My issues with state recognized marriage aside, a wedding has always sounded neat, and now just shy of our 8 year anniversary my partner and I are planning our wedding.  It will be a small ceremony with only immediate family at our favorite bed and breakfast.  (www.blueskiesbb.com for anyone who wants to get away--its wonderful!).  

So now the fun part, what to do with my hair???!!!! I'm torn between a half updo to show off my hair and wear it as my 'veil' or an all updo which can be a little less stressful as far as knowing what it will look like that day.  I plan on looking for a dress this weekend (did I mention were doing this mid-March...) and that will hopefully help in my descision.   I'm collecting pictures, and will work on new styles to make my descision.  While I would really like to have my hair 'done,' I'm worried about being able to find a stylist in the area I can trust.  A lot of the styles I'm leaning toward are the more medieval style braids, or variations on these, and I would hate to be there and have problems doing them myself.  

So suggestions, comments, great websites not on the previous threads, stylists near Colorado Springs, would all be appreciated.  Thank goodness the innkeepers handle almost everything, leaves me time for the important stuff.   ;D

Hey, congratulations!  My 8th anniversary is coming in April '05.  I like my guy so much I married him twice ;D (green card issues...)

I did a partial up do that I think looked really cute, so I'll share and you be the judge.  (I was playing around on day, I didn't wear this for my wedding-my hair was quite short back then)

Make a half pony (take the hair above the ears from R to L and across the back) and secure it with a band.  Take 1/3 of the hair on the right side of the half pony and make a loop toward the crown, pinning it close to the band holding the pony.  The loop should angle slightly toward the right.  Repeat with 1/3 on left.  Then take 1/3 still hanging down of the pony and pin it in the center-kind of a 3 leaf clover shape?  Insert hairsticks on either side of the center loop without penetrating the other two loops.  Tah-Dah!  If you want a bit of the pony to hang down, use 1/4 portions so 1/4 will hang down and blend into the rest of your hair-using the 1/4's will cover the bottom of the band you used to secure the pony.
I hope you can visualize it...if not, please ask for clarification and I'll do my best.  If you're interested, that is.
How exciting.  Both of my weddings were really simple and we enjoyed ourselves along with our guests, which was important to us.
Blessed Be!

Sakina that does sound neat.  I'll have to try it out.  Our anniversary is April too, but we're scheduling the ceremony around his spring break.  

Congratulations! :D :D :D

I'm also planning to get married- though not sooner than next winter.  I'm NOT going to go to a stylist to have my head teased and soaked in styling goods and who knows what. I've been had my hair professionally done for a special occassion a few times in my life. The results have looked good, but the hair has felt like a biking helmet or a sculpture on my head- often even taking all the pins out hasn't made any difference in its look. So if you choose to go stylist, be very careful and prepare to give your hair extra pampering (and dusting session) right after the big event.

What I'm planning to do, is to learn to style myself.
I really don't think it can be terribly difficult, especially since even a simple style can be made interesting with using beautiful bridal hairtoys...combs...hairsticks...hair pins...floating hair jewels...flowers...the alternatives are endless.

Have you visited longhairloom's Styling Station Central (www.longhairloom.com) ? It's full of how-to instructions with pictures.

congrats!! i am a styling moron but i agree with galadriel, check out that site, it's the romantic style this month!

Thanks Galadriel and Styg!  When I saw the style of the month I decided I couldn't be luckier!

I'm thinking I really need to work on my lace and twist braids.  I really like the look of a crown, or half crown type braid w/ the tail coming around.  Anybody have good instructions for how to do braids on this page:

http://www.hairbraiding.com/gallery/

I've only had my hair professionally done once and all they did was curl it.  I've watched at the beauty college where I get manicures w/ my mom and grandma, and the girls leave looking great, but I do sit and think how much damage their are causing.  If I do have it done professionally, it will mostly be for braiding.  

Congratulations!  What a special day this will be for you.  Hubby and I were married 30 years ago, but that day will always be remembered.

Just remember - it is YOUR day.  Don't let everyone else tell you how it has to be.  Be yourself and allow yourselves to have FUN!

[glb]CONGRATULATIONS!!![/glb] :)

valerie ... if you decide to go on the braiding way, why don't you try a "professional braider"? there seems to be tons of them on the net.

Thanks Bikerbraid and Autumn!  We keep reminding ourselves it is our 'short and sweet' wedding, nothing to get too uptight about.  

Styg--I've never found one in my area, or close enough that I could pay them to come down just for the trip.  I wish I could though.  And if I ever do find one in my area I want to take lessons.  

I picked out my dress today; strapless, matte pastel blue with a full skirt.  The skirt has an ivory inlay and the top of the dress has white and silver embroidery.  I tried to go w/ operal style gloves, but they just didn't look right.  We got a great deal on the dress because it was on clearance.  Of course, then I spent a bunch of money on jewelry, but I can at least get multiple use out of that.  (The dress too since it isn't really a wedding style).  

I'll definetly wear my hair at least partially down with the dress.  

Congratulations!  The dress sounds stunning.  Partially down hairstyle sounds good -- maybe just a few tendrils "escaping"?  I'm thinking more Victorian era than medieval though.   :-/
What about a long-ish snood matching the dress and doing a braided hairband (posted on this board somewhere?  Wouldn't show off your gorgeous hair as much, which is much prettier than a snood.   ;)
Have fun with your wedding, and a lifetime of "wedded bliss"!

Congratulations Valerie and Spouse-to-be!
It'll be a few years before Bear and I even consider taking the leap, so I don't know the proper thing to say here besides..... WOWIE ZOWIE! Wishing you both a great future :-* :-* Yar, don't worry; your hair will take care of itself. Just have fun ;D

Hugs and Blessings
Anais

Valerie, your dress sounds lovely.  I'm positive you will be a beautiful bride.

Thanks Preciouslocks--Those are the styles I'm leaning toward I think, with just enough down to show off the length behind the updo.  I like the idea of the snood and will have to think of it.  The braided headbands look so good, especially with a some accent braids.  Makes a great head piece at no extra cost.   ::)

And thank you Anais and Bikerbraid.  This whole thing is making me feel very femmey.  

I did a cameo style for valentines day.  After looking at the pictures, I think it may be in the running, although I want a fatter braid to go around the bun.