Behind the Brush w/ Chicago Makeup Artist Lena Clark.
Planning a wedding can be expensive and sometimes extremely stressful. Trust me, I’m getting married next July so I am sitting right there with you. We brides try to find ways – any way possible – to decrease our wedding expenses and stay within budget yet get the most bang for our bucks.
I totally agree with cutting out items your guests 1) won’t notice, 2) won’t remember, and/or 3) won’t care about. However, your wedding day makeup is definitely NOT in this category. Why? Well…because YOU are the star of the show!
Everyone wants to, and will, see you on your wedding day! Your friends, your family, and most importantly, your groom will be looking at you committing that beautiful image to memory for FOR-EV-VER. What’s more, your complete bridal look will be captured and memorialized for all posterity by your photographer and/or videographer.
Do you NEED a bridal preview?
Short answer – it depends. While a preview session is not mandatory it is very highly recommended. Being able to go without a bridal preview depends on how well you researched your makeup artist and how well you are able to communicate your desired look. In the last couple years I have seen an increase in the number of my brides who decide not to get a pre-wedding bridal preview. In response, I created a detailed online bridal consultation form that asks the right questions to allow me to design and execute a bridal look with or without a bridal preview session. Win-win!
Review from a recent bride that opted out of a bridal preview session.
Why you SHOULD get a bridal preview:
At your preview session we will begin to establish a relationship that will carry on to your wedding day – and after. We will collaborate to design and execute a long lasting bullet proof makeup application based on your style and comfort level, likes and dislikes, and the overall look you would like to achieve. This will ensure a personalized look that is beautiful in person as well as in your photos.
We will discuss and study your inspiration images to make sure the looks you have selected will work for you. Many times when we look at images in magazines (which are more often than not photoshopped) we don’t consider the fact that our face shape, eye size or color, lip size, skin color, etc., are not the same as the model/celebrity pictured. The differences in these features affect the way makeup looks on one person versus another. As a professional makeup artist, I can make the necessary adjustments to translate your desired look and make it suitable for your unique features.
Perhaps you’ve never worn makeup before or aren’t used to wearing lashes. Another plus to having a bridal preview session is that it will also allow you a moment to become comfortable wearing your look. In addition, it gives us the time needed to test the durability and wear of your makeup and determine if you have any unknown allergies/sensitivities that could cause a reaction. Your wedding day is NOT the day to adjust to these changes and make these observations.
If you’re still hoping to get that extra bang for your buck schedule your engagement photo shoot, or a sexy boudoir photo shoot for your groom (or even a date night, ladies night, etc.) on the same day as your bridal preview session. I always give my brides the option of wearing their wedding day look home or offer to make a few tweaks so that their guests and groom can still have a surprise on their wedding day.
After a bridal preview session, I follow up to discuss the overall feelings about the makeup. That way we can discuss any adjustments and avoid the stress and drama of having this discussion on your wedding day. An added bonus is that because your look has been predesigned, it is quicker to execute on your wedding day using the face chart from your preview session.
Tell me: Did you, or will you, have a bridal preview session for your wedding day makeup?
