BillysBride

Quote: Originally Posted by GregsBride That's Keisha Whitaker, Forest Whitaker's wife... Surprising isn't it!! I really love this style, just wish I could find a closer pic of the side. Now you leave Forest alone! hahahaha..thats my boy!

Quote: Originally Posted by Danyelle Maybe I was misunderstood. I don't think my comment should be taken as anything deeper than it was meant to be. No race-wide generalities were trying to be made on my part. You're right it's cosmetic. Weaves can be beautiful and fabulous looking and IMO are great for protecting your hair underneath and letting it rest easy while still looking to die for day to day. I'm not anti- wigs/weaves/extensions etc... Just like I'm not pro-natural hair only.... and I hope I didn't come off that way. I just mean what I said, that FOR ME, I PERSONALLY would feel fake wearing it. And I agree totally on the makeup comparison, which is why I don't wear that on a day to day either. I feel like I have a mask on and I'm so... conscious of it... Thank you for taking the time to clarify. I wasn't trying to say you were making a generalization at ALL. I really was saying what I did in the hopes that you might feel more comfortable if you just so happened to find an extension style that you liked someday. I felt bad that YOU would feel bad wearing your hair a certain way. I've seen a lot of black women be made to feel self conscious (from others) and I don't like the idea of anyone feeling bad doing whatever they feel like doing. Sounds like its a personal choice for you, and that's perfectly understandable. I'm a "froo froo" girl, and I like all the trappings (though not everyday just sittin around the house), so it's just yin and yang. I dislike earrings for some reason and don't wear them if I can help it, but thats just a wierd thing about me. lol Everything else is totally comfy for me. I really am growing fond of that first style I posted...I really had my mind set on wearing my hair down for the ceremony, but ever since I saw that pic, I'm itching to see if I can pull it off. I think it's elegant without being severe or over done.....hmm...still marinating. I asked one of my BM's tonight and she said "perfect" so I'm trying to think on it without letting that influence my decision. hahaha! Shoulda never asked! GregsBride (I really do need to start memorizing more names here), that style is soooooo glamorous. It's like...old Hollywood, very sophisticated. I really like it and it's almost the best of both worlds...not really an updo, but not completely down (and suffocating) either. Oh! I also like the style Nia Long is wearing. Very luxurious...I've always envied her hair in every style I've ever seen her wear. She has amazing taste (sigh).

Wanted to start getting the picture trail going....nothing more inspirational than a good visual. The first style is the one I'm leaning toward is I wear it up, the second is the one I'll go with if I wear it down... I just LOVE this..tuck a flower into the side and voila! This is my #1 choice for my wedding style so far. I was thinking if I go with this one, I'll get some velcro seed pearls to have scattered through it..not too many, but enough to make it look kinda..I dunno, magical. lol You so seldom see black brides with their hair down....

Just loan 'em to ME. Problem solved!

GregsBride...I think you summed up what it is for me too. Cornrows say "casual" to me. Everyone keeps tellin me to just braid it up and not worry about it, but I know at least a couple of nights I'm going to be kinda dressed up and the two don't go together. Even just 10-12 rows is a lot of work just to put in and then take down after a day or two...I won't have time. Besides..it just doesn't suit my face. I got a big ole head. hahahaha

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Debra~ I completely agree with you BillysBride.....my personal goal is the same as yours. I want to have a great hairdo on my wedding day and simply look cute the rest of the day. And don't get me wrong, I don't have naturally ANYTHING hair. LOL I just meant I stopped putting perms in my hair about a year and a half ago so if I can avoid having to do too much maintenance to my hair during my wedding week I will. I guess what I want isn't possible. I don't want to have to do anything at all all week. LOL gosh, who knew that my hair would be one of the biggest obstacles. LOL, girl don't say that. I bet you could get away with doing some pull backs with some pieces or something....no fuss at all. You could save the fuss for your wedding day, and then go back to pulling it back the rest of the week...I think it just depends on what your hair does in that climate. What does it normally do during the summer? Lets start there and figure out a style that will let you be sassy but not have to deal with it too much! Alot of times, hair does fine...it may not even be all that humid at the time of your stay! Hey, another idea is to take a look at the weather averages for the town you'll be staying in. I know my sister came back from Isla, where I'm having my ceremony, a few months ago and said the humidity wasn't bad at all!

