Treely, Madly, Deeply: Girls Getting Ready - The Candids

Our hair and makeup team was scheduled to arrive at 6:45 and begin at 7. That's right, you guys. Our day began at 6:45am.

Well, to be fair, I guess I should say that some of the girls' day began at 6:45am. We had discussed a shower schedule and everything the night before and since I was going to be getting everything done last, I graciously let them shower ahead of me. This was in no way related to me sleeping in a little. ;)

I woke up around 6:30 with SIL/BM Badonk in bed next to me. I squealed, "I'M GETTING MARRIED TODAY!" and she squealed with me. We hugged and cried for a second. I sent a text to all of the other girls requesting a glass of water and some ibuprofen to kill any semblance of the impending headache. BM Tiny Dancer arrived, humming the bridal march and I had butterflies. This. Was. It. 

Before I go any further, I just want to stress that making the decision to spend the night away from Mr. Palm Tree and with all of my best girls was so smart. I felt so loved and. . .safe? I'm not sure if that's the right word. Regardless, I went to bed happy and I awakened happy. Any butterflies or nervous-feelings were good ones. I don't think I had a single negative moment that morning and really, isn't that the way it's supposed to be? Isn't that what every Bride dreams of? It's what I dreamed of, that's for sure. When we first got engaged and I would daydream about the time in between what was the present and the future, which was when we would get married, I would think about having the best sleepover ever with my best friends and waking up with them in the morning. SIL/BM Badonk, MOH Mem, BM Y, BM Tiny Dancer, BM Blackout, Rev. Fun and DOC E are truly the girls who you dream about having by your side for these important days. I could not have asked for better. 

Practice Makes Perfect: The Hair & Makeup Trial

I had my hair and makeup trial recently and I have to tell you all, I cannot believe I've hit THAT time. Time for a trial and vendor meetings and everything else. The Palm Trees are a little more than one month away and it's INSANE. After a year and a half of planning, it's so exciting to be so close.

I digress - this post is about my hair and makeup trial and at the risk of spoiling everything, it was so incredibly successful. First and foremost, I love Nicci, of Bella Brides by Nicci is phenomenal. She is so talented and just knows what she's doing and how to do it. I'm sure this is par for the course for beauticians but truthfully, this is the first time that I'm getting my hair and makeup done professionally for an event. In the past, I've relied on my friends (who are also talented, don't get me wrong) and I was just thoroughly in awe of her abilities. 

As I've mentioned a few times, I love big hair. I've always known that I'd want my hair half-up, half-down, big and curly. Of course, as I learned when we searched for both my dress and the bridesmaids' dresses, sometimes what you think will work just doesn't. I am so excited to say that this DID work and I'm in love with the result.

Go Big or Go Home: Setting up the EPic Hair Trial

See what I did with that title? ;) I’ve already expressed my general distaste for and inability to do all things DIY. One is not likely to find a bigger Fail Whale than the aftermath of my glue gun and I spending some QT together. 

So why did I decide to do my own hair and makeup for our engagement pictures? Because I’m stubborn. And cheap. 

I originally reached out to the artist (is that the technical term?) doing hair and makeup for my girls and myself on our Wedding Day and it simply cost too much to justify. Her work is gorgeous, without a doubt, and I’m super excited to have her. . .but I just couldn’t do it for our engagement pictures. 

I had a vision of my hair in our engagement pictures. It was something kind of like this: 

 Sources, from Top Left: Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Julianne Hough, Faith Hill, Faith Hill and Carrie Underwood.| Sensing a pattern?