I’m sure you’ve already heard, your wedding day will pass you by in a flash. With all the celebrations, bubbles and emotions it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the final few weeks and especially on the day itself. However, it’s also the time when some of your well though-out plans may be forgotten and result in a couple of post wedding regrets.
So, with that in mind, here are my top tips for the day.
Darren Byrne Photography and Film
1. Emergency kits
If your doing baskets for the venues bathroom, keep some little bits with you that morning in case of emergency. The most looked for items are: safety pins, needle and thread, nail polish remover, plasters, baby wipes, scissors, cotton buds, paracetamol, antihistamines, tampons, fashion/boob tape and nail files.
In addition to the above, have some club soda and/or white chalk nearby incase god forbid you get a mark on your dress.
2. Phone
Give your phone to a bridesmaid to take pictures for you. It means youll have some photos on your phone the next day to look through and you won’t be dependent on everyone to send you some.
3. Shoes
Break-In Your Shoes Before the Big Day or choose comfortable shoes! If your shoes are uncomfortable, your wedding could be a real pain—and I mean that literally—making it tough to think about anything other than your aching feet. So be wise, wear them around the house for a few days beforehand or buy shoes that you know wont mow the feet off you!
Darren Byrne Photography and Film
4. Lipstick
Give your lipstick/lipgloss to your groom to mind for you in his jacket pocket rather than in your handbag. Chances are, you wont have your bag with you and youll most likely be with your groom as opposed to the bridesmaids so for topping up, the lipstick will always be to hand!
5. Eat
A wedding day is a very long day and you don’t want your growling stomach to steal the show. Start the day with a good breakfast, and take a short break before you put on your dress to grab something small to keep you going till dinner time. If you can, have breakfast delivered to the house instead of cooking and avoid having the smell of fried food lingering.
6. Messages
You will get 60 million texts, WhatsApps, messages etc that morning, wait until the following day or 2 to read them so you can properly take in the well wishes people are sending you and send personal replies as opposed to a quick generic “thank you” . Reading them on the morning only means they’ll be forgotten about with everything else thats going on.
7. Photos
Make a list of the people that you know you definitely want photographs with such as grandparents, godparents, best friends, aunts, uncles, cousins etc etc. Your photographer knows the usual, parents, siblings etc and will automatically capture these but trust me on the day you won’t remember the other pics you want until its too late.
In addition to the above, put a bridesmaid, groomsman, brother or sister in charge of gathering the people that you want for your photos. Your photographer wont know who aunty Mary or uncle Paddy are so to save time, allocate this job to someone who knows most of your guests.
8. Time
Yes, this is an important one to get right, choosing the right ceremony time is setting your wedding day schedule up for success. You don’t want to choose a ceremony time of 2pm in December as available daylight for location photos would become an issue at 4:30pm. Liase closely with your suppliers before choosing your ceremony time and go with what works best for everyone.
9. Little things
Don’t stress about the little things because in the end they don’t matter and people won’t notice. You are the only person who will be looking at everything really closely. Everyone else will be enjoying themselves way to much to notice.
10. Stay calm
Focus on staying calm. Let go and let everyone do their job! Its very tempting to constantly check in with people to make sure they are doing what they need to but honestly, if you’ve chosen good suppliers theyll know what needs to be done and when so, sit back, relax and allow them to do what they do best.
Darren Byrne Photography and Film
11. Do what’s right for you!
Remember that it’s your day so stay true to what you and your fiancé want. Many people will give you advice on everything … listen and smile but in the end, do what’s right for you (but at the same time, be open to what others say, as you might actually like their ideas/perspective.)
12. Take Time for Yourselves
Some couples barely get to make eye contact until their first dance, and even then it’s with the eyes of all your guests upon you. With this in mind, try to take some time out together to let everything sink in. After all, you’ve just gotten married! As part of your wedding day schedule try to factor in some time for just the two of you – whether it’s driving between the church and reception, a moment of down-time between photos or a quick stroll after dinner.
And finally… ENJOY!! Most important of all, make sure you enjoy the day. Dance, drink, eat and be merry. Relax, breathe and take it all in. You have worked so incredibly hard to make this the best day of your life, so sit back and revel in what you have accomplished!
Who says you have to wait until the reception to start the party?
When the champagne is flowing and hair and make-up is underway, there can be no better way to fuel the celebrations than a feel-good playlist featuring the best pre-wedding anthems.
Upbeat and uplifting, your chosen music should psych you up for the ceremony and quash nerves in an instant by allowing you to let loose and have fun with the best gal pals a girl could ask for.
Check out our wedding morning playlist that we’ve created for all you fabulous brides to be. Featuring both old favorites and new hits, its sure to set the tone for the day and promises to get your “I do crew” pumped for the main event 😎❤️
It’s such an honour to be asked to be someone’s bridesmaid. You’ll be bursting with excitement and ready to talk all things weddings at the drop of the hat.
