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Wedding Etiquette Forum

Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice

So I have a dilemma.  I am getting married at 2 pm at the church I grew up in.  At 10 that morning my mom's best friend is hosting a bridesmaid brunch for me, which will probably last until 11:30 or 12.  I was really hoping to wear my hair down for the brunch - it's not going to be super fancy (cotton sundress appropriate), but then that gives me about 2 hours to get it up and everything else ready for the wedding itself.  My hair really needs to do the low bun thing for the dress I'm wearing - everything else just either looks strange or makes me look like I'm 12.

Originally I was planning on just doing it myself, but frankly my hair sort of gets messy halfway through the day.  I do sort of the same thing all the time and don't really know what I'm doing otherwise.  I use like... no products.  I usually don't even blow dry it.  It does fine when I'm trying to stick with one style during the day, but changing it up inevitably makes it look terrible so I sort of need professional help.

The other thing is that the church where we are getting married has no bridal room.  We're going to have to use a classroom which means no mirrors, vanities, etc.  So I'm not sure if bringing a hair person in will really work.

What would you do?
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Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice

  • If you want to bring a hair person in and a vanity is your only issue, get a cheap folding table and a cheap floor length mirror from BBB (put sideways). Any decent hair person should be able to work in those conditions. 

    Alternatively, get up at the crack of dawn and just have fancy hair all day. 
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  • honestly? I probably wouldn't attend a brunch that morning  :-/  It would have made me feel so rushed to try and attend a party the morning of the wedding and cutting my time to get ready that short.  I'm assuming you're not doing much in the way of photos before?

    Aside from that, I'd go to a salon rather than try and get a hair person to come into a space with no vanity/mirror/water, etc.  Make an 11:30 or 12:00 appointment; it will help get you out of the brunch on time so you won't feel so rushed.  It sounds like you're not doing anything too intricate so hopefully it won't take long and then you can head to the church with your hair already gone and get dressed there.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:ef56b842-a8f0-433d-971c-8ee7eb381738">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]If you want to bring a hair person in and a vanity is your only issue, <strong>get a cheap folding table and a cheap floor length mirror from BBB (put sideways)</strong>. Any decent hair person should be able to work in those conditions.  Alternatively, get up at the crack of dawn and just have fancy hair all day. 
    Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]

    <div>This is a good idea.  I will think on that.  I don't really want to have fancy hair all day - it's not the getting up early thing, it's the fact that we will have a lot of pictures at the brunch (it's a group of about 15 women only) and it would just look sort of bizarre to have hair that fancy with a casual cotton dress.  It's my nearest and dearest so nobody would judge, but I'd sort of like those early pics to look nice.</div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:587040a6-5697-406d-91ad-b5fbd78c9996">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice : This is a good idea.  I will think on that.  I don't really want to have fancy hair all day - it's not the getting up early thing, it's the fact that we will have a lot of pictures at the brunch (it's a group of about 15 women only) and it would just look sort of bizarre to have hair that fancy with a casual cotton dress.  It's my nearest and dearest so nobody would judge, but I'd sort of like those early pics to look nice.
    Posted by hoffse[/QUOTE]

    <div>I hear that. </div><div>
    </div><div>I did PR for a major hair brand, so I had to tag along to the weirdest hair styling situations. Seriously, what you described should be fine if you're willing to find a session stylist rather than one that primarily works out of a salon. The bulk of styling is in the prep, so I would recommend you actually letting them prep your hair (straighten it, blow dry it, curl it - whatever they feel they need to do) BEFORE the brunch, then have them put it up after the brunch. </div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:4f52484a-e551-4bec-806c-73886ca0dbd8">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]honestly? I probably wouldn't attend a brunch that morning  :-/  It would have made me feel so rushed to try and attend a party the morning of the wedding and cutting my time to get ready that short.  I'm assuming you're not doing much in the way of photos before? Aside from that, I'd go to a salon rather than try and get a hair person to come into a space with no vanity/mirror/water, etc.  Make an 11:30 or 12:00 appointment; it will help get you out of the brunch on time so you won't feel so rushed.  It sounds like you're not doing anything too intricate so hopefully it won't take long and then you can head to the church with your hair already gone and get dressed there.
    Posted by Kate61487[/QUOTE]

