SPRING FEVER

Brickendonbury Estate was the perfect setting for this dreamy shoot

Images courtesy of Ola Portraits

What’s not to love about this beautiful shoot, which features seasonal spring flowers and a cream colour scheme? The shoot was inspired by the English countryside, with the aim to showcase the beautiful landscape of the Brickendonbury Estate. Shoot coordinator Kim Ola at Ola Portraits says, “I was captivated by the idyllic location when I first visited the estate, so I gathered a small team of talented suppliers to work their magic.” She adds, “We thought the venue’s river was the perfect setting to enhance through the use of delicate fresh florals, and the model wore a flowing gown to create a soft dreamy look that mirrored the elegant venue.”

LOOKING YOUR BEST

Local experts share beauty and fashion tips and tricks

Most of us have dreamt of creating our dream wedding look, from a wow-factor gown, showstopping make-up and stunning hair – don’t forget those perfect finishing touches. We’ve gathered some of the top fashion and beauty experts from around the counties to provide top tips and advice to make the process much easier.

HAIR GOALS

I want to wear my hair loose for my wedding day, how do I make sure it looks it’s best? Making sure your hair is at its peak condition is key when it comes to creating your desired look, whether you’re thinking of embracing your natural texture or glamming things up with waves or curls.

Using the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type is essential, followed by a protein spray to help nourish your hair and a deep conditioning treatment once a fortnight before the big day.

For the best possible hold, I like to layer a few lightweight products to create a natural look that will hold all day. For maximum holding power, volume powder applied at the roots and some backcombing will give amazing control – this is excellent for the gorgeous Hollywood waves.

When going for a more natural wave or curl, don’t overuse products as this can create a stiff and uncomfortable look. If you’re worried about curls dropping, a couple of strips of clip-in extensions can help.

When choosing a veil, I always advise against one with a bulky plastic comb. A smaller metal comb will be easier to hold in place with the help of a couple of grips and a bit of backcombing – plus it’s a lot easier to remove. Kim Sandford | Kim Sandford Hairdressing www.kimsandfordhairdressing.co.uk

FINDING THE ONE

I’m nervous about my first bridal appointment; what can I expect and what should I take with me? Being nervous about wedding dress shopping is normal; we hear it from our brides daily. Clients worry a lot about what styles to pick, their budget, what their family will think and body image.

We always encourage brides to come in with an open mind and only bring a small, intimate group of people you trust. They’ll think you look perfect no matter what.

At Enchanted Bridal Boutique, we pride ourselves on truly wanting to match brides with their perfect dress. One they feel and look absolutely stunning in and can’t wait to wear.

There’s no need for added stress, so we say arrive safely and let’s get the journey started. There’s no need to bring anything with you as we have everything needed. Melanie Rich | Enchanted Bridal Boutique www.enchantedbridalboutique.co.uk FLUTTERING LASHES

I’d love to wear false eyelashes on my wedding day to really make my eyes stand out, but I’ve never managed to successfully apply a set. Do you have any tips? Lashes are usually included if you’ve booked a professional makeup artist for your wedding day. The supplier will have a selection for you to choose from and will help you select the perfect ones to suit your eye shape and make-up style.

Lash extensions can be a great option, especially if you’re going away on a honeymoon after your big day. But if you’d rather not commit to the cost and maintenance, strip lashes are the perfect alternative. There are so many styles in the market now from supernatural options to ones full of volume and something in between. But these can be tricky to apply, and the glue can be messy and uncomfortable.

If you’re doing your own make-up on your wedding day and are not confident in applying your lashes, there’s now a clever new alternative – magnetic strip lashes. Rather than a traditional lash glue, these new lashes come with a magnetic eyeliner that somehow secures the false lashes to your lash line. You can buy these on the high street, and they come in various styles. Michelle Perkins | Make-up Artistry London www.makeupartistrylondon.com