Makeup for the Picture Perfect Bride

What girl doesn’t love makeup? I sat down with makeup artist, Sabra Mizzell of Willow Salon in Charleston, SC, to find out what makeup you should be wearing on your wedding day! 

Now we know every bride wants to look picture perfect on their wedding day, but did you know that a certain type of makeup and application can make your photographs even more fabulous?! If any of you are believers in beauty tips from the stars, you have probably heard of silicone-based airbrush makeup. Silicone-based airbrush makeup was originally created for film, and has been a favorite of brides ever since. Sabra recommends airbrush makeup to all of her brides because it is simply “tear-proof, sweat-proof, and photographs like a dream!” For all you ladies with sensitive skin, good news- it is hypoallergenic and provides great coverage! Sabra’s go to airbrush makeup is created by Temptu, a favorite brand of runway shows, television, celebrities, and all her beautiful brides. 

For the brides who prefer a standard application of makeup, there are a few things you should know. Standard application uses a medium coverage foundation, which normally contains SPF. The SPF causes light to reflect, creating a white cast over your face. To photograph flawlessly on your wedding day, it is important to apply a foundation that is SPF-free. SPF-free foundation is recommended because it absorbs light, creating a natural glow - making you a picture perfect bride.

You can read more about “Tips to Avoid the White Cast of Sunscreen” on Beautylish.com. 

Photography by Rick Dean Photography LLC

What is the average budget for a wedding?

Sticking to a budget for your wedding is a great way to make sure you do not spend too much money. Your wedding is supposed to be a dream come true, but that doesn’t mean you need to go into debt to make your dream a reality. 

Establishing a budget from the beginning is not only a great way to make sure you don’t spend too much money, it’s also the perfect way to breakdown where you, as a couple, want to invest the most money in. 

According to a study by The Budget Savvy Bride, the average cost for a wedding is approximately $27,000. Some of the most expensive aspects of a wedding include the reception venue, reception band or entertainment, the engagement ring and the wedding photography. 

Although we may be biased, when planning a wedding, it’s important to set aside a good amount of your budget to spend on a photographer. What are the areas you spend the most money for your wedding? 

For a closer look at what brides and grooms spent their budget on, check out the infographic below. 

(Source: http://thebudgetsavvybride.com/2011-real-weddings-study-results-from-theknot-com-and-weddingchannel-com/)

Tips on Choosing Your Wedding Party

Choosing The Wedding Party 

One of the first things a bride considers after engagement is her wedding party. The excitement wears off after a while, and you begin to worry about hurt feelings, people getting along, and of course, how many bridesmaids to have. 

First think about the ladies you plan to ask. Are they good friends and have you spoke recently? So what if you promised your high school bff she could be your maid of honor; it's not a binding contract. If she doesn't make an effort, or if you don't speak often, she might not take the role seriously. People you call just to talk, friends who help you move, or family are all perfect choices. 

Many brides struggle with the dilemma of hurt feelings, subsequently having someone in the wedding party that did not deserve such a spot. The truth is, it's your wedding and your bridal party so you get the final say. 

When it comes to grooms, many of them are laid back and have enough friends that they have an easy time picking their groomsmen. Men often choose their brothers, or soon-to-be brother-in-law, and close friends. If your party numbers don't even up, don't throw in just anyone, you could always have two bridesmaid per each groom, it always makes for many smiles and it takes the pressure off an awkward couple walking down the aisle. 

Make sure the group works in synergy, you will be at fittings together, and you’ll all be in the limo and at the head table. If there's an ex-couple around, or two people who dislike each other, consider why they're in the wedding party. If either one of them isn't extremely close to you, eliminate the problem by keeping them apart. If both parties are crucial to the wedding, maybe speak to them in private and ask them to try to have fun and smile, just for you. A good friend will respect any of your wishes on your wedding day.

Some couples go as far as "testing" their friends before mentioning the engagement. This is a great idea because you can see who really deserves it. Call up one of your friends just to catch up and see if they are genuinely interested in your well-being. You'll learn a lot about your friends when you start paying attention. 

Whichever way you go about it, remember to listen to that little voice in your head. Invite only the people who mean the world to you.