That perfect hairstyle

I have been to enough weddings in recent years to see what kind of hair styles our local artists and stylist can come up with. Honestly, they are nothing special and if I should recall any, they seem to all look the same to me. In the day, it would be the half pumped up top to create that volume and in the evening, it would be the side swept plaits to the side.

After looking up some of the hair styles online, I figured it really doesn't matter which one I choose, because if the stylist doesn't know how to style it according to the picture, all that planning and researching will be fruitless.

So in order for that not to happen, I guess I still have to choose my perfect hair style then throw the picture at the stylist and get him to learn from youtube. Haha!

I guess you already know my theme is the garden theme. But last night, I found out from my dream venue that the date that I would like is already fully booked. So Andy and I had to jump to my 2nd choice. The thing about Andy is he is really cool about my choices and I'm glad that he likes the 2nd choice too. So I dropped the manager an email; hopefully the 21 March 2015 is still opened or I might have to change to name of this blog in order to accommodate the venue and theme that I want.

So garden theme it is until the heavens decide otherwise.

Having a garden theme wedding would also mean that my hair accessories and hair style have to match it, and what better and simpler than flowers and plaits?

http://koujiancj.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/wedding-hairstyles-flowers-8.jpg

http://www.hairstyleideas4u.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/wedding-hair-accessories-hair-flowers-1.jpg

I can't decide if I would like small flowers here and there about my hair like the first picture or one or 2 big ones pinned to bottom right of the head. For starters though, having white flowers in the head for Chinese women are bad omen because you only wear a single white flower in your hair when you are mourning. For I guess having many small ones or 2 big ones don't really fit the bill right? No wonder so many brides I know opt for the tiara instead.

I generally have protruding jaw, but the rest of my head is pretty small which makes my face kinda flat if you should shoot a picture of me from the side; because of this ugly side of me, I don't bun up my hair coz it leaves a lot of exposure on the lower part of my face. I would need volume in my hair (which I don't too) so if I would need to tie up my hair, I would need to do it in a pony tail or in a large chunk way like the 2 pictures above.

http://hairstylenyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/wedding-hairstyles-with-flowers-pinterest-2.jpg

Oh oh! Maybe I can go with my hair not done up! In that way, my face would not looked like it has been flatten by iron. I like the hair style in the picture with ruffled plaits. One concern though, is if my hair is thick enough to successfully bring about this look. Hmm, power to the hair stylist then!

As for the evening time, I would like my hair to be down and comfy but I would still like to keep that dreamy, fairy-like look to suit my flowy skirts in my gowns. And I found this!

http://www.longhairstyle-ideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/wedding-hairstyles-for-long-hair-flowers-ideas.jpg

And this is it! My evening look! What do you guys think? Perhaps though, I might take away the 2 flowers in the hair because having flowers in my hair for the entire day might be a little too overboard. By then, I could put in diamond-studded hair clips like this:

http://www.weddingclan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/image_title_5gdpw.jpg

And finally, this brings me to the choosing of veils. Again, the availability of veils depends on the bridal boutique that I choose. While the bride only wears it for that few hours on the wedding day before changing to the tea dress, it is one of the most overlooked item on a bridal list (at least, in my opinion).

I  guess according to my mermaid dress, the veil will have to be as plain as possible. And (again, in my opinion) a short veil is as ugly as nuts, especially those than ends just slightly below the shoulders.

http://www.elegantgowns.com/store/catalog/images/medium/bridal-veil-7-901-C.jpg

http://image.dhgate.com/albu_208861818_00/1.0x0.jpg

Hmm, I am  not sure about the length though but the plain look is exactly what I want on the veil. Especially the one on the 2nd picture, the bride in it is wear a mermaid dress with the fin-like laces which I adore, the plain veil makes the entire look so perfect.

Ok, just some more updates:

Chris and Sam have both agreed to be my bridesmaids! Yeah! And most importantly, Chris has also volunteered to be my wedding planner! In that way, I can not only save tons of money which can be used in other things but also have a friend do it for me, would make it more memorable. Just that I was holding things back because I had wanted them to fully enjoy the wedding, to just eat and drink to their fill. But dear Chris said for me, anything; and that planning for my wedding is something she will enjoy too. My heart just swelled with gratitude.

