Hair and Makeup for LB and C.'s Wedding

LB had a fortress of women (similar to a binder of women, really) as bridesmaids. There were 11 of us in total, so the hair/makeup side of the wedding day had to start early to make sure we were all taken care of. I arrived a bit early to the salon, which was across the street from DiBruno Brothers, so I went inside and ordered myself a latte and sat outside until others arrived. Then the fun really began.

LB's mother brought us all funny glasses, which we wore throughout the day. RPM went with the martini glasses.

This lady also did my hair. As a woman who doesn't own a blow dryer, I wasn't entirely sure how much information or direction I needed to give her. Or, rather, I wasn't capable of giving that much information or direction. But I had discussed my hair preliminarily with LW and MP in the office, so I did say that I was hoping for a low chignon and some sort of braid component. You'll see my hair soon enough. The four stylists did a really great job, I don't feel like they rushed any of our looks, and even though my hair was done by 11, it held up for the remainder of the day and all the way into the evening.

LB's hair took many more steps, which befits the role of bride. So there were a lot of moments when we just congregated around her as she was blown out, curled up, sprayed etc.

In addition to glasses, there were also snacks and mimosas for us, but somehow I took zero photographs of the spread.

I did, however, make sure my glasses were documented. I was the only one who didn't think to wear a button down shirt, which became a challenge when it was time to put on my dress without ruining my hair. I managed. I also managed to forget a very important undergarment at my apartment, which led to a anxious period of time when my hair was still getting done, but all I could think about was catching a cab, getting home, picking the item up and returning before everyone else's hair was done. It turned out just fine.

J. gave LB a massage, which LB loved...but she was quite shocked by just how strong J.'s hands were.

BC was also rather amazed.

My hair.

LB's hair in transition.

Cuties.

LB's hair in a light hairspray mist.

Once a good number of us had our hair complete, we started a migration back to the Union League for the next part of the journey: makeup. While this day was totally not about me, I gotta tell you, my makeup was really quite good. But somehow I didn't think to ask anyone to take any photographs of me when it was fresh, and even throughout the night I didn't really get as many photos as I should have. Actually, I was so concerned about what to do with my camera during the ceremony that I handed it over to LW hours earlier than I should have, thus missing out on many of the best stages of the prep process...I took photos with LB's camera, but that means I don't have them to share. In any case, here is LB getting her makeup did.

There were also snacks and champagne in the suite while we all got made up and ready. Here, RPM and AP both enjoy a hearty laugh about something while sitting near the unpictured food...man I really just wiffed the food aspect of this day.

The prep process went by in such a funny way. Time stopped, expanded and contracted. One moment it felt like there were so many hours to go before the bridesmaids needed to put their dresses on, next thing you know V. and I are in her room getting into go-mode. Funny aside, while I originally forgot the crazy brassiere that I purchased for the dress, I had brought two additional strapless bras just in case I had a wardrobe malfunction. Turns out that both of those bras were ultimately needed by two other bridesmaids. I'm quite pleased with my own weird craziness...I think most would agree that you don't need to bring three bras for one dress/night. And yet, actually, you do.

I hope that I turn up in a few of LB's pro photos so I can just give you a better sense of the overall look etc.

Basket List

Things I'd like to do before I die:

1. Quit smoking and never take it back up.
2. Travel to Japan and eat really good street food and sushi in a city before enjoying country/quiet beach fronts or hot springs.
3. Travel to Hawaii and rent a house tucked away from most everything, eating pretty much everything Rachelle B. eats in all her Hawaii blog posts.
4. Paint my own pottery thing. Like the children do.
5. Learn how to make radio pieces/stories.
6. Own chickens.
7. Visit the states of California, Texas and Montana.
8. Make my own cheese.
9. Make pasta from scratch.
10. Go deep sea fishing.
11.Learn to SCUBA dive.
12. Live in a equatorial location for a year.
13. Own my own lodgings.
14. Have a steady companion to keep me warm in bed and entertained during the daylight hours.
15. Volunteer in some capacity. Whether helping kids with reading/writing, or volunteering for Hope Lodge.
16. Make enough money that if I want to buy a piece of furniture, I can buy a piece of furniture.
17. Pick up knitting (again) and finish the scarf I started making for M. four years ago, the sweater I started making myself seven years ago, etc.
18. Remember what it was like to have a point of view and the need to share it through writing or art. Or, rather, not remember it, but find my way back to that thinking.
19.  Develop an appreciation for exercise of some kind and lose 10-20 pounds, and keep it off.
20. Finish paying off my student loans before I'm 45.