    <div>No we aren't doing pics beforehand.  I am probably going to have a bridal portrait session a few months before, and we will have about 2 hours between the ceremony and reception so we can do group pics then (yes, yes I know - but this is a teeny tiny town with literally ONE venue available to us because all the rest required club memberships, and that was as early as they would go and as late as the church would go).</div><div>
    </div><div>Do you think 2 hours is sufficient?  I literally never go to salons.  I have no idea how long it takes...</div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:cd32cd5a-596a-4ac0-a1b0-0a032a9950fe">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice : I hear that.  I did PR for a major hair brand, so I had to tag along to the weirdest hair styling situations. Seriously, what you described should be fine if you're willing to find a session stylist rather than one that primarily works out of a salon. The bulk of styling is in the prep, so I would recommend you <strong>actually letting them prep your hair (straighten it, blow dry it, curl it - whatever they feel they need to do) BEFORE the brunch, then have them put it up after the brunch.</strong> 
    Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]

    <div>Wow I had no idea - like I said, I'm pretty sure the last time I had my hair done was for my 11th grade prom.  That's a great idea.</div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:627d2343-6aae-4021-a5cb-f218856f32a4">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice : Wow I had no idea - like I said, I'm pretty sure the last time I had my hair done was for my 11th grade prom.  That's a great idea.
    Posted by hoffse[/QUOTE]

    <div>Are you north/east of Atlanta by any chance? </div>
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  • Actually... northwest.  My wedding is going to be in Dalton, GA - I'm maybe looking at salons/stylists out of Chattanooga, but if you have any suggestions I'm totally open.  Dalton is slim pickings.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:54e0dc27-4e0c-4714-8334-c15d5772f4b9">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]Actually... northwest.  My wedding is going to be in Dalton, GA - I'm maybe looking at salons/stylists out of Chattanooga, but if you have any suggestions I'm totally open.  Dalton is slim pickings.
    Posted by hoffse[/QUOTE]

    <div>Ah, not off the top of my head. One of my favorite stylists to work with is in Mooresville NC, but I know a lot of her staff travel pretty far to get to her salon, so I thought many of them might be in between if you were too. </div>
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  • Also, DAMN, if you were only getting married a bit earlier it would be during Bronner Brothers International Hair Show in ATL, and probably every major hair stylist in the country would be in town. 
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:db176669-374c-4a46-a553-fdf02aaecc3a">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice : Do you think 2 hours is sufficient?  I literally never go to salons.  I have no idea how long it takes...
    Posted by hoffse[/QUOTE]

    It will probably be fine; I was at the salon for like an hour and a half, but it was much more intricate with lots of curls and pinning plus makeup.  Once you have a stylist they'll be able to give you a good estimate of time
  • Ugh that's frustrating - I'm really not even going for anything complicated - just a low bun-like style that doesn't take a pound and a half of hairspray to hold.  I'm not a fan of the crunchy look.  My hair is long enough for me to do that myself... to an extent.  Halfway through the day my bangs fall out of it though, and they grow so slowly that I know they wouldn't be long enough to hold by April.  I will need to use products, and I basically own shampoo.  I'm pretty minimalist when it comes to hair- I've never even had it died or highlighted because I'm not exactly sure what color it is to get it back to the original if I didn't like it (FI says I'm a dark readhead, I think I'm a dirty blonde).

    Any suggestions about a ballpark price I should be expecting?  I have nothing to compare it to, and I'm willing to make room for this but I'd like to know if I get quotes that are a ripoff or not...
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:b3729928-3288-40cb-85c5-dff891d34944">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]Ugh that's frustrating - I'm really not even going for anything complicated - just a low bun-like style that doesn't take a pound and a half of hairspray to hold.  I'm not a fan of the crunchy look.  My hair is long enough for me to do that myself... to an extent.  Halfway through the day my bangs fall out of it though, and they grow so slowly that I know they wouldn't be long enough to hold by April.  I will need to use products, and I basically own shampoo.  I'm pretty minimalist when it comes to hair- I've never even had it died or highlighted because I'm not exactly sure what color it is to get it back to the original if I didn't like it (FI says I'm a dark readhead, I think I'm a dirty blonde). Any suggestions about a ballpark price I should be expecting?  I have nothing to compare it to, and I'm willing to make room for this but I'd like to know if I get quotes that are a ripoff or not...
    Posted by hoffse[/QUOTE]<div>
    </div><div>I don't know prices for your area, but the salon I mentioned in NC charges about $100 for an updo with a master stylist in the salon. I would budget $250+ to be safe, if I were you, so that you can get hair tests done, and if you don't like the stylist from the first hair test you still have money for a second test. I have $500 budgetted for my hair in the SF bay area, which I may not use at all, but it's better to estimate over than under. </div><div>
    </div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:ea6e9d49-4fc3-4bbc-ac61-f43285fd1ebd">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice : I don't know prices for your area, but the salon I mentioned in NC charges about $100 for an updo with a master stylist in the salon. I would budget $250+ to be safe, if I were you, so that you can get hair tests done, and if you don't like the stylist from the first hair test you still have money for a second test. I have $500 budgetted for my hair in the SF bay area, which I may not use at all, but it's better to estimate over than under. 
    Posted by emeejeeayen[/QUOTE]

