A Devil's Haircut in My Mind

My ramblings about wedding planning as a process of self-discovery sidetracked my initial intent to entertain you with outrageous hair styling. Some may argue 'high fashion' or 'couture' and I'll let you be the judge.

For example, I thought about adding a flower as an accessory to my wedding hairstyle. Something romantic like a real gardenia would be easy enough to get from my florist and tuck behind my ear. Then again...maybe I want my stylist to work harder and create flowers out of my hair, like this?

Image via The Hindu

I'm not sure what to make of this next style, so I consulted the resident creative genius, Mr. Hot Tea. I'm afraid to report that his imagination failed us here. Do you see a pig snout? Neither did I. He quickly recovered to say that it looked like a modern-day take on Princess Leia's locks, but I'm not letting the original suggestion go that easily.

Image via Style List

Now you might be thinking that it would be impossible to combine the first two styles into one. I'll ask you to think again, my friends. It HAS been done, on Natalie Portman, no less.

Image via Open Walls

And our last stop on the tour of outrageous hair needs no explanation. Here's one for Mrs. Lioness! My only question is - how did they do THAT?!

Image via Toxel / Designed by Nagi Noda

Needless to say, I'll stick with the tamer selections I shared yesterday. Especially after a second look, none of those fancy 'dos seem veil-friendly. So which will it be -- Beyonce, Anne, or Sandra? And the winner is...

Image via Real Beauty

Here's another example I found that's similarly inspired.

Image via Hairstyles for Weddings

So how did we do? Did your choice align with mine or did you prefer another style?

p.s. In case you're wondering, the title is a song blast from the mid-90s past by Beck. He explained the song as being "A really simplistic metaphor for the evil of vanity." Fitting, no?

By Hook or By Crook, a hair-y tale

It's time to create my wedding day look! No intentions to accomplish this 'by any means necessary,' though I always enjoy a good rhyme...

I've chosen the dress, which shall remain unposted here until W-Day. Mr. Hot Tea reads my blog and prefers to be surprised, so we'll honor his choice for another three months. And like my three pairs of shoes you'll soon see, I said yes to the dress...twice. Sensing a theme here? [Ed. note: I probably should have considered 'indecisive bride' as my screen name - LOL!]

Image via Amazon

The challenge is that time is quickly ticking down and it's imperative to make decisions that I can stick with. Instead of over-thinking each task and forcing a choice in my quest for these...

Image via Our Crooked Tree

...it's more important to take a deep breath and really feel that the choice is a reflection of me. I rarely approach everyday decisions with my heart, which may be why I find wedding planning so maddening. I'm learning that it can serve as a means to self-growth if I choose to accept the challenge.  om.

Image via Detavio Samuels

Whoa. Now I'm on a journey not only to find my inner voice, but to listen to it, too?! I didn't know I signed up for this when I said yes to the proposal and the ring...who knew decisions like flowers and shoes and makeup could be so deeply affecting?

With this in mind, let's get to it, shall we? First stop is hair. Here's my everyday look for reference: long bangs and an annual Japanese straightening job because I'm lazy like that.

For the wedding, I'm thinking to wear it down but with some curl and volume. I affectionately call this my "party hair" like in my profile pic and I've narrowed 75 photo inspirations down to three distinct styles. 

We'll start with the loose, wavy locks of Beyonce. Very sexy, I'm wondering how much hairspray will be necessary to keep the curl fresh all day. Sounds like mission impossible.

Image via Long Hairstyle Trends

Next up, the Hollywood glam of Anne Hathaway. This look has potential: it's polished and more finished than my everyday hair. And it may stand the test of time. Bookmarked!

Image via Real Beauty

And finally, who didn't love the sleek look of Sandra Bullock at the 2010 Academy Awards. Absolutely gorgeous in its sophisticated simplicity.

Image via Spa Esthetic

So now, dear Hive, I turn the choice over to you. I think I've already decided and would love to hear which celeb you think has the most wedding-worthy hairstyle for my big day!

Nothing is ever easy.

The title becomes my mantra whenever things like wedding flowers derail forward momentum in my fuzzy mind's eye. I finally googled the quote to discover that this man is owed some Teacup props, and I'll admit he looks like a guy who might say something like that. With all due respect, sir:

Image via www.goodreads.com / Author Terry Goodkind

My eternal optimist fiance and I discovered a shirt in a Tahoe souvenir shop that explains the same sentiment a little differently...although Mr. Hot Tea feels that it accurately describes his dealings with me on occassion, and we both laugh when we see it - ha ha! Yes, this shirt is in my pajama rotation.

Image via www.vintagesnow.net

My trouble is that I didn't want to care about wedding flowers. Pretty enough, I prefer to show my love to succulent plants. To me they are the real-life translation of a Dr. Seuss book setting. Case in point, here's a look at our balcony, with not a traditional flower in sight.

Initial attempts at flower inspiration included these lovelies in the equation.

Image via theknot.com.au

Image via oceventstudio.wordpress.com / 
Floral design by Krista Jon /
 Marc Weisberg Photography

Succulents happen to be a major trend in wedding decor nowadays. And trends usually up the asking price. Since we decided that flowers fall low on the list of budgeted priorities, it was back to the drawing board. Several months, hundreds of more hours logged on google search and one parrot later, I found IT - floral perfection. 

Ahhhh, sweet flower relief and my new happy place! Thankfully, they go with decisions already made, especially the attire of the entire wedding party. Whew.

The fascinating part of the wedding planning process for me is that when I truly get it and it feels right, everything falls into place and is naturally very easy! Wait a minute, did I just say that?!  

And now here it is, my final flower inspiration you've all been patiently waiting to see...

Image via www.marthastewartweddings.com

I love Martha's description: "The secret to this bountiful bouquet's endless appeal: There's not a flower in the gathering that's truly monochromatic. Deep-purple anemones with saturated centers, tightly layered blush garden roses and ranunculus, speckled hellebores, mottled begonia leaves, and ruffly sweet peas in pink, lavender, and tangerine, cinched with a shimmery ribbon, give the eyes plenty to feast on."

Bonus for me, many of these flowers will be in season!

Now that I've revealed mine, what are your favorite flowers? And where does floral rank on your list of wedding priorities?