How to be Camera Ready on Your Wedding Day.

Heads up, this one is for the ladies.  Guys, don’t feel left out we all know most guys (definitely not all) spend a little less time getting ready for the big day.  I’ll make a blog post for you at some point.

So without further adieu, let me give you the perspective from a photographers point of view about what will make your look ‘pop’ on camera.

 

 

 

HOW DO YOU FEEL?

So the love of your life just popped the question, now what?  After the initial excitement has worn off, you are now tasked with planning your dream day.  Some of us relish this task, love the planning, finding the perfect decor and trying on ALL the dresses and others, not so much.

 

If you are in the not so much camp, my advice to you is hire a wedding planner to help you sort through the chaos.  Your mental health and happiness are paramount to ensuring you have a happy, stress free wedding day.  Yes, this will be an added expense, but I have not heard from a single bride saying they regretted purchasing the extra help.

 

 

TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN AND BODY:

If you want that special glow and healthy feeling on your wedding day, you might have some work to do!  If losing a few pounds will make you feel better, we all know proper nutrition and exercise is what will remedy that.  However, this is not a priority for all brides. Getting a good night’s sleep and increasing your water consumption however, should be done regardless, it helps flush out toxins leaving your skin at its very best.  This is not a regiment to start a week before your wedding, but best practice months before.

 

 THE RIGHT MAKE UP MAKE-UP ARTIST:

Now that your skin is in top condition, you are going to need to find a professional make-up artist to refine that blank canvas.  From a photographers point of view, make-up is extremely important.  In many lighting situations your skin tone can appear ruddy or washed out and pale without make-up.  Professional cameras can pick up the smallest details, so having a good base of make-up that matches your complexion, helps smooth over those pores, lumps and bumps.

 

Many women are not comfortable wearing a lot of make-up and that is ok, but the camera loves those little details of colour on your lips and false eye lashes to make your eyes glimmer and pop.  If your make-up artist asks you if you want the false lashes say ‘YES’, you won’t regret it in your photos.

PRO TIP:  Ask your photographer (if you don’t know of one already) if they know any make-up artists they could recommend to you.  We shoot a lot of weddings and know a lot of vendors and we usually know the best of the best in the local area.  It’s important to book a trial so you know what to expect going forward.  Many artists offer a trial in their wedding packages so you have no surprises of what to expect on the big day.

WEDDING HAIR:

Same rules apply to hair as for make-up.  Some brides may already have a go to stylist, but not all of them do ‘wedding hair’ especially for large groups.  You will need to find this out.  If not, again ask your photographer, they could have some great references for you to check out.

Up do or long flowing locks?  Hair will likely be a decision you will make after you choose your dress.  What is the neck line like?  What season is it?  Boho chic or elegantly sophisticated?  When photographing brides, hair does not matter to us much, but obviously should have some style to it.  I love photographing little accessories in hair, either sparkly pins and clips or fresh flowers.  Such a gorgeous little detail you can incorporate to your personal style.

HANDS AND NAILS:

This small detail can sometimes be overlooked.  Please know that your hands will almost always be photographed by your wedding photographer.  You will want to show off all that new bling now that you are the Mrs. and we want to capture it!  Do moisturize at least a week leading up to the wedding.  Do book a manicure and Pedicure (especially summer brides, we might photograph your toes as well).  You don’t have to have bold colourful nails or fake ones, but clean cuticles and good grooming are a must.

PRO TIP:  Using coconut oil to rub into your hands and cuticles is a natural and inexpensive way to stay moisturized! So there you have a few of the things that you should be doing to prep for your ‘I do’s’.  Now let me tell you a few of the things you should avoid.

DON’T go tanning.  Despite it being really bad for your health, it can leave unsightly tan lines and it will be more difficult for your photographer to edit afterwards.  100% of the time, I have to lighten up very tanned skin tones in post production.  Why?  The camera tends to really pick up on the reds and oranges making you look a little like president Trump. Also, If you are standing next to someone who does not have a great tan, you look very orange and they look very pale.  I find it funny when people tell me “oh, I don’t have a great tan, I will likely look pasty on camera.”  No you will not.  I will thank you for staying out of the sun!

 

DON’T eat a lot of salty foods leading up to your wedding.  Salt makes you retain water and can give you that puffy water retained look.  Avoid chips, deli meats and any other high sodium treats.  Your body and skin will thank you for it!

 

DON’T  make any drastic beauty changes just before the wedding.  No new haircuts or dyes, no waxing a few days before, no facials.  If you want these services done, attempt them at least a week before, so it gives your skin time to settle down if you should have a reaction to the procedure.  Speak with your stylist if you are going to attempt a new hair colour or get a trim.  If you are going for curls, don’t flat iron your hair that morning either, it will make it more difficult for your stylist to achieve long lasting curls.

 

DON’T  forget to bring an emergency bag to the wedding!  You are going to be dancing, sweating, thirsty, getting blisters and possibly may have a wardrobe malfunction.  Pack extra lipstick, eyelash glue (just in case one of yours flies off during a vigorous bout of the shoe game) Band-Aids for blisters, bobby pins, a small sewing kit, spare deodorant and some comfortable shoes.  You will likely need some, or heaven forbid, all of these things at some point during the day and evening.

 

So there you have it. Beauty advice from a photographer who has photographed a bride or two and who has been a bride herself.  Stay happy, healthy and hydrated on your wedding day and you will be celebrating with your guests into the wee hours.