Hair Trial

Patrick, honeypie, you've got to head on outta here!

I mentioned before the types of hair styles I was looking at for the wedding. They were all updos. And I noticed, a lot were braided messy styled buns, while few were classic chignons. Trying on my dress for the first and second fittings made me realize that a more classic look would go better with my style of dress. And, after booking with the woman who did my hair before I even wore make-up! She did my hair for both proms in high school, and did a lot of the cuts and styling all through my time living in RI. It's special that she's going to be doing my hair for our big day, for that reason. She's also doing a few bridesmaid's dos and I think it will be a nice way of relaxing and preping before the Ceremony.

When I booked her, I immediately emailed her a whole bunch of the same pictures I posted before in my "Hair" post. She noticed the textures and the styling and gave me her feedback: first, she said it would be good for me to do an updo, as it will be July and most likely hot and humid. Also, my hair tends to be pin straight, and doesn't hold a curl, so keeping it up and pinned back would be wise. She told me to keep searching, and we scheduled a hair trial on the same day as my second dress fitting and I was eager to get into that styling chair!

Before the appointment, I went to print out my inspiration pictures and stumbled upon this picture...

 

I loved the way it looked; so classy and elegant. It seemed to be the style that belonged with my dress. So, I decided to try that one! I asked Marianne (my stylist) to give me a few whispies around my face to soften the look. I knew I couldn't pull off a severe style --- and even though this isn't a severe style by any means, I wanted to have a soft bridal look (Tip: make sure your hair is clean, though not squeaky clean; recently (i.e. washed the morning of) will likely not hold the style. Depending on how dirty your hair gets, my stylist suggests washing the night before).

Here's how it turned out! Pardon the blurry photos and tired look from me (I'd been up and about since 6am that Saturday).

Back view

Back view, with hair flower I made

Back view, with hair flower

Side view. Ugh, must remember to get good rest
the night before!

What do you think? We all agreed for a little more height on the top of the crown of my head. And that I will be wearing just a veil for the Ceremony and then add the hairflower and remove the veil for the Reception! I am glad I was able to schedule my fitting for that evening, so I was finally able to see the whole picture. I think I was right, it is a good pairing of this hairstyle and my dress. Since I am very familiar with my stylist, I felt no pressure to like what she did, and she was very encouraging for me to speak up if I was dissatisfied. I also had my mother and sister MOH there to give their opinions so I knew I was around people who'd tell me the truth. I was admittedly nervous, I thought because I know little about hair styling that I would just go with the flow, even if I wasn't happy. But that was not the case! I feel so lucky to have that friendly and  environment in my hair trial. I think, with a few tweaks on the day of, it will be my imagined bridal look come to being!

Did you make any changes to your imagined bridal look after seeing the dress on? How much advice do you take from your stylist (I take everything, because I know nothing about hair)? What was your hair trial like?

Best,

Micah

Somethings

Something old,

something new,

something borrowed,

something blue,

and a six-pence in her shoe!

The age-old rhyme. I love it. Such a sweet tradition for the Bridal attire details. I intend on doing my best to gather all my somethings for the big day! I got a little curious today and did a little research on the rhyme and this is what I came up with: The Something Old is supposed to be protection for the couple's future child. (Wikipedia said nothing for Something New, but it is my opinion that something shiny and new to wear on the wedding day is always cause for happiness). Something Borrowed is traditionally from another happy bride, to pass along that happiness and bring good luck. Something Blue (my favorite of course, I will have SEVERAL something blues) is there because blue is a symbol for fidelity. The six-pence is a British coin and acted as both a sign of prosperity and wealth for the couple, and a ward against any evil done by "frustrated suitors" to be worn in the left shoe. The tradition is attributed to Lancashire county in 1883.

Well, what do I have to show for myself? Lot's of stuff!!!

If you'll recall my posts where I talked about accessories, you will see that I am slowly but surely acquiring my somethings!

First; because I have been teasing about this for awhile, let me talk about one of my Something Blues. I found it in my first Friday Finds post and I couldn't stop thinking about it! Oh, get outta here P-man!!!

I mean it babe, 

SCOOCH! 

I'm about to talk about my 

wedding dress here!!!

Wee! So, When I tried on the dress last, I was talking with my mom and future MIL and we were talking about adding a little to the dress! We were thinking that adding a simple ribbon at the waist would really add to the silhouette. And my consultant suggested finding a brooch or button to tie it together. Well, I found one that I love! Also the Etsy seller One World Designs Jewelry was fabulous! She made sure that the package was delivered and sent me a beautiful little card to go with it, with well wishes for the wedding! I love the piece and I am excited that I now have a piece of the wedding that I could potentially pass down to my children in the future! Without further a do, here she is!!!

One of my Something Blues!!!

Yay! I am so excited to bring it to the first fitting (which I still have to schedule AHH!) and to see how to get it on my dress. 

I'll continue this post soon! I'm heading to a meeting with my boss from work to begin planning our ceremony! EEE! More on that later too!

What's your Something Blue? Are you planning on acquiring all of them?

