Spending time with the bridal party before your wedding ceremony is one of the most exciting parts of the entire event. You have selfies to take, champagne (mimosas?) to drink, and memories to make. Into this mix, you must also have your wedding makeup and hair done. But the big day doesn’t call for just another makeover session. This is your moment, and at Backstage Salon + Spa in Rowley, MA, we’ll work to give you a gorgeous bridal glow.
How Long Does Wedding Makeup Take?
Be prepared for your day to start early, especially if you have a significant number of bridesmaids. The larger your wedding party, the longer all of you will need to get ready. Your makeup, as the bride, will take between 60 and 90 minutes to complete. The same amount of time is also necessary for hair. Bridesmaids and the mother-of-the-bride generally need 30 to 45 minutes for makeup and hair each.
You may need to add a few minutes to these estimates if only one photographer is available to document both you and your husband-to-be getting ready. All of this may sound like it adds up to a long day, but trust us when we say the time will fly. As your bridesmaids get ready, you can use that time to grab a bite to eat – you’ll need something in your stomach – relax, and enjoy those last thrilling hours before the ceremony.
Some Surprising Details
Maybe this point isn’t so surprising, but the bride generally decides the day’s pecking order. You can choose to go last, which is most common, to ensure you look and feel fresh for the events to come. Or, alternatively, you can go first. This is ideal if your wedding makeup or hair is especially delicate or intricate and requires substantial time. In this case, going first keeps you from feeling rushed.
The maid of honor will similarly want to go as close to last as possible. Some bridesmaids may therefore be assigned a 7 am start time for a ceremony that doesn’t start until 3 pm. If this is how the day is structured, don’t panic. Everyone will have ample time for touch-ups. We’ll even coordinate with you to craft a schedule that aligns with your ceremony.
The Process Can Be Fairly Emotional
You might not think it now, but getting ready for one of the biggest days of your life with the people you love most can make you and them quite emotional. You should have tissues on hand so that when you, and your bridal party, cry happy tears, you can quickly wipe them from your face. You should also go for waterproof mascara for yourself, the mother-of-the-bride, and your wedding party.
Important Tips
We recommend you find a reference photo that matches the wedding look you want. Do you hope to recreate a celebrity’s glam red carpet look? Did flawless makeup application on the runway take your breath away? Find a few images and provide them to our office for reference. We can then discuss how that same look can be recreated to showcase your own stunning features.
None of this is to say, however, that you must provide us with a specific image. We can create a look that’s unique to you. We’ll review the makeup colors you’d like to incorporate or the emotion you want to invoke and go from there. We’ll also assess your features and consider your wedding color scheme to create a look just right for you.
Opt for a Pre-Wedding Trial
There’s no reason to take chances with your wedding day makeup. That’s why you should book your hair and makeup trial as soon as you have your reference photos or feel ready to move forward with the planning process. Scheduling early helps minimize pre-wedding jitters and allows you to change your mind. You can also use the trial to hear our suggestions and maybe even do a little experimenting.
Timing Is Everything
You want to time your wedding makeup trial so you’re ready around the same time of day as your ceremony is scheduled. This means that if you’ve planned an early evening wedding, you should schedule your trial to coincide with this time. You can then see how your makeup will look in the natural daylight (or moonlight).
Take photos from different angles to understand how your wedding photos will turn out. Also watch how your skin responds to the cosmetics used. Do tissues feel dry or irritated from the foundation? Is your lipstick bleeding? Is the mascara flaking off? It’s important for your makeup to feel as good as it looks. If you have concerns, the trial provides the perfect time for a frank discussion.
Keep the Party’s Phones Charged
You might be thinking the professional photographer you’ve hired will take all the photos you need of the ceremony and reception. But sometimes, those impromptu pics snapped with a phone can be pretty great. You and your party will also want your phones for other reasons, such as checking in with family members or vendors, posting to social media, and simply staying busy before the ceremony.
This means you’ll need some charging stations to use during hair and makeup sessions. If the room only has a couple of outlets, consider bringing in power strips so everyone’s phones last well into the night.
Save Your Dress for Last
It’s best to wear a robe or button-down pajamas for wedding makeup and hair preparation. They can absorb hair spray particles, stray makeup, or condensation from your wedding cocktail – and keep your wedding dress clean in the meantime. You can easily remove these garments without pulling them over your head. And saving your dress until just before the ceremony will help prevent any unfortunate events, such as a snag, spill, or tear.
Discuss Who Pays for What
Some brides pay for their wedding party’s hair and makeup, and others do not. This largely depends on whether you want your bridesmaids to have their wedding look professionally done or simply don’t have a preference. In either case, it’s important you have this conversation with your wedding party so they know what to expect. This can also curtail stress on your big day and keep events flowing seamlessly.
Different Looks To Consider
High-definition makeup helps eliminate skin imperfections without providing a blurry finish. Instead, it delivers a more natural look with reflective particles like silicone, mica, or quartz to diffuse light. This is ideal for brides with blemished or uneven skin who want to look their best in front of the camera. And even as it camouflages imperfections, HD makeup feels featherlight.
Airbrushed makeup is applied with a sprayer to create thin layers that take the shape of your skin. Thanks to thousands of mist-like particles, it makes skin look flawless yet natural. It can cover pores, is long-lasting (up to 12 hours), and provides a smooth finish. Airbrushing works well for those with healthy skin and/or extremely sensitive tissues.
Mineral Makeup
This is another great option for sensitive skin, as mineral makeup is generally formulated without preservatives, fragrances, or oils. Minerals like zinc oxide and talc are milled into tiny particles to create customizable coverage. Many brides choose this option because the minerals deliver a natural glow. It’s also perfect for outdoor shoots because it contains SPF.
High Shine Makeup
Glossy and shiny with lots of highlighter, high shine makeup gives skin a reflective finish and can really turn heads. Think glossy lips, glossy eyelids, and lots of character. We’ll use dewy-finish foundations that illuminate skin, and glitter can even be incorporated to create more bling. This is a great option for dry skin as well anyone who wants a modern, vibrant appearance.
Matte Makeup
Matte makeup provides a velvety finish that uses a powdery texture to pull light inward. You’ll see no radiance, shine, or excess oil, as the goal is to provide a glass-like finish that complements combination or oily skin. Matte makeup stays in place for a long time – without the need for repeated touch-ups – and beautifully conceals pores or acne. You’ll look and feel flawless.
The Perfect Look for Your Big Day
Your wedding makeup and hair are two of the most crucial components of your big day. Getting them just right requires a little planning, but we’ll lend a helping hand. Together, we’ll identify the right makeup choice and colors for your features. And before the ceremony, as you wait for your turn, you can simply relax, eat, and mingle with loved ones. Schedule your trial hair and makeup appointment today by contacting Backstage Salon + Spa in Rowley, MA.
