Wedding Tactics

My favorite wedding hair style is the gently pulled back bun:

This hairstyle was worn for a traditional church wedding in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This picture was taken by Faith West Photography.

And also:

This hairstyle was from a wedding in Frisco, Colorado. The bride is an earthy simple gal. This picture was taken by Karina Heneghan.

I know some people tend to think this is more elegant but personally, I’m not a fan of the harsh pull-back.

EHow explains how to get the shiny healthy hair that every bride wants.

Get any split ends you may have trimmed off. Regular trims are a must. Visit your stylist every four to six weeks to have the very ends trimmed to avoid your hair’s ends splitting.

For moderately damaged hair, find a good quality shampoo and conditioner. Choose products specifically for dry/damaged hair.

Try shampooing your hair less. Washing your hair every day can strip natural oils that help protect the hair and keep it looking and feeling healthy.

Give your hair a break from the heat. Whenever possible let your hair air dry either completely or most of the way and only blow dry to finish off the drying process. Try using your flat iron or hot rollers only every second or third day, which will be easier if you don’t wash your hair everyday. Just touch up in the morning instead of going through your entire styling routine.

Don’t want a new color but what the shine? Go for a glossing instead. This clear coat for your hair will give you the shine and smoothness of a color but won’t change your natural hair color one bit.

Avoid too many chemical processes, such as colors and perms, and avoid other hair wreckers such as chlorine, sun and tight elastic bands. Switch to semi-permanent colors, lay off the perms for a while and cover up your hair when in the sun or pool.

Orchids are great for hair-flowers because they hold up extra long in hot weather and they have stems that are strong enough to get pinned into a hairdo. They are great for gals with lighter colored hair because the pale white color of the flower is subtle enough to make a statement but large enough to add a grand romantic touch.

Every bride knows that her hair must be perfect on her wedding day. Brides all over search websites on their lunch breaks trying to find different styles of curls and straight and updos that will match their style, their dress, and be perfect for that long walk down the aisle. But if only you could see a preview of yourself with all those hairstyles.

Here it is ladies! A virtual-salon right here at your finger tips. Brides (dot com) is offering a virtual try-on studio for your wedding day hair style. All you have to do is upload a photo of yourself, a straight-on head shot with your hair pulled back against a simple white background and then choose different hair and make-up styles without the risk of split ends or a horrifying eyeliner experience.

Regardless of your wedding style, it is best to choose a style that you feel is wearable, and most importantly, a compliment to your dress. Hair that is pulled back too tightly can look severe and hair that isn’t pulled back at all can detract from your dress and neckline. You can never go wrong with a gentle style that accentuates your cheek bones and shows off your collarbones.

When I was planning my wedding, less than a year ago, I spent hours just looking for images on the Internet to give me ideas for everything from centerpieces to hairpieces. To help you with your wedding planning, I’ve decided to create an entry consisting of photos to help give you ideas. As the seasons change, wedding colors and dress styles change, so there really are endless ideas and images to choose from. When possible, I will give as much detail about the type of flower or brand of dress that I feature. If you have questions about where I found a certain image, please email me or leave a comment and I will give you more information.

Hairstyles

I predict that 2008 will see a lot of soft low-bun hairstyles with gentle accents like flowers and beading. If you are going to put flowers in your hair, be sure to speak with a florist first and use the ones that are most likely to hold up the longest. For example, stephanotis are great flowers, their little white brilliance is perfect for bridal hair, but they wilt very quickly in sunlight and heat. Instead, use orchids, they are much more hardy.
More hairstyle info can be found by clicking here.

Placement Cards

I really like these placement cards for an afternoon beach-side wedding. While they are not the most elegant, they are cute and would go very well with a surfer/beach/ocean ish theme. You can even touch it up by using a place-card holder like a little mini Adirondack chair or a small photo frame.

Flowers
I really like this bridesmaid bouquet. First of all, I love the pink! Gerber Daisies are one of my favorite flowers. I think they are whimsical and classic — at the same time. Also, the wrapping on the stems adds a very elegant touch. Also, as a bridesmaid, it helps to have something like that ribbon to pin a few extra hair pins into. You never know when the bride might need her veil re-secured.

Everyone wants to look their absolute best on their wedding day. Some careful planning can help you get yourself in top beauty-shape for your big day. I have never been so careful, thorough and devoted to a skin care regime than I was in the months preceding my wedding.

6-9 Months Before:

- Collect names for wedding day hair and make-up professionals
- Begin getting manicures twice a month and pedicures once a month. (This can wait until about two to three months prior if you are trying to save money)
- Arrange to have monthly haircuts, just trims to keep your hair looking fresh and free of split ends. If your hair tends to be dry, schedule monthly conditioning treatments as well.
- A massage never hurts to help you relax and focus on what matters.

