The Right Products For You

While most makeup artists carry an arsenal of products in their makeup kit, you don't want your wedding to be the off day your skin decides to have a reaction to a new product. Likewise, if you know you have an allergy or sensitivity to certain products or ingredients (like latex or talc), your trial would be the optimal time to let your artist know so that they can use products that will suit your skin best.

Look Like Yourself

Having the opportunity to do a run through of your wedding makeup gives you the chance to see what you'll look like before the actual event. You've spent all this time combing through magazines and Pinterest and bookmarking beautiful inspiration. However, what looks great one on person might not suit your unique features and coloring. I always encourage brides to select makeup that will enhance their natural beauty so that they look timeless and classically elegant in their photos. Everyone looks beautiful as a more glamorous version of themselves, but not everyone looks great in a dark smokey eye or heavy winged liner. Pick a look that makes you, still look like you.

Get Used to False Lashes

I encourage all my brides to wear false lashes on their wedding day. It's a simple touch that makes you look wide-eyed and fresh in your photos. If you've never worn false lashes before, having your makeup artist apply them during your trial will give you the opportunity to experience how they wear but also learn how to remove them properly so you aren't overwhelmed or bothered by them on your wedding day.

Plan Your Look

You've heard the phrase, "poor planning prevents proper performance." Well, the same goes for planning your makeup look in advance. Don't want until the last minute to sway back and forth about what kind of look you want. Set you and your artist up for success by scheduling a makeup trial to figure out the look that will be most flattering. Like any other wedding accessory, your makeup is meant to compliment your overall bridal style. Except, your face and smile will also be the focus of what your guests see and your photographer captures. Take the extra time to decide how exactly you want to look.

Connect With Your Artist

If for no other reason, schedule a makeup trial so that you can spend some extra time with a person who will be responsible for helping make your wedding day spectacular. My bridal clients are so special to me and I always feel so honored to be a part of their wedding. We get the rare opportunity to spend very intimate time with our brides right before they walk down the aisle. Get to know your makeup artist - ask questions, tell them about your day of timeline or your family members who might need some extra time or patience. Share any details that might help them do their job on the day-of or to make you feel more comfortable on an otherwise busy or stressful day.

How to be a gracious bride | Cinnamon Wolfe Photography | NJ Wedding Photographer

By Victoria Deardorff of Burgh Brides

Every engaged gal fears being called the B-word. You know which one I’m talking about. The one that insinuates that you’re being selfish, controlling, and/or unrealistic. I’ll be honest – when you’re planning your wedding and things aren’t going quite as you had thought they would, it’s actually not all that difficult to slip into the role of a bridezilla. We’ve all been there a time or two and it’s not pretty. I get that planning a wedding can be incredibly stressful. Really, I do! But that doesn’t give you the right to be a crazy person. Instead, follow these few tips and be a kind, gracious, glowing bride who is beautiful both inside and out.

Say “thank you.”

A lot. Be grateful. To your fiance, your bridal party, your family, and your vendors. They are helping you; don’t forget that. Acknowledge the time, money, or effort that someone has given up all in the name of your big day. So overuse the words “thank you.” They’re simple, they’re free, but they go a really long way.

Be nice to your vendors.

I can’t stress this one enough. You will totally reap what you sow when it comes to relationships with your vendors. If you’re kind and gracious to them, I guarantee they’ll work extra hard to make your day spectacular. Be considerate of the fact that your wedding likely isn’t the only one they’re working on. Cut them some slack when it comes to responding to emails or phone calls. And please, for the love of Pete, feed the ones who will be working all day. A real meal. It doesn’t need to be the filet and lobster tail your guests will be eating, but something substantial that will keep them fueled and focused. Back in my wedding planner days, I had numerous clients ask if they had to provide meals for their vendors. Yes, yes, yes, 1000% yes. This is not the place to save a few dollars.

Diversify your conversations.

By all means, be excited about your wedding! It’s an exciting time! But try to not talk about it 24/7. Your friends and family are happy for you, but they don’t want to hear about your wedding alllll the time. If someone asks you a question about the wedding, go right ahead and answer them. But be sure to follow up with a question about them. Ask about what they’ve got going on and be genuinely interested in their answers. Take the same approach with your fiance too. Make a rule to routinely do non-wedding related activities together and have a weekly “Absolutely No Wedding Talk Allowed” evening.

Remember it’s not just “your” day.

As a matter of fact, vow to never let the words “It’s my wedding!” cross your lips. Sure, you’re the bride and you’ll undoubtedly be the center of attention, both during planning and on the wedding day. But the celebration belongs to other people besides yourself, such as your fiance and your parents. Let them share the excitement and joy with you. Involve them, take their opinions into thoughtful consideration, and pick and choose your battles wisely. Often it’s better to concede on something small than it is to deal with the hurt feelings later.

Don’t expect too much from your bridesmaids.

They are not your actual maids. Don’t treat them as such. You want to be friends with these girls after the wedding is over. So don’t make demands on their time; ask for their help instead. And if they can’t help with or attend something, be understanding. Keep them involved but don’t expect them to run errands or do things that aren’t wedding related. Also, be thoughtful of how much money you are asking them to spend. A dress, shoes, jewelry, bridal shower, bachelorette party, gifts…the costs add up quickly and can be exorbitant. Have an honest discussion with them early in the planning process to get an idea of how much they are comfortable spending and then try your best to stick to that.

Roll with the punches.

Some things will go wrong, both during the planning process and on your wedding day. It’s just Murphy’s law. Maybe your favorite photographer will already be booked, maybe the flowers you were dying to have are just too expensive, maybe it will rain on your wedding day, or maybe the DJ will play the wrong intro music. Whatever it is, in the grand scheme of things, are any of those really a big deal? You’ll still be married to your sweetheart at the end of it all. Have a Plan B for everything. Accept that minor obstacles or mishaps will happen, let them roll off your back, and move on. When it comes to snafus on the big day, keep in mind that you are likely the only one who knows how things were “supposed to” be or go. Guests are typically none the wiser when something goes awry. I guarantee they won’t even notice. Don’t stress about it too much and get back to partying.

Because Burgh Brides are the best kind of bride, I’m sure you knew all of this already. But a friendly reminder never hurt anyone. What other advice would you give for being a gracious bride?

Burgh Brides is a blog dedicated to inspiring, showcasing, and celebrating Pittsburgh weddings. I love to show off the unique nuptials that take place in my city, as well as to inspire brides and grooms to create their own extraordinary day. By day, I’m a full time event planner at Carnegie Mellon University, a wife and dog mom, and lover of glitter, Netflix, cupcakes, and, of course, Pittsburgh weddings.

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

To see ALL the posts in the With this Ring...series, click HERE