YOUR BEST YOU

YOU Your best

Top tips from local experts on how to be the bridal best version of you

One of the most important things on your wedding day is to feel like the very best version of you. It’s easy to get stressed about all the details, but once you put your dress on, your make-up and hair are done to perfection and you look in the mirror, you want to see a relaxed, radiant bride smiling back at you.

It’s easy to get lost in all the hurly burly of planning the big day and forget one of the most important things – you; and your other half of course! To enjoy the journey and de-stress the process as much as possible, try to let go of the reins, delegate where possible and prioritise the most important things, like being kind to yourself and not sweating the small stuff. Sleepless nights, stress and anxiety are barriers to becoming the relaxed bride of your dreams so remember to add in some all-important ‘me-time’.

THINKING AHEAD

One of the key priorities on the road to looking and feeling your bridal best, is not leaving things to the last minute. Some things aren’t a quick fix so it pays to put in the groundwork early to get the best results. Do your research, look online, scour wedding magazines and start putting together a moodboard of inspiration; your suppliers will love you for it as it makes their job so much easier if they can share your vision. Matching your look to the style of your venue is another key consideration if you want to achieve a coordinated effect. A good starting point is to focus on the kind of bride you want to be, traditional or alternative, chic and elegant or free-spirited boho. With so much choice, it’s important to find what suits you and your personality so you can still look and feel like you on the big day – just a more glamorous version.

GET THE LOOK

Once the dress is in the bag, everything else can flow from there, from the type of hairstyle you choose, the make-up, jewellery and accessories. If you don’t usually wear much make-up or have had the same hairstyle for years, finding the right bridal look can be daunting. Experimenting or having a drastic makeover just before the big day is never a good idea, after all you want your other half to recognise you when you walk up the aisle. Have a play with some new colour combos, products and styles – get your best girls together for a pamper night and see what you feel comfortable with. Then once you’ve got some ideas together, check out the talent pool of amazing hair and beauty experts in the region to help you realise your vision.

BLANK CANVAS

If you’re looking for that all-important bridal glow, it pays to put in the groundwork. Preparation is key as Victoria Bradfield (www.victoriabradfield.co.uk), one of the region’s leading make-up artists, well knows. She says, “One of the most important tips I can give brides is to get your skincare in order.” She recommends starting at least six months before the big day, including regular facials and professional advice about which treatments are best for you and a skincare regime to use at home. “ Most products take two months to start showing results and https://ajg-photography.co.uk then you need time to get your skin looking it’s best before you consider your make-up trial. Rather than just relying on the advice of someone selling products you need someone to take the time to fully diagnose what your skin needs to look it’s very best.” Victoria recommends: ❤ Cleanse properly otherwise serums and creams will just slide off clogged pores and neglected skin. ❤ Make sure you exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells, which can dull your complexion. Then when you have your trial the make-up will sit so much better on cared-for skin and will last the day and night looking radiant. ❤ Plan ahead for your beauty treatments but don’t try anything new two months before your wedding in case you have a reaction as you’ll need enough time for it to heal. ❤ For lashes, tans and nails, a couple of days before the wedding is fine, especially if you’re going away afterwards. They will see you through your wedding and honeymoon so you’ll really get your money’s worth. ❤ Follow trends but also remember how things change and always include a nod towards classic looks too.

Suffolk-based professional make-up artist Abi May of Abilou Beauty (www.abiloubeauty.com) answers some of your frequently asked questions about the pre-wedding make-up trial.

What is a bridal trial, and do I really need one? The simple answer is ‘yes you do’! You probably wouldn’t get married after only trying your dress on once, and it should be the same for your make-up. A trial is more than just a practice run, it’s the perfect opportunity to get to know your make-up artist and make sure you click with them. It also give you the chance to assess their skill level and decide if they are the right fit for you. You want to feel comfortable and at ease with them and confident that they can create your desired look.

How can I make the most of the experience? It’s the perfect opportunity to ensure that you and your chosen professional are on the same page. When describing looks, especially details like colours, things can get lost in translation. I therefore advise all my brides to bring some pictures of the kind of thing they would like. It can be images of celebrities, your friends or that classic shot that always pops up online when you search ‘bridal make-up’. Having images of your gown, your bridesmaids’ dresses and your colour scheme is helpful too so your artist can tailor the look to suit your day.

Trials are also a great way to test the staying power of the look you want. I’d recommend booking in the morning on a busy day to mimic how your skin or hair will cope during the wedding. It’s a good idea to have your hair trial on the same day too and wear a top or dress with a similar neckline to your bridal gown to get an idea of how you will look for the wedding. The trial will also help you plan ahead as you and your make-up artist will be able to discuss how much time to allow for you and your wedding party to get ready. You’ll also be able to test all the products to avoid any flare-ups on the big day. It’s best to come to the appointment with just a clean, bare face as we normally do skin preparation before applying the make-up and it helps make the appointment run more smoothly.

Does the wedding party need to come too? This is completely up to you, some of your bridesmaids may not wear make-up very often and might like to try it out to see how they feel. I often find that the mother-of-the-bride and -groom tend to have trials to make sure the products suit their skin and it’s a nice bonding experience too. You can also get feedback from each other and work out if anything needs adjusting to suit the day.

