I’m so grateful to be a part of your day! The form at the very bottom of this page will be indispensable for getting our ducks all in a row and helping your day flow as smooth as silk. Some of the details needed are likely still being worked out but as soon as you need an extra hand on timelines (ie: when will we start photos?), send this our way and we’ll be in touch with a timeline draft! There’s some more information that we find we speak with brides and grooms about regularly as well.
Professional hair and make-up artists make such a huge difference and I looooove them! It can often take more time than anticipated so I’d pad the time recommendations they give you so your day moves smoothly and we aren’t running late – it’s no fun to feel that stress on your wedding day and if any portion tends to run long, 9/10 it’s this part. If we don’t, the 45 minutes of photo time we have for you and your groom turns into 3 minutes. Ouch!
Be one of the very first to get your hair/make-up done!
Why? For three main reasons. If things fall behind, you’re needed for photos first (there’s a little extra time for bridesmaids to play catch-up if it’s absolutely required) and second, I never want them to rush through your hair. We don’t want that for anyone, but definitely not for you…I also find that by getting hair and make-up done towards the beginning, there’s time to test longevity – ie: is there a strand that needs to be recurled or pinned. I’d rather it happen while they’re there than once they’ve left.
Just a few points that wouldn’t be ready knowledge – because I’m using natural light, you don’t have to go much heavier on make-up. That’s a bit of a throw-back to heavy flash photography where it made everyone look awful. That said, it’s always nice when eyes are accentuated a bit!
A few products can cause some issues – foundation with a high SPF or formulations made to look ‘dewy’ & frosted eyeshadows…Here’s why, they’re designed to kick light back…and while in person, they can look great, the camera freezes a moment and with dewier foundations, our foreheads and noses look super shiny.
I’d love if you were aware of these when you had a consultation with your make-up artist so you can steer selections in a different direction.
Finally, bronzer – if yours has sparkle to it (which is generally ground up mica) you’ll have a ton of white spots all over your arms, decolletage…and the generally well behaved perfectionist in me will be horrified and spend an extra week retouching it and any bridesmaids who happened to also put it on :) #speakingfromexperience
Sometimes, I feel like make-up pro’s turn the volume *all the way* up on glam…and if your wedding is that sort, it might be entirely appropriate…but too often I see brides making adjustments because they’re getting married outside and the look is a bit too much given the setting so take time to find examples. I love Team Hair and Make-up’s work out of Santa Barbara – although not local, they almost always nail flawless skin that still looks natural with slight contouring that’s invisible and a fresh/polished look for brides looking for something classic or natural.
That way, the only thing you have on the to do list for the last week is getting your nails done and can enjoy time with the people you love most!
My husband says his favorite detail was the bluegrass cocktail band. Also, partner with professionals who can help you execute your vision!
Have a First look. This is a personal decision but having the whole afternoon for Daniel and I to take photos and then relax before the ceremony was such a treat.
I'm so glad I took all the pictures before the wedding - my favorite thing was getting to the reception before the guests. My husband and I were able to take a moment and catch our breath - you need a few of those moments on your wedding day!
Looking back, I was so overwhelmed trying to produce what I thought a "Martha Stewart wedding" should be - meaning every detail is perfect, down to the littlest detail. In the end, the things I let go of didn't matter.
I wrote handwritten letters to all my bridesmaids and it was great to watch their reactions as they read them before the wedding!
Bring a cute hanger for your wedding gown.
Have a Sorority photo. Being in Tri Delta was such a big part of my life during college, it was so special to have a photo taken with all of those girls from college, and additionally family and friends who also shared in that experience elsewhere.
It wasn't planned, but my father walked in the foyer of our venue when my husband & I were doing our first look and it was so sweet to share that moment with him too.
I am glad that I sewed part of my father's tie in my dress.
Every couple of hours, I paused to soak in the evening and take mental pictures of the experience. It was nice to remind myself to sit back & enjoy it!