salon vs. traveling hair stylist

marburs · January 2010

So which do you think is better: going somewhere to get your hair done the day of. Or having someone come to the house? Keep in mind- they also need to BM hair... there are pros and cons about each, I really cant make up my mind...

stargazer10 · January 2010

This is what my problem was. I didn't know what to do about hair. I decided to hire two to come to my house because of time restraints. There will be at least five of us who needs to get hair done, and only about 4 hours (at most) to do hair.

I think traveling hair stylist would be better if you were runnng behind on time, which has been the case for every wedding I've been to or been in.

KimWard · January 2010

I went to the salon for both hair and make-up, and it worked out well for me. Of course, it depends on your own situation. I can't remember, where are you getting ready? I got ready at the church, which is in Penn Hills. My parents live in North Huntingdon, and having lived there most of my life, I was more familiar with salons there vs. Penn HIlls. No one that I thought of using traveled. Also, I only had 3 BMs, so I think that made it easier.

colleenmclaughlin1 · January 2010

I went to a salon. I really didn't consider having someone come to me because:
1) I didn't get dressed at my parent's house. It just wasn't big enough for the 15 people that would have been in the house at the time (and one bathroom that I wouldn't have been able to get in with my dress on)
2) Time--by going to a salon, I was able to have 4 people being worked on simultaneously. I don't think I would have been able to get 4 stylists to come to me, even at a hotel.
3) Money--for me, I know the salon I used was a good deal and would have priced themselves out of the running if I would have suggested they come to me. They already have all their stuff at the salon. It was easy for me to come to them rather than them pack everything up and come to me.
4) Bonuses--my salon was open for regular business while we were there. They did my FG's hair (I wouldn't have paid a stylist to do that if she came to me) and the nail tech painted my FG's fingers and toes while I was finishing up. And other similiar little things that probably wouldn't have happened.

My salon was convenient for all of us, too. It's halfway between my parent's house and the hotel, which are only 10minutes apart anyway. If it was out of the way, that would be something else to consider. And I know a lot of brides love having the stylist come to them. Figure out what points are most important and where you are willing to give a little and then weigh the pros and cons.

Hope my WOT helps!

jrsygrl10 · January 2010

i had monica kitta come to us at the hotel. she did my hair, plus 4 BM's, plus 1 mom and 1 child (my cousin). she started at 10am and was done by 3pm..but we should have had ourselves moving quicker than that (i was 45 min late to meet the boys. i'm glad we had decided to meet so early bc my being late didn't mess anything up). it was easier for us to do it this way bc while someone was getting their hair done someone else was getting their makeup done. i was afraid of the cold wind wreaking havoc on my newly done hair, and didn't want to deal with the traveling. that was us though, and it worked.

marburs · January 2010

your WOT def helped! I think I'm leaning towards going somewhere. I have 5 BMS and 2 Moms that want their hair done. Plus my Grandma was thinking of getting hers done... So this way we can all just get it done at the same time. My parent's house would be big enough for everyone... but I think I would like more than 2 stylists working at the same time. Maybe go in at like 8- and then have the party done by like 11 and moms and Grandmas done after that- and they can worry about themselves. I dunno... maybe I should just get my hair and my mom's hair done and everyone does thier own thing... I dunno.

ok- I just got really really nervous about my wedding day. ugh. I'm never going to get everything figureed out.

marburs · January 2010

oh- and we will be getting ready in Cranberry. anyone know of any salons in Cranberry?

oh and Shannon- I emailed the people who you suggested- they are booked already. boo. I also emailed everyone that you all suggested a few days back. Shannon's was teh only one who got back to me...

jrsygrl10 · January 2010

lol. dont stress-this is not one of the checks to stress about, really! i had OOT BM's, so sending them off on their own wasn't really an option. monica kitta only charges $40pp, so she was cheaper than what my salon wanted to charge anyways. i've been in wedding where the BM's were on their own, and it worked out just fine. we met at the bride's house after having our hair done (or not, depending on what each girl had decided to do) and helped her in to her dress and then we split back up to go do our makeup (alone. it wasn't a very tight knit bridal party). we drove ourselves to the venue and everyone arrived ready to go with no problems and everyone looked wedding appropriate.

when i booked monica i sent an email to my WP and said she would be available that day for anyone that wanted to utilize her, that way everyone made up their own minds. i made it their check to figure out, instead of my own.

colleenmclaughlin1 · January 2010

Glad to help. I'm not sure of any salons around Cranberry, though.

We got to the salon at 8am and were out by 10:30 am. That was my being worked on by one stylist, and then 3 other stylists doing 3 BMs, 2 moms and 2 FGs. My hair took a LONG time--when you do your hair trial, add about a 1/2 hour or more to that time to get a good estimate. We brought breakfast for the salon too (muffins, danish, OJ and bananas). They loved it. and the regular clients were all abuzz too--very fun.

KRMac · January 2010

Well, my salon was closed on the day of our wedding because of the holiday weekend, so that helped make my decision. :P

I wanted a more relaxed, hanging out and getting ready atmosphere the day of instead of scheduled appointments, so it worked perfectly to have my stylist come to my parents. One stylist did 5 of us in less than 3 hours without a problem...she could have brought an assistant if we had more girls, etc.

