October 24th Wedding

This is kind of out of order but, I wasn't blogging when I did this wedding and I wanted to share these great photos from a wedding I did October 24th 2010. My bride Katherine just sent them to me!

The photography was done by Jacob Bergmeier of  http://www.nodophotography.com/

Enjoy!

Hiring a company with a team they can trust...December 11th Wedding

Team:
Ashley
Marlem & Rachel ~ Hair Stylists
Iralis ~ Make up
Bride: Gina
Clients: 3 for hair and 3 for make up and one add on for eye make up
Location: North Haven

Gina's wedding is a unique one for us. For many reasons that I will explain in more detail as I go along. I think it's important for me to be honest with how I handle all situations because life is unpredictable. With those unpredictable moments the only thing that makes a difference is knowing how to handle them.
With that being said, the following is how we handle ANYTHING that is thrown our way.

The trial: We met Gina a few months before her wedding date for her hair and make up trial. I was the original stylist on her wedding (Ashley) so I did the trial and Iralis was her assigned make up artist. Upon meeting Gina we clicked right away! I knew and understood her want and need for long hair with curls and immedietly saw her vision. I went ahead and styled her hair to give her an "idea" of the look which I normally don't do. I'm not an "idea" type of stylist. I do your hair as I would the day of so you KNOW what it will look like and what it will do (hold, drop, etc) I gave Gina an "idea" because I already knew Hair extensions was the way she was going to want to go and give her the full effect of her visual. After seeing her hair she agreed more length and more hair was the way to go!

Then we moved on to the make up trial. She seemed very happy with everything but, I sensed maybe she wasn't saying something. After convincing her we would not be offended at all she did voice some options with some changes to the make up. This was voiced to me after she had already left so without hesitation we got her right back in for a free trial to nail down the look she wanted. Her second trial with Iralis was a huge success and put all her worries to rest.
I only point out this situation because it is so important that all of our clients understand that we are here to do what YOU want. As professionals we will give you our advice etc but, in the end you have to feel comfortable and love the way you look. We are here to take your input and ideas and help translate that for you and we would love nothing more than to have the opportunity to make ANY changes. Gina allowed us to have the opportunity to do that at a second trial for make up and Iralis was able to nail exactly what Gina was looking for.

Gina's Hair extensions that we decided to go with were clip in hair extensions that I specially ordered and sewed for her. She had thicker hair so a double wefted extension was her best option. We specialize in extensions and we can customize any hair piece for all types of hair whether they are clip in, seamless, or bonded extensions.

Day of the wedding:
ok, so I don't know if you noticed but, I said I was the "original" stylist on Gina's wedding and I did the trial. Unfortunately, I could not do her hair for her big day. I have been doing weddings for 8 years. I have heard horror stories from brides over the years about their stylist bailing on them or canceling last minute. I swore I would NEVER be that stylist. Today was the very first time I did not attend a wedding I was booked. This is where life's unpredictable moment came into play. I had to get unexpected surgery to remove my gall bladder two days before Gina's wedding. I gave Gina a heads up and I had the utmost intention to maintain my need to be the stylist not to cancel on my bride. My team thought I was nuts for thinking I could work. I put in place a back up stylist which is a stylist that has trained with me personally over the years. I knew if for some reason I could not do this wedding she would be the best to duplicate my work. Due to unforseen complications from surgery I woke up this morning and physically could not walk and made in the call to my team. Before even doing so, I got in touch with Gina first thing this morning. Gina was AMAZING and very understanding and luckily trusted whoever I sent her way.

I pretty much stayed in touch with my team the entire time they did Gina's wedding..lol..I was so jealous I wasn't there :( I made them send me pics and updates along the way. The girls had a blast with Gina and her bridesmaids. I am soooo looking forward to seeing her pro pics with her entire look. Thank you Gina for being such a great and understanding bride. Congrats on your wedding <3

I'm sharing this story on my blog for many reasons... We are a team that is passionate and love what we do. Our number 1 priority is our clients. We seek critisism as you seek professional advice. If any unforseen event prevents your stylist or artist from attending your wedding you can trust we have team members that have similar traits and training to guarantee you will still receive the same service you loved with the original person.

I am bummed I couldn't be there today for my bride but, I am soooo happy and proud my team did an amazing job for her. I plan on resting these next few days..preparing myself for next weekends weddings!!! STAY TUNED!! :)

The George Washington and the Sock Bun converted to the Kleenex Bun!

Black Friday Wedding!!

Team:
Ashley & Rachel~Hair
Iralis ~ Make up
Bride: Colleen
Clients: 6 for hair 5 for make up and 1 add on for hair
Location: Newington

oh yes, we did a Black Friday wedding!!  I most certainly did not partake in the black friday shopping this year...I needed to be ready to go and AWAKE  for Colleen's wedding lol.

Colleen's wedding day turned out to be a pretty great weather day considering the time of year. Her and her girls had gotten ready at her aunt's house right around the corner from our salon in Newington.  It was such a stress free laid back day you wouldn't have thought anyone was getting married! The girls in the party were great! Lots of steady conversation with some good laughs. We finished 40 minutes early and we had an additional girl add on for hair at the end.  My favorite part was when Colleen fessed up to me at the end when we were cleaning up...She confessed she was nervous about our timing. She thought the timeline we had was too short of time to get everyone done but, she was AMAZED that we finished early and that everyone looked beautiful! She couldn't believe how smooth everything went.  Hilight of my day :)    Thanks Colleen for allowing us the opportunity to be apart of your day you will always remember <3   

Here are some getting ready shots we snuck in!

Taking the leap!

When I first started my businesses I was lucky enough to have a mom that owned her own business as well. She works in the medical field and it could'nt be further from what I do but, her insight was still and still is more than helpful. There's so many roles you have to partake in when you are an owner and you have to not only be multifasseted but, capable of mastering all aspects as well. That is, to be successful. I've read alot of business books, I've tried things that have worked and things that have miserably failed..However, what you learn from experience is irreplacable. It's a matter if you take that experience and learn from it and grow or remain stagnet with the same train of thought.

A few weeks ago I had the chance to meet another woman that was the same age as me and stepping into the world of owning her own business. I strongly support any woman at any age that has a passion for something and is taking that leap of faith and commiting to their dreams. Not that I don't support men that own their own business but, I feel like women have pressures and obstacles that quite honestly men just don't have to face or on a much smaller scale.

I loved to just sit and have coffee and talk weddings for hours..litterally. Nothing is more inspiring to have a conversation with someone passionate about what they do and is genuine in their intentions.
Jessica Watcke, the women of whom I speak of,  is going into business with her mom and opening a dress shop in Cheshire named "Bliss".   She sought me out to get some insight which is amazing in itself. Only because to me it showed how much she cared to make a difference. Business owners, especially ones just starting out, don't always know exactly what customers are looking for and quite honestly it's hard to find out. Being a stylist and having done so many weddings, I've got to talking with some of my brides over the years...I've often heard the ups and downs of dress shopping.  Any insight I could help with to help another business make the experience that much better for a bride is good in my book!

It seems to me like Jessica's Establishment will be a perfect shop that will cater to a range of brides...Because of her passion and her eagarness to focus on the clients needs I'm hopeful for her and her mother's success.

Stay tuned..Bliss will be coming soon after the holidays in Cheshire, CT.

Good Luck Jess!!