White girl with dreads on her wedding day! AHHHHHH What do I do?

Ok you have a year to grow it out?

Yeah a year. it will be soooooooo short

should i leave the dreads?

I would use the product, grow it out as much as I can. And maybe get extensions before the wedding. Good Luck!

Why do you have dreadlocks? Is it just a fashion statement? Do they mean anything to you, beyond the visual?

Oh, by the way. It is a myth that they cannot be combed out. It takes patience that most do not have, but it can be done.

Get the advice of a hair stylist---ive seen some really sharp looking locked dreads that we over 5 yrs old--the md i work with has blonde dreads for 9 yrs and she has them tapered and slightly oiled/moisterized and styled...their beautiful..even wears updos!

This is how my dreads look in a French twist. Dreads are a lifestyle, not a hirstyle. i just had no idea that i would be getting married so soon after i decided to get em done. After years of thought i had them done and i love them, for the most part. I go through withdrawls of my long soft locks especially since this wedding came into the picture.

Cut it and get extensions

What about dread extensions. making them longer so i can do more with em?

If the dreads are a lifestyle, why are you wanting to remove them for your wedding? all the people i know who loc their hair wear their it that way wherever they go. there's no occasion that calls for them to be "removed".

Http://offbeatbride.com/2008/06/dreadlock-style

If the dreads mean anything to you, then just work around them. Just like having short hair, or being a certain size, or what have you, our future spouses fell in love with us because of who we are, not because they expect us to turn into cookie cutters by the time of the wedding. If you wanted to get rid of them anyway, then I think asap would be best to give you growing time, or try to comb them out.

Im just going back and forth on how to style them so that they will be formal and go with both of my gowns. it is a recent change and as with every major hair change it takes some time to get used to it. Any suggestions on how to make em look gorgeous on my big day then?

Keep ur dreads...he loves u with them right...just go to a salon and let them play around with some nice styles..p/u a style mag too..they help.

I would definitely cut your hair and then do hair extentions, salons can do wonders with short hair I mean look at celebrities, one day your Halle Berry from Swordfish and the next day your are Halle Berry from Catwoman! It will cost you a pretty penny, but it will be worth it for your wedding. I do recommending cutting them for the wedding though and not styling them, just because your pictures may look dated in 20 years, hope that helps, good luck

Oh and shout outs to another May 2011 bride

As a person who has had locked hair for over 10 years, I say that you should find a great lock-tician (sp?) and do a LOT of hairstyle trials. This is a lifestyle choice for me, too. I've never thought about cutting my hair, especially for one day. Depending on where you live there could be lots of people who specialize in locked hair.

I've done a lot of trials so far (and they all sucked, so no pics that I would EVER post :-) and noticed that I like the styles that are similar to how I normally wear my hair.

I think there are lots of beautiful dreaded styles.. It is up to you. Are you feeling pressure to be more traditional? If that's the problem, just ignore it and be yourself. Definitely check offbeatbride for some ideas on cool dreaded looks. I never had the guts to dread my hair but I think they are rad.

Here's an article about dread extensions.

http://offbeatbride.com/2008/03/dread-extension-advice-for-brides

Ladylee read my mind (as usual) as a woman with natural hair that has had locs I would NEVER think to cut my locs or perm my natural kinky hair for my wedding (or any other event for that matter). I mean if they are your lifestyle there should be no reason to cut them. There are many beautiful wedding styles you can do with loced hair! Go to an African American salon and have them do maintenance on your locs and try out a few styles I guarantee you will find something you love.

If it's any help, your hair looked beautiful in your picture pre-dreadlocks. Not to say dreads aren't cool. I agree with the other ladies thought, if they mean that much to you, you'll find a way to make them work.