Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Wedding Styling Decisions: Solutions & Compromises

First off, thank you all tremendously for your suggestions and input about my recent bridesmaid hair and makeup dilemma. Your honesty and willingness to share your thoughts helped me put this situation into perspective and work with the girls to arrive at a solution that makes us all happy.

Though I definitely consider myself to be an overall easygoing and stress-free bride, my perfectionist streak does make the occasional appearance. And let me tell you, if I’m wrong or out of line, I definitely welcome being told so, and will be the first to admit it. That’s the very reason I threw the situation out to you all – because I don’t want to in any way be a selfish bride who only cares about “her day” without any regard for others. Plus, I (of course!) realize that what matters most on my wedding day is simply having my sister and friends there beside me, since I love each one of them for exactly who she is, regardless of something as superficial as appearance.



In the end, given our wedding style and the girls’ limited experience doing their own hair or makeup for formal events, we decided that professional styling was still our best bet. But based in part on your input, I realized that the timeline I was initially given – starting at 6:30 a.m., plus allotting two hours for each girl’s hair and makeup – is over-the-top. And, while some of the girls still want to use my stylist, who charges $200 for both services, I agree that this is simply too much to expect all of them to spend.

As a compromise, I still plan to have my pro come to the house to style me, my mom, my sister/maid of honor, and about half of my bridesmaids, who feel the cost is reasonable and prefer to use this stylist. The rest of the girls have arranged appointments at a nearby salon that is offering each of them a basic hair and makeup styling for about $100.

I’m so glad to work this all out and move on to the fun part…searching for style ideas and inspiration! For myself, that is. As for the ladies, I’m completely fine with whatever looks they want to go with. Have you faced any challenges in working out wedding details with your bridal party? How did you resolve these issues?

(Graphic Credit: planningtoelope.com)

8 comments:

  1. I'm actually having a problem right now with the bridal party details! I've let the girls choose whatever dress they want, as long as it's a "fall" color and has a sash or one can be added to it. They can do whatever they want for hair and make up. All they had to get is cowboy boots, used, new, borrowed, I don't care. Now one bridesmaid is saying this is too much of an expense for her, but she's not even buying a new dress (she's a bridesmaid in a wedding a month before mine so she's wearing the same dress). I'm a little frustrated and STILL don't know how to resolve this issue!

    Glad you could resolve yours! Nice to give them an option to use your stylist or to find their own, especially for the money part.

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  2. Sounds like you came up with a great solution. Good job!

    Oh and to answer your question I'm having my hair trial done at http://www.lorraineaprilesalon.com/
    in Old Town. I'll let you know how it goes!

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  3. Sounds like everything worked out for the better. I just told my bridal party to do whatever they want with their hair, I don't really care. I know they will all try to look their best. I'm not really sure what I'm doing with makeup as of yet. A friend of mine will be doing it and I haven't discussed the logistics of doing other people's makeup as well.

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  4. I think you did a great job of resolving the issue. And way to go on being open to changing things as you get some helpful feedback! So important. Thankfully, I haven't had much in the way of issues with my BM's...the only thing I am a little concerned about is getting reimbursed by 2 cousins for their dresses since they are financially struggling and I loaned them the money to order them last summer. I am debating whether to ask them about it again next month or just write it off as my good deed since I knew they were in rough spots - not that I'm not...but they are probably moreso than me. :(

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  5. I think you handled it all beautifully! Glad you were able to figure it all out with your gals so that everyone is happy in the end. I picked the dresses for the bridesmaids and had a selection of colors for them, but they are on their own for the rest and I think we are all happier that way.

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  6. I'm glad you found a good way to resolve this - California prices are crazy, so I am hoping to find a reasonable stylist that will do all my girls' hair for them. As for makeup, I trust them to do their own - all my BMs are girly-girls, so they are no strangers to makeup. Hair is hard to get a professional look with, though, so I will treat them to that.

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  7. It's good that you were open to compromise...sounds like you're ready to be a wife! :)

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