BEAUTIFUL YOU For brides who don’t usually wear make-up, what to choose can be daunting. If you want to go bare, that’s fine but subtle touches can work wonders to enhance rather than transform natural beauty, great for those all-important bridal photos. This is where expert help and guidance really comes into its own to help boost confidence. Southampton-based makeup artist Melinda Hollis (www.makeoversbymelinda.co.uk) shares some dos and don’ts to help guide you. Do have at least one trial a few months before the wedding to not only give you peace of mind about how you will look, but also to allow plenty of time if you decide you want to try something else. Do experiment, ask your make-up artist to do one eye very natural and the other slightly more glam. This will help you discover what you’re comfortable with and you could even opt for a combination of the two. Do find a professional who specialises in natural make-up. Look at the images on their website and social media to get an idea of what they do before booking. Don’t forget to have a conversation with your make-up artist to discuss your ideas and make sure you are both on the same wavelength to avoid any unwanted surprises. Don’t be afraid to ask to look in the mirror as you go along to see the look gradually develop so it isn’t a shock at the end, especially if you’re not used to seeing yourself with make-up on. Do bring someone with you whose opinion you trust for their take on what works and what doesn’t. MELINDA’S TOP TIP Make sure your make-up brings out your best features and enhances the overall look you want to achieve. Beware of going for something completely different; be true to yourself so you feel confident, happy and love how you look. MUM’S THE WORD The future looks bright for the other leading lady in the bridal party. The year ahead promises plenty of bright bold colours for mothers-of-the-bride and -groom, reports Debbie Hill, owner of special occasion wear boutique Charisma of Fawley (www.charismaoffawley.co.uk). She says, “We’re seeing a shift towards a more adventurous colour palette. Usually, we would add a bold colour as an accent but this year we’re looking at a lot more vivid tones used in blocks to make a statement with shades like Super Blue and Citrus Sours likely to be key for the forthcoming spring/summer season.” However, no matter what the latest hot colour is, it has to complement your complexion. “It’s important to take this into account when asking mums to dress in something to fit in with a specific colour scheme as not all shades work for every skin tone. Ultimately the main goal is to have everyone looking and feeling amazing,” adds Debbie. Two-piece in Chartreuse Tropical from the new Ispirato collection BRING ON THE BOYS If you’re looking for a coordinated effect for the whole wedding gang, look for outfits for the groom and his best boys to reflect the theme, season, style or colour scheme. For those with a large groom’s party, it can be a headache though, trying to get everyone together to go shopping or for fittings. Sarah Harper of Charles Gale Hire (www.charlesgalehire.co.uk) offers some handy hints to help make sure everyone looks their big-day best. ❤ Take fabric and colour swatches with you when you go shopping. ❤ A good time to start looking for outfits is around six months before the big day, although earlier is fine if you prefer. ❤ For the first visit try to restrict numbers to just the two of you or the groom and their best man maybe. ❤ Not everyone needs to be measured at the same time, although sometimes it’s a good excuse for a ‘boys’ day out’ afterwards. ❤ Don’t worry if anyone living out of the area can’t be there, they should be able to get measured elsewhere. ❤ If you have a set budget, let your supplier know so they can work with it to get the look you want. ❤ Sometimes it’s good to have the groomsmen in slightly different outfits with possibly a different waistcoat or neckwear to the groom, to make sure he stands out. ❤ Any children in the party don’t need to come in for fittings until around four weeks before the wedding as they have a habit of growing when you least expect it! LOOKING YOUR BEST 55
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=