But if you’re a first-time bridesmaid, it can also be a bit nerve-wracking. It’s only natural that you want to help make sure the brides wedding day as brilliant as can be, and that all begins with being a good bridesmaid yourself. Here’s some top tips on how to be just that 😊
Be there to listen.
Wedding planning brings all sorts of stresses especially these days, so you need to be the calm in the midst of the madness. Be the bride’s confidante, let her vent if she needs to and try to help her see the fun side if she’s starting to get overwhelmed
Help her find her frock
More and more brides are opting to keep their dresses a secret from everyone so she can do a big reveal on the day.
But if not, part of your job will be to help her find her dream dress. This is an exciting part of planning but with so many dresses to choose from, it can also get a bit overwhelming. Be honest with the bride if theres a dress that you genuinely think doesn’t suit her but rather than be completely negative, turn it into a positive by suggesting alternatives that you know are more flattering and show off her best features. At the end of the day however, its the brides decision and if she absolutely falls in love with a dress then support her 100%.
Be honest about your dress (within reason)
At the end of the day all brides have a look in mind for their bridal party so please try accommodate her wishes as much as you possibly can. However, uncomfortable bridesmaids do not make for happy photographs so if theres something that you know you just cant wear then say it. The mix and match bridesmaids look is really popular at the moment and might be the way to go if you can’t decide on dresses that everyone likes.
DO NOT fight with other bridesmaids
You’re a team, so make sure you act like it! Your number 1 priorty is to support the bride so regardless of differences of opinions put on a united front.
Help the bride
Don’t just say, “Call me if you need a hand!” If you know something needs to be done then offer to take that specific task off her hands. Asking for help can be difficult for some brides, so if you take the lead, it removes one more thing from her to-do list.
Plan the Best Hen Party EVER!
Every bride deserves an amazing hen party but be sure to organise something that you know the bride will enjoy. It can be a tricky to navigate but ask her upfront if theres something that she definitely doesnt want and go from there. Remember that her Mum and possibly the Grooms Mum might be there so keep the really embarrassing stories to a minimum.
Missing guests
This is especially lovely at the moment with so few guests allowed…
Organise messages from friends and family who are unable to attend the wedding. Be it in the form of emails that can be read out during the speeches or maybe get the guests to send a photo of themselves with a message written on the back. The bride and groom will absolutely love it!
Dress fittings
Its also a good idea to be there for the brides fittings if possible. Some dresses can be tricky to close so learn how to help her into it. And pay special attention on how to tie up the bustle, if there is one.
On the day
Fingers crossed everything runs smoothly on the day itself , but it’s always possible that a couple of things might go wrong, if possible try and resolve any issues without telling the bride. She doesn’t need to know about little things that can easily be fixed.
The morning of the wedding is going to be a full of excitement and it can be easy to fall behind, so make sure to keep things moving. The makeup artist and hairstylist will most likely have given a rota so give everyone their time slots and avoid confusion, drama or delays.
Keep an eye on the brides makeup and lipstick all day. It’s up to you to let the bride know if she’s got lipstick on her teeth, mascara smudged under her eyes or if she’s looking a wee bit shiney. The makeup artist will have recommended products for top ups so make the bride has them with her.
Have an emergency kit ready to go on the day full of safety pins, needle & thread, tissues, mints, plasters etc Believe me, you’ll be glad of it.
Stay close by for photos. Not only will you be needed for bridal party shots, the bride might need help adjusting her dress or someone to hold her bouquet! You’re also probably going to need to help round up guests for the various group pics.
Depending on the brides dress, she might need help going to the loo and if thats the case then your on bathroom duty for the day!
Finally, be first on the dance floor (after the bride & groom of course) and encourage others to keep it filled for the night!
There’s a lot of pressure when it comes to getting married and wanting to look ‘perfect’ in your wedding dress. You might be thinking of getting a tan before your big day; whether it’s a spray tan or a DIY tan. Either way, wedding tan needs to be perfect – that means no streaks and definitely no orange hue. So, whether you’re a pro or a first timer, caution should be taken to avoid disasters
Firstly…
Sunbeds are never, ever, worth it. Please don’t jeopardise your health for the sake of aesthetics. Especially when faking it is so easy these days. Remember also, sunbeds will dry your skin out and one too many sessions on the beds will age your skin and undo all your other work to have your skin looking amazing .
Always have a trial run…
Never ever book in for a spray tan for your wedding without giving it a go before the big day.
Do you really want to wake up on the morning of the wedding to see a disaster?! No thank you! Tan takes differently on everyone so try it out before hand”
Remember, it takes a good fortnight to completely rid your skin of a spray tan, so you’ll need to allow time for trials if your planning on trying out a few different brands.
