Budget Review: Wedding Day Beauty

Leyla's Hair Studio

Stylist: Leyla Slayton
Hendersonville, TN

{© Epic Image Photography}

What I Got: 

Last minute hair trial & bridal hair.

{she opened her shop on a Sunday to accommodate my needs}

$160 including tip

Princess Brides by Christy

Artist: Christy Vandervort

 

{photos above owned by Natosha Benning. All rights reserved. Not for personal use}

What I Got: 

A full make up trial at Sephora & wedding day makeup

{I am designing Christy's company logo & business cards
in exchange for her services}

$175

Total Cost: $160

Wedding Hair, Part 1

Have you ever seen Steel Magnolias? Remember the part in the very beginning when Shelby states "I'm wearing my hair down because Jackson likes my hair down."?

After becoming engaged and beginning the wedding planning journey together, Big Spoon has often expressed a preference for my hair being down. Because of work, I typically wear my hair up or in a ponytail - it's just easier.

I had originally thought that I would like an up-do for our wedding day, but after trying on my dress and taking pictures last weekend, I have decided that "down" is the way to go. My mom agrees, my two best friends agree, my sisters agree, the girls at work agree - and it goes without saying that Big Spoon agrees - I should wear my hair down. Or at least half-down.

So far, this is my start on wedding hair inspiration. I'm thinking about something a bit more "edgy", soft and romantic than your standard tight curl.

Engagement pictures ... check!

Well, we did it. We survived an engagement portrait session! Yesterday was crazy for both of us, but for different reasons.

The most stressful thing to happen to me was that my normal hairstylist's flight was canceled and she lost her phone, so there was no way to reach me to let me know she would be unable to style my hair. I panicked, then scrambled, calling friends and friends of friends, until I found a salon that could work me in that afternoon.

It began raining around noon and promised to pour the rest of the day. The photographer called to gauge our commitment to the photo shoot considering the weather. I went on a gut instinct to not cancel, which in the end worked out for the best.

I gathered up my clothes and hair inspiration pictures, Big Spoon's tie, my red high heels and headed out to Harlow Salon in Nashville. These ladies were wonderful and my makeup lasted well through the night.

Big Spoon and I met up near his work, met the photographer and headed over the Public Plaza first. Second, we took a few brief shots at the Schermerhorn before getting kicked off the property (which bugs me because I am a patron of the symphony).

We then took random, urban shots in downtown Nashville along various interesting backdrops and wrapped up our session on the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge. It began lightly raining as our photographer took the last shot. I really enjoyed working with our photographer, Derek Lee and his assistant.