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You should also read: Best wedding planning APP’s and tools for more guidance. Get your wedding makeup artist booked and secured seamlessly with these fool-proof guidelines:

1. Do your homework

Unless you have a make-up artist on speed dial or a trusted MUA friend, it’s best you do some proper research on who to book. Gather a list of makeup artists in your region and go to their websites or social media pages to see examples of their work. This isn’t only to see the quality of the final product, but to get an idea of their style and general aesthetic. It’s best to opt for someone who specialises in weddings as they will be more likely to provide you with makeup that will last the longest. Once you’ve seen one or two that you like, request a quote.

2. Book early

If your wedding date is set in stone, there’s no reason not to tick one more booking off your checklist. Most makeup artists are booked far in advance, especially in wedding season, so try to make the booking as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

3. Always book a trial

You might think everything will work out perfectly on the day, but to be extra sure, book a trial so that your MUA can be aware of exactly what you want. This way you can also see how quickly he/she works and what you’ll look like on the day. Make changes if necessary and see how long it lasts. Go out for dinner with your bridesmaids after your trial so they can give their opinions and so you can see how the makeup wears in between drinking and eating.

4. Communicate

At your trial, it’s essential to bring along photos of what you want to give your makeup artist a clear view of what you expect. It’s also ideal to show him/her photos of yourself where you really liked your makeup. Be very clear about what you don’t want and what you would like to stay away from. That said, don’t let your MUA try to convince you to do something you wouldn’t normally do. The same goes for on the day – communicate and be clear about your feelings.

5. Be prepared

Wear something in a similar colour to your wedding dress for your trial, and also try to wear something with a similar neckline. Although your MUA should inform you of the specifics beforehand, it’s best to try and have everything done as you would for your wedding – your hair, your spray tan, your lashes and eyebrows. Also, don’t forget your veil or hair accessories if you’re having a hair trial too.

6. Get all the details beforehand

Ask your prospective MUA for any specific terms and conditions, payment details, travel arrangements etc, to make sure no unwanted surprises pop up on the day. If there’s a contract involved, even better – this just makes things so much easier for both parties. They also need to provide you with a timeline of when certain people need to be ready to have their makeup done (if you book for more than one person).

Image: Unsplash

By Mariska van Zyl

There’s no denying that planning your wedding can be exciting, overwhelming and very expensive. So establishing a budget and planing ahead is crucial. There are a few hidden costs when it comes to your wedding day, tipping vendors being one of them.

 

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@adellet all the way from australia!!

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Photographers & Videographers:
It’s not necessary to tip the photographer and videographer if they own their own business as all the costs will usually be included in the contract. If you feel that they went the extra mile you can add an additional amount to the agreed price or you can send a thank you gift after the wedding.

Catering staff and Bartenders:
If your contract doesn’t include tip, you should tip 10 to 20 percent of the total catering bill. If you have an open bar, bartenders do expect to receive a tip from guests as they serve the drinks but it isn’t necessary as they’ll already receive a fixed amount from the venue.

Hair & Makeup artist:
When you hire a hair and makeup artist that owns their own business, you aren’t obligated to tip them. However, if you go to a salon you are expected to tip as you would going for a normal appointment.

 

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This forest ceremony area is just mind blowing at @beloftebos_wedding_venue What do you guys think?

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Officiant:
While it isn’t customary to tip religious officiants, however if you want to thank them for their service, you can send them a thoughtful gift or better, make a donation to their place of worship.

Musicians and DJs:
If you are hiring an independent band or DJ, you aren’t obligated to tip, however when the band or DJ is being booked through an agency, tipping each member is standard.

Tips are meant to to be given to vendors who go above and beyond their contracted duties, so remember to have a look at the vendors’ contracts to see if any gratuity is added in the costs. If your budget is tight, there are other ways of giving “tips”. You can give your vendors excellent reviews or refer them to other friends that are getting married.

Picture: Unsplash

Live painting at wedding receptions is a growing trend for both the couple and guests. It is a fun and creative way to keep guests entertained, as well as create a truly lasting memory for the couple to treasure.

 

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“You have peace,” the old woman said, “when you make it with yourself. ~Mitch Albom

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Mary Paints Weddings (@marypaintsweddings) specialises in live wedding painting in South Africa which leaves the bridal couple with a tangible forever memory – a painting. Mary also creates painted jackets for the couple which can be kept and reused long after the wedding and honeymoon has ended.

