Love at The Ranch: Why I Say Yes to DOCs

I am interrupting my final wedding recap to talk about an issue that is really crucial when it comes to weddings: DOCs (day-of-coordinators). I, like many brides, thought I could go without. But as the weeks neared our wedding date and I started to visualize a timeline for the few days before the wedding, I couldn't figure out when I would have time to set up all of the our DIY projects in our reception barn pre-wedding.

I had two trains of thought: 1) a stressed out bride, racing the clock, delegating projects, and ultimately, barely taking a breath before walking down the aisle, or 2) going hiking with friends, enjoying our rehearsal dinner, waking up rested the morning of the wedding, and possibly having a chance to go for a run or do yoga in the hours leading up to the ceremony.

Needless to say, option 2 seemed much more appealing. Our wedding salesperson at Devil's Thumb Ranch had two recommendations for day-of-coordinators and one, she said, was fairly new to the business. Her name was Danielle Odil of Something Classic Events. We talked a few times for a few months before the wedding and, eventually, I caved. But not without combing through her set package and customizing it to my needs (including slicing the price tag to my budget). To see what I did to her package, head here.

On the day of, Danielle went above and beyond. The best example I can think of was her obliging to my last-minute request to get an off-road vehicle to take our photographer, Mr. CB, and me back on a trail to some old mining shacks. I'd seen them the day before and thought they'd make an awesome backdrop for images. Minutes later, Danielle showed up in a utility vehicle, rambling over log stumps and boulders to make sure we got what we needed.

While watching our wedding video recently, I watched as Danielle ran to make sure a door didn't slam as my dad and I made our way down the aisle. Prior to this, though, she set up the barn to make sure our DIY projects and decor looked perfect. During our cocktail hour, she came to me when we ran out of appetizers to see if we wanted to order more.

The transitions from first dance to father-daughter dance to swapping pie all went smoothly because of her. She also plated my dinner (so I didn't spill on my dress) and made sure I had a delicious beverage with my dinner.

She supplied the pens when we forgot our own for the guestbook. There were moments when I still felt like I needed to take care of things (like when the playlist was on its last song with time to spare), but every time I went up to Danielle to nudge her about something, it was already taken care of.

We only had her stay until 8 pm (once everyone had enough booze and food to feel like all was going smoothly regardless) but, in the end, I'm thrilled we had her at all. The level of stress that would have been there without her would have been through the roof. Thus, I urge all of you to book a DOC. It may sound frivolous, like a wedding-factory thing, or unnecessary but it did not make our wedding feel like it came off of a conveyer belt at all.

The only thing it did was act as insurance to make sure that we had the best time we could.

Are you booking a DOC?

Wedding Weekend: Make-Up Trial

On Monday, before heading back to Santa Fe, I had my make-up trial with Katelyn Simkins, one of Denver's favorite make-up artists. It took almost two hours and we still didn't quite achieve the look I like, but we got darn close.  My inspiration was heavily based on the Vogue cover I blogged about here. We were aiming for dewy skin, a pewter, smudgy eye (although, not too smoky), rosy cheeks, and a glossy, stained lip. Before I show you the results, though, you deserve a make-up less picture (even though I wear a little bit of natural-looking make-up on a daily basis). 

Me (left) hiking with my two MOHs

Now, onto the trial. Here's the first iteration:

It could've been the light in her kitchen, but I looked pale. My eyebrows looked too dark. And the false eyelashes were making me feel weird about my eyes. The look was a little bit vintage, and not sun-kissed enough for what I want. Not really knowing how to tweak this look in order to achieve what I'm going for, I asked her for more cheek color and gold eyeshadow, as opposed to pewter. I really had these things in mind: gold, apricot, peach, coral, and dewy. 

This is the second version:

She didn't take much off, but she added gold to my lids and another layer of blush to my cheeks. She also added a little under-eye smudge to get the look that's on Vogue's cover. Unfortunately, the gold she used is a little more green than yellow. I became obsessed with gold eyeshadow when a friend of mine showed me MAC Goldmine. Luckily, Katelyn said she could pick some up before the wedding. 

For the third try, I wanted darker lips. I've always loved a bride who can pull off the less eyes, more lips look. By this point, though, I think I had too much on my eyes to try it out. 

It came out a little vampire-y. Maybe it was just the color lipstick? I think I'm sticking with a more natural-colored gloss. She'd also added more cheeks above, too. After this, we went back to the neutral lip color and my trial was finished. 

As the day progressed, I took a few more pictures to see what the make-up would look like over time. 

Immediately after the trial

Two hours after the trial. Still holding strong.

Six hours later. 

Katelyn definitely achieved the skin, cheeks, and lips. Now, I need to find a very specific picture of the overall look I want (in particular, eyes) so that she can achieve it on my wedding day. I definitely think she has the skills to pull it off and she got the dewy skin right (without too much shine) which seems hard to do. This is similar to what I want in terms of color:

(source)

Her lips and cheeks are similar to what I want but with gold eyes

(source)

Did your first make-up trial go as planned? Or did you have to work towards what you wanted?

Wedding Weekend: Hair Trial

This past weekend, like most brides-to-be including Ms. Perfume, I utilized the three-day weekend to wedding plan. A six-hour drive put me up near Denver on Friday night, ready for an appointment-filled couple of days. First stop: hair trial.

My naturally-straight hair in the Bahamas

As you've seen in past pictures, I have stick-straight hair. Always have. There's nothing wrong with straight hair--I don't have to "tame my curls" or worry too much about frizz--but, I've also never seen myself with curls. I'm often fond of wedding 'dos with soft, romantic curls, but since I've never had 'em, I wonder if I could feel like myself even with a little wave. 

The minute I told my stylist, Tasha Valenti of The Look Beauty Salon in Denver, that I'd never had anything other than straight, she busted out the curling iron. I showed her my inspiration photos and off to work she went.

Tasha getting to work

Things to keep in mind: 1) I will have a fake flower as a hair accessory (more on that later), 2) Tasha kept saying, "This is just a trial. It will look much more shiny, clean, and polished on the actual day." And 3) All pictures below are by my awesome friend Melanie Lidman who sat through the whole wedding-planning weekend with me. And gave her two cents (and sarcasm) when needed.

Style 1:  Curly side ponytail with woven back

I really like it from the front but it feels a little young to me. 

Style 2: The Low, Centered Chignon

I felt like the bun was a little flat against my neck. I wanted volume! And, I've worn my hair in a low chignon for the couple of proms I went to. I'm wondering if it's time to branch out.

Style 3: The Side Bun

The point of this was to have the bun peep out from behind my head so it didn't just look like my hair was up from the front on the low chignon. As you can see from the first picture, it doesn't really do that. Hmmm...

Style 4: Messy, Low Side Ponytail

Tasha had started to pull it out before this last pic was taken which is why that one section looks particularly long. I personally like the curled ponytail and volume from Style One, but with a less young style. 

In the end, Tasha told me to look at more inspiration photos. Find one I love and she'll do the style. I trust that she can. I was surprised by how much I loved my hair down with curls. Maybe I'll let my bangs grow out and decide if I want them back closer to the wedding. And, in the meantime, I'll be keeping my eye on some celebrities for inspiration 'dos. 

Kate Bosworth

(source)

Lindsay Lohan

(source)

Tasha re-curled my hair just before I left so I could spend the day with curly hair. 

Who's hair is better?

So, hive, which style do you like best above? Any suggestions? I didn't thoroughly love any of them.