4-6 Months Before:

- Schedule trials for your hair and makeup and plan to make a decision at about three or four months before the big day. You will want to plan a hair trial only about two months before the wedding when you know exactly what length your hair will be.
-If you were planning to hit the gym before the big day, start now. It can take about six weeks for weight loss and new muscle to really show. Exercise will also double as a stress-reliever.
- Schedule monthly appointments for eyebrow waxing to get your brows into shape and to allow for regrowth if you are reshaping them. Begin regular waxings now if you are planning to have a great bikini wax for the honeymoon.

2-4 Months Before:

- Visit your hairstylist for the trial run of your wedding hair. Bring a picture of your dress so the stylist can see the neckline. Bring your veil or headpiece too so the trail can be exactly as it will be for the wedding day.
- If you are interested in airbrush tanning, try it out now so you know what to expect.
- Continue getting as much rest as possible, drinking 6-8 glasses of water each day and moisturize your hands, face, legs and feet.

1 Month Before:

- Contact your wedding day hair and make-up people and confirm the date and time that they will arrive at the place you are getting ready. Make sure they have directions to the wedding venue too.
- If you are going to use an at-home tooth whitening kit, now is the time to start.
- Assemble a day-of-the-wedding beauty kit for yourself if you are getting ready away from home. It should include all sorts of potential last minute things you might need. Also, you can ask a bridesmaid or a close friend to help you put this together as well. Click here to see a picture of my emergency bridal kit and also some instructions about what to include.
- Consider making lists and beginning to get things organized for your honeymoon travel. Depending on how soon after the wedding you are leaving and what you packing style is, perhaps even get out a suitcase and just collect everything you will need to pack later on.

1-2 Weeks Before:

- Get one last hair trim.
- Schedule you final waxings; eyebrows, bikini and anything else you are having done.
- Take some time to relax … get a massage or a facial and make a point now of getting enough rest each night.

1 Day Before:

- Get your final manicure and pedicure.

Wedding Day!

- Wake up in plenty of time to get everything done without having to rush. Take a walk or get some light exercise, it will help with nerves.
- Drink water early in the morning, once your dress is on, you don’t want to have to visit the bathroom too many times.
- Have your hair and make-up done and have someone help you into your dress.
- Enjoy your wedding day because it is YOUR day and you have prepared better than anyone could have. (or, you know, as well as I did! … hehe)

Here are some simple and intricate hairstyles I came across recently in browsing wedding sites.

If you are nearing the exciting almost-two-digit countdown, there are some very important and not too hard things to be considering and scheduling.

Unfortunately, so many of the planning and wedding shopping falls on the woman. But, guys! You can help out. Offer to make phone calls and go to meetings with vendors, take notes, and help keep a budget spreadsheet and just be supportive and offer your input. Chances are your bride-to-be does want you opinion and wants to be sure you are going to be happy with the wedding day.

At about ONE HUNDRED days from your wedding you should be deciding on what jewelry you will wear, identifying and buying shoes. Plan a few hours when you can wear the shoes indoors to break them in and make sure they don’t rub your feet the wrong way. If they do, you’ll know where to put the protective band-aid on the big day.

You should also be looking for a hair and make-up professional if you are going to have it done. Many stylists will come to you on your wedding day. If you don’t know where to start looking for stylists ask friends and coworkers if they know of someone who does that work or someone who recently got married. Ask your hairdresser or nail technician, ask at dress shops and ask other wedding vendors. I have several fabulous vendors and I was very careful to introduce them to each other because wedding vendors have an incredible network. You can also look on the bulletin boards of wedding websites, such as TheKnot.com.

At this point you and your fiancée should have agreed on a honeymoon locale and be in the process of booking and making reservations. It is usually recommended to do this about five to seven months prior to the wedding, but the time of year and season will greatly impact the rates that are available and how far in advance you should make plans.

wedding hair, hair styles, 100 days away, three months before the wedding, honeymoon plans, reservations

Hiya Loyal Readers.

If you could all address me as Mrs. Kravitz from now on, that would be appreciated.

Haha! Yes! I am married.

Marc and I were married in a small, intimate ceremony last night at 5 o’clock, on a gorgeous serene golf course, overlooking a pond and some big breezy palm trees.

I’m actually composing parts of this entry prior to the wedding because I am just not going to wake up early enough to post for ya’ll the morning after my wedding night. I’m sure ya’ll understand. (wink, wink)

I will upload some pictures as soon as I can and I will have posts scheduled for the remainder of the week as I will be on my honeymoon in Jamaica.

And, just because I am now married does not mean this column will go to heck in a hand basket! Not at all! In fact, I will be sharing all of my experiences, looking back, knowing what worked, evaluating my choices and totally not stressing at all anymore. I will also be keeping up with modern trends to keep all the brides-to-be out there totally informed.

Here are some pictures from the trial of my hair and make-up back in March.

