Page 36 - South Mississippi Living - February, 2017

ROMANCE & WEDDING father knows best
special occasion for father and daughter
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Chuck Kelly
The marriage of a daughter
is emotional for any father, but for Chuck Kelly and his daughter Claire, the experience had an added twist.
Over the years, Chuck Kelly, owner of Chuck Kelly Salon and Spa in Gulfport, has played an important role in Claire’s life, supporting her ventures and styling her hair for life’s big events. “Claire has always been very relaxed and laid back about her
hair for special occasions,” said Kelly. “We have had
lots of laughs about it, with many failed first attempts at hairstyles for Cotillion Spring Balls, bridesmaid’s
emotional few hours before the wedding.”
Claire and Samuel married locally at her mother’s home in Gulfport prior to traveling to Bora Bora to celebrate together as a couple. “Given the private and small nature
of her ceremony here, which was required as a wedding in French Polynesia isn’t binding in Mississippi, understandably the hairstyle was casual and not put up,” said Kelly. “The
hair and more, but we always managed to pull it off.”
“the feelings
experienced on the day one gives away his daughter feel comparable only to the day she came into the world”
stylist in Bora Bora also did an excellent job with Claire’s hair for the ‘ceremonial’ ceremony. It was beautiful and very appropriate for the surroundings.”
All fathers think ahead to their daughter’s wedding
Of course, when
his daughter
married Samuel
Lamar at the end
of last year, Kelly
was by her side.
“Doing my daughter’s hair for her wedding was actually a diversion in some ways from the emotions that were welling up in the hours before the ceremony,” Kelly said. “As any father of the bride can attest, the feelings experienced on
day, but Kelly has always kept his special role in Claire’s
big day in mind. “When imagining that day I always saw myself being involved in doing her hair. Anyone who knows me is aware that I am very emotional, so tears were inevitable and not a surprise to those present. Fathers can’t help but feel they are losing their place a bit, which is the way it should be I suppose, but knowing what a great choice Claire made in Samuel Lamar made the day easier indeed.”
the day one gives away his daughter feel comparable only to the day she came into the world. Although it was never a question as to who would style her hair, as I now reflect on having done it, it occurs to me that it helped me through what otherwise would have been an
Chuck Kelly Salon & Spa | 360 Courthouse Road, Gulfport | 228.896.0800
36 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • February 2017 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net