So much preparation for the “Big Day!” The months leading up to your wedding are sure to be filled with excitement and stress with all the things you need to do. You want to look radiant with glowing skin and feeling healthy in your body. So you can’t afford to let your health fall by the wayside, YOU need to be your number one priority.
By Daria Amato Photographer
Your wedding day arrives and so much of it is fleeting, hours and hours of your preparations constructed into the 10-12 hour day ahead of you. And Poof! It’s done – your married. And what you are left with is your memories and your photographs. The photographs will live on forever; they are the heirlooms you leave behind. You owe it to yourself to do everything you can to make them fabulous and for you to look fabulous! Here are tips from the behind the scenes crew to help get you there.
The Photographer
When looking for a Wedding Photographer decide what style of photography you want as well as the finished product. Is it Traditional, Photojournalistic, Illustrative, Portraiture, High Fashion or Natural Light? Ask to see the images from a full wedding or 2 that the photographer shot. This will give you a real sense of how the they handle the day.
Determine your Top 5 or more. What are your must have shots? Convey your desires and expectations. If you don’t let us know we follow our own flow through the day.
Hire vendors you like. Choose the people who help bring your “Day to Life” like you choose your friends. If you trust and enjoy them, they will help make your day more fun and less stressful.
Definitely have a fun photo day with your photographer. This is a great opportunity to get to know your photographer and how they work as well as getting you comfortable in front of the camera.
The Health Coach
Use your engagement to fuel your inspiration to be in your best health. Adopt the philosophy that it is a lifestyle you are choosing and you will be more likely to stick with it pre-wedding, post-wedding and dare I say pre-baby.
Aim to exercise daily, do what you like and mix it up, try to hit the weights 1-2 days a week for sculpting and toning. There are 3 types of physical activity. Endurance such as dancing, walking, cycling or swimming. Flexibility such as golfing, yard work stretching or yoga. Strength such as climbing stairs, free weights, push-ups or Pilates.
Hydrate with water for amazing skin. Kick the soda, excessive caffeinated beverages and processed foods.
Acquire the nutritarian lifestyle. A nutritarian is a person who has a preference for foods that are high in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. This would be a diet rich in vegetables (especially dark leafy greens), fruits, nuts, seeds, onions, mushrooms, whole grains, beans, berries, high quality-grass fed-pasture raised organic meats and wild caught seafood. Follow the 90/10 rule, 90% nutritarian and 10% simply livin’ and you’ll be on your way to Great Looks and Great Health.
The Make-up Artist
Find the look that you want, be it Classic, Modern or Romantic. There’s a wealth of imagery online to help you get there. But realize that it is your gorgeous features that I look to enhance. My job is to see your unique features and skin tone and translate the look you want that will bring out your natural beauty.
Ask to see images of other brides that the make-up artist worked on that are not photo shopped. Ask questions. A good make-up artist can work with any age, skin tone and style with their own acquired technique. Make-up needs to transfer from indoors to outdoors; last through out the day and making the right colors choices for your specific skin and hair color and color palate in your wedding. Always do a trial! Just because you loved the way someone else's make up looked doesn't necessarily mean you and that artist are a good fit.
Touch-up essentials that every bride should have are lip-gloss, pressed or blot powder, tissues, blister block and Band-Aids.
The Wedding Dress Designer
I always suggest that brides have an open mind when searching for your bridal gown. Don’t stick with one style. Brides 80% of the time choose something that they didn’t think they would like.
Bring your most trusted friend with you while shopping; you need an honest, reliable opinion. Ask the designer and store clerks for recommendations. And when you find it, buy the dress you love.
Have a bridal emergency pouch with a needle and thread, safety pins and shout pad. You just never know when those will unexpectedly come in handy.
Here’s the most important thing to stay focused on. Let the details take care of themselves, don’t sweat the small stuff and have a glorious, amazing and magical Wedding Day!
Daria Amato Photographer
201-888-7044