PhotoShoot: Casting Call

Have you ever wanted to be a model for the day? Well, now you can! We have limited openings for a FREE  photoshoot. Come in to our studio and let us make you over! You must be between the ages of 18-35, have shoulder length hair, and sign a photo release allowing us to use your photos for promotional materials. We are hosting this event on January 18th at our studio. If you are interested please email: Ashley@updosforidos.com with a headshot of yourself as well as your contact information.

Inspiration: Tattered Petals

Debbie, a past bride of ours is doing good in the world. We love to hear that. After a traumatic bridesmaid dress experience, Debbie cut up her bridesmaids dresses and is reusing the fabric to create eco-friendly flowers. The Pink Hummingbird Collection on her Etsy store is donating all proceeds to her friend going through cancer treatments. She is truly paying it forward. Buying something specifically from the Pink Hummingbird Collection (all items that are pink or have pink in them) will go straight to the cancer treatment bills. Spread the word, buy an eco-friendly bouquet of pretty flowers or a hair accessory that were once a bad bridesmaid dress. Thanks Debbie for making the world a better place. Your flowers are gorgeous and Beth was honored to use them in the photoshoot with Balance Photography.

  

Eye Candy: MakeUp Brushes

I was talking to a friend and she was telling me how her step-mom has a gazillion brushes in her bathroom and she most likely only uses 3. The truth is that most women do not know what to do with their makeup brushes. Here is a very simple breakdown via Pinterest of what eye makeup brushes are used for. Still need help? Stay tuned for our February makeup class! Besides learning makeup brushes, we will teach you how to do your makeup with what you already have! 

Beauty Crush: Messy Bun

Mmmm...L.O.V.E  this look. Not only are we seeing bridesmaids opting for a messy bun, we are receiving requests from our brides for the carefree and sexy style. So excited for this trend and can't wait to do more messy buns in 2012.

Photo via Pinterest

Randomness: To All A Good Night!

*

Curling

 irons are turned 

off. Makeup brushes

are cleaned. Emails are 

answered. Marketing materials

are ordered. Our artists are home with 

their loved ones. As the year closes, we

take a small break. This gives us the chance

to say THANK YOU to all of our clients for 

allowing us to share in their most important day. 

We appreciate your every text, call, email, facebook 

like, tweet, giveaway and wedding day photos. It is our

pleasure to style your hair,  create a piece of art out of your 

skin and send you down the aisle to the man of your dreams. 

********
********

********

********

********

Real Wedding: Sept 10- Shauna

The most popular date of the year ~ September 10th, 2011. 9.10.11

Mindy and Beth spent the morning in Annapolis with Shauna and her fabulous bridesmaids. We are loving the flashback to green trees and clear skies. Enjoy this romantic and green friendly wedding with some of our favorite vendors! 

From the wedding planner Jenny ~ As usual, your team did a great job with Shauna and her girls!  Thank you so much!  I truly appreciate that I can count on you guys 100% of the time to do such a great job!

Photography: Balance Photography
Cake: Fiona's Cakes
Flowers: Ellen @ LoCoFlo (Local color flowers)
Planner: Jenny Bartkus
DJ: Beat 2 Beat
Venue: Historic London Towne & Gardens

Dream Team: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Up-Do's Girls!

 Ashley ~ All I want for Christmas is... my daughter's great grandparents to have a healthy new year, my Up-Do's girls to have a wonderful wedding season, my husband to keep loving me more and more each day like he has for the past 9 years, my right hand and go to girl Mandy to know each and every day I thank God she has come into our lives,  and my family to know that there is no way on Earth I would survive without them.

Photos by Cupkate Photography

 Pamela ~ All I want for Christmas is.... good health for my husband as well as lots of laughter, food & drink and a GOOD time with family (c'mon Christmas!)...oh, and a million dollars in my stocking would just keep the good vibes rollin!
Photo by Destinee of Cellar Door Photography

 Lindsay ~ All I want for Christmas is... a Ravens Super Bowl!

Serena ~ All I want for Christmas is...  quality time with my family, can't wait to see you all!

 Danielle ~ All I want for Christmas.... To spend many more amazing years with my best friend, my husband. If our first year is anything what 40+ will be, I can't wait for all the laughter!

