Your guide to creating your dream look for your big day!

Guest feature: Lena Hartford of Hair That Moves

Hiring a hairstylist for your wedding (a wedding specialist) is such an important part of your wedding day. Not only are they helping you create your dream wedding look, but they are setting the tone for the day. The getting ready portion of the wedding day should be: fun, relaxing and reflective on the process of the wedding and surrounded by your support system. A wedding specialist would be well aware of the timeline of the day and making sure that you are completed when you need to be. When the beauty part of the day is done, you are ready for photographs. A wedding photographer that is carefully selected and you have been working with to create your ideal wedding memories.

If your hair is late, so are your photos. It is the hair stylists job to make sure the bride is done and on-time for photos. Working with the photographer, bride and event coordinator with a schedule will help to keep everyone on the same page. When I am working with a bride I make sure to talk about her vision for her wedding day. If she is concerned about timing and not being rushed, I may add in some more time. If I know the photographer wants ample time for photos, I may schedule that in as well.

It is my job to make sure that the brides vision for her wedding day is complete. After a hair design appointment with the bride there is no question about her hair style. If is fun to recreate her vision on her wedding day! The rest of the bridal party, also has a vision or direction from the bride. That may be that the bride has requested everyone to have their hair up, or that everyone can do what makes them feel pretty. All these things should be talked about previous to the day of so that the wedding day is stress free.

All of these HUGE details are things wedding specialists or stylist has experience with weddings will know and take care of. Hairstylist are not all equal. Your regular hair stylist may give you the best cut or color and has been your friend forever They are not a specialist however. I strongly recommend you to look elsewhere before committing to them. Did you know that only about 20% of hair stylists even do a formal styling? They don't like to and are afraid of them

If you are hiring a hairstylist for your wedding ask them about their experience with weddings! What the timeline of the day may look like? If there is a trial involved? How long do they estimate this taking?

I always recommend having a trial, and right away if you are unsure. Make sure it is a real hairstyle, not "this is kind of what it will look like" style. See how long it lasts, are the curls right? Do they share your vision? Make a Pinterest board with ideas, must-haves and please "NO" styles! I love these too!

Wedding Specialists book about 12 months in advance-so if you want someone to come to you and meet your needs, book early! It is never too early! I continually get phone calls just a couple weeks before weddings after brides have had trials and they are not happy and of course I can't help them because I am already booked. It is better to be safe and book early!

How to get the most out of your wedding hair design appointment:

So you are looking for the right hair stylist or have hired your stylist and are looking to create the best hairstyle for your wedding

day. This look needs to encompass so many important things. Here they are.....

Photos, lots of photos! Maybe the front of one style and the back of side of others. Is the style high or low or to the side? Is it smooth or textured? Shared styles you really dong like as well! The the stylist should pick these ideas apart and customize them for you.
Your everyday look, do you want to stay close to that but a little nicer or do you want something dramaically different?!
What is the setting for your wedding? Does this style fit the feel? Vintage, Ocean-side, rustic, formal, casual?
What necklines on your dress should you show off? Front and back, shoulders, sleeves, etc?
How about your face shape? Does this style work best for you?
Are you wearing a veil or headpiece? If you are not sure, choosing a hairstyle first will help you choose the right one!
Do you want hair to convert? One hairstyle for the ceremony and one for the reception? Can you make that work?
What is your hair texture and thickness like? Will your hair do what the picture or models does? If not, how can you add hair and or choosing a better style for your hair type? It is HUGE TO BE REALISTIC!
How do you see your wedding party wearing their hair? Taking personality, symmetry or photos into consideration.
Your hair color is also important when choosing a hairstyle. Is the color of the model creating texture, movement, excitement and interest? Is so, then color is an option must also be important to your choice.
Make sure to have your hair color done before the wedding or trail so that you can get an idea of what adds to the look i.e. fresh highlights will give you more volume and lift that 2" roots, it looks flat and limp.
Ask the stylist how they want you to come to the trial. With makeup or without. We always like our hair better when we feel and look pretty. Not after the gym! Clean hair or day old hair.
Make sure to document the appointment! Take photos so you know what you liked and can reference on the wedding day. Follow up to make sure to let the stylist know after the trial how your style held up. Did the curls last, were the curls tight enough, did you frizz, or was it perfect? These are all things that can be fixed and better to change it now!

Hair that Moves is New England's premier bridal hair styling service that comes to you. Lena, owner and stylist has 19 years experience and specializes in Wedding and Event styles. She loves working with brides to create beautiful, unique and long lasting wedding hairstyles on their special day! www.hairthatmoves.com

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Hiring a Hairstylist for your Wedding

Your guide to creating your dream look for your big day!

How to get the most out of your wedding hair design appointment:

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