Photography: Photo for illustration purposes only. Picture by Fiona Kelly Photography
Not everyone can afford a professional makeup artist on their big day. But, no matter the budget, looking your very best is important. Just remember the photographs that will be taken on your big day will live on. If you can afford it, I'd definitely recommend engaging a pro. Being in the hands of people who know what they're doing is priceless.
From experience, the big day usually comes with chaos, stress and mismanagement. If you're lucky, you've got a handful of precious bridesmaids that will take it all off your shoulders, while you pretty yourself up. However, most of the time, the bridesmaids forget the role they have to play on the day and get so caught up with their own hair/makeup/outfit, that the bride is neglected. Another classic scenario is the bride wants to be in control of everything, so she eventually gets too frazzled to even draw eyeliner (true story!).
A professional makeup artist, by comparison, will have a suitcase full of everything you need and more – 10 different types of false lashes, 50 shades of lipsticks, foundations, eyeshadows etc. Usually the professional is so professional that she/he can assess the situation around the bride within minutes.
I once had a bride whose husband was kidnapped the night before the wedding; another whose maid-of-honour disappeared from her duties; and one whose mother gave the bride hell to the point of a breakdown. As a makeup artist, we are also there for emotional support too. We will do anything to keep the bride from crying, because it destroys our beautiful work!
So here's my advice on choosing the right makeup artist for you. First, you need to like your makeup artist and feel comfortable around them, and vice versa. Stay away from the calculative ones. 'Err, you used an extra pair of false eyelashes so I need to charge you $10' or 'You want ampoule...extra $20!' The real makeup artist won't charge for the small stuff.
Getting a pre-wedding trial session is worth every cent. You get to meet the professional and decide if you are comfortable with her. More importantly, this is the time you can truly assess if the pro can make you look a drop-dead gorgeous bride. Now, don't you think that's money well spent?