I just received one of my last symbolic I-am-a-bride-to-be items. In today’s mail? The June/July 2007 issue of Modern Bride. I don’t quite know if I will miss it. Although, I assume I they will keep coming to me, but then I’ll use them for research and your entertainment.

In reading through this issue I marked a few pages with interesting ideas that I will visit here over the next few weeks.

One thing that caught my eye was a question posed to all readers in the last issue and answered in this issue with many different ideas. Like most readers, I suppose I can understand both sides of the argument, but, I’m more fascinated by what it says about brides.

Modern Bride posed the following readers: I requested two things of my bridesmaids; that they wear their hair up and get a French manicure. A few seem annoyed. Am I being too controlling?

I now invoke the my blog, my opinion rule and tell you that I think this is asking a bit much. However, all brides and weddings are as individual as the guests attending. My overly explained opinion is this; a bride has a right to has her bridesmaids to do anything specific of her choosing, but her bridesmaids also have the option of chosing NOT to cooperate and then, above said bride, should understand that her demands prohibited her friend from being a part of her wedding.

Brides across the world are known for occasionally being overbearing bitches who care way too much about the decorations and the manicures. I have always written from the standpoint that it matter more what you say and do in your ceremony than what you dance to at the concluding party. I say this because the GOAL of the day is that a marriage, hopefully healthy and longlasting one is formed. I will admit that there are times in the midst of planning a wedding where you lose sight of the goals ahead. Dealing with vendors and parents and family issues can be ridiculously trying and stressful. However, my final point, while a bride certainly has a right to make demands for her wedding, she must, must do so knowing the potential consequences that may arise.

I survived another wedding-planning weekend with my in-laws. I was alone. No Marc to support me and help me through the myriad of decisions and color choices and short or long table cloths.

I have a list of about twenty things to do, buy, make and get to Florida in the next month. I have specific dollar amounts due in three weeks.

I have no been to the gym in over four days. Eeek! My only exercise was an hour long walk yesterday with my in-laws and twenty-minutes of sweating in the hot tub the night before.

I did take pictures. In fact, I took over an hundred pictures of my hair style trial and my make-up trial. I also left them on my camera chip at home. So, I guess you’ll have to wait until May to see them. I will try to give some sort of sneak-preview later in the week.

My dress? The one I was freaked the heck out about having it NOT fit because of some previously mentioned weight loss. It fits me. It needs alterations, but just larger ones than it needed before. Once they alter the halter-top to fit me they will do the hem. It looks so pretty and so, … me. It is very Florida. It is white. It has some beading but is very simple. And, to make my Mom proud, I bought a veil too. And I must admit it is pretty too.

I did a lot of this trying on and getting stuck with pins in the arms while my mother-in-law, my aunt-in-law, and Grandma-in-law watched from the sofa behind me.

Even though I lost a bit of weight, my dress still mostly fits me. I understand the alterations it needs. I still can’t wait to just put it on and have it fit!

My totally rockin’ most proud moment of the weekend was cutting $500 from my floral budget. I choose more orchids which are either native to Florida or easy and inexpensive to get. I stopped JUST looking at certain flowers and looked for other flowers in my colors. I simplified the Chuppah by not having flowers on the back side, but rather, just some greenery. I did not compromise on having an aisle lined with rose petals.

I’m really excited for the big day. I can’t wait to be married and stop planning this shindig. It is scary that some people are so excited for it because it makes me feel as though they have really high expectations for what the event will look like. But, all in all, they’ll get over it. Any real friends and real family members will come to see and celebrate with us, not for the food or to see how much cash we can fork over for flowers.

So. Much. To. Do.

Don’t even mention table assignments! Urgh!

Wedding hairstyle are not demonstrating a distinctive trend right now, but rather a few style choices are very popular.

Option 1: Long, loose romantic waves

Option 2: Sleek, trendy, sophisticated updo

Option 3: Combination of option 1 and 2 featuring a hair-do, all up or half up, pulled back in a softer style with wisps or curls.

Brides are choosing hair styles based on the kind of dress they are wearing and the type of wedding they are having. A bride wearing a sun-dressy kind of lacey wedding dress celebrating with a garden wedding and high tea-style luncheon might wear a long loose hair style while for an urban wedding at an art gallery a bride might wear the sophisticated and severe updo.

The in-between styles are for the rest of us. Most brides choose a little curl or softness as it flatters the face, neck and chest which most dresses reveal at least a little of.

It is also important to choose a hair-do that won’t get in your way. If you tend to play with your hair or don’t like hair in your face, then don’t choose a loose style, at least have it pulled back with clips or a tiara. Think about what will work for you and your wedding style. Also, if your partner is close in height, a big updo might make you appear taller. And finally, before settling on a particular hair style for your wedding day, be sure you have decided on head-accessories, clips with pearls or stones, fresh flowers and whether or not you will wear a veil and how it will attach. If you aren’t sure about these things, talk with your hair stylist, he or she will be able to recommend what is best.

hairstyles, bride, veil, wedding