Mid-Valley Voice

The Mane Event

On your wedding, there are three words you do not want to hear - Bad Hair Day!

How can you prevent a coif nightmare just when you want your hair to look the best? Preparation!

After you purchase your wedding gown, you should have an idea of which way you want to wear your hair.

Your hair style should compliment the style of your gown. And it has to work with the head piece and veil (if applicable) you've chosen. Look in magazines for hairstyles that appeal to you and start a file to show a stylist.

Approximately six months before your wedding, consult with a hairstylist to figure out what you need to do now to get the hair you want for your wedding. That may mean growing a short style out, straightening, coloring or cutting. This is your last chance to make any drastic hair changes - anything you do now must be repairable by your wedding date if you don't like it.

Three to four months before your wedding, pull out your "hairstyle file" and a Polaroid of your dress and head piece.

Ask your hairstylist to start thinking about what styles he or she thinks would complement your gown, head piece and face shape - based on the preferences you've given. At this time, you should also set up all the appointments you'll need from that day until the wedding day.

Don't forget to schedule an appointment for the rehearsal dinner day, if you'd like to have a special hairstyle for that occasion.

About six weeks before your wedding, do a trial run of your wedding day hair, complete with your headpiece and veil. If you don't like what you see, your hairstylist will have plenty of time to go back to the drawing board to come up with a style that better suits you. While you have your hair done and headpiece and veil in place, it is a good time to do a test-run with your makeup as well. Either do it yourself or consult a makeup artist. Be careful not to get any of the cosmetics on your wedding day gear.

Two weeks before your wedding get a final haircut or trim to clean up any dull, split ends you may have. Remind your groom to get a final trim as well. This is also an ideal time for a final trail run. Make sure your hair looks the way you always dreamed it would. You still have time to come up with something different if you're not happy. Don't settle for a hairstyle you don't love.

One to two days before the wedding go in for your rehearsal hair appointment. If your wedding day hair is more formal, try something fun and trendy for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. If your wedding hair is loose and romantic, try something sleek and modern. While your hair is being done, take time to go over all your wedding hair details to be certain you have everything organized and ready to go for your big day.

On your wedding day, after eating a healthy breakfast, wash your hair and thoroughly dry it. You may even want to put your hair in hot rollers before you go in for your appointment to save some time (hot rollers should create body, not tight curls - consult with your stylist). Make sure to wear a low-collared robe or button-front shirt so you won't ruin your hair changing into your dress.

Once you get to your salon, sit back in the chair and enjoy these few peaceful moments.