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!!!
Prep for your tan like an absolute pro!!
Perfect your canvas before you apply any colour as it will make your tan look more alive and not so flat. Invest in a body brush and some gentle exfoliating products. Use both twice a week to clear away dead skin cells.
Remove any unwanted hair and do final exfoliation 24 hours before you tan.
Speak to your makeup artist…
Does he/she want you to have your face tanned? Do they want you to come tanned to your makeup trial? Personally I dont like my brides to have tan on their face. I find it dries the skin out too much and can sometimes look patchy. I always suggest having tan on for the trial, this gives a better indication of the finished look.
Leave it to the professionals…
If you can, have your tan professionally applied
“I would heavily suggest steering away from DIY tans before your wedding. You want to feel your absolute best on your wedding day, so I would put your trust into someone who is trained and knows what they’re doing.”
If doing it yourself, dont get in a sweat over it – just pay extra attention. Especially around the hand area.
Getting a streak-free finish on the hands is notoriously tricky but using a good handcream in the days leading up to tanning will help keep the skin moisturised. Buffing your tan in using a foundation brush will keep it natural and avoid gathering around the knuckles.
Be realistic with your colour…
Dont go too dark for your natural skin tone or it just wont look right. Especially against a white/ivory dress. 1 or 2 shades darker than your own skin tone is perfect.
Tan time…
Wear loose clothing (no bras, jeans, tight socks or anything else that’ll leave a mark on your skin) and dont forget to bring flip flops. When leaving the salon, be aware of the weather and avoid rain at all costs. If you’re travelling by car, put a towel between your shoulder and the seatbelt to avoid marks.
The final countdown…
For the last few weeks before your wedding, I highly recommend to stop using developing tans – you’ll want to spend these few weeks focusing on prepping your skin, exfoliating and moisturising. Aim to have your wedding tan applied 2/3 days before the big day. Lets say your wedding is Saturday, get the spray Thursday evening. Shower Friday morning, apply a good layer of hydrating (but oil-free) moisturiser and wear loose-fitting clothes if possible. Avoid using a loofa in the shower – simply wash with your hands and some shower gel.
Some tans I find beautiful for bridal are:
Vita Liberate – really good for fair/medium skin tone
St Tropez – Has a lovely olive glow for Medium /Dark skin tones
Bellamienta or Dripping Gold – Both really rich tans, perfect for Darker skin tones.
Vita Liberate body blur is beautiful as a tan topper if you find your tan is a wee bit flat
Tan really is a personal choice and what looks beautiful on one person might not look the same on you.
For me, I find that tan doesn’t seem to come up very well on my legs. My skin would be quite dry and dehydrated so I really need to focus on getting as much moisture onto them in the weeks before an occasion. Even after all the prep tan will be quite faint so I find a coat of instant tan on top will match them to the rest of my body. This is especially good if you have veins that need disguising too.
Congratulations if you’ve just gotten engaged!! Its such a special time but it can be a crazy time and one which can be quite daunting for a lot of couples. Try not to over complicate things, make a list of whats most important to you and base everything else around that. Some weddings are organised over a 2/3 year time frame, some in just 6 months or less even! The big thing to remember is that its your day so do it your way!!
Photo Credit Darren Byrne Photography and Film
So your engaged , what happens now?
First & foremost… Set up a Pinterest account!!! No wedding is complete without 50million different wedding boards with pins of dresses, flowers, table settings, favours etc etc all of which are most likely way out of budget but they are dreamy to look at so get pinning!! 😅❤️
Speaking of budget… This is something you need to set from the off. Be realistic, how much can you really afford to save each month? Remember you still have to eat, pay bills etc so don’t overstretch yourselves.
Think about whether you’d like a Church or Civil ceremony. Civil ceremonies are definitely on the increase and people say they love how personal they can be. That being said, we are so lucky to have some of the most beautiful churches on our little island so it really comes down to personal preference.
Time to set your date! Do you like the idea of a summer wedding or have you always dreamt of being a Christmas bride/groom? Being in Ireland, a summer wedding doesn’t always guarantee you good weather so don’t let that sway your choice, regardless of what date you do choose, your day is gona be epic!!
Start venue shopping!! We are absolutely spoiled for choice with some of the most incredible venues dotted all across the country. Would you like a big lavish hotel, smaller intimate country house or is a garden marquee more your style? Either way, you have endless options to choose from so have fun browsing!
Put some thought into who you’d like to have by your side when you say I do! Brothers, sisters, best friends, cousins… it doesnt matter who they are, if your close to them and you know theyll be a great source of support then pop the question and ask them to be part of your bridal party!
Boyne Hill House, Navan. Photo credit – Darren Byrne Photography and FIlm
Lock in those suppliers!
