Ladies,
Can anyone provide any helpful hits or ideas about extending the life of curls on a wedding day? I had my first hair trial over the weekend for my September wedding and my curls stayed for only a couple hours.

I have long thick straight hair and was hoping I could curl for the wedding. We tried ringletts this first time out with a little gel and hairspray. ... but they didn't work. Someone thought maybe the gel was too much.. or maybe we didn't put enough...?
Someone even suggested I french braid my hair the night before and have the hairdresser spray the heck out of it the next morning.
Any ideas or thoughts on any of this?
Thanks!