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.

Unveiled

290 days to go

I never pictured myself as a princess at my wedding. Honestly, I've always seemed to be a low key kind of girl. I will admit, I pictured the dress, the venue, the food. But never in the snapshots of my mind did I wear a veil. It always seemed too old fashioned for my taste, and too girlie to suite my Tomboy personality. It wasn't until I was trying on dresses and the pushy sales women put it in my hair (to increase sales) did I ever considered the option. "It makes you look more like a Bride" they would say...Ummm...Hello...I'm the one wearing a big white dress.

There are just so many different styles out there that I figured I'd do some research to what worked for me. Plus, I have to do my homework since some of these suckers cost upward of $300.00. If you thought a veil was a veil, well, I'm sorry to tell you that you have been misinformed. Off the top of my head I can count five. Cathedral, Bubble, blusher, fingertip and birdcage. Not to mention the various embellishments (because being a bride is all about the bedazzle :P)

Cathedral: Think Royal wedding of Diana and Charles circa 1986. That sucker goes on for miles. But you can get them shorter and with less or more layers- they just go by different names (sweep, fingertip, teired)

Bubble: Think Bride of Chuckie

Blusher: It's supposed to cover your face in case you have to compose yourself. These are the ones where the groom lifts it over your face to kiss the bride. Usually a shorter veil.

Fingertip: The common veil warn today. It cascades down to about the fingertips and can be warn over the face or not.

Birdcage: That's the one that attaches to the head and covers your face (sometimes partially) with a cage like fabric (french netting) rather then the traditional tulle.

Does a veil really make a Bride's ensemble? If I opt for no veil will I look back at my photos and regret it? Can I wear a veil without looking or feeling silly? These are all questions running through my mind as I flip through the various magazines and online photos. I've never been a Fru Fru type of girl, despite having an obsession for shoes , bags and the occasional gotti accessory; but then I realize that I do want the whole experience of being a Bride. I want to walk down that aisle feeling like a Bride. We all hope that we will only get married once; so why not pull out all the stops (within reason).

I have since decided on a veil style but I'm sorry you will all have to wait to see the end result. And for those of you who know....shhhhh

Question is, will it fit my big Bride head?