Feelin phoney wearin' some weave is (to me) the equivalent of feeling phony wearing makeup: my skin is not that flawlessly even color, my eyes don't naturally "pop" like that and my lips are not shiny wine/ruby red. But I wear it anyway, to highlight what God gave me. And I don't feel a bit phony doing it. Weave is no different than any other accessory for me....I think black folks have given themselves, AND each other an unnecessary bad rap about "fake" hair. Its cosmetic....like earrings, eyelashes, pantyhose and everything else. If a person doesn't feel fake wearing those things, I have no idea why weave would be any different. Natural is beautiful and all...but not for me. God created those lovely scientist who gave me chemicals and Im not tryin to put them outta business. I completely respect those who go natural though...just not for me. I know a lot of people take pride in going natural as part of respecting our ethnicity. I just have other ways of revering my heritage and there are many ways to keep hair healthy but relaxed. If I have a relatively fresh relaxer, I can blow dry/flat iron and my hair will stay pretty straight regardless of sweat or humidity if all I'm doin with it is wearing a pony. I think most AA hair is like that. The big problem for the brides here seems to be how to keep curls from reverting or their hair from just frizzing when worn down. With humidity, the moisture penetrates black hair because it's so porous...the shaft swells and BOOM. Instant frizz. I'm not that much of a water nut, but I don't want to avoid it. I'll be in and out of it, and maybe try my hand at snorkeling for the first time...so for me, touching up my hair won't be a big deal. Again, people have to figure out how much effort they wanna put into it just like with anything else. It takes all of five minutes to heat up a flat iron and run it over your edges..not much different than combing your hair to get ready to go out in public anyway. No big to me. Like I said, I'm probably going to get a curly piece to do some quick up-do's and ponytails that will allow me to simply rinse the salt out, throw in some leave in conditioner and brush it up. Thats not a lot of effort to ME, not sure about others. I don't like cornrows even though I know thats the vacation standby for a lot of folks...just not something I wanna have my pic taken with all week long. It's an easy answer for sure though.

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Debra~ I wear my hair natural so I'm opposed to any style where I'd have to touch up my hair every couple days. I want something that I can just slightly curl or put into a ponytail and it will look cute. Maybe I'll revisit the invisible braids idea again. I liked the pics posted on the previous page. Those were cute Thing is...even with micro's or invisi's...OUR hair is still going to do what it's going to do. If you're lucky enough to have that hair that just curls up real cute when it gets wet or the humidity is high...you're good as gold. The stuff on MY head frizzes and just turns poofy and looks horrific. Because the humidity and heat is gonna factor in for everyone, just as surely as it would if there were no braids or extensions. Theres nothin that bugs me more than seein' some sista walk around, with cute braids, but HER hair is sticking out of them lookin a totally different texture. That's so irritating to me. So my quest personally is to make sure I go with a style that will allow me to be put together and elegant on my day, but cute as I wanna be the rest of the time. I do not have naturally straight or soft hair, so it's gonna take at least some minimal work for me even if it's just washing, conditioning and brushing..that's just what I gotta deal with.

Quote: Originally Posted by Scubadiva One more questions is it a light dress or heavy I've absolutely no idea how to answer this. lol It felt pretty much like every other bridal gown I've ever handled...not a destination gown, but a regular wedding gown. It's satin, lace and tulle...so...I guess maybe you could hit any local bridal shop with a Tolli or Sottero sample of the same materials and see what it feels like to you. It's very common weight to me...didn't feel any heavier or lighter than anything else I've looked at and I've looked at WAY too many at this point. lmao Quote: Awww Savannah it's beautiful, and that totally sucks you bought it under the guise that it was described as being ivory -- clearly it's not, it's white as snow and that chick needs to take that layer of fog off her eyes, lol. Anywhoo, I'm sure you'll get a buyer with ease, the dress is gorgeous!! I know, right?! I'm still "salty" about it...what the hell was SHE on that day? She made a big deal of it too, saying she ran to the warehouse to look again "just to be sure". I pulled this thing out of the box and my eyes teared up from the glare .....thats just how freakin white it is. hahaha!

Seems like the Sottero line has had regular increases every six months or so for the past year and a half. I remember two that have happened since I've been a member here...insane. I'm gonna call my local shop now. I guess I better go ahead and order since it looks like I'm not going to be able to find the damn thing elsewhere.

I swear, I'm goin' nuts trying to find a local shop with a sample of Phillipa. The one I went to for my first round of try on's says they just sold it a couple of months ago...my question is, what the hell? lol Why don't they make arrangements to immediately purchase another sample? Makes no sense to me.....argh! Gorgeous dresses ladies!

