Vendor Spotlight- First Look Hair and Makeup Artistry

I first met Amy and Laura when they approached us about teaming up for a styled shoot back in January, and from the start it was easy to see that their connection goes beyond just finishing each other’s sentences. During the planning for a styled shoot it usually takes quite a bit of time for all the vendors to decide which dress best suits the style they’re going for, and when multiple people are involved in the planning it can be hard for everyone to be on the same page, but that wasn’t the case with these ladies. As we discussed dress options and sorted out the details for the shoot, they seemed to know exactly what the other was thinking, and easily put together a complete look --and the shoot turned out amazing (you can take a look at the photos from the shoot here: http://www.firstlookartistry.com/blog/bridal-shoot-at-veritas-winery). I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to work with them, and I was amazed at how in tune with one another they were.

That’s why the first thing I wanted to know when we got together for this interview was how they found each other. It turns out Amy and Laura were both raised here in Charlottesville and have been inseparable since they met during high school-- they’ve been best friends for about ten years! It’s not everyday you meet a pair of long time best friends who are also amazing business partners. Though they always seem to be on the same wavelength, Amy and Laura insist they’re quite different personality wise, and they believe that’s the key to their friendship--they balance each other out perfectly.  

When I asked how their business came about Amy said she was always in love with cosmetology and fashion, and so she knew her career would revolve around that. When the opportunity presented itself she jumped at the chance to study at the Aveda Institute of Atlanta, and after doing some work in the industry realized how much she absolutely loved styling. Laura, though she always loved makeup and beauty trends, didn’t realize how passionate she was about it until a bit later. Eventually the two of them decided to team up and start a business on their own, and First Look was born.

It's no surprise that business has really taken off for Amy and Laura, and while they say it can be overwhelming at times, they are too busy having fun to let it get them. They love working with brides to create their ideal wedding day look, and they’ve developed a friendship with many of their clients. I asked what they love most about what they do, and they said nothing beats that moment when when they’re done doing hair and makeup for the bride and her bridesmaids and they realize how beautiful and happy everyone looks. They feel like they’ve done their job when the girls look in the mirror and feel really good about themselves, and they believe every bride should have that feeling on her wedding day.

Learn more about how awesome Amy and Laura are by checking out their site- http://www.firstlookartistry.com/.

Tell Me Your Love Story--Kandie and John

It’s not everyday that a trip to the grocery store leads to a life-changing event. But one particular grocery trip changed everything for Kandie Stanton.  While perusing the store, she heard a voice call her name, as she turned around she was surprised to see a classmate from high school that she had not seen in over seven years.  They chatted for a while, stood in the checkout line together, finished their conversation and she went on her way.  But he wasn’t going to let her go that easy.  He asked the cashier if he should get her number - an obvious yes, a quick jog to the parking lot, a phone number later, and the rest is history.  

John and Kandie started dating shortly after their reconnection and about a year later she found herself realizing that he was going to be the man she would one day marry.  She loved how much alike they were.  Their minds and personalities blended perfectly and she knew it was meant to be. Just like their first interaction in the grocery store a year and a half earlier, the proposal caught her off guard.  They share birthdays a day apart from each other and to celebrate her birthday they planned to spend the evening relaxing and having dinner at a local restaurant.  After they finished their meals she got up to go to the restroom and came back to find the waitress awkwardly standing by their table.  She sat back down and John asked if she wanted anything for dessert.  She refused at first but he strongly insisted they have dessert.  A few minutes later the waitress brought the dessert to their table and Kandie eyed it with some confusion.  There was something in their dessert...and it looked like a piece of jewelry.  She insisted it must have been meant for someone else and tried to send it back.  Then she looked up to see him down on one knee, proposing.  They began planning a spring wedding which led to her “by chance” visit to our store.

While walking the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville, Kandie noticed a dress in our window that caught her eye.   Though she loved it when she first tried it, she didn’t say yes just yet.  She tried it two more times before deciding it was the one.  She opted to add an additional foot of length to the train, and what a great decision that was!  When the dress arrived and Kandie put on her actual dress for the first time we were all in awe.  At her final fitting with her parents everyone was all smiles, it was perfect.  

Kandie was always so calm and collected at each of her appointments - often a rarity when you’re planning a wedding.  I asked her what advice she had for brides-to-be. She simply stated “take your time and enjoy the moment.  All that matters is that at the end of the day you’re married”.  Such a simple concept but so easy to forget while in the midst of planning a wedding.

Thank you again, Kandie, for sharing your love story with us!  We wish you and John many years of happiness!