Wedding Beauty
Since launching Style Me Pretty over a year ago, I have received a ton of emails about my own wedding day hair and make-up. And, believe it or not, this is only the second time that I have written about the topic! So, today, I wanted to tackle all things beauty. Starting with these gorgeous images from MakeupNV, one of our Little Black Book beauty members…
To hire a make-up artist or not is a big question. It’s an expense that is often difficult to justify. And yet, I have to say…my make-up artist, my hair stylist and of course my pretty dress were the reasons that I felt as beautiful as I did on my wedding day. There is something special about someone coming in to help transform your look…from you, into your BEST you…that just makes you feel like a princess.
So, I am curious, how many of you guys are planning on hiring someone to do your hair and make-up? Bringing a friend in to help out? Doing it yourself?
We have more to come on this subject so definitely stay tuned!
I totally agree with you. But I also think having a trial session with your artist is important too.
I have been an avid reader of yours since before I got engaged in November. My wedding is soon approaching July 25th!! I have found much inspiration from the boards and various topics you post. My fiances brother got married last summer and their mom went with his wife when she got her hair and everything done. She had a great time as did all the bridesmaids. When we started discussing my wedding day beauty plan she handed me a packet to fill out. As a gift to me and my bridesmaids she has been working the past couple months saving up so she could treat us all to having our hair and nails done. In addition to that she purchased a brides day package that includes a massage, practice sessions, make up, manicure, pedicure, and hair. I am so excited to have all of this done, and my bridesmaids are thrilled to receive this wonderful gift as well. I have an amazing soon to be mother in law, she has the biggest heart and is just constantly giving.
my hands start to shake and i tear up just thinking about my wedding day! i am so emotional there is NO WAY i would even consider doing my own makeup, even though i consider myself a pro at it! i think i will just be so completely wrapped up in the day that it will really be beneficial to have some one else take on that particular task. i do agree however, that a trial or even multiple trials are needed to achieve the perfect look, also... they put you at ease.
I hesitated to hire a hair & makeup artist for my wedding, as our remote location necessitated a fairly hefty travel fee in addition to the regular fee. However, I decided to go for it, and it turned out to be worth every penny and then some! This has been said many times, but it's very true and important - even if you are comfortable with your own makeup skills, doing makeup for photography is a completely different animal. And I really wanted to have an updo, which definitely required a professional. Plus, it's a special day, and it felt really special to just sit there chatting with my best friend while someone else did all the work! I would recommend it to every bride.
I will not be spending the extra money on hair and makeup. I plan on doing everything myself, especially since we have a tight budget-- (under $6,000 tight). Our wedding day is going to be very intimate, casual, and low key so I don't want to feel beauty pageant overdone. I prefer the natural look, and I have gotten very good at applying my makeup to look like I'm not wearing any... I will be doing up my eyes a little more for the wedding photography though.
My hair is naturally wavy so I'll either be wearing it half down with pretty barrettes or a loose updo.
From a photography point of view, a professional make-up artist is ideal. Skin tones can be evened out and balanced so that they appear more vibrant and radiant on film. Professional make-up artists are aware of this and can adjust their approach accordingly. The make-up I prefer is not overstated and it appears very natural. Sometimes brides or well intentioned friends can overdo it (the hair and the make-up) with all the excitement and nerves of getting married I think its a good idea to leave as much to a the professionals as possible. The last thing you want is to be sweaty or have running mascara in your photos. Plus, the photos of you getting your star treatment .
Peace,
Parris Whittingham
I'm so very lucky that my sister (chief Bridal Babe) is an incredibly talented hairdresser and makeup artist. Which makes me extremely happy because after all, she got the hair and makeup genes...I never wear makeup and only learnt to do my parting at age 15!!!
Oh, wow! That make-up is all beautiful! I think that if I end up hiring a make-up artist depends on how much room we have left in our budget once all of the major vendors are taken care of. But I'll definitely have my hair done professionally- I've got too much of it & am sorely lacking the hair skills!
