Newlywed Chop

After a wedding, many new wives opt for a "newlywed chop" - hacking off the hair we so patiently grew for our wedding day. I couldn't wait to get mine cut! I actually wanted to delay the honeymoon a day to get it chopped, but had to wait until we got back.

A few years ago, I said off the cuff that I wouldn't cut my hair until we got married. Jokes ensued about changing my name to Rapunzel. But I actually stuck with it - mostly because I had no idea what sort of style I wanted. I tried adorable blunt bangs for our engagement photos (and I was tired of the comparisons drawn between me and Bella on the Twilight poster... I had this hair first!), and loved my bangs - but had to grow them out for the actual wedding. It turns out, I grew it too long. My stylist had to hide and tuck hair every which way, but my wedding day hair turned out amazing. Back in January, about a week after we got engaged, I tore a photo out of one of my magazines and held onto it, knowing the day would come when I could get rid of the long locks.

Not that long hair isn't beautiful - mine was gorgeous, when I did it. Therein lies the catch. I never wanted to do it. Long hair is a PITA - it takes lots of work. And it gets caught in EVERYTHING! I can't tell you the number of times I woke up in the middle of the night because it was caught under my arm or DH had rolled over onto it. My hair also grows very fast - by cutting it off now, it would be long again for the summer.

So - I present to you - my newlywed chop! Easy and stylish!

BEFORE

AFTER

My stylist cut about 10 inches total off, 9 of which will be donated to Locks for Love, an organization that makes wigs for children with cancer. You're supposed to donate 10 inches minimum, but I wanted a longer bob. They can still sell the hair to help offset manufacturing costs - so I like to think I'm still helping :)