Hair Escapades!

After the successful makeup trial, I sat for my hair trial.  I asked my stylist Bethany to not judge my split ends or my sadly printed inspiration photos and did my best to describe what I was looking for.

I've been steadily letting my hair grow since we got engaged in July of 2008 with hopes of a somewhat romantic but not overly soft, feminine but not too "weddingy", slightly flower child half up do.  Not too much of a feat, yeah?  Here were the photos I brought along for inspiration:

Here from Project Wedding

I love the loose french braid in this look- a lot.

I was also looking for a combo of the next two.  This front:

Here from Project Wedding

with this back:

Here at Project Wedding

Bethany worked with the bottom two images first, and we ended up with a great looking 'do.  We braided a small braid close to my head with my side bangs, and did a twisty overlap thing in the back.

I feel awkward while people do my hair, so I make awkward faces and do awkward things like take photos:

We liked the look, but agreed that I need more hair around my ears to offset my roundish/heart shaped face:

The back was beautiful though!

With the pins I bought off etsy:

And with the veil (and a classic Pencils face- please don't be sick of my insanity yet):

Bethany then handed me off to Dawn, who worked with the first photo to recreate the braided half updo.  We kept the small braid close to my front and she worked that hair into the larger braid:

Right side up top.  Left side below.

We went for the deconstructed ending at first, below:

The she added two small loops, below:

Then we tried one large loop, below:

It looked more finished, but I feel it's really "weddingy."  What do you think?

We didn't go for staying power, and here it is two hours later:

Pencils' trial tip: Ask your stylists to do your hair exactly as they would the day of, if they have time.  We didn't spend extensive time on getting curls that stay, or braiding straight, and the hair fell flat pretty quickly.

So, hive, what do you think?  Which 'do do you prefer?

Option A: Small braid in front with twisty overlap (1st five photos of me)

Option B: French braid with simple wrap (photo 8 of me)

Option C: French braid with two small loops (photo 9)

Option D: French braid with one larger loop (rest of photos)

Option E: Another idea that you'll share below!