Bride’s Guide
Perfect Planning Starts Here
Prepare for your Big Hair Day with some Helpful Information
(Scroll to read or just jump to what you want to know!)
Finding Inspiration
Style Vision
I recommend finding a minimum of 3 photos of hair you love. 2 photos should incorporate your own color and density. The third can be your wild dream hair.
COLOR Color plays a huge role in the outcome of any style. Think about your favorite piece of black clothing. Would you love it as much in fluorescent green? Chances are probably not. Try to look for inspo photos with YOUR hair color, tone, and dimension.
DENSITY This means the number of individual hairs on your head. If you have thin hair and the inspo pictures do not, it won't look the same. We might have to add padding or extensions to enhance the style. If your hair is thick, try to find styles with hair that is similar to yours.
The Bottom line is there's no possible way your thick blonde hair is going to resemble that cute little brunette bun and visa versa. Remember shopping for hair inspo is like any other online shopping, sometimes when gets delivered it doesn't fit. Don't let the 'supermodel-esque' hair on Pinterest get you flustered. Try as best as you can and we will find the magic for you!
Getting Personal
Choosing the Right Style for YOU
Those inspiring photos you picked out might not be 100% exactly what you want but you like certain elements of each. Here is how you break it down!
Updo Placement - High? Low? Side?
Half Updo Placement - Horizontal (hair up from the top on both sides)? Vertical (hair up on one side only)?
Texture - Natural? Straight? Wavy? Curly?
Volume - None? Some? A lot? Top? Sides?
Part - Middle? Side? None?
Details - Braids? Twists? Tendrils?
Deciding on these choices help to narrow down and combine elements from the inspo photos! It's kind of like, "I like this but I want a little more of that". Sometimes you have your heart set on a particular look and end up really liking another. Making little adjustments to these components is the way we build something custom out of your inspirations. Bridal hair is so individual, all the design details are specifically tailored just for you!
Bridal Trial
About the Bridal Trial
The Bridal Trial is for you to 'shop' or 'try on' your potential bridal hair.
A Bridal Trial is not required but highly recommended. Some brides opt for multiple trials while some skip it altogether. Most Brides book and enjoy a Multi Style 2 hour trial.
Choose which Trial is right for you -
Single Style Trial (1 hour, $175) - You know exactly the style you want with little to no curiosity about trying out additional looks. We will work on getting small details just right or create variations of a single style.
Multi Style Trial (2 hours, $275) - You have ideas but you really don’t know what you want. You want to try multiple styles that aren’t really connected. We will work on helping to narrow down what you like the best.
Glam Wave Trial (90 minutes, $200) - You know the Glamorous ‘hair down yet highly styled’ vibe is for you. We will determine what level of volume, wave, and definition fit best for you. You can also see what the longevity is for your hair so that we can make any necessary tweaks on your Big Hair Day.
Multi Style Glam Wave Trial (2 hours 15 minutes, $325) - Try it all! Glam waves take a little more time so this options allows for Glam Waves plus 1 or 2 additional styles!
Trials are available only after fully booking your event (singed contract + paid deposit). Please book no sooner than 2 months before your date.
Because of time limitations, I am not able to offer trials before fully booking your date.
What to Expect
We are going to chit chat and I want to see everything! I want to see pictures of your dress, your fiancé, how you usually wear your hair, of when you were a bridesmaid, or how you like to the wear your hair when you dress up or go out, all of it! Especially if its our first time meeting, I want to get to know YOU!
Bring your Mom, Sister, or Bestie! The trial is a time to feel special (we don't say princess unless you're into it;) and enjoy being the Bride. It's nice to have your loved one there to enjoy this experience with.
*Because the studio is a shared space, please limit your guests to 2 people and have them remain in the lounge area.
Be prepared for a mini photo shoot! I will take a million photos of each style. At the end of the session, I will airdrop all of the photos, create a shared iPhoto folder, or email the top 20 photos that give every angle of the essence of each style.
