One of the most important things on your wedding day is to feel like the very best version of you. It’s easy to get stressed about all the details, but once you put your dress on, your make-up and hair are done to perfection and you look in the mirror, you want to see a relaxed, radiant bride smiling back at you. It’s easy to get lost in all the hurly burly of planning the big day and forget one of the most important things – you; and your other half of course! To enjoy the journey and de-stress the process as much as possible, try to let go of the reins, delegate where possible and prioritise the most important things, like being kind to yourself and not sweating the small stuff. Sleepless nights, stress and anxiety are barriers to becoming the relaxed bride of your dreams so remember to add in some all-important ‘me-time’. YOU Your best Top tips from local experts on how to be the bridal best version of you THINKING AHEAD One of the key priorities on the road to looking and feeling your bridal best, is not leaving things to the last minute. Some things aren’t a quick fix so it pays to put in the groundwork early to get the best results. Do your research, look online, scour wedding magazines and start putting together a moodboard of inspiration; your suppliers will love you for it as it makes their job so much easier if they can share your vision. Matching your look to the style of your venue is another key consideration if you want to achieve a coordinated effect. A good starting point is to focus on the kind of bride you want to be, traditional or alternative, chic and elegant or free-spirited boho. With so much choice, it’s important to find what suits you and your personality so you can still look and feel like you on the big day – just a more glamorous version. GET THE LOOK Once the dress is in the bag, everything else can flow from there, from the type of hairstyle you choose, the make-up, jewellery and accessories. If you don’t usually wear much make-up or have had the same hairstyle for years, finding the right bridal look can be daunting. Experimenting or having a drastic makeover just before the big day is never a good idea, after all you want your other half to recognise you when you walk up the aisle. Have a play with some new colour combos, products and styles – get your best girls together for a pamper night and see what you feel comfortable with. Then once you’ve got some ideas together, check out the talent pool of amazing hair and beauty experts in the region to help you realise your vision. BLANK CANVAS If you’re looking for that all-important bridal glow, it pays to put in the groundwork. Preparation is key as Victoria Bradfield (www.victoriabradfield.co.uk), one of the region’s leading make-up artists, well knows. She says, “One of the most important tips I can give brides is to get your skincare in order.” She recommends starting at least six months before the big day, including regular facials and professional advice about which treatments are best for you and a skincare regime to use at home. “ Most products take two months to start showing results and https://ajg-photography.co.uk then you need time to get your skin looking it’s best before you consider your make-up trial. Rather than just relying on the advice of someone selling products you need someone to take the time to fully diagnose what your skin needs to look it’s very best.” Victoria recommends: ❤ Cleanse properly otherwise serums and creams will just slide off clogged pores and neglected skin. ❤ Make sure you exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells, which can dull your complexion. Then when you have your trial the make-up will sit so much better on cared-for skin and will last the day and night looking radiant. ❤ Plan ahead for your beauty treatments but don’t try anything new two months before your wedding in case you have a reaction as you’ll need enough time for it to heal. ❤ For lashes, tans and nails, a couple of days before the wedding is fine, especially if you’re going away afterwards. They will see you through your wedding and honeymoon so you’ll really get your money’s worth. ❤ Follow trends but also remember how things change and always include a nod towards classic looks too. LOOKING YOUR BEST 61
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