    <div>Thanks so much for all your help!</div>
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  • You're making this harder than it is... Just find a salon and go in for a trial with a stylist. Let them know what you want and what your day-of schedule will be. Sounds like a low chignon with some prep for your medium length hair should only take about 45 min. Done.

    Anniversary
  • Just to add to the cost factor.  I'm in CT and my hair the day of will be $75+ (this includes a headpiece or veil attachment incorporated as well, but I'm not having either).  I'm going for something rather simple so I am thinking it will either be right at $75, or no more than $100.  Howver, if you are having someone travel to you that might up your costs a bit.  I woulnd't think there would be any need to budget $250, but I could be wrong.  Your best bet is to call around to a few places and get quotes (or look on their websites).  Also agree with PP that the style you are thinking of should not take more than 45 minutes to complete.
  • The problem is that literally the nearest place that isn't going to be a disaster is 45 min away from all the various events.  I don't know a single person who actually gets their hair cut, colored, etc. in town.  Maybe I should have mentioned that earlier - that's why it's sort of difficult with the timing.  I either need to do it super early in the morning on the day of or have somebody come to me instead of going to them.

    I'm going to call around though and price it out.
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  • ZeroOrchestraZeroOrchestra member
    100 Comments Second Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited November 2012
    If the style you want isn't that extravagant, then it can't look terribly out of place if you get it done before the brunch. Even if it did, it's your wedding day, I really don't think it would be too unexpected. I would just get it done before the brunch to save time and stress. ETA: my hair cost only 65 and I had no trial, so I think 250 is overshooting, especially since it sounds like you are not in a large city.
  • Honestly, I think if this where my situation I'd either be declining the brunch, or getting my hair done before the brunch, especially since there isn't a salon close to you.  You never know what is going to happen the day off and I would think it's better to have extra time to allow for trouble shooting rather than rushing around, which it sounds like might happen since salons are far away and you aren't sure if you can find someone who will travel to you.  Are there any beauty schools nearby?  That might be an alternative solution to a professional salon.....and it would cost less.
  • Talk to your mom about the day of timeline.  Here's what I would say in your shoes:

    "Mom, I'm so excited your best friend is willing to host a brunch and I'm so excited to spend time with everyone, but I was thinking about what needs to happen that day and I'm not sure how to handle it.  If the brunch runs from 10 - noon and the ceremony starts at 2, that gives me two hours to get dressed and ready.  You know I normally do my own hair, but it always falls after a few hours.  I'd hate to have my hair start to start to look like a mess right in the middle of the photo session between the ceremony and reception.  So I think I need to get my hair done.  But you know I'd had to go to X to get something done and you know that's 45 min away.  I just don't see how I can make all this happen in one day.  Do you have any suggestions?  Would it be possible to have the brunch the day before or the weekend before?  As much as I want to spend time with the women I love, I also want to look beautiful in my photos."
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-day-hair-dilemma-need-advice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:2222338a-129a-4786-83f3-a7428c0194f9Post:4b79916e-d1b3-40ee-8288-14f2c33551d9">Re: Wedding day hair dilemma - need advice</a>:
    [QUOTE]Honestly, I think if this where my situation I'd either be declining the brunch, or getting my hair done before the brunch, especially since there isn't a salon close to you.  You never know what is going to happen the day off and I would think it's better to have extra time to allow for trouble shooting rather than rushing around, which it sounds like might happen since salons are far away and you aren't sure if you can find someone who will travel to you.  Are there any beauty schools nearby?  That might be an alternative solution to a professional salon.....and it would cost less.
    Posted by SB1512[/QUOTE]

    Completely agree.  I allowed myself plenty of time for everything my day of timeline and I still found myself rushed. I even forgot to put my veil on.  Plus you want to enjoy the day and take it all in, not let it fly by.  I stronly advise skipping the brunch or having your hair done before. 
  • I would also decline the brunch. I got married at 2 pm and did absolutely nothing else the day of the wedding except getting ready and helping my girls get ready and STILL felt rushed toward the end! 
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