After being a part of hundreds of weddings, plus getting married myself, I have truly seen it all! Every bride envisions a flawless big day, but the truth is it takes a good amount of pre-planning to minimize stress and prepare yourself and your crew for a near perfect day. Here are my top tips and tricks, from a makeup artist’s perspective, to ensure a smooth, almost stress free day where you look and feel your most gorgeous!
LEADING UP TO THE DAY
2 months out- try Rapid lash or another lash growth serum to maximize the length and fullness of your lashes! (unless you’ll have lash extensions.)
1 month out- stop trying any new facial products! You don’t want to give your skin any excuses to freak out.
Drink a ton of water the week prior to your wedding, I’m talking at least a half gallon to a gallon daily. This will help the appearance of your skin to be plump, hydrated and clear. And it will help you feel really good!
Moisturize your face nightly, and no matter what, wash your face and moisturize after your rehearsal dinner! If you can limit your drinking the night before, your skin and body will thank you on your wedding morning. Spend an hour before bed (or morning of) in a sheet mask that you’ve used before for supple silky smooth skin! This is my all-time favorite sheet mask, a little pricey but worth every penny.
Do designate a bridesmaid to be in charge of your touch-ups during the evening! Tell them to find you for touch-ups after the ceremony & after dinner, or whenever they see you might need some lipstick or a bobby pin. Let them know - and don’t feel bad about this - that they shouldn’t wait for you to ask for a touch up. Choose a detail oriented BM who will take initiative and come to you so that you have one less thing to worry about!
Try on your exact undergarments and shape wear with the dress after the final alteration to make sure everything looks the way you want it to and that nothing is showing that shouldn’t be showing!
Share the entire day-of schedule with bridesmaids a week or two before so they are in the know. Make sure this schedule includes Hair, makeup, photos, ceremony time, and where you need them to be for each part of the day.
THE BIG DAY
Do go to the bathroom directly before putting on your dress.
Do ask bridesmaids to pop champagne far away from your dress and shoes. Don’t have dark colored beverages in the room, or snacks that can make a big mess like chips and salsa.
Do NOT touch your face once makeup is done. If you do, it will make it’s way from your hands to your dress! Your makeup artist should set everything with powder and setting spray, but the dress is still white :) Also, not touching your face helps the makeup to last as long as possible!
Have a BM bring a hotel towel for you to sit on if you are getting into a car to get to your ceremony location. You don’t want to take any chances of sitting in something on a seat!
DAY-OF SCHEDULING
Delegate (the day before) to have someone figure out lunch delivery for you and whoever is getting ready with you so you aren’t scrambling to find something to eat while trying to get ready. You’ve heard it a MILLION times- but make sure you eat something before heading out!
Can’t stress this enough: leave extra time! Time FLIES like crazy on the wedding day. Encourage bridesmaids to be early for their hair and makeup appointments, (or just ask them all to arrive at the same time in the AM) so hair and makeup can start early on the next person whenever they can. In the schedule, leave at least a half hour at the end where everyone is finished and can help you with whatever you need.
For bridal makeup, I’ve found the sweet spot to be the second to last time slot. This way, your makeup is fresh, but you still have another hour or so for a hair touch-up, putting on your dress, jewelry, shoes, veil, any body makeup/shimmer that you might want, and get out the door un-rushed.
Once all this planning is done, you will be so happy that you’ve taken the steps to giving yourself a well thought out day so that you can relax, take it all in, and be that easy breezy, calm and happy bride we all hope to be!
Xoxo,
Joelle of Dreamcatcher Artistry