Once your date is set & venue booked start doing some research into different suppliers. Bands and photographers tend to be the main things booked first with hair, makeup, music etc coming in next but to be honest, its never too early to book any of your suppliers.
Some of my favourite Key suppliers are:
Band/Dj – Men in Black – www.meninblack.ie
Photo – Darren Byrne Photography and Film – www.dbphotos.ie
Now for the fun part!! Dress shopping!! 👗 Make a list of 3 or 4 bridal boutiques that you’d like to visit and make appts (covid permitting of course 😕) Once there you might find yourself gravitating towards a certain style but take advice from the boutique assistant, they’re well trained and might have a dress hidden away that’s absolutely perfect for you. I find having an open mind going shopping is the best way 👌
After the wedding is over its nice to have a Honeymoon to look forward to but depending on where you pick this can be expensive. Its a good idea to book this early on in the planning stage and that way you’ll have loads of time to pay it off 😊 Now is a good time to check that your passport dates: this is crucial for your honeymoon!!
Don’t forget the legal/religious parts of getting married. The marriage registration deadline is 3 months before the wedding so best to get this done ASAP. Likewise pre marriage places fill up pretty quick so no harm getting this done early too.
Time to dress the bridesmaids, the Groom and groomsmen!! There are so many different styles and colours of dresses to choose from for your bridesmaids but I think the most important part is to make sure the dresses suit all the ladies. No-one wants to feel uncomfortable and sometimes mixing & matching dress styles within certain colours works really well. Suits can be any colour these days too, grey, navy, maroon, check… The list is endless and guys are looking more and more dapper nowadays.
Finer details
Make note of what transport might be needed on the day. If you plan on hiring wedding cars get that booked. If your on a budget, why not ask family & friends with nice cars if they’d be willing to lend their wheels for a couple of hours.
Get the party started!! Stag and hen parties aren’t necessary but there’s nothing more fun than a get together with friends and family before the big day. These wont organise themselves though so delegate this to a bridal party member that you trust!! Try have these a couple of months before the big day, that way if anyone loses an eyebrow itl’l have time to grow back 😉
Choose and order your invitations and stationary. Handmade/DIY are a lovely option too but it can be extremely time consuming so keep this is mind. Start collecting guests addresses for the invites if your planning on posting them. Now is also a good time to look at prayers and readings etc for your ceremony booklets.
Once your dress arrives in store they’ll contact you when its time to start fittings. Most boutiques will have an in house seamstress but if yours doesn’t offer an alterations service you will have to organize this yourself. Make sure you use a seamstress who specializes in wedding dresses. Ask the boutique who they recommend. Attending your first fitting is a good time to try on veils, jewellery and shoes with the dress and see what works best with it. Most boutiques stock a small range of accessories but if you don’t find what your looking for, dont stress, there are lots of high street options too. Scheduling your hair & makeup trial for the same day as one of your dress fittings is a super way to check if everything compliments each other.
Dress – Mk Bridal Headpiece – ByKyna Photo Credit – Darren Byrne Photography and Film
When purchasing your wedding rings it can be nice to use the same jewellers you bought your engagement ring from Most jewellers will offer a discount for returning couples.
Final Numbers and seating plans are probably the most stressful part of planning!! Most guests will send back RSVPs on time but be prepared to chase the last few for an answer!! Once you know whos attending you can then get started on your seating plan!! It can be relatively straightforward but do put some thought into it before finalising it. You don’t want any drama at your wedding so keep possible troublesome guests apart…if you can! 😂
And Finally…
The week of your wedding will be spent running around doing so many little jobs that cant be done before hand…
Contact all wedding suppliers and make sure everyone is organized for the day.
Give your emergency contact number to all suppliers.
Organize wedding rehearsal a night a two before the wedding, this is a nice opportunity to get family together.
Collect your wedding dress & try it on one last time to make sure everything is perfect.
Compile a list of family members and photos you want taken on the day and give it to your photographer.
You and your bridesmaids deserve to relax and get pampered so book in to have your nails/tan done…time to unwind!
Collect the Grooms suits, make sure all groomsmen attend final fitting and if you’ve bought the suits best to try them on one last time!
Organise outstanding payments for all suppliers, place in separate envelopes with their names on it and give it to someone you trust to hand out on the day.
I know it may seem really hard but do try and get some sleep the night before. Your wedding day is a big day and you want to be on top form!
Boho weddings arent going anywhere anytime soon, in-fact they’re getting more and more popular. Boho brides can embrace the theme through their dresses, hair, makeup, accessories and decor. Think flower crowns, macrame, flowing dresses and colourful textiles.
