Real Weddings: Hallie, Kerry, Trish, Heather and Rebecca

Hallie

 Kerry

Trish 

Kasey Caruthers Photography

Heather

I was really happy with my hair and so were the bridesmaids! Thanks for making it an extra-special day--you were a wonderful calm and upbeat start to a hectic day of wedding stuff. :)

  Rebecca

What a better way to end the big day than saying THANK YOU in a mud covered gown! Looks like this bride and groom had a blast! Happy Tuesday! Ashley

Mondays with Mindy: Secrets of a Hairstylist

The end of summer is depressing in so many ways. Shorter days, colder nights, giving up your boyfriend to FOUR fantasy football leagues!  But the thing I can help you with is dried-out, thirsty hair. Summer can take a major toll on your hair. So here are 5 tricks to quench your locks.

1. Use a moisturizing or hydrating shampoo and conditioner. If you think this will weigh down your hair, try using them a couple times a week to start. I am always a big fan of switching up shampoos and conditioners. Variety is the spice of life, why leave your hair out of the all the fun?
2. Remember, conditioners alone will not cure your hair of damage. The only way to rid your hair of damage is to literally cut the damage off. That’s not to say conditioners aren’t worth the expense. Conditioner minimizes the damage done, restores shine and manageability to dry brittle hair, and adds strength to hair until damaged hair grows long enough to be cut off. So in other words, it's not a cure, but rather a preventative way to help protect the damaged hair from any further damage.
3. In the shower, shampoo your hair and rinse completely.  Wring out the excess water from your hair. If its extra dry, you can even hold your head out of the shower and towel dry your hair. It’s really important to get the surplus of water out of your hair. Think of your hair as a sponge. If water is filling the hair strand, there is less room for the conditioner to penetrate into the hair. Add a small palm full of conditioner to the strands of your hair. Using a wide-tooth comb, comb the conditioner through. Leave it in throughout the duration of your shower. I’ll usually do this before shaving and/or buffing the soles of my feet in the shower. Basically the longer you leave the conditioner in, the better.
4. For crazy dehydrated hair, follow the directions above but pile your hair on top of your head (do not clip) and put a shower cap on. Get out of the shower and leave the conditioner in your hair for a longer period of time. You can even vacuum, get the kids ready for school, do the dishes, or do a 30 minute light cardio routine. You don’t want to sweat, but if your internal temperature rises, so does your scalp inside the shower cap. Heat opens up the cuticle (think of shingles on a roof) and allows the ingredients of the conditioner to really get in there and do their job. Once ready, rinse out. 
5. Rinse your hair with cool water. Contrary to heat, the cool water closes the cuticle. When the cuticle is closed, light reflects off each strand giving the illusion of shiny hair.

Even though summer is over, at least you'll have beautiful, moisturized hair to help you through the Fall!

XOXO Mindy

Real Wedding: Catherine and Ingrid

 

Catherine's wedding photos above by Bella Photos. 

Ingrid's wedding photos below by Rodney Bailey 

Real Weddings

It is a true honor to share with our readers our real brides! Enjoy these gorgeous photos of our past brides Diane, Jamie,  Nicole and Sherry. Stay tuned for Real Wedding week. We have even more gorgeous weddings to share with you!

 

 

Jamie's wedding photos Dani-Leigh Photography

   

Feature: Networking with the best!

Learning from others, mainly the Best!

Networking is part of our business, and meeting with our colleagues in Annapolis at Level- A Small Plates Lounge, was awesome! It was so great to see so many talented and professional faces! 

So Awesome to see Allison Barnhill and her hubby! 

Looking for great invitations and more, see Allison Barnhill Designs. 

Great to see Elissa from Limosines, Inc. I recently used her company and had an incredible experience! From pricing to communication, this company is top notch!

So great to see our friend Amie Decker! 

We love when we get the chance to mingle and discuss wedding business while making sure we stay updated with the current trends. It's always great to have the best recommendations for our clients!

xoxo, Lindsay

Feature: Endless Beauty

Up-Do's For I Do's is always honored when other industry pros seek out our advice. We were beyond thrilled to see our tips and favorite products quoted last week on Endless Beauty.  Enjoy the great advice on how to avoid FRIZZ!

Image courtesy of modelandshop.com

Mondays with Mindy: Something Old, Something New...

“Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue and A Sixpence in your Shoe.” Brides have heard this rhyme years before they even got the ring. But many are unaware of its meaning. It’s a tradition which comes from an Old English rhyme about the four objects a bride adds to her wedding day attire or carries with her as good luck charms on her big day. These objects were traditionally given by family members but nowadays are worked into the weddings by the brides themselves.

Something Old represents continuity of the past moving into the future. This old item can be an antique, an heirloom, or a sentimental object which represents the bride's past. Ideas to personalize this custom:

• Your father or grandfather’s pocket or wrist watch tied to your bouquet
• Use your mother’s veil or part of her wedding gown 
• Incorporate an antique brooch or pin into your hair 
• Carry a photo of your parents or grandparents on their wedding day in your clutch

Something New offers optimism for the future and the new life the bride will share with her groom. Although this is the easiest to find, here are some ideas for personification:

• Buy new lipgloss for touch ups throughout the night
• Wear jewelry, lingerie, or shoes that make you feel extra fabulous
• Open a brand new bottle of perfume to use specifically on the wedding day. Whenever you wear the scent after the fact,wonderful memories of your wedding day!

Something Borrowed symbolizes borrowed happiness. Some brides use a borrowed item from a long-time happily married couple, but it can also be something borrowed from a friend or other relative who is symbolic of true happiness. This item should be returned to the owner following the wedding day. A thank you note is always appreciated and appropriate when the borrowed item is returned. Ideas?

• Borrow your sister’s veil or headpiece/flower
• Borrow cufflinks from your father or father-in-law to be for your groom to wear. Make sure these are polished or cleaned if tarnished.
• Borrow your best friend’s button down or rope to wear while getting ready.
• Borrow your grandparent’s or long-time family friend’s vintage car for transportation during the day.

Something Blue stands for purity, love, and fidelity. There are unlimited ways the color blue can be incorporated into the wedding day. Keep in mind there are so many shades of blue. If blue doesn’t fit in well with the color scheme, limit the blue and use it in to less visible areas.

• Paint your toenails the palest shade of blue
• Wear fancy blue undies under your dress or during your honeymoon.
• Wear sapphire, tanzanite, opals, or aqua marine jewelry

 A Sixpence in Your Shoe is a wish for good fortune and prosperity. This item is sometimes left out of the equation while it largely remains a British custom.

Sometimes traditions can add more of a personalized touch on your wedding day. Having these items involved in your wedding day will allow you to not only reflect on the past, but feel optimistic about your new life with your husband.

XOXO Mindy