Lately I’ve been really thinking about the wedding hair.  Earlier in the week I got an email from my salon detailing a special on gift cards… and they have no idea what’s comin.  I’m getting $125 gift cards for just $100, and using them all on wedding prep and day-of costs!

For my bridal party gifts, K and I will be paying for their hair the day of the wedding.  That means for updo’s I’ll have the bride (me!), 3 bridesmaids, and 2 mothers to pay for.  At between $60 and $100 each, that adds up pretty darn quickly!  In addition, we’re having the 4 little girls’ hair done, which is at least $100 each because of their texture.  Washing, drying, straightening, and curling four little afros is a big task.

I think we’re completely booking the salon’s morning hair appointments, and I’m lookin forward to it.

I’m really excited to have my hair and makeup (which was complimentary for me and my mom!) done, so tonight when I’m buying 1k worth of beauty gift cards I’ll schedule my trials for both.  I don’t know if it makes more sense to say my credit card will feel heavier or lighter, but whatever.  It’s going to feel the damage.

In any case, here are some of the styles I’ve liked, which I’ll show my stylist when I go.  Enjoy!

I like the updo below but with my bangs instead of the front curls.  Also, my earrings will be a bit shorter.

Image via Kate Ketzal

This one is absolutely gorgeous.  It looks to me like a side updo, though, and I want a middle back one.

Image via Style Me Pretty

Here we have the last, but definitely not least, inspiration picture.  Isn’t it just gorgeous?

Image via who-knows-where-the-link-is-blocked-on-Pinterest.  Copyright “brian borup” though!

Now onto a bit of a to-do update… I finally got my invitations finished, but I’m waiting on my post office to get the stamps in for the RSVP cards and invitations.  Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be sending one to myself as a test.  Excited? You bet.

I also talked to K about what he wants the men to wear, and we just haven’t found anywhere to rent what we’re looking for.  Even if places have suits for rent, the corresponding vests are 3 button tux-like ones instead of the 4 or 5 button vested suit ones.  So, we’re looking at having them buy cheaper suits… and it looks like it might actually turn out cheaper than renting!

Most exciting for me was that I picked my florist last night.  Not excited that I have to call all the other florists to say I won’t be using them, but having the flowers decided is a total weight off my mind.  So few big decisions left, and my stress level may begin to go down.

Jk. Check out my to-do list.

April

Book hair & makeup trials
Sign band contract & pay deposit
Sign florist contract & pay deposit
Schedule final dress fitting
Buy postage for invitations
Buy postage for RSVP cards
Assemble invitations
Mail completed invitation to myself
Mail invitations
Buy postage for Thank-you cards
Gather $$ from bridesmaids (since I ordered their dresses)
Design marriage advice thing
Make marriage advice thing
Order K’s suit
Talk to church organist
Organize church rental availability like candelabras
Start premarital counseling (first session scheduled)
Pick groomsmen’s suits
Get addresses to finalize guest list (only 3 left)

May

Have engagement pictures taken (scheduled… can’t wait!)
Design thank-you cards
Pick up bridesmaids’ dresses
Mail bridesmaids’ dresses to sister & future sister-in-law
Pick up my wedding band
Have our wedding bands engraved
Make veil
Buy K’s shoes
Order photo book for guest book
Reserve hotel rooms
Make shoe stickers
Buy rehearsal dinner outfit
Decide on a hair clip if any
Book dinners on honeymoon
Order ceremony sheet music
Book an accompanist if needed
Talk to officients about ceremony
Talk song list with the band
Find bracelet for bride
Decide on ceremony music
Buy baskets for programs
Buy baskets for kids’ books

June

Attend final dress fitting
Help find a MoB dress
Make garter
Compile day-of emergency kit
Organize outfits for getting ready
Design table numbers
Make table numbers
Design & start place cards
Find family pictures to showcase if any

July

Bachelor party
Pick final floral design
Make tattoo appointment
Double check groomsmen’s outfits
Make a sign for the bar
Make a sign for the cake
Gather Bibles for ring bearers
Attand hair & makeup trials
Find place to donate flowers
Make playlist for pre-wedding
Make thank-you cards
Decide & donate in lieu of a gift
Bridal Shower
Bachelorette party
Send thank-yous for bridal shower
Make place cards
Obtain marriage license
Decide on tips for vendors
Design thank you/tips for vendors
Make a sign for the guest book
Finalize day-of timeline
Design programs
Make programs
Design menu cards
Make menu cards
Schedule rehearsal dinner tasting
Decide on rehearsal dinner food
Compile picture list for photographer
Decide on rehearsal dinner decor & put it all together
Confirm who’s taking us to and from the church
Wrap gifts for bridal party

August

Drop all reception items off
Drop all church items off
Steam & deliver tablecloths to reception venue
Assemble bathroom supplies
Print & distribute day-of timeline
Get married
Have an amazing honeymoon
Get forever marriage tattoos… yeah, we’re doing that.