WEDDING SUPPLIERS IN BOYNEHILL HOUSE
With that in mind, 21st July saw some of Irelands top wedding suppliers gather in Boyne Hill House for my debut creative lead on a shoot – normally I am just the make up artist but I had a vision which is in line with the trend of boho and I knew I had to bring this to life. There is no I in team and I knew I needed the best in the business to help with my vision so I called on the talents of the following suppliers to deliver:
BOHO ON THE BOYNE
Darren Byrne Photography and Film
Wild Feather Event Styling
Mk Bridal
By Kyna
Magic Moment Styling
Boyne Hill House. Photo credit Darren Byrne Photography and Film
BOYNE HILL HOUSE
Boyne Hill House was the venue of choice and for those not familiar with it, this wouldn’t be a typical boho venue. I wanted to show that boho is not isolated, it’s transitional and can work anywhere really with some clever styling.
What is important with Boyne Hill House is that it has the service and quality to deliver a superb wedding experience and that’s primary to any wedding style. We didn’t just want style however, we wanted substance too and with so many beautiful areas dotted around this stunning venue we were more than spoiled for choice!! Its easy to see why Boyne Hill House is a favourite amongst couples and photographers alike.
Secret Garden, Boyne Hill House. Photo credit, Darren Byrne Photography and Film.
DARREN BYRNE PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILM
Darren was always going to be my photographer of choice on this shoot. His vision is completely aligned with mine and for couples, its really important that your photographer can share what your idea of success looks like. Darren is fun, daring and gives great direction to get that all important money shot.
Secret Tunnel, Boyne Hill House, Photo credit Darren Byrne Photography and Film.
WILD FEATHER EVENT STYLING
To bring a full boho look together, it’s essential that there are decor nudges that transport your guests to that feeling of natural, laid back beauty. Introducing Wild Feather Event Styling. Having followed Laura on Instagram I knew I had to have her involved. She is a true visionary and has hand picked and crafted boho decor that gives the perfect boho experience.
Boho picnic by Wild Feather Event Styling. Photo credit, Darren Byrne Photography and Film.
MK BRIDAL & BY KYNA
When it came to the look, there was only one place I was going to visit for dresses and that was MK Bridal. Mairead is a premium stockist of top designers such as Enzoani, Paloma Blanca, Sottero and Midgley, Essense of Australia, Rosa Clara and of course the main boho brand Willowby by Watters. She handpickeds each of the dresses stocked in her fabulous state of the art studio and her eye for detail is second to none.
For accessories, it had to be By Kyna. A Milliner and designer specialising in bridal & occasion accessories, Kyna creates heirloom quality bridal headpieces, veils and capes.
Essence of Australia D2840 from Mk Bridal. Andrea draped veil from ByKyna. Photo Darren Byrne Photography and Film.
MAGIC MOMENT STYLING
A boho insipired look wouldnt be complete without wild, rustic and free spirited flowers. Having worked with June on many a wedding I knew she’d create exactly what was needed for the shoot. Using pampas grass, dried wheat , eucalyptus, avalanche roses and gypsophelia to name but a few June put together bouquets and flower crowns that can only be described as awe inspiring.
Boho inspired bridal bouquet from Magic Moment Styling. Photo Darren Byrne Photography and Film
HAIR & MAKEUP
I cant complete this piece without a nod to our star woman and stunning Model Laura Cunningham from Catwalk Models! She was a dream to work with and is an absolute credit to Mandy and all the team in Catwalk. Her professionalism, ability to take direction and eagerness to get that perfect shot shone through all day.
When it came to her hair and makeup, nothing screams boho more so than long flowing curls and beautiful glowing skin. Laura has the most amazing mane of luscious locks and a natural radiance to her skin so bringing our vision to reality was a dream to create.
Massive thank you to everyone involved in this shoot, without them this dream wouldnt have become a reality. I knew I had to have the best in the business so reached out to my fellow Weddings On Line suppliers and the response was phenomenal. Sara from Irish Wedding Blog was also massive source of support and arrived on the day to give a helping hand, so huge thank you to her for that.
Special word of thanks has to go to Darren for all his hard work behind the scenes on the images. Lots more exciting shoots to come from us.