This is a picture from our 1 year anniversary, which we celebrated in august. 

 Sara ~ All I want for Christmas is...a happy and healthy holiday! Jon & I would like a lot this year, but with a baby on the way...that's all we can really hope for :) Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Mindy ~ All I want for Christmas is... another year of happiness with the ones I love! In the upcoming year, many changes will occur for me, my family, and friends. With a little luck, my fingers crossed, and a whole lot of prayers, I am hoping and wishing for things to fall into place. Here's to a happy and smile-filled 2012!! Merry Christmas:)

In this photo: Sean, my knight in shining armor and the one who makes me laugh more than anyone; Kelli, one of my awesome girlfriends and Mexico buddy; Emily, more than I could ever ask for in a roommate and friend; and Quoc, my very best friend for over 13 years and the closest thing I'll ever have to a brother. Each holds a special place in my heart. I have relied on them in times of complete sorrow, laughed so hard we've cried during our goofy adventures, and shared more memories, moments, and smiles than a girl could ever ask for! I am truly blessed to have the people in this picture (as well as many more who aren't present) in my life.

Kara~ All I want for Christmas is... a happy healthy family, amazing friends and another great year moving forward in my life and career.

 Julia ~ All I want for Christmas is... a healthy and happy New Year!

 Beth ~ All I want for Christmas is...to still be this in love 50 years from now.

 Stef ~ All I want for Christmas is ...my Doggy Camden!

Stacey ~ All I want for Christmas is ... for my children to realize the true
meaning of Christmas and to enjoy the Family traditions as I did
growing up.  I also want everyone to do one thing for someone else,
even if it is just buying a cup of coffee or sending an old friend a
Holiday card; you never know how much it may be needed!!  Happy
Holidays!!
Photo by Kelli Reese

 Lisa~ All I want for Christmas is... a nice shiny ring on my finger ;) Oh! And to win the mega millions of course!

Inspriation: Holiday Cards

One of my favorite aspects of the holiday season is receiving Christmas cards in the mail. Real mail. Like snail mail. My jaw literally dropped as I opened Allison Barnhill's holiday card. How adorable is this? Hot cocoa included. Loved this creative and surprising design. 

Best Holiday Award goes to Allison Barnhill Designs! 

Photo snapped with a trusty iPhone and our holiday card is displayed on our gorgeous centerpiece from Intrigue Design and Decor.

June 17 - Debbie

When Debbie contacted us about her wedding, we were thrilled to hear she was using some of our favorite vendors. Working for Baltimore Magazine, we knew Debbie would have the best of the best. Her details were perfect and she was simply stunning. We thoroughly enjoyed spending the day with her and her girls at the Tremont Grand in Baltimore. Special shout outs to Allison Barnhill Designs and Hamilton Photography.  Check out their blog post too!

Congrats Debbie! Beth and I really enjoyed spending the planning stages and then the big day with you! What a dream bride :0)

Sparkles? Yes, please!

Peace Out 2011

As we head into 2012, we can't help but look back and feel so grateful for all the love we received from local and national print, TV and website features. To see our name printed, just reminds us how lucky we are to have the honor of sharing such an important day with our brides. We are so fortunate to have the best brides! In case you missed our 2011 features, take a look back from this year! These are some of our favorites. Thank you to those that have passed our name along and allowed us to grow! We are forever grateful. 

Style Me Pretty 

Brides Maryland ~ Editor's Choice Award "Best HairStylist"

Brides Maryland ~ Star Quality

Jim Coutue

Baltimore Examiner

Bayside Bride ~ Ask an Expert

Bayside Bride ~ Ask an Expert (MakeUp Edition)

Bayside Bride ~ Ask an Expert (Lashes)

The Knot Best of Weddings 2011

Momentville Hot List Winner

Fox 45- January 2011

Fox 45 - May 2011

Fox 45- August 2011

Green Bride Guide

What's Up? Weddings

Baltimore Sun 

Elizabeth Anne Designs

Shore Life Magazine

Mid-Atlantic Green Wedding Showcase - Our work LIVE on the runway!

Also, one of our greatest accomplishments was the opening of our new studio. We are thrilled with the new design and are loving the newly expanded space! Check out the pictures!