Quote: Originally Posted by tylersgirl What do y'all think about this dress?? Victoria's Secret - Maxi dress Pretty! I just keep wondering if Vicki's has lost their everlovin' minds this year. I mean, am I the only one who has noticed the HUGE price increase? I know it's bad all over, but damn...

As promised...some shots of the gown. Light being what it is this time of day I had a hard time capturing detail, but used the macro setting to get as much as I could. The dress is clean...I can't even see that it's been tried on. It's in pristine condition, including the hem and underskirting. I wouldn't think it would even need a cleaning for a wedding, but that would be up to the bride. For whatever reason, they cut the size tag in half...but only the size tag. lol I guess a lot of salons do that...no idea why. It's a 12 though. Tried to get some "validation shots" showing the designer's label and such. lol Thats a nick in our blinds, not a loose thread. haha

Quote: Originally Posted by sunsetbride1 I LOVE that dress Savannah!!! It's absolutely gorgeous... You have amazing taste (everything I always see you post is so beautiful)! Awww, thanks girlie! I try, but I swear, my mom makes me feel like a moron. I swear, the woman seriously is like the black Martha Stewart/Finola Hughes. hahaha! 69 yr old fly diva!

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Debra~ So, is anyone doing a lace front wig? I just got a quote for the hair alone from a salon here and she charges 675 just for the hair and then 85 I believe to put it in. I was gonna do it but now I'm having such a hard time justifying it. I looked online for lace front wigs and I saw some that range between 300-450 which is more doable but I don't know what the heck I'm supposed to be looking for in a wig. I don't want to spend all that money and then not have the right one and I want one that's of good quality. Any suggestions for getting a lace front wig cheaper without completely wasting my money buying garbage? And where is everyone looking for pics of hairstyles? I haven't begun but I need to. The stylist is asking me what idea I have for my hair and I have none! If the only thing you are getting it for is the wedding, I wouldn't advise it. There is a cheaper alternative! Please see my post on the previous page.

Quote: Originally Posted by divadivine25 Now, as far as I know, water + quick weaves = a hot mess! Wont the glue wash out You don't need glue for a true Quik Weave. I'm talking about the ones that actually SAY Quick Weave on the tag when you buy them. THey are more like wigs, with comb attachments front and back. They are synthetic, so the hair doesn't absorb water..non porous. It basically just rolls off like water off a duck's back. lol Lightweight, breathable and a multitude of styles that can be blended with your own natural hair.

Quote: Originally Posted by MarieSam Oooh Savannah, i LOVE it!!! That will look beautiful on you Thanks girl. I swear, I think I'm looking forward to your wedding almost as much as mine. hahaha! I cannot wait to see how it all comes together. You take such great pics, I am soooo jealous I cannot even tell you. I was looking at your signature pic this morning reading the thread, and FI comes by and says "Is there something you should tell me? You're sittin here staring at a girl..." hahahaha! Hey, what did you ever decide about music

Yea, you just have to commit to the idea of touching up/redoing your hair every other day or so if you want to keep it straight. As black women...it's just somethin we have to put up with on these kinds of trips if we're wanting to look "put together" all the time. If my hair gets wet, all I'm gonna do is touch up the front, and pull it back into a ponytail...ponytails hide a multitude of problems. lol I am worried about my wedding day, and since our photog will be there the entire time, I definitely don't want to be walking around lookin' tore up all the time, so as long as I can pull off a cute, casual look I'll be happy. Hair gets wet, I'll just spend fifteen minutes making it right after I know we're done in the water for the day. It's pointless to worry about it all day everyday and I know I'm going to be some where hot and sweaty. Rinse the salt water out of my hair, oil the front and sides, flat iron 'em out, and into the ponytail it shall go! Also, I think it's a really good idea to have a curly/wavy quick weave if you have a relaxer or your hair just isn't the type to curl naturally. That way, you don't have to worry about keeping it straight. You wash out the salt, put some conditioner on it (which did you know you can LEAVE IN almost any kind of conditioner? yup...overnight, or even a full day.) and then just oil and brush it into the Quick Weave. No sense in worrying about keeping it straight for the entire week or however long you'll be there. Make the humidity work FOR you with your style and then you can just make sure to keep it straight the day of the ceremony. WAY easier than worrying about keeping it straight constantly in that climate. I think thats what I'll do now that I think on it. If you're going to be in the water a LOT, thats definitely my suggestion.

