On a wedding morning the bride is the centre of everything, but the bridal party is usually most of my chairs. Bridesmaids, mums, sisters, a grandma who has never worn lashes in her life: getting everyone ready, happy and on time is half of my job.
Here is how I plan it.
One look, not one face
Most brides want the bridesmaids to look like a group in the photos. That does not mean the same makeup on every face. It means a shared mood, usually soft and glowing, adapted to each skin tone, eye shape and comfort level.
- Agree a feel rather than a formula: soft and natural, soft glam, or a little more.
- Decide whether lips should match. A shared lip shade ties a group together in photographs more than anything else.
- Think about the dress colour. Champagne, sage or dusky pink all suit slightly different tones on the cheeks and lips.
- Let everyone have a say about their own face. A bridesmaid who feels like herself smiles better in every photo.
Lashes are part of every application I do for a bridal party, and each person can choose strip, corner or individual lashes, or none at all.
The order of the morning
Once I know how many faces there are and the time you need to be ready by, I plan the order so everyone finishes together. Tell me about anyone who needs to leave early, anyone who is nervous about makeup, and when the photographer arrives. Your hair stylist's timings matter too, so share them with me. I am makeup only, so I work around whoever is doing hair.
When a second artist joins
Above five faces, a second artist joins me so the morning stays calm and nobody is rushed. You can see it above: two chairs going at once in one bright room on a September morning. Numbers can change until two weeks before the day, so you do not have to know about every cousin when you first enquire.
Small things that make a big difference
- Wear a button-up top. Pulling a jumper over your head after makeup is how mascara ends up on collars.
- Eat breakfast. Makeup is easier on a bridal party that is not running on prosecco alone.
- Come with clean, moisturised skin and no makeup if you can.
- Tell me about allergies or sensitive skin before the day, not in the chair.
Then comes the bit everyone remembers: the bride walks in, and the bouquets go up.
You can see what is included for your bridal party on the bridal page. If you are planning a bigger party, send me your date and numbers and I will plan the morning with you.