Banish bad hair on wedding day

Let’s face it, if you had a bad hair day on your wedding day the groom would still marry you.

But you’ve found the perfect dress, perfect veil and perfect accessories, and you don’t want to spoil it with a less-than-perfect do. And you won’t, thanks to a trial run well before the big day itself.

Michelle Sweeney laughs as she admits she perhaps went a trifle overboard by doing four trial runs. But she knew she had everything else just the way she wanted it for her wedding, which took place in Holy Cross, Federal Hill, on June 3, 2006.

“The only thing that stressed me out was my hair,” she says. “Getting all those trials was the best money I ever spent.”

Based on friends’ recommendations, she tried a new stylist, Sue Canapp at Shear Genius in Perry Hall. The first trial ensured she liked her. Then she tried two different hairstyles. “One time we went and it didn’t look like me,” she says.

To complicate matters, the hair couldn’t hide the tiara she was wearing. She finally ended up with the look she wanted, big, beautiful, loose curls, with the veil tucked under the upsweep and the tiara completing the look.

Jamie Kreit, an on-location bridal stylist with Baltimore Bridal Hair (www.baltimorebridalhair.com) who grew up in St. Rita, Dundalk, uses the trial run to figure out the bride’s style. She suggests brides choose a style similar to their normal style.

“It’s a long day for the bride and it’s much more comfortable,” she says. She also notes that bridal styles are simpler than prom styles because the bride has a veil or tiara.
Ms. Kreit, who says it costs between $60 and $80 per person to have a stylist come to the bridal party, also suggests having hair slightly longer and to do any coloring at least a week before the wedding.

Whatever your style, book your stylist early. “People are booking now for next summer,” Ms. Kreit says.

Catholic Review

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.