P xx
Darren – Darren Byrne Photography and Film
www.dbphotos.ie
Laura – Wild Feather Even Styling
www.wildfeathereventstyling.ie
Mairead – MK Bridal
www.mkbridal.ie
Kyna – By Kyna/Stash Studio
www.bykyna.ie / www.stash.ie
June – Magic Moment Styling
www.magicmoment.ie
Laura – Catwalk Models
www.catwalkmodels.ie
Aine – Boyne Hill House
www.boynehillhouse.ie
Sara – Irish Wedding Blog
www.irishweddingblog.ie
Www.weddingsonline.ie
LOOK 1
Dress: Essence of Australia D3145
Headpiece: Lulu Crown in Gold
LOOK 2
Dress: Fielding By Sottero & Midgley
Headpiece: Willow Crown in Gold
Chair: Peacock Chair by Wild Feather Styling
LOOK 3
Dress : Nala by Willowby by Watters
Earrings : Pamela Earrings by Stash.ie/By Kyna
Hat : Models Own (Willow Crown in Gold By Kyna added to it)
LOOK 4
Dress: Cruz by Sottero & Midgley
Flower Crown & Bouquet: Magic Moment Styling
Picnic: Wild Feather Event and Styling
LOOK 5
Dress: Essence of Australia D2840
Veil: Andrea draped veil By Kyna
Arch: Wild feather even styling
LOOK 6
Dress: D3145 by Essence of Australia
Hairband: Belle Hairband By Kyna and Celestia Crown by Stash.ie
Massive thank you to everyone involved in this shoot, without them this dream wouldnt have become a reality. Therefore, I knew I had to have the best in the business so reached out to my fellow Weddings On Line suppliers and the response was phenomenal.
Special word of thanks to Darren for all his hard work behind the scenes on the images. Lots more exciting shoots to come from us.
A ceremony in a magical forest with the ruins of an old Chapel as the backdrop and a reception with a woodland festival theme, this loved up couple were sure to wow!!
Let me introduce you to Jessica & Johnny!
These lovebirds met many moons ago at Love festival in Killyon Manor. They had their first date, fell in love and got engaged there so where better to have their wedding ceremony!!
A film set designer and landscape artist by trade, the quirky duo knew they wanted their wedding to reflect their unique sense of style and they absolutely nailed it!!
Jessica wowed her guests in a stunning star adorned Willow by Orion dress. She paired it with a fresh flower headpiece by Patsy & Co Floral Design, an incredible feather cape from Etsy and a pair of stunning Rachel Simpson shoes in the most beautiful shade of green. The look was completed with soft boho curls & a gorgeous half halo plait. We kept her makeup super dewy and really played up her eyes! Mac modesty on the lips finished it off perfectly 👌Johnny wore the most incredible bottle green suit & it complimented Jessicas look to a T!
A beautiful handfasting ceremony officiated by Romy from A Beautiful Ceremony sealed the deal for this fun loving duo before heading back to Bellinter house for their festival inspired reception! The pair really played a blinder here on the decor! Their set design & landscape artist backgrounds were plain to be seen… dozens of trees, plants & shrubs were transported to the Georgian house to completely transform the already stunning ballroom. Blankets on the ground, ribbons hanging from the trees & lots more greenery brought the loved up couple right back to their very first festival meeting!!
A true fairy-tale x
Suppliers:
Cermony – Killyon Manor
www.killyonmanor.com
Reception – Bellinter House
www.bellinterhouse.com
Flowers – Patsie & Co Floral Design
www.patsieandco.com
Photographer – Zoe Holman
www.zoehlmn.com
Celebrant – Romy, A beautiful Ceremony
www.abeautifulceremony.co.uk
Dress – Orion by Willowby Watters
Cake – Jenny Sheahan
Shoes – Rachel Simpson
Feather Cape – Etsy
Hair and makeup – Pamela Matthews hair and makeup xx
You’ve spent the last few weeks and months soaking up some serious wedding beauty inspo on Pinterest on Instagram. You’ve got a firm idea of what you want, and you are thrilled. You take the big step to book your trials and turn up with your secret Pinterest boards and pictures on your phone……..Finally……the grand reveal…..
“OH….Emmmmm….yes that’s lovely “(inside your crying ☹ this is nothing like the look you wanted!!!)
Now what??
Do not panic.
Your first wedding hair and makeup trial won’t necessarily go perfectly and that’s ok. This is the point of a makeup trial, to iron out any kinks so that everything is absolutely perfect on your big day. As long as you let your makeup artist and hairstylist know what you like or don’t like we can work together as a team to get you to the best version of what you want!
It really is such an Irish thing to say “wow, that’s fab” when really were screaming inside. You must remember that this is your big day, you are the customer, you have to be happy with what you are getting. If your not happy you need to speak up!
Communication is key
When we do our trials, we will talk you through every step, the logic of it and how it reflects back to what you asked for. Because we are constantly communicating with you we can generally catch any misalignments before any issues occur.
We openly encourage our brides to be ruthlessly honest. We do not take offence; it’s our work and we take great pride in it but at the end of the day you are the bride and we put you first.
Sometimes you may not even know why you don’t like it. The look may have been great on your favourite celeb but when it is applied to your eye or face shape, it may not work. That’s ok! We work together until you get the look that ensures you are the best version of you for your big day.
The wedding makeup and hair trial is all about you. It’s our job to please you, not yours to please us. Please dont be afraid to speak up!
Unfortunately, in some cases, you may not click with the makeup artist or the hair stylist. It could be personality or just style. In that case, It might be time to seek someone else’s services.