I'm gonna jump in here..glad to see this thread resurrected. I was part of the other older one too from last year and we threw around some great tips! I'm am a certified weaveologist (LMAO) from waaaay back in my college days. I do my own hair, because truth be told, my ass is too cheap to pay someone else for what I can learn to do myself, so I did. There are a LOT of options for your wedding trip....and no reason to think you have to be stuck with one style or can't get it wet. You're gonna be on the beach...it would SUCK if you had to spend the whole time you should be enjoying yourself worried about high humidity or getting your hair wet. I refuse. So here's my plans, right off the jump: The flat iron is your best friend, so why would you leave your best friend at home? It is the most powerful styling tool EVER and can correct anything humidity or water does. Same with your blow dryer. I do not condone using either of these things everyday normally...but for one week on vacation, it will save your sanity and not do irrevocable damage. POMADE. Yes, you heard it. Something else I normally don't use day to day, but when you're talking about high humidity and water you gotta think about SEALING THE HAIR SHAFT COMPLETELY. Nothing does that better than straight up pomade, and I mean the kind you normally see in the cheap shops that comes either green or blue. Hell, even straight Vaseline and I am serious. All hair grease is is petroleum jelly with conditioners added anyway. Grease your hair from root to tip with it, then blow dry and flat iron and it will last for at LEAST a couple of days without frizzing if you have a fairly fresh relaxer. A wig isn't always a traditional wig. lol There are LOTS of new wigs these days that are lace front, and still under $100, lightweight and breathable. These are "quick weave" types of wigs, where they have the comb attachments both front and back and come in a HUGE variety of styles. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE GLUED IN FRONT! The front is meant to sit back just behind the hair line OR be glued. I wear mine just behind my natural hairline, and I'm talking maybe 1/4 inch. You just cut the excess lace off the front. The hair is normally synthetic, which gets a bad wrap for looking "fake" but there are some tricks to help with that as well. Synthetic hair has the benefit of being extremely lightweight, and the wefts of these wigs are spaced nicely so they are very breathable. I've worn them during summer months in the midwest, and you don't get a heck of a lot more humid than here. To make a synthetic wig look more natural/less shiney all you have to do is sleep in it for a few nights. Thats right...sleep on it. Mess it up, toss it around and get it good and worn in. The shine lessens, the curls loosen and it looks beautifully natural. The synthetic lace front wigs run anywhere from $30-80...very affordable for a wedding style and the lace runs normally at least 2-3 inches into the wig so you can pull it back and look natural. I get mine here: Hair Sisters.com I'm not a big fan of sew in weaves. The tracks are bulky out of necessity being literally tied to cornrows, and they tend not to lay very flat. If you have fine hair, they are an especially bad idea. For those of us blessed with thick hair, its easier to get away with..I am not, so I avoid it. Chignon's and other "tight" or "combed close to the head" styles don't do well with sew in weaves and even bonding is difficult to be made to look natural. If your groom has a problem with "fake" hair, then ofcourse you want to avoid it and find a style that works with your own natural hair. It's your wedding day and you want to WOW him. My man doesn't give a damn, lucky for him AND me because I think I'd have had a show down with him long ago if he did. lol I change my hair way too much to be restricted, it's just something I like to do. I wear my own which is shoulder length on the sides, and slightly longer in back, but it's still not a uniform length AND it's not "full". I also like more length for more exotic looks when something special is going on. It's all individual preference and nothing wrong either way.

Gonna post my response in the new Part 2 thread...just saw it!

Well, heck I'll just get 'em from you Ana! lol...Ana is already doing my std's, thats why I'm laughing. I didn't even think to ask about program fans. Talk about one stop shopping!

Paper Parasols / Paper Umbrellas - Shop by COLOR They even have fuschia and a few different vibrant blues. I'm getting my girl's parasols from here as well. I am just hoping the wind cooperates.

I'm just buying dresses for the trip right now since I have so much time. BUT, unless something else catches my eye in a big way, this one will likely be it for the welcome din din. I'm already seeing how difficult working with my colors is going to be for clothes. lol

Great question! I hadn't really thought about it, but I'm almost positive I'll sell mine. There are a lot of brides who can't afford full price for these gorgeous gowns, and I'd just as soon help one of them out while helping US come back a bit from all the wedding expenses. I do love the idea of altering it to a cocktail dress and using the left over fabric for a christening gown. If we were having any more, I'd definitely think of doing that!

Quote: Originally Posted by Gail so this may be stupid queston but do you wear ering for ceremony? then band would be on top?? After that, I will wear band w ering on top I'm just gonna wear mine on my right hand until afterward.