You don't have to decide the day of the trial, you only have to decide by the day of your wedding. Take some time after the trial to relax and share the photos with your friends and family if you want to. If on the day of your wedding you still want to make adjustment, you absolutely can!
When to Schedule Your Bridal Trial
You must have your date completely booked (including contract and paid retainer) to be able to schedule your trial.
The best time to book is within 2 months of your event so that the hair you have at the trial is the hair you have at your wedding. For this reason, I recommend that you don’t cut your hair after the trial.
Prepare for the Trial
What to Prep
Please arrive with CLEAN DRY hair. The days of “dirty hair is better” worked really well in the 90s for that greased up shiny sleek look. Vibes are softer now, bring the fluff.
Makeup! We take a ton of pictures at your trial so wearing a little makeup (if you plan on wearing it on your wedding day) can help your glam to feel more complete. *If you aren't into makeup, you can skip it!
What to Wear
White Tank Top
Tube Top
Any Top that has a similar neckline to your dress
What to Bring
A picture of your dress so we can coordinate the whole vibe
Hair inspiration photos you love
Jewelry
Hair Accessories you plan to wear (or pictures if you haven't decided yet)
A Veil if you plan on wearing one (you can probably borrow one from a friend if you aren't quite sure)
Extensions if you have a set to like to wear when you dress up
Photos and Social Media
I do like to share photos on Social Media, mainly Instagram.
Trust that if you don't look good, I don't look good so I won't be posting any non flattering photos of you blinking or talking. Usually I won't show your face or tag you, unless you give me the ok, just in case you don't want your fiancé or anyone else to see. Surprises are fun!
When I post, I edit. Mostly I edit lighting and skin. That zit, splotchy cold skin, sunburn or tan lines will all be gone. The hair will remain untouched.
Big Hair Day
Wedding Day Timeline
I will arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time for set up. The timeline should allow 45 minutes per person unless otherwise noted.
I usually recommend being styled somewhere in the middle or second to last so we have plenty of time and for great "getting ready' photos. It’s also a great way to relax as preparation for your day begins.
The end time is 1 hour before you plan to leave your "getting ready" location and head to your next spot.
Final touch ups will happen after the final style is completed.
For the best possible flow, assign a styling order but not specific time slots. This way if someone finishes early, the next person is ready to hop in the hair chair.
How to Prep Your Hair
Arrive with clean, dry hair. Air-dried or blow-dried is fine, but do not flatiron.
For blowouts or pixie styling, please arrive with clean wet hair.
You do not need to add product. It is best to leave product choices up to the stylist who will choose the best product for the style you want to wear.
Contrary to Popular belief, dirty hair is not better for styling, and just the opposite. Please shampoo the morning of your wedding (preferred) or the day before, as voluminous or effortless styles may not be possible and curls or waves may not hold due to the natural oils in the hair.
If you have curly hair and want a smooth or ‘fake curled’ style, please blow your hair out from wet to dry the morning of or the night before.
What to Wear
Tank Top
Tube Top
Off-the-shoulder T-shirt
Silk Robe
What not to Wear
Any item with a collar or hood
Flannel, wool, or any other abrasive fabric
Sports Bra
Fabrics that are prone to static
Clinging Fabrics
Turtlenecks
Extra Tips
Pro Tip
Take your dress out of the garment bag as soon as possible. Consider stashing it in another room so it can relax and remain wrinkle free.
Steam all dresses before hair and makeup. If you can steam the day before or in a separate room, even better!
Packing 101
Having been frequently behind the scenes, to be prepared for any situation, consider bringing the following:
Scissors
Wardrobe Tape
A Silk Robe
Bluetooth Speaker
Personalized Playlist
Phone Charger
Glassware
Water
Coffee and Tea
Champagne
Assorted Juices
Spanx
Nail Polish
Nail File and Clippers
Extra Makeup
Advil
Tums
Safety Pins
Shoe Inserts
Band-Aids
Tissues
Chicken Cutlets ;)