So how do you tell your bridal team that you aren’t happy…… Very simple, you just express that it’s not exactly what you had imagined. We appreciate that it’s not always easy to articulate what it is that you don’t like but please dont feel guilty about asking for changes. We love feedback! With it, your team will be able to sit down and talk through the look with you and pinpoint what you may need to get it exactly what your looking for. From that conversation, we can tweak and develop the look.
Are you a smokey eyes & neutral lip kinda girl or do you prefer the natural understated look? Are you torn between wearing your hair up or leaving it down? Your makeup artist & hairstylist will give you all the advice you need at your trial to help decide what will work best but it’s always a good idea to have a couple of looks in mind. Heres a little bit of advice on how to choose…
Your dress is probably the biggest influence on your hair and makeup so it’s always a good idea to have chosen it before booking your hair & makeup trial. A flowing Boho inspired dress works well with loose textured upstyles, braids, soft beach waves and fresh glowing makeup. A sleek, structed hairstyle with full glam makeup just wouldn’t do it justice. However, smaller elements from both looks can be combined to create the perfect finish. It’s all about balance. Also, you need to think about the neckline of your dress for your hair. If for example, the back of your dress is very heavily detailed, wearing your hair down over it is going to hide all the gorgeous embellishments so in this case wearing your hair up or over one shoulder will work best.
Staying with hair, we see a lot of brides that feel they have to wear an upstyle on the big day and that’s fine if your someone who regularly wears your hair up but if you never wear your hair up and absolutely shiver at the thoughts of it being put up then please don’t feel that you have to have an upstyle for your wedding day. I know some brides are afraid to wear their hair down incase curls don’t last or the wind might ruin it but there are so many different tools & products on the market nowadays to ensure your style lasts all day without a strand moving out of place.
Moving onto makeup, there are lots of trends when it comes to bridal makeup, one minute its all about fresh glowing skin, soft shimmer on the eyes with a hint of colour on the lips. The next it’s full coverage matt base and dramatic eyes. Both are amazingly beautiful and I love creating one just as much as the other.
But the most beautiful look is the one thats staying true to your own sense of style. If your someone who never wears makeup, your wedding day isn’t the day to rock up with a heavy, madeup look. Your poor Groom won’t know who’s coming up the aisle to him!! But more importantly, you won’t look like you!!
Your wedding day makeup should be about looking like the most beautiful version of you so if red lipstick and lashes are your go to then absolutely wear them with pride on your big day.
Remember, you have to look back at your photos and know that you looked and felt like you so please don’t follow trends, stick with what you know works for you
Pinterest is a great place for inspiration but make sure your looking at pictures with similar features to you. A style done on blonde hair looks totally different on brunettes. Equally, makeup on a brown eyed, sallow complexion won’t look the same on a blue eyed fair skinned girl. Gather up the images that you like and bring these with you to your trial, here we will work with you taking snippets of the pictures into consideration and create your unique wedding day look
Because we do both hair and makeup you’ll get to see both done together and it’s always a nice idea to schedule a dress fitting for afterwards. Always check that your bridal shop allows you wear makeup to fittings first.
For women, your wedding day is probably one of the most important events in your life so looking your absolute best is a must.
As a bride, you need to be able to look back on your photos and know that you not only felt amazing on the day but that you look beautiful in the photos too. The last thing you want to see are mismatched eyebrows, overly rosy cheeks and a flat complexion.
Bridal make up is renowned for being soft, dewy and radiant. A professional, experienced bridal makeup artist knows everything that needs to be done to ensure that you will be the glowing bride that you deserve to be.
We are trained in contouring your face and therefore will know how to accentuate your best features. We will use only top quality products giving you the perfect finish that will last all day. This is essential if you want to continue looking your best all day with lipstick and possibly powder being the only makeup needed for touch ups.
THE RESULTS OF HAVING A PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST WILL BE SHOWN IN YOUR PHOTOS
The same goes with hair.
A professional hair stylist knows how to cope with every type of hair – fine, thick, frizzy, wavy, curly or straight. We know what its going to take to hold it in place and have loads of tools to ensure your chosen style lasts all day.
We are experienced at attaching a veil or headpiece without compromising the hairstyle or running the risk of the accessories falling out. We also know how to make your hair look balanced, full and flattering ensuring your hair looks good from every angle.
As your big day gets closer its a good idea to book in with us for a hair and make up trial. Here you will get an early glimpse of how you will look on the big day.
During the trial you will have the opportunity to discuss your ideas, likes and dislikes. We will have a look through the photos of looks that you like and take inspiration from them to try out different hair and makeup looks that will enhance your natural beauty.
With many years of experience working in the bridal industry, we will be able to offer our professional advice and support throughout the trial to leave you feeling assured that your look will be the one that is perfect for you.