I have also asked Mervin to bake my wedding cake and he has so sweetly told me that he will not charge me. On my heart, I made it a note to give him a super big ang bao for being so kind.

My God, planning for this wedding has made me become so much more grateful and appreciative of everyone around me. A big thank you to everyone.

That perfect dress

We all know that searching for that perfect wedding dress is not easy- there are simply too many choices to choose from.

For me, it was only recently that I found out that I look good in mermaid dresses because it accentuates my lower body, making me not look too short and dwarfy; puffy shirts make me look shorter than I already am. So these few days, I have been surfing the net for some ideas on the perfect dress!

Ok, for starters, I already know I can't wear a bustier one because of the huge-ass back tattoo that I have, so my entire back has to be covered. I choose to go with lace since it can hide my tattoos and I have always have a thing for lace (hee). The amount of lace cannot be too intricate because of the garden theme that I have chosen for the wedding. Hence, here are some of my findings:

http://www.hibridal.com/2815-7010-thickbox/sleeved-mermaid-see-through-wedding-gown-all-lace.jpg

http://www.ogotoshop.com/images/dress/4474/Lace-High-Neckline-Short-Sleeves-Pick-Up-Mermaid-Pink-Wedding-Dress-with-Brush-Chapel-Train-WWDS1868-01.jpg

I like the lace on the first gown that makes it so garden-like, totally fits my theme! But then again, the second one has this flair out fin-like laces attached which is something to die for too! And then just when I decided to just scroll down some more, I found a few more that could probably be just my dream dress. 

http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/1643870251_1/2014-New-Arrival-Vintage-Small-font-b-Mandarin-b-font-font-b-Collar-b-font-Organza.jpg

http://p.mefond.com/600x800/20130213034238442/white-Charmeuse-Cheongsam-Mermaid-Sweep-Crystal-Embroidery-Sexy-Fishtail-Wedding-Dress.jpg

Ok, since I am a Chinese, I think going with a gown with a Chinese collar might be good too. The first one has a little of mixed Chinese and Western feel to it which I think is suitable because it is not too Chinese-y which could make me look like someone made-in-china. As for the second one, it might be wonderful for my garden theme because of the flowers which contrasts with the greenery of the theme. I think that a gown with some colour on top of the white would look special. 

And finally, I found this:

http://www.hibridal.com/1234-2219-thickbox/simple-bodice-modest-high-collar-wedding-gowns-with-cap-sleeves.jpg

What do you guys think of this final one? Although it has no lace at all, its simplicity just make it so perfect for the relax-feel that I want my wedding to be. One reason I chose the garden-theme was because it has an easy-breezy feel to it, not like one at a hotel where everyone is in a suit and tie, flat-combed hair and too much hair spray. This dress is all silky totally brings out the informal and tranquility of the entire atmosphere of the theme. 

Getting a wedding dress that can cover all my tattoos is not easy. Getting the evening gown that can cover all my tattoos is harder! It has to have a different look as the white dress but it has also fit the theme of the wedding. Most importantly, it has to make me look special and comfortable. 

I found these:

http://www.voguequeen.com/images/dresses/prom/20120926/a-line-queen-anne-floor-length-natural-waist-with-beading-chiffon-evening-dress_1209140021.jpg

http://www.thecelebritydresses.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/800x

http://www.womens-partydresses.com/photo/pl1889730-appliqued_elie_saab_long_evening_party_dresses_with_long_sleeves_evening_gowns.jpg

The pumped-up skirts are definitely still a no no and I also think that by the late evening, I would already be too bloated and tired to suck in my tummy to fit into another mermaid dress, so I would like a flowy skirt, something light and comfortable. The first one is perfect because I like the sleeves, it is also a sweetheart neck-lined that would be a contrast to my white gown. The second one is wonderful too. Just look at the blithe yet elegant look it gives. The final one is also perfect if I decided not to go with a laced white gown for the day. But I am not sure about the colours for all three though. My favourite colour is pink but wearing pink in a wedding traditionally means the bride is the concubine- not good in my context I must say. Oh well, who knows, I might decide to go with it if I look good in it.

