shoes, wine, crossword puzzles, cherry blossoms, and the Mets. I own more sunglasses than a normal person should and don’t eat red meat (though I make up for it by eating my weight in sushi). I tend to be a big planner who likes to get things started early, but generally end up being indecisive and procrastinating when it comes down to it. I have a (not so) secret crush on Chris Carrabba, but my loyalty and love ultimately goes to the future hubs, of course! Together, my Foxy man and I love to discuss (read: debate) politics and current events, have Mario Kart and Scrabble duels, and just laugh. A lot. We’re hoping and planning for a laid back, fun, summery, rustic vibe to our June wedding that will be genuinely “us” – that is, if we finally make some decisions. Huzzah!
When my mom and I bought my wedding dress back in November, Foxy Mama also decided to gift me with that blingtastic headband that my consultant adorned me in. (Isn’t it nuts how they do that? You know, just happening to give you all the little accessories to make you look like a model bride just like those you see in the magazines, and then you’re convinced you needeverything?) The consultant said that the headband (headpiece? hair piece? blingy thingy?) was made of Swarovski crystals, which in my mind justified the exorbitant price a bit more.
I mean, I know my dress wasn’t terribly expensive, but the blingy thingy ended up being almost two thirds the price of the dress. Nutso. It did indeed complement and accent the dress perfectly, and my mom was in love and adamant about getting it. Me? I immediately told her I’d just go to Claire’s and hot glue a sparkly thing to a ribbon. Wham bam thank you ma’am.
Miss Fox, Washington DC/Havre de Grace, MDAge and Occupation: 26, Massage TherapistFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Field Support EngineerEngagement Date: April 18, 2010Wedding Date: June 2012Venue: Vandiver InnAbout Me: I’m a dancer turned massage therapist who was born and raised in New York. Alas, true love has brought me “south” where I still maintain my penchants for pretty shoes, wine, crossword puzzles, cherry blossoms, and the Mets. I own more sunglasses than a normal person should and don’t eat red meat (though I make up for it by eating my weight in sushi). I tend to be a big planner who likes to get things started early, but generally end up being indecisive and procrastinating when it comes down to it. I have a (not so) secret crush on Chris Carrabba, but my loyalty and love ultimately goes to the future hubs, of course! Together, my Foxy man and I love to discuss (read: debate) politics and current events, have Mario Kart and Scrabble duels, and just laugh. A lot. We’re hoping and planning for a laid back, fun, summery, rustic vibe to our June wedding that will be genuinely “us” – that is, if we finally make some decisions. Huzzah!
The more Foxy and I think about our respective wedding-day looks, the more little details we start thinking about. We’re not just thinking about the dress, the shoes, the suit, the flowers…we’re also thinking about the hair. More specifically, the length of his and the color of mine.
The shorter story of the two is in regard to Foxy’s beard. Currently? He looks like a (super cute) mountain man.
He never just trims—it’s either a full beard or completely clean shaven, with a week or two of, in my opinion, decent scruff.
Mrs. Mole, Los Angeles/Las VegasAge and Occupation: 29, Test Prep InstructorFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, User Experience ArchitectEngagement Date: April 2011Wedding Date: January 2012Venue: Wynn Las Vegas/Bouchon BistroAbout Me: I’m a Wisconsinite-turned-Angeleno who is planning a destination wedding in Las Vegas. I am passionate about education: I spent 23 (!) consecutive years in school, and now I work to help other people get into graduate programs. I love running on the treadmill, buying bath products from Lush, learning new moves in step aerobics, and exploring my neighborhood on foot. I am sometimes snobby about food, but I am rarely snobby about books. I read everything from Geoffrey Chaucer to Iris Murdoch to Chuck Klosterman to Candace Bushnell. My fiance and I are getting married on our third anniversary!
When I was growing up, I always assumed that brides had long hair. In any wedding-related fantasies, however abstract, I pictured Barbie’s hair—and not the Barbie my sister scalped; that Barbie was forever after regulated to date the “bad” Ken who was missing a leg and had a loose, wobbly head. I’m talking more about this type of Barbie.
Holy short skirt, Barbie / Image via Business Week / Courtesy of Mattel
No joke, I think I have a picture from elementary school where I am rocking the same hairstyle: long, crimped hair, and back-brushed bangs. I thought I looked pretty darn good. This is the same school picture, of course, where I am also wearing a painted denim blouse and pink rubber bands around my braces. Late ’80s, what?
Mrs. Sunhat, Dyer, IN Age and Occupation: 32, Tax AccountantFiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Landscape ForemanEngagement Date: September 25, 2010Wedding Date: December 2011Venues: St. Andrew the Apostle, Fiesta PalaceAbout Me: I'm a Midwest girl who grew up in the country and now works in the big city! I love cooking, entertaining, reading (addicted to my Kindle) and going to the movies. I don't miss an episode of Hoarders and I start cleaning every time I watch! My profession doesn't call for much creativity so wedding planning has been a great outlet. Mr. Sunhat and I met online three years ago, cheer for rival MLB teams and share a home with our dog, Wrigley. We are planning a traditional, Polish, Catholic wedding with lots of DIY elements and some fun surprises. I'm so excited to be married on New Year's Eve and we can't wait to ring in the new year as husband and wife!
