The wedding morning
Lately I’ve been thinking about the morning before the wedding. I know this might seem like a really tiny and insignificant detail to think about in the grand scheme of things, but I have this theory that it’s the moments in between the “big” moments that set the tone for your wedding day. And if you don’t “control” those moments, then the entire day can end up not feeling like you want it to. By control, please don’t think I mean micromanaging every last detail and stressing over whether or not everything is perfect. I just mean doing as much prep work in advance, so that on the wedding day itself, things flow smoothly and you don’t need to stress. Of course not everything will go as planned, but I am a firm believer in putting as many blocks into place as possible, and then going with the flow when you can’t do anything else. Make sense?
All this to say, I’ve been thinking about our wedding morning lately. A few things, in particular:
1. The soundtrack for when we’re getting ready. I am already working on this, and I will most definitely share once it’s finalized (which probably won’t be for a few months). It’s a happy mix of favorites from the 50’s and 60’s, combined with some newer (mellow but peppy) favorites like Brooke Fraser, She & Him, Ingrid Michaelson, and Mumford & Sons.
I’m building this playlist with Spotify. Are you all on Spotify? It’s awesome. It’s kind of like iTunes combined with Grooveshark — there’s a massive song library, but you don’t have to buy the songs. You can collect them in playlists, but you can’t download them. Love!
2. What I will wear when we’re getting ready. As much as I love a comfy robe or sweatpants, that is not what I’ll be wearing the morning of our wedding. I’m thinking something more along the lines of this:
As long as I can easily step into it and out of it (so as not to smudge the hair and makeup), why the heck not? I consider it just another opportunity to wear a pretty white dress :)
3. Who will be getting the gals prettified. Goodness, y’all. I am pretty much inept at anything concerning my face and hair, so bringing in professionals is a must, but they seem so dang expensive to me!! Maybe I’m just being a baby, though? If you wouldn’t mind helping a girl out, would you mind commenting and saying what you paid, or maybe what you think is reasonable, for wedding hair and makeup? I would so appreciate it!
P.S. Photo above by Bryan Johnson
Can't remember exactly but around $85 for hair and $175 for makeup. Makeup cost included a trial, hair trial was an additional cost.
a girl after my own heart! i also obsessed over my morning wedding details…what i would eat, music, hair/make up, getting ready location, etc. (totally worth it by the way! the morning of your wedding is the start of your wedding day! big deal.)
here's what we paid for hair/make up:
90/updo
80/hair styling
75/make-up
this was all on site, which again is totally worth in because i think it minimized day of stress.
I had to shop around like crazy to find prices that didn't seem outrageous to me, but I finally made it work. It was $75 for my makeup (including a trial) and $50 for the bridesmaids. Our updos were all $50 each, and she did a quick blowout/style for my mom and my husband's stepmom (they both have really short hair) for $30.
We were married in Charleston, SC (my hometown) so everything is a little more pricey than other areas in SC but we paid $600 for 6 updo's and $400 for the Chanel girl to work her magic (for 6 of us). All worth it since we all looked great, even in the July heat!
It THRILLS me that you're thinking about this! I always tells clients to not forget the little moments in the day. I learned this from experience, and I share what I and friends have opted to do. It's the morning, it's just before and just after the ceremony, it's all of those moments. Some friends have opted for a quiet morning at home with Mom and Dad, or with Grandparents to enjoy that sweet last moment as "their little girl." I had a destination wedding and was staying with my bridesmaids. Opted to wake up quietly alone, pray, write a few thank you cards, then gave my gifts to the bridesmaids. Then we went for coffee in town in our pajamas. Best part, we ran into my cousin and she bought ALL OF OUR coffee and bagels. It was such a sweet gesture on her part, and a GREAT way to start the day of my wedding.
I've heard so much about Spotify…I need to check it out! I love that I'm reading about a bride caring about all these little moments…they matter!:)
I used Mary Kay for my wedding day make-up! I lucked out and one of my bridesmaids was a consultant so it was all free! But I know other Mary-Kay consultants are more than willing to help a girl out! I would definitely suggest trial runs however with the makeup to make sure it doesn't react badly with skin!
Thank you all so much! Your prices are WAY under what I've been quoted, so I think I just need to keep shopping around. Thank you so much for the input!!
I paid 175 for my makeup (that included a trial and eye lashes) and 50 per girl. Hair was done by my hairdresser I always go to so she gave us a deal.
I currently do onsite makeup and hair for weddings in Charleston, SC. I charge $90 for airbrush makeup for the bride and each additional person is $75.
Updos are $55-$75 for the bridal party. THe bride's hair is $85. Travel fee is $35-$55 depending on how far we have to travel. I hope this helps and if you would like to contact me my website is: http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/baby-faces-of-charleston-charleston/website/e9c55939f4fb30f8.html
Re: #1, my bridesmaids kept saying what perfect music I had playing as we were all getting prettified. I’m so glad I took the time to put together a playlist that got everyone excited!
[…] the morning of our wedding. (In case you missed it, I posted about the soundtrack and my outfit here, and the location here.) Perhaps I’m thinking about it right now because last night I had an […]