For any couple, planning a wedding is a mammoth task. If you’re at the very start of the process and just thinking about how to plan your big day, it must seem very daunting. As a Wedding Photographer, I’m keen to understand and share my take on how other suppliers work in the wedding industry. I want to know how they operate and the value they can give to you. After all, the goal for all of us is to make your dream day as special as it can be. In addition to this, mine is to make sure it’s photographed in a way that you will remember for the rest of your life. With that in mind, I wanted to introduce you to a Hertfordshire bridal make-up artist.
Hertfordshire Bridal Make-up Artist – Niki
One area of essential wedding day prep for most brides is their makeup. This is something I had very little knowledge of. I’ve seen the finished results. I’ve seen Makeup Artists in action, too. However, I was keen to understand a bit more about the role they play on your wedding day.
I spoke to Niki Lawrence, https://www.nikimakeup.co.uk/, a Hertfordshire bridal Make-up Artist. She gave me some very interesting insights into the world of wedding makeup. I should point out here that she does hair styling too. I was particularly keen to understand why a bride would want to use a Makeup Artist. The key points I picked up from our chat were:
Experience and Expertise
In preparing to write this post, I researched quite a few other Makeup Artists’ profiles before speaking to Niki. Like most of her colleagues, Niki has a lot of experience in her area of expertise. Before focusing on beautiful brides, she had a varied career that included working behind the scenes at some of the world’s largest and most prestigious fashion shows (Including London and Milan). In addition to this, Niki was a senior trainer and Makeup Artist for MAC Cosmetics.
With a CV like this comes a lot of expertise. This is not just about making a bride look the best possible version of herself. It also covers areas that would never have crossed my mind:
Tying in All Those Colours
For example, the importance of understanding the other colours that are going to be present at your big day. Particular attention is given to dresses and shoes (for the bride and her bridal party). Flowers (including buttonholes, table decorations, bouquets), the wedding cake, and general décor also influence her. It may be subtle, but Niki made me realise that they all have to work together. The makeup she uses and the final overall “look” of you, the bride, need to be cohesive with the theme. Not just for you, but for your bridal party too.
One thing Niki also pointed out when talking about the bridal party was that the mother of the groom can sometimes be overlooked. This is a shame, as including her makes the colour coordination complete.
Another factor I hadn’t considered was logistics and how important it is to get the timing right on the day. I know from my own experience that when photographing bridal preparation that it can take a long time before a bride is ready. Hair and makeup must be right before she puts on her dress, and she feels comfortable enough to have the first shots of the day taken. What I didn’t realise was that the Makeup Artist has probably been working for a long time before I show up on the scene. This is to get other members of the bridal party finished first.
For a bride with a big bridal party and an early wedding this must be a huge challenge (Niki told me her biggest wedding challenge was a bride with twelve bridesmaids…).
Staying Power
Another key point that hadn’t crossed my mind was the challenge a bride has in looking fabulous for such a long period of time. Think about a typical wedding. There’s a ceremony, reception, and an evening do; most brides are going to want to look consistently beautiful for a long time, at least 12 – 14 hours. There may be opportunities for the Makeup Artist to refresh the bride’s look and quickly touch up any areas that need attention. However, they will not have long to do this, so having the best products available is an absolute must.
I think this is a key area of value that a professional Makeup Artist will give to their clients. It may be one that is underestimated. However, having access to superior products as well as the skill and expertise to apply them professionally is essential. Makeup Artists will always invest in the best products, and they spend a lot of time researching the latest formulations being developed to ensure brides have the very best experience.
Getting to know You, The Client
I got the impression that booking a Makeup Artist isn’t always a top priority for some brides. However, if you are thinking of using one for your special day, then time is of the essence. You should find a makeup artist you like and book them early. This will give you the peace of mind that you have the artist you want. It also gives both of you enough time to get to know each other.
This often includes a makeup trial, which will give your Makeup Artist the opportunity to find out how you like to style your own makeup. They can identify any problems or concerns you may have, as well as start to understand the other colours they will have to work with on the day. From your perspective, it will give you time to get to know your chosen artist and satisfy yourself that they will give you the look you want.
Conclusion
This has been an illuminating experience for me, learning about the intricacies of bridal makeup and the challenges it can present. Chatting to Hertfordshire bridal Makeup Artist Niki highlighted that there are a whole bunch of important elements that must come together on the day. As mentioned above, the experience and expertise of your Makeup Artist are key. Additionally, so have their ability to be great at time management and have a very focused approach to detail.
If you are looking for a wedding photographer for your special day, why not check out my portfolio here? If you like what you see get in touch for a chat, I’d love to be part of your special day.
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