The Key to a Successful Hair and Make-up Session

Photo by Kris Labang Photography

Sometimes, we find that brides are not quite happy with their professionally styled hair and make-up - quite unfortunate, when considering the investment of time and money.  To best ensure a successful hair and make-up look not just at the wedding, but even before that, at the trial session, prepare inspiration images of hair and make-up images that depict what you like, and even what does not appeal to you.  I did this myself for my professional head shots, and was sooo pleased with the end result!

Photo by L'amour Photography

While you can verbally describe what you would like, "a picture says a thousand words" and is the best way for ensuring that the vision is the same.  On countless occasions, brides have mentioned that they prefer a natural look for their wedding day, but when asked to pull inspiration images, the photos they select show very defined eyes, heavy contouring, or even prominent lips, which in fact, is contrary to what's considered to be natural...  Take a bit of time to pull together your inspiration images, and you will put yourself on track to be happiest with the hair and make-up that your professional artist achieves for you.

Photo by L'amour Photography

Happy Planning!
Mona
Weddings by Grace and Mona

Tips and Advice: fresh flowers for the bride's hair

photo by Kris Labang Photography

Nothing says "wedding in Hawai'i" like fresh flowers adorning the bride's hair. While beautiful blooms make a pretty statement, consider the following when preparing for the big day:

• flower type - consult with the floral designer when choosing what kind(s) of flower to wear in your hair. Certain flowers may be more delicate or fragile, and may not be conducive to wearing in your hair for several hours.
• flower prep - ask your hair and make-up artist if having the blooms wired and taped is preferred. The floral designer can wire the flowers and tape them, making them sturdier and less likely to break off, but in some instances, this may make it more difficult to secure the blossom to your hair. Your hair and make-up artist would be able to indicate what will work best with your do, given the type of flower(s).
• back-ups - Guests always want to greet and hug the bride, so often times, hair flowers become subject to jostling, bumping, and bruising. Request extra hair flowers from your floral designer and have your on-site wedding coordinator or bridesmaid switch out the "old" blossoms for fresh ones.
• tiaras, veils, AND hair flowers, oh my! - For those who want it all, you can "have your cake, and eat it, too!" Donning a tiara, headband, or other ornate hair accessories and hair flowers at the same time looks busy, and the two adornments compete with each other for attention. Instead of wearing both at the same time, enjoy two looks in the same day. Start with the one look with the veil for the ceremony and switch looks for the reception for a fresh look.

photos by Eclat Photography

• delivery time - Often times, floral designers will deliver bridal party flowers in time for picture taking. However, by the time these flowers arrive, the hair and make-up artist, who would be best at inserting the hair flowers, may have already left. Make specific arrangements to either have the flowers delivered before the hair and make-up artist leaves, or to pick up the hair flowers from the floral designer early, so that the flowers are ready for the hair and make-up artist.