NYC End Of Year Celebration

 We met in the Safeway parking lot. I told the girls to dress in layers, wear comfy shoes and to plan to spend 15 hours with me. We jumped into 3 cars, crossed an intersection, parked again and then got on a bus. We sat down and I told them we were going to NYC. Then I told them we were going to see the Rockettes! Yay!

5am touch-ups

 It's still dark out!

We headed North on 95 and I had one more surprise! I handed out $5 to each girl. The only catch is they can't spend it on themselves. They need to pay it forward. Buy the gal behind you coffee, pay the toll for the person behind you, donate the money, anything that will make the world a better place.

 The sun is coming out! Time for some more pictures!

 

First stop: Times Square

 Second stop: Starbucks

 Third Stop: Buying some goodies from the street vendors.

 Fourth Stop: Elmo and Tweety Bird

 Fifth Stop: Team Photo

 There is something very magical about NYC during the holidays. The decor is so festive that it is so hard not to sing Jingle Bells all day!

 Oooo Kara...she is going to hate me for this one!

Lindsay capturing the famous tree. 

 Sixth Stop: Rockefeller Center

Moving along....

 Seventh Stop: LUNCH!

 We had a quick 30 minutes to grab lunch before our show. We enjoyed salads, sandwiches and soup from a very yummy cafe.

 Due to the normal crowding in the city we decided to park it on the floor....

 ...and then we got kicked out because the floor was private property. So we enjoyed our lunch on the stairs.

 

Mmmmmm

 Eighth Stop: Radio City Music Hall

 Remember this...you will see it again later! Take note: Mullet is coming back!

 Inside Radio City

 Team Photo

Yay for ornaments!

 Bathroom break...

Who doesn't have a bathroom picture?

Serena...well she is AWESOME!

 Getting ready for the 3D part of the show!

 How cool!

These ladies are spectacular. We enjoyed every minute of the show. Highly recommend!

 Happy faces after the show! We took up an entire row!

 We LOVE the Up-Do's team!

Ninth Stop: The Plaza Hotel

Loving the pink Betsy Johnson Tree! 

Shopping? Yes please!

LOVE! Can you tell some of us got our Bronzedberry spray tans on before our trip?? Hehe!

Thankful for Steffani's phone charger. You would be surprised how quickly your phone dies when you're gone all day.

 Tea part at Eloise's store.

 Danielle was the first of our group to pay it forward with her $5. She gave it to a lady who was buying her daughter a doll. Instead of accepting the $5 and using it for her daughter, this nice lady donated it to the charity that Eloise's store sponsors. She then came and told Danielle what she did. So sweet!

 

Central Park and a very interesting hairstyle and lip color on the lady to the left. 

Tenth Stop: Break dancers who were almost as entertaining as the Rockettes. 

See the girl on the left? Red scarf, breaking it down? Yep, that is Lindsay. She may have done your makeup before. She volunteered to be a part of the show. One of the amazing dancers jumped over the distance of 6 people lined up. It was fun to see! A New York experience for sure!

For people in the wedding industry, this window display is so inspiring!

 We can all drool over Harry!

 ....ah remember the fun picture from above? Well... we were exhausted on the ride home... to make it more entertaining Mindy volunteered to let me do her hair....check it out. We recreated the stylish mullet without hairspray or tools. I did cheat and had a few bobby pins in my pocket.

 and for fun....this is all natural.   Can you imagine what she looks like in the morning? :)

 The real reason for our trip to NYC was to reward our team with a fun end of year celebration. Our team is dedicated in bad weather, sniffles, coughs, break-ups, baby deliveries and on happy days. We are so honored to share a wedding day with a bride and thrilled that they have invited us to be a part of their big day. This day was for us and for us to be together. It's not often the entire team is together in a room. We are on-site at different times. This day in NYC reminded me of why I am so lucky and blessed to be in the industry. I work with creative, inspiring and loving people. Without these girls (and a few that couldn't make the trip), we wouldn't be able to help make the world a more beautiful place. Unfortunately we forgot to hand our card to the lady with the mullet in line. Happy Holidays! Thank you for a great year! 2012 is already shaping up to be amazing!