After your trial we will provide you with a detailed account of your makeup and hair style along with some pictures and product recommendations for topping up on the day.
Trials take place at our studio and we recommend having it around 3-6 months prior to the big day. They last roughly 1.5/2.5 hours.
Some tips to get the very best from your trial…
💞 Arrive to your trial completely makeup free and have your hair washed from the night before. Don’t use a straighteners on it or put any product in your hair.
💞 Bring photos of hair and makeup styles that you like. Try not have too many though as this can end up confusing you. Pick your top 5 favourites. We will use these as inspiration and adapt them to suit your features.
💞 Bring your veil, hair accessories, and earrings if you have them. Don’t worry if you don’t, we can tweak your hairstyle on the day to allow for them.
💞 Bring a photo of your dress so we can get a sense of the overall style your going for. It helps to see the neckline too so we can advise on hairstyles that will compliment it.
💞 Wear white (or whatever colour your wedding dress is). The colour your wearing will impact how the makeup looks so a plain white/cream t-shirt will allow you see the makeup properly. If you can get one with a similar neckline to your dress even better!!
💞 Wear tan! If you plan to wear tan on your wedding day, please have a similar shade on for your trial. It changes the finished look massively so for you to get a truer indication of the finished look, it’s best to have the tan on for the trial too.
💞 Let us know if theres anything in particular that you know you definately do or don’t want. If you have your heart set on certain details like fresh flowers in your hair, a favourite lipstick etc let us know and we will incorporate them into your look!
💞 Be open to our suggestions. We know what were doing, we’ve done it thousands of times so give us a little bit of freedom, allow us to play around a little and have an open mind!
💞 Be honest! If you don’t like something, let us know! We won’t be offended. Your trial is about trying out different looks, ironing out any kinks and being safe in the knowledge that you will look absolutely amazing on the day!
And lastly…
💞Make plans to go out after your trial, maybe arrange a nice lunch with the girls. Your gona look absolutely gorgeous so go out and show it off!
I’ve never been so happy to see weddings happening again, I’ve missed the morning bants so much!! It’s such a special time and it’s really important to enjoy those last few hours as a single lady 💖
Some tips to make it that little bit more special…
💕Get an early(ish) night
Its so easy to sit up into the wee hours chatting & maybe enjoying a beverage or 2 but do you really want to wake up tired or worse still hungover? Go to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up feeling refreshed & ready to enjoy the best day of your life!!
💕Get everything ready & set out the night before.
Your photographer will want photos of your dress, shoes, perfume, jewellery, bridesmaids dresses etc so its a good idea to have these laid out ready for him/her. If you have a spare room, pop them in there out of the way. Have your overnight bag packed from earlier in the week & either dropped to the hotel or sitting at the front door, don’t pack anything in it that you’ll need on the morning… Bridesmaids this goes for you too!! Have your dress hanging up & if it’s fabric that creases easily, invest in a steamer, trust me, your photos will thank you later!!
💕Make sure you eat!
It can be hard to eat when your so excited but it’s a long day & having a really good breakfast will set you up nicely. If nerves are an issue avoid the greasy fry up. Porridge, fruit or yogurt might be a better option. If cooking at home make sure hair & makeup is set up away from the kitchen, you don’t want the smell transferring onto your hair. Same goes for the dresses, keep them away from the kitchen.
💕Pretty PJs.
Treat yourself & the bridal party to some nice pyjamas and/or robes. These not only look good in photos but you’ll feel good in them too. Look out for ones with a wide neck, skinny straps or buttons. You don’t want to ruin your hair by pulling a tight fitting tshirt over it.
💕Music!!
Spotify has some really good wedding morning playlists or you could ask the bridesmaids to create a play list for you. Songs that remind them of you, that you danced to as teenagers, your favorite boyband etc. We find anything goes really & the cheesier the better! Having good music always makes for a really fun atmosphere!
💕Give yourself plenty of time.
Its a busy morning with lots of people coming and going. Make sure you take time to relax with your family & friends, capture some lovely photos but most importantly enjoy the morning! Aim to have your hair and makeup done at least 1.5hours before your due to leave so there’s plenty of time for getting dressed. Once your dress is on, take 5 minutes to yourself, have a proper look in the mirror & drink in how absolutely stunning you look!!
💕And lastly, get the party started!!!
Pop open the bubbles and enjoy a toast with your nearest & dearest!! You’ve put your heart & soul into planning your big day, make sure you enjoy it!! It’s goes by so quickly so savour every moment
💕Bonus tip…Child of Prague!!
Is it even an Irish wedding without the Child of Prague hiding under a shrub?? Ask your Aunty Mary, Granny Ann, Uncle Mickey and all the neighbours to pop this little guy out for you. Lord knows we need all the help we can get on the weather front!!