That's all I got for the moment.

Rehearsal c/o City Tavern, Gza c/o the Trocadero

After the wedding rehearsal wrapped up, we hopped back on a trolley and made our way to City Tavern. There we enjoyed a dinner hosted by C.'s parents. It started with drinks and mingling, and then we all found our seats and enjoyed a welcome and a little historical context by one of the folks who served the room. He told us about the history of the location, as well as the different breads laid out on the table. 

Then we raised our glasses to the bride and groom and their families.

These were our water glasses. J. has the funny eyes in this photo, but she didn't have funny eyes during the evening itself.

S salad with blue cheese, walnuts and bacon.

C. making a speech.

L. making a speech that left many a bridesmaid a bit teary eyed.

And her dad too.

There were a few different options for our main course. The gentleman sitting next to me asked if anyone wanted to split two to get the best of both. I jumped on that particular wagon and was thereby able to try both the pork chop and trout. Both quite delicious. I think the guy liked the trout better, it was definitely a bit more subtle while the pork was just so hefty and salty. Satisfying all around.

And dessert!

A few more speeches.

Once dinner was concluded we all went to a Gza show. It was LB's mother's idea. Ok. That is 100% nonsense, but god it would be so funny if true. In actuality, I had won free tickets from Philebrity to see Gza perform Liquid Swords at the Trocadero. Knowing I had the reception and dinner, I was bummed to realize the two things were pretty much totally overlapped, so I offered the tix to my ertswhile friend G., who was totally down for free tickets. But when I went to the box office, it was more like my name was only on a list, so I couldn't just pick them up and hand them over. Instead I added G.'s name to the list. In retrospect I should have been less shy about seeing if I could have put both tickets in his name, but as it turned out the dinner concluded and I was tipsy enough to know that going to another bar that night with that group of folks might make the wedding day a little intense. So I decided to go to a rap show and sober up.

Which is exactly what I did. Talk about the other side of the coin as far as everything. A night of contrasts is perhaps one way to describe it. But both sides were so much fun. No down side.

Opening Wedding Reception c/o The Union League

LB and C.'s nuptials took place on a Sunday. It was a wedding with many an out of town guest, so there was a welcome reception on the preceding Saturday. It was held at the Union League. I meant to go exploring and really take advantage of the access I was getting to such an exclusive, members-only building...but I got sidetracked by actually enjoying the pomp of the reception itself, and the lovely faces of so many of the bridesmaids. The spread included tea sandwiches (or at least they resembled tea sandwiches to me), a cheese plate, a veggie spread, and additional treats that servers walked around and offered us. Those additional treats included mini sliders, buffalo chicken mini tarts, and pigs in a blanket. There were also two bars, which once the full crowd arrived, were much needed.

V., in from NYC, N. in from Oregon, and BC in from Philly. High school buds.

Cheeeeese. That blue cheese was particularly to my liking.

The room in which the reception was held was rich in detail and luxury, and its wallpapered walls were further adorned by portraits of many a president. I'm not 100% sure, but I think most of them were Republicans. George W. got a really great view and placement for looking benignly down on all of us.

V. with a blown out City Hall in the background.

The bride wore a killer white blazer, not to mention heels you can't see that were fierce.

Those of us in the bridal party or groom's party eventually hopped on a trolley and made our way to Old St. Joes, where the wedding would take place the next day.

We were given a tour of the church and a rough outline of where we'd be going and what we'd be doing during the actual reception.

And thus concludes the reception and rehearsal footage. Next up, rehearsal dinner.