Yesterday was our first bridal shower so I thought it would be the perfect time to have a hair trial. Not only would I be testing out a wedding day look, but my hair would look great for the shower!
Mr. Ball Cap’s cousin, L, has been doing my hair since I moved to Dyer. She recently had a baby and now works out of her home. I take every chance I can to get over there for a baby fix!
At my last appointment with her, I gave her a print out of looks I had found online. I was drawn to a similar style over and over again.
Miss Doe, Northern CaliforniaAge and Occupation: 24, Real Estate AssistantFiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Recycling ManagerEngagement Date: December 25, 2010Wedding Date: May 2012Venue: Monte Verde InnAbout Me: I’m a Rat Pack fan and a Christmas nut that loves to read, good wine, cheesy ’80s movies and ’90s sitcoms. My wiener dog with an attitude problem and lazy basset hound are my constant source of entertainment. He's a hunter and I like cooking so it's not rare to see wild game on our dinner menu. Both of us were born and raised in a small historic farming town where our feet are still firmly planted. We have been together for nearly a decade and have shared many life experiences together, including birthdays that are only one day apart. We are two old souls that are creating our long-awaited wedding with loads of tradition that blends our two styles into rustic elegance in the foothills of Northern California.
If you haven’t noticed by now, my hair is of the curly variety. I am incredibly worried about my hair on my wedding day. For good reason, too. Let me give you some background information so you can fully understand my concern. Today I present to you the trials and tribulations of this Doe’s hair. Or, in other words, my fur.
Might I add that this was difficult posting a few of these photos. They are by no means flattering photos of me. However, I have learned to laugh at myself. Therefore, in the name of blogging, I proudly and humbly present to you the story of my hair—hang on tight.
1. The adorable years started when I was just a little fawn. I had what some considered to be hair reminiscent of Shirley Temple (who I love, by the way).
Mrs. Skunk, AtlantaAge and Occupation: 23, Post baccalaureate studentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Mechanical DesignerEngagement Date: February 13, 2011Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Neverland Farms About Me: I’m a Georgia peach born and raised in the dirty dirty. I love reading, baking lots of sweets and forcing them on my friends, and most of all, rock climbing. I am in the process of applying to graduate school in physical therapy and I work at farmers’ markets around town selling bread for a local bakery. The mister and I met while rock climbing just over two years ago and have been inseparable ever since. Our climbing friends mean the world to us and have played an integral role in our relationship. We’re planning a barnyard shindig filled with good food, good friends, and lots of love.
In addition to the super awesome gifts I have planned for my ladies, I’m also paying to have their hair done by my awesome stylist. I’ve been going to see Becca since I first moved in town and haven’t seen anyone since. She’s seriously amaze balls.
I sent a quick email to everyone to find out what they want so that I could give Becca an idea on timing. BM C. Bear and C. Koala want their hair down in loose curls with either a half french braid or just some pieces pulled back.
BM L. Bug is smitten with low messy buns. You know the ones that look like you just effortlessly rolled out of bed with an amazing thrown together bun, but in reality sat in a stylists chair for over an hour? Yea. Those. I’m kinda smitten too. Read more…
Mrs. Funnel Cake, Zürich, Switzerland/Columbus, OhioAge and Occupation: 24, Visual Communication DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Application EngineerEngagement Date: May 30, 2010Wedding Date: October 2011Venue: Catholic church followed by a botanical conservatoryAbout Me: I'm an American designer who moved to Switzerland for love after a fairytale beginning at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I love travel, photography, museums, learning German so I can speak with my mother-in-law, cooking (eating), cuddling, and I'm not afraid to try something new even if it terrifies me. My Swiss/Brazilian man and I are both down to earth people planning a traditional Catholic wedding in my hometown with some quirky cultural exceptions to reflect our different backgrounds. We look forward to celebrating with friends and family from all over the world in a classic, sophisticated fusion of heritage and love.
Even though I have someone scheduled to do my hair, I’m a paranoid bride-monster convinced that something dire will happen to my hair stylist and I’ll wind up being responsible for my own hair on the wedding day. (The horrors!)
Most days, my hair is hastily bundled up in one of two clips that I own.
Here you can see I didn’t even get the clip all the way onto the bun. Funnel Cake Fail!
With the wedding approaching and my paranoia mounting, I have been trying to learn ways to do my own hair that look, well… nice. Because frankly, hair in the clip-bun is not-so-nice. Up first on the list of hair-dos are curls.
Curls have been evading my locks for years, as my semi-curly, no-longer-straight hair decides to settle into an awkward wave. Usually, the harder I try to curl my hair, the straighter it winds up. Curling irons and curlers are no help. However, I believe I have now figured out a semi-reliable way to ensure I have curls that last ALL day. You wanna know how?