How many trials should I have? It’s best to have one with every make-up artist or stylist you’re interested in working with and go from there. Once you have decided who you want to work with, one trial is probably enough.

When should I book my appointment? A few months before the big day is a good time as the look will still be fresh in your and your make-up artist’s minds.

ABI’S TOP TREND ALERTS

This year seems to be focused far more on enhancing natural beauty than covering up. Brides are opting for glowing, glasslike skin with a simple eye look and cluster lashes. Nude and pink lip shades remain an all-time favourite however, matte lipsticks have been sidelined in favour of satin finish as this gives the lips a dewy look without feeling sticky.

Getting your hair right is vital to feeling relaxed and confident, so now is probably not the time to consider anything too radical. If you’ve always hankered after a short pixie cut instead of your customary long locks, maybe wait until after the big day – remember it’s difficult to fix if you hate it. Stylist Kerry Bywater of BellaRose Hair Design shares some handy pointers to help you get on track. ❤ Schedule your trial for eight to 12 weeks before the big day. ❤ Have photos of your dress to show your stylist. ❤ Take examples of hairstyles you like with you - Pinterest is fab for this! Have a few different looks to try and remember to avoid anything too similar to the rest of the bridal party. ❤ Don’t style your hair beforehand. Wash it the day before if possible, make sure it’s completely dry and no straightening or heat styling. ❤ Allow one to two hours for your appointment. ❤ Have your veil and hair accessories with you. ❤ Consider what the weather’s likely to be on the day when you’re choosing styles. ❤ Be true to yourself and what you’re comfortable with. You don’t want to look back at the photos and not feel like you! Visit: www.instagram.com/bellarosehairdesign

www.lizgreenhalgh.co.uk

KERRY’S TOP TREND ALERTS

❤ Statement accessories – hair jewellery, bolder and vintage pieces ❤ Boho styles – fishtail plaits, soft waves, texture, undone hair and pulled-out twists ❤ Colour – balayage, free hand-painted pieces to add texture and interest

WITH THIS RING

The all-important ring is going to be in the spotlight on the wedding day too, so make sure your hands are in tip-top condition for those just-wed photos. Fine jewellery consultant Emma Greetham (www.emmagreetham.com) specialises in wedding bands and helping newlyweds-to-be to find the perfect match to complement their engagement rings. She predicts, “White metals remain a popular choice and with the price of platinum being relatively low compared to the alltime high cost of gold, now is the moment to invest in the premium white metal option. That said, yellow gold is enjoying another comeback and is particularly popular with grooms looking for a timeless look.”

There are no rules when it comes to choosing wedding bands, but if you want it to go with your engagement ring, look for something to complement the design. Emma says, “You want your wedding band to enhance your engagement ring, not fight for centre stage! Super fine, diamond-set bands are a massive trend, leaving plenty of room to add more delicate bands for anniversaries and special occasions to create a stack. If your engagement ring has a large/long stone or is a cluster style you may want to look at a curved band to fit around it so they sit neatly together. For something completely unique we can work with you to create a bespoke design made to fit your engagement ring perfectly.”

When it comes to the bridal accessories, as a general rule, less is more! “Unless your wedding gown is very simple and you want the jewellery to be the main focus, I usually recommend small, classic pieces to add a little sparkle but not to overcrowd the look. Think solitaire pendants, diamond studs and fine sparkly tennis bracelets. Once you have chosen your dress and veil make sure you have a photo to show your jeweller so they can suggest what will work with the neckline, sleeves and overall feel of the dress,” adds Emma.

VATE TOUR I PR

• BOOK A Yourexclusiveuse,destinationweddingvenue

SCAN OUR BROC H U HERE • TO D OWNLOAD

An Exclusive Use Wedding Venue

Our stunning Jacobean house is set in plush, manicured gardens overlooking three ornamental lakes and Ely Cathedral. Our venue holds a permanent marquee, multiple bars, picturesque courtyards and terraces, multiple ceremony locations, a hidden dance floor, indoor and outdoor stages, and 16 luxury hotel rooms. Our venue is exclusively yours for the day and night of your wedding.

Stunning in Every Season

With incredible indoor and outdoor spaces, you’re guaranteed your perfect ceremony whatever the weather. Our hand-crafted pavilion overlooks our lakes and gardens with Ely Cathedral on the horizon. Our inside ceremony space, The Orangery, features floor to ceiling glass which can all be opened to unveil a stunning inside-outside space.

We Are Experts in What We Do

We have crafted all-encompassing wedding packages, to make sure your planning process is as enjoyable as the big day itself! As a family-owned venue hospitality and service are our priority. Our team of Events Managers will guide you through the planning process, and our team of chefs will work with you to make sure your wedding breakfast is crafted exactly to your taste.

16 LUXURIOUS BEDROOMS • 10 ACRES OF LANDSCAPED GROUNDS CAPACITY: 165 CEREMONY, 170 SEATED MEAL & 250 BUFFET STYLE • 2023 DATES STILL AVAILABLE JUST A 1HOUR 10MINUTE DIRECT TRAIN FROM LONDON KINGS CROSS