Your London Wedding - March/April 2021 (Issue 76)

Our local pros answer your questions Fashion & beauty Q&A KEEP IT CLASSIC What is a timeless hair and make-up style that I’ll look back on and love for years to come? Choosing a classic style will ensure that your photos never look dated. For me, it’s all about a natural, soft, romantic look – because natural beauty never goes out of style. For your make-up, that means achieving a flawless, glowing finish, without it looking like you’re wearing much on your skin. This is something that make-up artists are very skilled at. A dewy, fresh-faced finish helps with the subtlety here, giving a bright, healthy look. For the lips, opt for a nude shade that complements your skin tone – your make-up artist will be able to match products to your complexion. Try a light smokey effect on the eyes to really draw attention to them. You can’t go wrong with a classic flick of eyeliner; you just have to decide if you want to go small and understated or more daring. For the hair, add a little texture with some effortless waves and tease into a low bun, perhaps loosely twisting the front section for added shape, and let a couple of strands fall around the shoulders to frame the face. This will complete an elegant look that’s as timeless as it comes. Gabrielle | Hair and Makeup by Gabrielle www.hairbygabrielle.co.uk HATS OFF I have a simple dress and would love to make an impact with a headpiece. What trends should I look out for? As we’ve all been wearing comfortable and functional clothing throughout the pandemic, when weddings return, glamour will be coming back in a big way! Brides will want to be seen, have fun and dress up. The fact you have a simple dress is perfect, as it means you can go wild with your headwear. Another trend that is coming in is a move towards more eco-friendly options: sustainable and vegan fabrics, ethically sourced feathers, recycled elements and vintage pieces. Consumers don’t want to throw things away anymore, instead making choices with the environment, nature and waste reduction in mind. I love using vintage fabrics from family members. We’ve all come to realise how important and precious family is, and this is a lovely way to celebrate that. It’s a great investment to buy something bespoke and handmade from a designer, rather than off-the-peg. This means you will have a unique and special piece to treasure forever. Katherine | Katherine Elizabeth Millinery www.katherineelizabethhats.com www.lisa paynephotography.co.uk www.clai rejulietpaton.co.uk DESIGNS ON YOU My friend suggested I have my dress made; I love the idea but it seems daunting. What’s involved? There’s no need to feel daunted; going bespoke is a very rewarding process and the end result is extra-special and unique. It’s also a lovely way to incorporate something personal into your look – perhaps a piece of veil, some fabric or a button from your mother’s or grandmother’s dress. We start the process with a meeting to discuss your ideas. This might be from magazine clippings, a Pinterest board or photos of dresses you’ve tried on. It’s a good idea to not only look at wedding dresses, as often the design may stem from a red-carpet look or a favourite dress you already own. From this, a toile is made, which is a mock-up of the dress in a practice fabric made to your measurements. This allows us to get the fit just right, while giving you the chance to make any design changes before the dress is made in your chosen fabric. We then create the final dress and have a fitting to check everything is perfect before you take the finished gown home. You are in control the whole way through, from the concept sketch to the final look. Christina and Becky | Paper to Lace | www.papertolace.co.uk 82