Mrs. Skunk, AtlantaAge and Occupation: 23, Post baccalaureate studentFiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Mechanical DesignerEngagement Date: February 13, 2011Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Neverland Farms About Me: I’m a Georgia peach born and raised in the dirty dirty. I love reading, baking lots of sweets and forcing them on my friends, and most of all, rock climbing. I am in the process of applying to graduate school in physical therapy and I work at farmers’ markets around town selling bread for a local bakery. The mister and I met while rock climbing just over two years ago and have been inseparable ever since. Our climbing friends mean the world to us and have played an integral role in our relationship. We’re planning a barnyard shindig filled with good food, good friends, and lots of love.
I’ve had my hair just about every color under the sun. I feel most relaxed and think I look the healthiest when it’s a sandy blonde color. But I feel most spunky and rock star-ish when I’m rocking my deep purple-y color. I’ve been slowly trying to get as close to my natural color as possible for wallet purposes. Unfortunately, my natural color happens to be dishwater blonde.
Mrs. Ladyfingers, Saint Petersburg, FLAge and Occupation: 30, Marketing ManagerFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Sports WriterEngagement Date: December 24, 2010Wedding Date: November 2011Venue: Palma Sola Botanical ParkAbout Me: I hail from Oklahoma, he was born and raised in Long Island. Fate brought us together, and now we live in a cute little rental house with our nutty dog, and our aloof cat. We both love to read, watch movies, explore our town, and laugh like hyenas. When I’m not obsessively wedding crafting, I enjoy stalking style and decorating blogs, making collages and painting, napping, thrifting, rearranging our bookshelves, and being a total weirdo with my friends. Hi!
My wedding-day hair and makeup artist came over today to do a trial run of my wedding day look. I’d talked before about my extensive inspiration—natural, curly, loose side bun or ponytail and fresh, rosy romantic makeup. I was weirdly nervous when Marci from Kyle Lynn came over, since I hadn’t ever had my makeup done and was frankly afraid she’d make me look like Tammy Faye out on the town. So I awkwardly paced around our living room while she set up. She was quiet, which made me think she thought I was weird. As always.
But I showed her my inspiration file, and we got started. She was so great! We nearly nailed the makeup the first time around—we just had to try a couple of shades of lipstick before we found the right one, and tone down the lower lash line’s eyeliner. The hair, too, was about 95% there—the day of, we’ll be doing it a bit looser and less structured, with some more ends showing. But I felt like a total princess—and the bonus is I barely felt like I was wearing any makeup, which is very important for a makeup-phobic chica like me.
Mrs. Giraffe, ChicagoAge and Occupation: 23, Graphic DesignerFiance's Age and Occupation: 24, Music Student TeacherEngagement Date: October 23, 2008Wedding Date: May 2011Venue: Trinity Lutheran Church & Idlewild Country ClubAbout Me: Coming from the suburbs of the Windy City, you'll often find me with my foot in my mouth while laughing for no reason or telling bad knock knock jokes. I've been crafty for as long as I can remember, and will DIY something twice over before I have someone do it for me. I'm a semi-awkward, typeface obsessed, design junkie and have been know to break out my dance moves for no reason as well as try my best to be ridiculous at all times. My love of pop culture, wordplay, and graph paper almost rivals my love of Mr. Giraffe (who is just the bee's knees). After a 2.5 year engagement, we're planning a modern-in-disguise traditional wedding, and cannot wait!
As I told you guys a couple weeks ago, I was a bridesmaid in Bridesmaid Marie’s wedding. That’s the way to do it folks: if you’re planning a wedding, find an engaged BFF and plan them together—it makes it way more fun!
Anyway, I shared some hairstyle photos with you guys, and I ended up looking pretty hot. So, I figured I’d better fill you in on the details!
Even though I showed the Hive a couple of options, the next day I threw ’em out the window and bought these babies to the hair salon with me.
Miss Warbler, Long Beach/MalibuAge and Occupation: 24, Quality Assurance EditorFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Handheld AdministratorEngagement Date: December 7, 2010Wedding Date: April 2012Venue: Calamigos Ranch MalibuAbout Me: I’m a Korean BBQ loving, cheesecake enthusiast bride living in the LBC! By day I write and edit for an online search engine marketing company. By night I am a volunteer food taster of all that is delicious. I am fortunate to be marrying an amazing man who loves me and my quirky ways. I love food, books, indie music, and Harry Potter. We are planning a small, intimate wedding up in the Malibu Hills with our closest family and friends. With the help of my wonderful fiance, our loved ones, and red velvet cheesecake, our wedding will be glorious!
Typically, I wear my hair in two down styles: straight and curly. I don’t think it suits me to wear it up, but occasionally when I’m running late or my hair is not cooperating, I’ll pull it up in a ponytail.
I wear my hair long and straight in the cooler months.
All-Inclusion Invitation Suites
So, I figured I’d better fill you in on the details!