All the best,

Micah

Being a Bride v. Playing a Bride

Since I have been a little busy running around like a crazy person working on a show with my new theater company, I thought I'd bring this into my wedding blog, since I am playing a bride/newlywed in the production (if only for a few scenes). It's like a cross-over post from my other blog! Here's the dealio (in a VERY condensed nutshell): The play's the thing! Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare, that is.

Titus Andronicus, Roman general, returns from ten years of war with only four out of twenty-five sons left. He has captured Tamora, Queen of the Goths, her three sons, and Aaron the Moor. In obedience to Roman rituals, he sacrifices her eldest son to his own dead sons, which earns him Tamora's unending hatred and her promise of revenge.
Tamora is made empress by the new emperor Saturninus. To get back at Titus, she schemes with her lover Aaron to have Titus's two sons framed for the murder of Bassianus, the emperor's brother and Titus' daughter Lavinia's husband. Aaron advises the lustful Chiron and Demetrius, Tamora's remaining sons, to kill Bassianus and rape Lavinia, after which they cut off her hands and tongue so she cannot give their crime away. Finally, even Titus's last surviving son Lucius is banished from Rome; he subsequently seeks alliance with the enemy Goths in order to attack Rome. Each new misfortune hits the aged, tired Titus with heavier impact. Eventually, he begins to act oddly and everyone assumes that he is crazy.
Tamora tries to capitalize on his seeming madness by pretending to be the figure of Revenge, come to offer him justice if Titus will only convince Lucius to cease attacking Rome. Titus, having feigned his madness all along, tricks her, captures her sons, kills them, and makes pie out of them. He feeds this pie to their mother in the final scene, after which he kills both Tamora and Lavinia, his own daughter. A rash of killings ensue; the only people left alive are Marcus, Lucius, Young Lucius, and Aaron. Lucius has the unrepentant Aaron buried alive, and Tamora's corpse thrown to the beasts. He becomes the new emperor of Rome and orders a slow, painful death for Aaron. (SparkNotes.com).

So. What does any of that mess have to do with weddings? Let me illuminate. I am playing Lavinia. The most tragic role I have yet to play. As you can tell, it's an extremely dark show, and I have been preparing a lot for it. But that's not why I am posting. Lavinia is a newlywed who endures the worst pain imaginable. Not the physical pain, the pain of the loss of her love and of her dignity.

Lavinia and Bassianus
Julie Taymor film version

It is interesting to me, that since I have been with Patrick, every character that I play is enhanced because of my love for him. I don't mean for this to be a sappy post, but finding Patrick has made me more able to channel deeper emotions. I'm not at all saying that you can't be an actor if you're not in love, but for me, it helps. Before I was engaged, I was completely clueless (except my obsessive Weddingbee binges) about anything wedding; planning, budgeting, dresses, cakes, officiants. And I realize that with my ::cough:: 10 months ::cough:: of engagement, and as I have said, Bride on the Brain, I may not appreciate what a wonderful time it is in our lives. Playing Lavinia, has brought that again to my attention. She is a bride/newlywed for one day before her husband is slain before her (great tragedies by Billy Shakes).

I have an extremely valuable subscription to Brides Magazine, and after I got the role, I was browsing my issue and I found a beautiful picture that screamed Lavinia to me. It was in the September 2011 issue. I immediately brought it to our amazing costume designer and she will be building me one! I will be wearing a pink tulle veil in one of my scenes (post nuptials for Lavinia)!!! I am so excited!!! We decided that the veil was sort of the symbol of Lavinia in this show; as a bride, and to veil her shame and pain.So, it was necessary to have it as a part of my costume!


This is NOT the picture because I can't find it ANYWHERE
But it's the most similar, with three straps holding the veil/blusher over my face and hair

Ugh, I'm cranky that I couldn't find the right picture, but this one is close! The head straps that go into a bit-like thing? Ignore that (slightly inappropriate image) and imagine for me if you will, that they connect beneath the chin. It had a similar look to those tooth-ache medical straps that people wore way back when...

But not as thick, and multi-satin ribbons securing the veil/blusher to the head. I'll be sure to post a photo edit update when I have it, but we tried the trial veil on a few days ago and it looks cool! Hee hee! Anytime I can dress like a bride! ;-) Meanwhile, in real life, my mother has picked up my dress from the salon, as you may have read it came in! And it now waits for me in my closet in my old room next to my veil and slip!

Another bride I played actually was married onstage! This was before I even spoke to Patrick, way back in college when I was a sophomore. I played Amy March in Little Women: The Musical. I had a GIANT wedding dress made for me to fit the time period (mid to late 1800s). Here's a picture!

OH! Sorry - forgot to warn you,
I was Blonde (in wig) for this
I know, I know...It won't happen again.

I guess the point of this post is to muse over my past bridal roles as I grow into a bride for my own wedding. As acting is a big part of my life, I think it is nice to remember and think about the times and characters I played that were brides, and to see how now, I feel so differently than I did in college. Anywho --- thanks for reading, if you made it past the blood, revenge, and doom of the Titus description!

Best,

Micah