Today’s tips are just for the Bride! (Stay tuned, Groom! I’ve got you covered next time!)

Here are a few topics I’m asked about often, and I hope they help you as you plan for the best photos on your Wedding Day!

1. Flawless Makeup & Perfect Nails

I always recommend having your makeup done by a professional. They are trained and experienced in making women look their very best!

Use a makeup setting spray, and carry your lipstick in a clutch for touch-ups! Better yet, use Revlon Colorstay Ultimate! It won’t wear off or kiss off! I use it myself!

I also recommend airbrush makeup. It is a bit more expensive, but it will last all day and has a more flawless, photo-finish.

If you choose to wear false lashes, try them out before your wedding day! The last thing you want is to have watering or irritated eyes if it’s your first time!

I put nails in this category as well, just as a side note. GET your nails done, sweet Bride! Your hands are going to be heavily seen, with ring being admired by everyone, and photographed on your wedding day! Don’t skip this.

Even if you get a simple manicure and clear polish, but I highly recommend the SNS Dip. It’s a more natural option, and isn’t as damaging to your natural nails when it’s removed. (You will have to have them removed at the salon in about 2-3 weeks, depending on how quickly your nails grow.) But trust me when I say you’ll love it!

2. Skip the Spray Tan!

Trust me on this one! Lots of places will tell you to get one - but in my experience, the camera is very sensitive to yellows and oranges, so even if you think it looks natural, your true natural skin color will be the most beautiful!

Not to mention if your future spouse most likely isn’t getting a spray tan also - you will be different skin tones! When I’m editing through a wedding where the bride had a spray tan - I can tell immediately by the photos. There’s an underlying orange/yellow color that is difficult & time-consuming (and potentially expensive) to edit off one person and not both. So you’ll either be a tad orange, or your spouse will look a LOT less tan.

No matter when you do it, you'll potentially have areas that are wearing off un-even, blotchy areas, etc. And if you had a color-match in your trial run with your makeup artist before the spray-tan, your color will be off on the wedding day!

Also worth mentioning, all the contact with your skin is going to rub off color onto your expensive gown! The salon will tell you it won’t happen - but they’re trying to sell you a spray tan! PLEASE don’t do it!

3. Relax!

A stress-free bride is a happy bride, and everyone knows a happy bride is a beautiful one!

Do whatever you can to make the whole process easier for yourself - especially the weeks leading up to your wedding day.

Hire vendors & professionals that put you at ease, that you can fully trust, and who put your wedding vision & desires into action.

Delegate anything and everything that you can the week of your wedding. Still need to order lunch for the wedding party as you’re getting ready? Ask a family member or bridesmaid/groomsman.

The less you have to worry about on the day of your wedding - the happier you’ll be! Not to mention, the less chance you have to forget something! It happens!

Then, your mantra for the day should be to just enjoy the day and don’t worry about a thing! I’ve seen many brides get upset at things they have no control over - and can be avoided if they just stay calm and ask someone to handle it, or figure out an alternative after taking a deep breath and a second to regain control of their emotions.

Furthermore, surround yourself with vendors and bridesmaids that won’t tell you when something goes wrong - they should handle it before you ever have to know!

4. Banish Blemishes & Bumps

Several months before your wedding, create a routine for soft, clean, blemish free skin. If you struggle with occasional breakouts, use lotions or moisturizers with lactic acid to help unclog pores.

On your wedding day, your makeup artist (see #1) should be able to hide any blotchy skin or blemishes as well, with Airbrush! The coverage better and lasts longer throughout the day.

Please don’t rely on asking your photographer to “photoshop” out a blemish or issue in every photo. Personally, if it’s an easy fix or obvious in a close-up image - I am more than happy to do that. But if it can be helped with cover-up or “camouflage” makeup/concealer, please do that!

Ultimately though, please don’t stress about this at all! Not only will stress make breakouts worse, in the grand scheme of your day - it just doesn’t matter! You’re going to be gorgeous no matter what, and our job is to make the photos amazing!

If you have rough, red or bumpy skin - start a skincare routine 3-6 months before your wedding day to help.

If you’re sensitive to certain products or ingredients, DO NOT try any new routines or products within 2-3 weeks of your wedding day! Wouldn’t that be frustrating, if you had a reaction to something the week before your wedding? Speaking from personal experience with sensitivity to certain makeup ingredients, find a makeup artist that has a great reputation, great reviews, and be sure to ask them about sanitation practices and the products they use. Schedule a trial run using the exact products they’ll use on your wedding day, to be sure nothing will cause any allergic reactions!

If you have severe acne or skin issues, consult a dermatologist about products that are safe & effective to use. It’s not as expensive as you’d think, and most health insurance policies will cover seeing a dermatologist. You’ll just have to check your policy and find an in-network Doctor.

5. Tan Lines

Please use sunscreen in the weeks and days leading up to your wedding day!

You may not even think about it if you’re out on the lake or outside… but even the slightest differences can show up on camera!

If you are showing any or all of your shoulders and neck with your wedding gown, I promise you won’t regret removing straps AND using sunscreen for an even tan!

Asking your photographer to correct tan lines is going to be time-consuming for them and costly for you! Most likely you’ll be charged extra for the additional editing time! Most photographers won’t do specialized corrections like that on every single image from your wedding day. So you’ll either have tan lines in your photos forever - or pay quite a pretty penny for it to be fixed.

Of course the easy way to avoid that: Just be careful!

6. Tattoos

This should go without saying, really. But a lot of brides ask about it, so I thought I’d mention it here!

It really comes down to your own preference. I personally think it’s what makes you unique - so show them off!

If you have an amazing back, shoulder or arm tattoo that you want seen - wear your hair up or buy a dress that shows it.

I have also had brides that buy wedding gowns that cover their tattoos, out of respect for their conservative family or in-laws. You can also use cover-up if you choose.

7. Areas of Insecurity

While I’m a big believer in every woman being naturally beautiful when they’re just themselves and happy, and I encourage everyone to be unafraid and unashamed of any part of their body - I know just about everyone has something they’re a little sensitive about.

Consider that when you’re selecting your wedding day attire & prep details.

If you don’t want to be taller than your Groom - Choose flats and have your dress hemmed to the right length.

If you have an area of your body that you are insecure or sensitive about - Mention that to the specialist at your dress shopping appointments. Find a gown style & fit that are flattering to your body and make you feel absolutely gorgeous!

If you don’t like your hair up because of your ears (guilty) - Tell your hairstylist, and choose a look that you’re comfortable with!

Don’t overthink it - but if you know you’re going to be disappointed if you don’t remember to plan specifically for this, talk to your photographer about it! We have little camera tricks to work with areas of insecurity, make you look shorter or taller, and let’s definitely think about what side you consider your “good side!”

For this reason, I also recommend doing an engagement session! Not only will we be able to work on something you have on your mind - but you can also see how amazing the photos can be! and that no one else thinks your ears are big, Stephanie! (that’s me, btw) ;)

Thanks so much for reading! I hope these are helpful as you plan!

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If you have any questions about planning your wedding, feel free to send me an email from the CONTACT page above!