Painting a perfect picture

By Marjorie

I’ve been taught my whole life that if I don’t like something, I should keep quiet and be polite, on the grounds that it would be rude to behave otherwise.

However, at 9 a.m. on the day of my wedding, I couldn’t keep quiet any longer and I rudely blurted out to my hairstylist, “Sorry, I really don’t mean to offend you, but I absolutely hate my hair.”

This abrupt and blunt change of heart left my hairstylist at a loss for words.

Not only had we done two trials prior to the big day that looked similar to my showcase ’do, but I had also told her I loved it those two times – being polite and doing the right thing, or so I thought.

But at that moment, when my hairstylist looked as though she wanted to wrap the curling iron cord around my neck, I realized that holding off until just two hours before pictures was definitely not the right thing to do.

Yet, with very little time until my bridal debut, we pulled off a classic, simple and elegant hairdo that I honestly – without holding my tongue – loved.

This change of heart, and complete change in appearance, is something I am so grateful for. Had I not said anything, had I kept quiet and been “polite,” I would have regretted it.

And as it turns out, my hair was like the cherry on top of the sundae; it completed my entire look. I felt that every aspect of getting ready that day – my makeup, my dress, my nails, my jewelry, my shoes and even my hair – painted a picture that looked perfect.

Everything was the way I wanted it to be. From the darker eye makeup than usual to the 14-inch hair extensions – which I encourage any bride with thin hair to invest in – I felt like a goddess.

So I encourage every bride out there, that when it comes to speaking up, whether it’s to your stylist two hours before the wedding or to your photographer about the types of shots you want, it’s your day. You want to look perfect and you want everything to be perfect, and for this one moment in your life, it can and will be perfect. I promise.