My mom wanted to see her regular stylist, so she went to the salon herself in the morning. Don't feel like you need to arrange everything for everyone either.

Don't be nervous - you'll get everything figured out.

KimWard · January 2010

Aw, don't be nervous! It sounds like going to the salon would work best for you. Colleen made some very good points- I totally agree about it being more fun, between regular customers and the workers. I enjoyed being fussed over- such an AW, I know. No recs for Cranberry, but whenever you get some, call ASAP. I too called in January for my May wedding- May is a popular month with lots of weddings and proms going on. I'm not trying to make you more nervous, but just sayin'.

BeckyP005 · January 2010

Sara there is a philip pelusi in Cranberry if that helps.

duqcheer04 · January 2010

Don't stress! Things will work out!

For me it was a matter of having to start so early. I called a number of salons in Cranberry/Wexford and most of them opened at 9am which was too late to start my bridal party and myself. We are having Monica Kitta come to my parents house.

The only salon that I'm familiar with in Cranberry is Beauty First (by Target/Lowes etc). They also do makeup there. My mom has had her makeup done before and they did a nice job. I'm not sure how far out of the way Above All Salon in Wexford would be, but they do have many stylists that would be able to accomodate you and your BP.

HTH!

marburs · January 2010

ok- I'm still very nervous. But I think I'll start calling hair places in Cranberry -I'm thinking that would be the best bet here. I like the breakfast idea Colleen- that sounds neat. I get sick when I'm nervous (does anyone else do this), I just hope I get all the nerves out before my actual wedding. This week has just been so crazy and everyone keeps asking me a million wedding questions. Invitations, BM dresses, hair appointments- all need to be done 2 days ago. So says my Mom, and she's right. ugh. I hope its a slow day at the office so I can get some 'real' work done.

Thanks guys

skybluejen · January 2010

We went to a salon and it worked out perfectly for us! We had 10 people getting their hair done (myself + 9 BMs) and we were done in about 90 minutes. Every girl had their own stylist, so all 10 of us were able to be done at the same time. We brought mimossas and bagels, and had lots of fun hanging out, talking, drinking, and being pampered.

I went to my regular salon in Wexford, Above All Salon. I highly recommend them, they were so accomodating to us. Its located on Rt. 19 right in the middle of Wexford, so its a short drive to Cranberry. HTH!

bridelia · January 2010

I like Beauty First on the other side from Philip Pelusi. I had so many updos and half up dos for events from that place. Good luck! Oh and Above All in Wexford is great...I'll have to second that.

kime31 · January 2010

Anyone who used or is using Monica Kitta could you please email me at kime31 at comcast dot net with her contact info? Thanks! I am also trying to figure out hair and makeup as well as shoes for the bridesmaids. It seems like the little things are the annoying ones to take care of

king26 · January 2010

I got lucky in this department-my BFF is almost finished with the beauty academy and is in my wedding-she's going to do her own hair in the morning then come over and do mine for me:-)

dreamalotmp · January 2010

I'm a fan of being at home - which I have done for two weddings I was in and for my own. We ate breakfast and had mimosas there and relaxed. I liked not having to go anywhere but to get pics before the ceremony. The girl I recommended to you - Heather - can bring a coworker with her and do everyone's hair at your place. She probably isn't on email a lot, so I'd call her. If you want the number, let me know.

jrsygrl10 · January 2010

kime-YGM

New_to_PGH · January 2010

Another Monica Kitta rave - she did my hair and 5 BMs all in uder 3 hours. Plus, she got to my house before I did (last second panic-driven errand, lol), noticed that DH had forgotten to go get his hair trimmed, and took care of it before I got back. She also made sure to ask about my wedding colors during the trial, and arrived on teh wedding day with sparklies/hair ribbons/etc all in our colors.

kwynn · January 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-pittsburgh_salon-vs-traveling-hair-stylist?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:116Discussion:d06b980b-7c31-464e-b768-4f0414c2ac4cPost:21782792-f603-42d6-8f35-e56a0612c61c">Re: salon vs. traveling hair stylist</a>:
[QUOTE]Anyone who used or is using Monica Kitta could you please email me at kime31 at comcast dot net with her contact info? Thanks! I am also trying to figure out hair and makeup as well as shoes for the bridesmaids. It seems like the little things are the annoying ones to take care of
Posted by kime31[/QUOTE]

I just wanted to let you know that you can cross one thing off of your list if you just tell the BM's to wear whatever shoes they want that are _______, be it black, silver, white, whatever. Very easy peasy.

kime31 · January 2010

Thanks for the shoe tip but the BMs are each wearing different style dresses so I kinda wanted to unify it in someway. I think we may have found a solution though! It was def. difficult b/c my sister wears a size 12 women's shoe!

JennyBee1018 · January 2010

I am late to this and I have not read all the responses. Here is my honest opinion!

I really wanted to have a relaxing morning the day of my wedding, so hiring a hair stylist to come to me was the best thing to do.

It worked out well for me, because I was able to spend time with my BM's, while enjoying breakfast, lunch and mimosas and not feel rushed. My photog showed up while I was still getting my hair done, and was there to catch it all in photos. It was really just a great morning, and I am so glad I did it that way!

Good luck!

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