Every bride wants to look fantastically gorgeous on their wedding day and almost every bride, has a budget. Often, brides feel it’s a no brainer to cut out hiring a professional to do her hair and makeup, skimp out on wearing jewelry (other than the ring) or create their own bouquet or not have one, especially for bridal photos.
The mentality is “I’ve been doing my own make up since I was 12, I can do it on my wedding day, and save money” With so many brides opting to take this route, as a planner, I felt it my responsibility to share what I see as a result of brides doing their own hair and makeup on a wedding day and offer four things to compliment and complete your wedding day bridal style.
Here are two “before” photos of two brides. This is them without makeup, hair done, or jewelry. (All before photos were taken by a non professional to show you the difference in not only the DIY hair and make-up, but also DIY photos).
Here are DIY photos (not taken by us) of how the brides have done their own hair and makeup on their wedding day. They look great but notice how the look feels plain and incomplete because the makeup is everyday styled, as with the hair and there are no jewelry accents.
Here are those same two brides with professionally done hair, makeup photos and jewelry additions. What a difference!
As you can see, the difference is huge! Both brides are beautiful but with the magic of a professional, and a few accessories, they change from gorgeous girl to super model bride!
So with those photos in mind, (and you should always keep your photos in mind because they will remain after the day is done and over) here are the four things to help you look your very best on your big day.
1. Hire a professional to do your hair. A professional hair stylist knows how to keep your hair looking great, and staying in place for your wedding day and bridal photos. They also can suggest styles that work best for your face shape and hair texture, something that maybe you hadn’t considered. Whenever I have my hair professionally styled, I always feel like such a rock star, and I can never pull off that style when I try on my own, so another great reason to hire a pro is their work induces a confidence that you may not have otherwise on your big day. You want to look spectacular and you want to know it!
2. Hire a professional makeup artist. This professional can bring out your best features; hide minor flaws and having you walking out the door looking like a super model! Many makeup artists offer color and test run consults to show you how you would look on your special day. Makeup artists also take into consideration if your wedding is outdoors or inside. Makeup for outdoors sometimes needs to be a bit darker so your features don’t get lost in the sun and in photos. A professional also uses makeup such as primer, which allows your make up to last all day and night long, without having to re-apply. A professional also doesn’t cake on the makeup… you leave feeling as though your face is make-up free but you look prettier than ever.
3. Find the perfect jewelry. Simple but lovely jewelry can complete your bridal look without going over the top. Depending on your dress neckline, you may not need a necklace but earrings and a bracelet are just right to complete you look. Or maybe a simple statement necklace is the way to go. Always take into consideration that you do not have to be covered in jewelry or have super dramatic makeup to look great. Some jewelry stores have employees who are fantastic at helping you find just what you are looking for. You can go in with a photo of you in your dress and they’ll be able to help you decide which jewelry to use (necklace, earrings, bracelets, hair pieces, etc…) and find jewelry pieces that will compliment your skin tone and wedding colors.
4. Don’t forget the bouquet! Colorful flowers can add that perfect pop of color that brings out your eyes or the faint green in your hand picked jewelry. Hire a professional florist to do your bouquet and for your bridals, be sure to have a bouquet that is the same size as the one you will have on your special day. You don’t want to remember how the Costco flowers you put together died halfway through your photos and wedding or how you had a small bouquet in photos but your actual wedding day bouquet was twice the size. Your bridals bouquet that is most photographed and ten years down the road, you will remember this bouquet.
I’ve worked with too many brides, where we’ve focused on creating a fantastic wedding only to have the bride arrive not looking her best or having bridal photos she doesn’t like because she looks plain. My job as a planner is to help you along your wedding planning process and part of that includes helping everything look perfect, including you! So I hope you are inspired and happy planning!
-Written for our blog by Taylor of Taylor-Made Weddings and Events
Special thank you to our vendors:
Style, design and coordination by Taylor-Made Weddings and Events
Flowers by Bloomers
Jewelry from JK Jewelers
Dresses from Lauren James Bridal
Hair by Legends Salon
Make-up by Beauty-N-Brows
Professional Photos by Photo Love Stories
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