http://img.bizgoco.com/upload/20130620/AEE57_Elegant_Short_Sleeve_Chiffon_Evening_Dresses.jpg

http://www.onlinepromdress.com/upfile/Occasion%20Dresses/Evening%20Dresses/Pleated

http://www.dorisqueen.com/555-3438-thickbox/dorisqueen-manufacturer-selling-off-shouler-cap-sleeves-long-white-evening-gown-bridesmaid-dresses-30816.jpg

And the flowy skirts continue...

I like the modesty of the second one and the tried one is just gorgeous with the pleats and folds (though I'm not sure about the mermaid style still).

Traditional evening gowns with just one colour are pretty much out dated although still very much worn and chosen. I think the first gown with its hidden patterns inside looks really special and in a way, fits the garden-theme too. Maybe I could pick it for my solemnization dress? Hmm...

Oh my! My eyes are going blurry by just looking and relooking at these dresses!

For a Chinese customary wedding, the bride has to return to her parent's home after serving tea to her in-laws. The habitual practice is when the bride has to wait 3 days before returning but modernly, the bride returns on the same day. She has to have a change of dressing to signify this and most of the time, she returns wearing her traditional costume which is usually a cheongsum, a kua skirt or in my case, I chose the Peranakan Nonya costume because my Dad and Mom are half Peranakans.

I found this shop that sells quality Nonya costumes and the prices are also pretty much within my spending power because I would be needing to buy for my immediate female relatives for my family and that is my Mom and my Grandma. I have decided to go with a red colour Kebaya but the yellow Sarong is terrible to match in my opinion. The Sarong usually matches the flower designs on the Kebaya and it should be pink. Oh well, I guess I will worry about that later.

For traditional Chinese Kua, the mother of the bride usually wears a Black one and the Grandma wears a Gold one. I think that Ah Ma would look bad in yellow or gold because she has very tanned skin, so I chose a green one for her and the black one with a phoenix would be ideal for my Mom.

http://www.littlenyonyabatik.com/#!product/prd1/2370769841/butterfly-in-red-kebaya.-size-xs

http://www.littlenyonyabatik.com/#!product/prd1/1792689075/orange-flower-in-olive-green-kebaya.-size-xl

http://www.littlenyonyabatik.com/#!product/prd1/1984401195/orange-peacock-in-black-kebaya.-size-s

Oh, I have also forgotten I would be needing a cocktail dress for my solemnization! I wonder just how many dresses I would be needing that day if an ideal just keeps popping up. My husband-to-be would probably be needing to rob the bank. Haha!

I was surfing through the net for a cute cocktail dress that can not only (again) hide my tattoos, but also exude a light and bubbly feel to it. Then bam! I chanced upon this dress worn by Selena Gomez.

http://www.babyonlinedress.com/images/201305/goods_img/13662_P_1368743097513.jpg

Of course the back would have to be covered but I think it looks just the thing for solemnization which is to be held in a garden lawn with a canopy where the bride and groom take their vows amongst friends and family seated in a semi-circle around them. Perhaps I am able to hide my ankle tattoos (yes I have them on my legs too) with nude stockings and nude pumps.

Last but not least, would be one of the few of the most important people for the day- my bride maids. Since the colour of the theme is teal or turquoise, I would be choosing this colour for their dresses!

http://www.weddingbells.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/TURQUOISE.jpg

http://ruffledblog.com/vintage-wedding-blog/turquoise-bridesmaid-dresses.jpg

 They will be helping out like mad for the entire day, thus I figured their dresses must be as comfortable as possible. The dresses must also make them feel special and needed, not cheap and by-the-way kinda thing. I guess the first one would be excellent for evening and the day, they could do with the second dress.

Alrightly, that pretty much sums up all the dresses I would be needing for my wedding and all the choices streamed down to what I really want for that special day. I don't think I can get dresses exactly the same as all of the above but I genuinely hope that at least I can find similar ones that wouldn't compromise on my needs and wants.

*Fingers crossed*!