The Stress of Playing Dress Up

197 Days to go.

We have all flipped through the wedding magazines filled with glossy pictures, creative ideas and articles. We know that the dress is one of the most important details of a wedding but aside from food, and décor what else is there? Flowers, bridal party, tuxes, cake, shoes…the list seems endless.

It’s amazing how the most stressful part of my wedding planning thus far has not been my venue, my family or my dress (ok there was a little stress there). The most stressful part of the planning to date has been hair and make up, who would have thought.

To be honest, I was starting to think it was just me. I mean really, how much bad luck could one bride have with hair and makeup? Was I being too picky? Was I asking too much?

The more I though about it the more I thought; why shouldn’t I be picky? Why shouldn’t I be asking for a lot? This is a once in a lifetime event (fingers crossed) and it’s not too much to want to look your best on your wedding day. I mean I’m the one who is going to have to look back at these photos in 25 years. Wasn’t I the customer? And isn’t the customer always right? (Just a side note- I’m learning quickly that in the wedding world in Ottawa this saying is bull$hit)

Make up stress #1- I was referred to a make up artist who came highly recommended from a friend and acquaintance, after a few e-mail exchanges (given, some went unanswered-1^st warning sign) we managed to set up an appointment. When I messaged her to confirm she pushed it to the next week due to a family emergency; no problem…$hit happens. So I messaged her again the following week to confirm…nothing. Then again, and you guessed it...nothing. After a few e-mails I got the hint. Back to square one.

Make up stress #2- After my make up disappointment I turned to a wedding forum I am completely addicted to. Make up artist came with a lot of recommendations and her website looked good. Contact was made, appointment was made and trail was arranged.

I thought I was set. This is further then I got with Make up Artist #1, I was stoked! So, she came over and the trial was done and paid for. She did an ok job I guess. I didn’t hate it; but at the same time I didn’t love it either. Thinking that my options were running thin I e-mailed her so we could pan out details and even maybe have a contract set up…nothing. Ok, give it was the holiday season, maybe she was away or just busy. After the holidays I tried again…. nothing. Really was this happening? After 3 more attempts to contact her ….nothing. I was really starting to think it was me.

After a mild mental meltdown I tried another off the wedding forum. She specialized in East Indian weddings and as odd as it may sound that was exactly why I called her. I love how East Indian women play up the eyes and boy-oh-boy do my Chinese eyes need playing up. She was super professional and prompt to boot. We exchanged e-mails and she provided all the info I needed; appointment for trail confirmed…and the trial was free J

I was over the moon after our meeting. She was great and did a fantastic job. After all this stress I am so happy with how it all turned out.

Now my hair person is till up in the air since I booked with someone new, I have yet to do my trial, but from what I have seen from her work I think I’m in good hands. For more details see previous posts Ranting posts # 1 & 2 and Seeing Inspiration. This itself was its own rollercoaster ride. But everything will work out. It has to.

I realize after months of stress that I shouldn’t settle because I’m scared nothing better will come along. I didn’t settle when picking a husband so why should I settle on the way I look? I know it is comparing apples and oranges but still the underlining point is to wait and go for what you want. For future brides out there or those who are in the middle of planning I say this. Don’t let fear guide you. In the end you won’t be happy with the final outcome. Not to say that you won’t be stresses out, you will be. But take solace in knowing that things will work out in the end. Just get used to paying an arm and a leg for that good stylist. After seeing their pricelists I’m thinking I’m working in the wrong field. But you get what you pay for, that’s for sure.

Seeking Inspiration

269 days to go

Okay, I've been lagging on some of the wedding planning lately, and I'm starting to feel it. With the holidays just around the corner and contemplating a major life change for myself (as if marraige wasn't a big enough milestone) I've just had a lot to think about. Add to it I have been having a b!tch of a time finding a decent make up artist and a hair style I like. I had my hair trial a few weeks ago, and came out more confused then ever. I asked the stylist for a certain style. In retrospect I have no idea what I was thinking. I should never have even suggested such a style. To make a long story short I looked like I was getting ready for my highschool prom.

I really don't know why I suggested what I did. I think that after looking through so mny photos and websites you get this image in your mind of what you think a Bride should look like, even if it doesn't suite your personality at all. Trail #1- lesson learned. Now to find something I like and that suites me. You would think that it would be easy....negative my friends. You can't imagine how hard it is to find a style that works for a large round head Chinese woman with a "full" face...tricky, very tricky. So these past few weeks I've been flipping through magaiznes, Google images and countless websites. I guess only time will tell and I have to keep trying till I find something right; at $50.00 a pop I better find it soon.

On the bright side I did find a hairstylist that seems to know what she is doing...after all she did do what I asked her to do. Make up artist on the other hand, not so easy (please see Rant # 1) After countless email attempts I have given up on my original make up artist. Now I have to find another, good thing I had a few back ups. Appointments have been made and now I have to again find something I like. So much pressure! The thought that these pictures will stay with me for life freaks the living crap out of me. What if I end up looking like a Drag Queen? Even worse, what if I think I look good like that until I look back on my photos? Shake it off! Okay, back to my dilemma, I have a limited number of resource to draw inspiration from. I don't look like most Asian women; I'm kind of in between. I'm Chinese with Chinese features, but lack the paleness and thinness in the face. When I Google Asian make up I get pictures of people like Lucy Lu and other dainty women who have tiny features or on the flip side, women with an absurd amount of make up on in the most inappropriate colours. There aren't a lot of pictures out there of Large headed Chinese women with "full" faces. Really whats a big headed, round faced Asian to do?