Rain is Good Luck, Right?

Okay, so maybe all this bravado while blogging about "perfect" wedding weather has finally caught up to New Leaf. We talked a good game. Overconfidence never pays off. A hurricane swept into town and it was mad. It was angry that every weekend, brides kept having sunny days and outdoor venues. Well, not this time.

I knew Gretchen Babyak's wedding was at Blithewold but I was really praying that she was NOT planning on an outdoor ceremony. She is a smart New Yorker so rest assured, her ceremony was in a church--whew!

Weather aside, she had 8 of her girlfriends and her mom with her so a little rain (and wind) was not going to put a damper on her day. New Leaf's Bridal Lounge was a perfect spot to hang out, unwind, and drink some mimosas before it was time.

Gretchen wins a new award at New Leaf. For what, you ask? For having the most hair. EVER. I haven't seen anything like it. Put your hands together to create a circle. That's how thick her ponytail was, I swear. Luckily, it was gorgeous hair.

First thing's first, roller set. It helps to give bend to the hair and makes it more cooperative.

She's off to the magic make up chair with Amy. She is adding some individual lashes for a dramatic eye-opening effect. Amy always recommends it and, hey, no one will ever know. Not even your husband. Trust me.

Gretchen's bridesmaid has this fantastic curly blonde hair. Ashley creates her hurricane-proof look...

LOVE all this texture.

Usually, extra hair is needed for this classic chignon. The first chignon at the trial actually came out too big! The challenge for hair as thick as Gretchen's is having it stay in place because it's so heavy. I was up for the challenge.

The finished product...

I LOVE this hairpin.

Gretchen told me a funny story about it. She searched in all these fancy places for something for her hair and found the prices outrageous. She went to Chinatown in New York and the man told her $20. Gretchen, again, a savvy New Yorker, knows to never pay full price in Chinatown. She said $10. He said $20. She left.

She kept searching and came up empty. Hoping the pin was still there, sheepishly she went back to the same store, to a different clerk and got it for $10. Now that's a bargain-hunting bride(and quite lucky too)!

Amy's make up wand strikes again.

Audrey Hepburn meets Natalie Portman, right?

The sky literally FLOODED the streets of Bristol as I drove home, but 6 o'clock rolled around and I can't say that I saw the sun, but it looked like it was trying really hard. Hopefully, Gretchen and her husband were able to sneak outside for some photos on the Blithewold grounds.

Thanks Gretchen for choosing New Leaf, and if you decide to take your photographer up on the offer to "recreate" the wedding photos on a sunny day, you know where to find us;-)

Congrats!