Vendor Spotlight: Bella Capelli
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Have you ever had an awful haircut? The kind that makes you want to put a paper bag over your head? Or call in sick for a few days? Thankfully, I’ve only had one deeply traumatizing haircut, but that one was enough to last me a lifetime. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I cried the entire way home from the salon that afternoon. I felt so many emotions. Frustrated with myself for paying so much money on a hideous style. Ashamed that I hadn’t been brave enough to tell the stylist that I was unhappy. Betrayed after I trusted this disappointing stranger. Yet she never knew how much I hated that haircut.
I learned a valuable lesson that day: you HAVE to say something if you’re truly not satisfied with the service. As uncomfortable as it was, I had to use this skill while planning my wedding.
Which brings me to today’s blog post. If you take away nothing else today, please hear this: Get a hair and makeup trial for your wedding! There are SO many reasons why:
- To make sure your skin doesn’t react poorly to the makeup
- Get to know your stylist’s personality and comfort level with your needs
- Pamper yourself before the wedding
- Excuse to get dressed up and go out to dinner that night… or stay in and just look adorable while you watch Moana
- Narrow down your inspiration photos from 67 to just a few with professional guidance
- See if a smoky eye is perfect or too dramatic for your big day
- Verify that your hair accessories (veil vs. comb, clip vs. tiara) will work well with your hair style
- Test the longevity, durability, and “pokiness” of your hair pins
- Make sure the little wisps of hair don’t tickle your neck and drive you bonkers
- Seek beauty prep tips for the weeks leading up to the wedding, since stylists always have great ideas
- Gauge if you feel better in naturally blended or wing-tipped eyeliner
- Practice NOT touching and smudging your face
- Ask if your (curly, frizzy, stick straight, thin, thick, short, or unruly) hair will work for a particular favorite style you found on Pinterest before getting your hopes up
- Test out how long that lipstick stain really lasts
- Acclimate your eyelids to the weight of false lashes
- Decide if you’re going to need bronzer or if your natural glow is sufficient
- Make sure your stylist is reliable, doesn’t cancel on you at the last minute, and can show up for the trial appointment on time
- Determine professionalism: Does he/she bring a contract to the trial, or are they unprepared?
- When the trial is over, do they offer to snap a few photos for you, or leave you awkwardly requesting this favor?
- Get pumped up for the actual day, since you can now visualize your gorgeous self
How would I know?
To be honest, I actually had to do two hair and makeup trials. The first lady seemed really nice, but rescheduled my trial three (THREE!) times. After the trial, I felt a bit like a drag queen with caked makeup and orange tinted lipstick. My eyeliner was overly dramatic, and I accidentally smudged it on the car ride home. She botched my hair, then didn’t offer to take any photos of her work. So… I didn’t realize how awful I looked until I got home and used a mirror to look at the back of my hair. Sensing my deep disappointment, my fiancé insisted that I use a different hair and makeup vendor. After agonizing for a week about how to word the “break up” email with this lady, I pulled off the Band-Aid and sent my notice that I’d be using someone else for the wedding. Fortunately, she neglected to ask for my signature on the contract I’d printed and brought with me. Her lack of professionalism served me in this singular way.
My point: If you find yourself in a similar situation, please don’t feel guilty about demanding the best. Weddings are expensive, and you deserve to have full confidence in your investment. The right vendors can make all the difference in your experience.
Lucky for you, Wild Basin Lodge has an extensive list of tried-and-true vendors. Let’s take a closer look at Bella Capelli, our preferred vendor for hair and makeup services.
The Experts
Bella Capelli is a partnership of moms who cherish the balance of family and having a successful career. The company was started by Christie Nagl many years ago, and they’ve built a stellar reputation in the industry ever since. They frequently travel to Wild Basin Lodge, so all you have to do is show up in your button down shirt or robe, and you’re set. Mimosa in hand, you can relax in our bridal suite while the ladies of Bella Capelli work their magic.
WBL: Tell us a little about the history of your business.
BC: I started doing hair 18 years ago and became a hairstylist specifically to do wedding hair. I owned a full service salon in Estes for a long time and did weddings there up until I had my first son, eight and a half years ago. At that time I closed the salon and decided to start doing only weddings so that I could focus the rest of my time on being a stay at home mom. Adrienne, who I had grown up with, and Traci, who is married to my husband’s cousin, both worked with me in my salon. When I closed the salon they continued to do weddings with me and worked other places until they too had their kids. Now they stay home with their littles and still do hair and makeup with me. Adrienne has been with me about 15 years and Traci for 13 years. Over time, my two sisters saw how wonderful it was to be able to stay home with the kids and have a job on the side so they both got certified to do makeup. Melissa has been with us for about 6 years and Julie for about 4.
There is nothing better than being able to work alongside some of your favorite people. Plus, having a job that is flexible enough to work around family schedules is amazing. All five of us truly feel blessed!
WBL: Do you have any “Pro Tips” or words of wisdom for brides as they prepare for their wedding?
BC: It is your day. Do what makes you and your fiancé happy. As far as hair and makeup go, make sure you are comfortable and feel like you. You don’t want to look back at pictures and not recognize yourself. Don’t get me wrong, everything should be a little bigger and fancier but still holding true to your style.
WBL: What is one thing that you love about your industry?
BC: We love all the joy that surrounds someone’s wedding day. It’s hard not to be happy when surrounded by happiness. We also love all the wonderful vendors we get to see and work with. We are lucky to be in this industry, in this area, with amazing people!
WBL: Do you have a personal favorite memory from your wedding day you’d like to share?
BC: I’m sure we all have our favorite memories but I have 2 personally that stand out. I love the memory of entering the church to see my super sentimental, sobbing husband waiting for me at the end of the aisle. He is just a big teddy bear and I love him! Also, my dad and I took tango lessons for the father/daughter dance and told no one. My dad is not a dancer so the reactions were priceless. That moment was really special and fun! It was such a great day and there are endless memories. Now we have been married 10 1/2 years.
Bella Capelli translates in Italian to “beautiful hair,” and the photos on their website speak for themselves. Don’t repeat my mistake of going through multiple hair and makeup trials. Save yourself the emotional stress and shoot the ladies at Bella Capelli and email as soon as possible. They are frequently fully booked 6 months or more in advance.
-A presto!
Courtney
Christie Nagl
bellacapelliweddings@gmail.com
Bellacapelliweddings.com