I have had several brides say that they don't want to hire a makeup artist for them or their bridesmaids. The problem is that number one: it just causes more stress because everyone is running around trying to do their own hair and makeup and the day is suppose to be relaxing and fun. Number two: there is always a huge difference in photos when someone doesn't have it professionally done and someone who does. At one wedding we coordinated, all except one bridesmaid had the makeup artist do their makeup and then in the photos, the one who didn't have it professionally done stood out. I try to have the brides find a way to fit it into their budget. But please make sure you get a trial run before the wedding day. Especially if the makeup artist or hair stylist have not done your makeup or hair before:)
my humble opinion...Makeup is essential for a 'finished' look. The bride should always have professional makeup and hair-- IF and only IF she likes the look they've created---so get a trial run. As a wedding photographer, I find it amazing what a great make-up artist and stylist can do. I stress to my brides that even if you"never wear any makeup" or even if you don't own any makeup, find someone to create a flattering natural look for you. It makes a huge difference in the photos. Also for Pete's sake, don't wear makeup that is so dramatic your family won't recognize you. Discuss with your artist a look that reflects your personal style and compliments your dress. SIDE NOTE: if you are one of those gals that has 100 makeup brushes and knows the name to every MAC eye shadow in the world, you may want to go ahead and do your own makeup; however, it's a rare woman who can do 'better' makeup than a pro, but it's important to LIKE the final product.
I'm getting married in late June and am having a makeup artist and stylist. It did hurt the budget to do this, but I think it will make a big difference in photos. I don't usually do much with my hair and almost never wear makeup, so for my trial run I didn't know how to describe the look I wanted and couldn't give much feedback. Luckily she's a great artist and we were able to figure out a nice look, but for those getting a trial run, also bring lots of pictures (bridal magazines are a great source) of bridal looks that you like, especially if you don't wear makeup often. Thanks so much for posting inspiration for makeup. :)
I am getting married in October! There was no question about it...I really wanted to feel pampered on my wedding day. My salon is closing the salon for that Saturday so all my wedding party and our moms and grandmothers could enjoy getting their hair done has well. I have a makeup artist coming in to do our makeup..which is nice so I don't have to travel across town to get it done. I think getting your hair and makeup done is just icing on the cake! :) Thank you for posting different looks. I would love to see some different bridal hair styles. I love your hair for your wedding!
perfect timing for me. i just had a friend do a trial and i thought i liked it in person but when i looked at pictures later... HATED it.
i think now i want someone professional so i feel confident and not stressed about it.
my other BIGGEST struggle is hair up or down. i always thought down, but lately i'm thinking up. How do you decide what would look best with the dress and on you?
My wedding is Spet 20th, 2008 and a professional artist will complete hair and makeup for my bridesmaids, the moms and myself at my house. I could never imagine doing my own makeup. First because I do not usually wear much makeup and second because I will probably be too nervous to do it. So my advice to other brides would be to include it on the budget so make sure there is money for it!
I was married just a week-end ago (weee!) and chose to have my hair done, but not my make-up.
As I was preparing for my wedding, I looked back at pictures of myself during important events - proms and graduations and such - and the ones I loved most were those where I'd done the makeup myself. I don't regret it at all - the end result was very good, very photogenic, and it will age gracefully.
I know I'm definitely having my hair professionally done - I'm wearing an updo and I know I wouldn't be able to replicate the look I want by myself. I'm not sure on the makeup yet, though. I'm one of those make-up obsessed girls and am quite crafty with it. That being said, I'm not a professional, and it will be my wedding day. It will probably come down to the budget.
One thing I have considered is going to a place like Sephora and having it done, and then replicating the look myself on the big day.
I think it is very necessary to have at least make-up done. Make-s such a difference in photos ecspecially. I am recently engaged, and also a hair and make-up artist.. so my wonder is- do I do my own and know I will be in my own good hands, or do I hire someone else so I can feel pampered on the day of? My wedding budget is very small, so I could use the savings.. I just can't help but think of how relaxed my Brides are when they are getting their make-up done by someone else.