Another fun way to incorporate art into your wedding reception is to hire a caricature artist, inviting guests to take something home as well. Martinus Van Tee (@martinus_caricatures)  is a caricature artist based in the Western Cape who offers these services for both wedding and corporate events.

A picture is worth a thousand words but what about a painting? This fun addition to your big day will have your reliving one of the happiest moments of your life, hanging right there in your home.

Picture: Supplied

This is vital information for every bride and some grooms too. Being prepared means that you’re already one step ahead of any emergency that might pop up on your wedding day. Keep these essentials handy to ensure you’re ready for any mishap thrown your way:

Painkillers

No bride wants to be buckled down by headaches on her most important day, so throw some Panados or any pain medication of your choice into your clutch to be prepared for any, literal, headaches.

Snacks

Having a small snack on hand will keep your blood sugar levels balanced and wonʼt leave you feeling lightheaded or ill when the nerves and jitters of the wedding day take over.

Mints

Pack in some mints to be ready (and fresh) for that ‘you may kiss the bride’ moment.

Lipstick

A day filled with activities like eating, dancing and kissing will definitely lead to a lipstick touch-up being needed if you want to be photo-ready at all times.

Tissues

Your wedding day will of course be filled with tears of joy so be prepared with some tissues.

Perfume

Having a signature perfume to use on your wedding day will leave you with a cherished scent to  serve as a reminder of this special day.

Hand cream

Your wedding ring will look dazzling on a pair of soft and moisturised hands, especially for those close-up ring shots.

Pocket Mirror

An essential item to have for a quick make-up touchup during teary-eyed speeches.

Safety Pins

These will come in handy if you come across any snags or broken zips on your dress, or if the groom happens to lose a button.

Picture: K-Leigh Siebritz/HSM Images; Styled by Larissa Vermeulen & Mariska van Zyl

On your wedding day you will be photographed a lot. This can be extremely daunting if you are not used to being in front of the camera. To ensure you get the pictures you’ve always dreamed of, we’ve rounded up some useful tips to help you feel comfortable in front of your wedding photographer.

Hire a photographer you are comfortable with

We know you have envisioned this day down to the finest detail, especially your pictures. Choose a photographer whose work you’ve seen and love. An initial meet-up with your photographer will establish a relationship and help ease any butterflies. And remember to communicate! The photographer needs to know what you want from your pictures, if you’re feeling uncomfortable about anything or if you have any questions – speak up, but trust your photographer to deliver on getting you the best pictures possible.

Book a pre-wedding/engagement shoot with the same photographer

Consider this a trial run. It’s easier to pose for someone you have posed for before. You and your fiancé can then warm up to the feeling of being in front of the camera. This will allow you to see how you interact with the camera, as well as each other, while getting a feel for the photographer’s work.

 

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Being in a long distance relationship isn’t easy. Get it right, and it won’t break your relationship, it’ll make it. But how?!⠀ ⚡️⠀ SET SOME GROUND RULES, AND STICK TO THEM!⠀ Make a rule about the maximum amount of time you’re willing to go without seeing one another. Depending on how far apart you are, this could be anything from a few days to a few months. The one important thing is that you respect this rule – it’s what your relationship needs and deserves if it’s going to survive.⠀ ✨⠀ SHARE WHAT’S GOING ON EVERY DAY!⠀ If you’re in different time zone and a daily call isn’t possible, then you could instead write each other a daily email with your news. In years to come you’ll be able to look back at exactly how you felt doing this long distance thing, and see just how far you’ve come together.⠀ ?⠀ MAKE YOUR TIME TOGETHER AS ‘NORMAL’ AS POSSIBLE!⠀ The normal ‘couple-stuff’ is the essence of a relationship. It’s nights in on a the sofa watching Netflix and binging on junk food. It’s walks in the park. It’s cuddles in bed. It’s simply being together, with no agenda. Make time for these moments of normality to express themselves in your relationship, even though your time together is scarce. ⛰⠀ The right person is worth waiting for, and in the meantime, the long distance will just make it all the more exciting and intimate when you do get to share time together.
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Calling all couples in long distance relationships: How do you make it work? •⠀ Photos by @nabazabihphotography

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Allocate enough time for the picture session on your wedding day

No one ever likes to be rushed, so make sure you have enough time with your photographer. He or she will typically tell you how much time they need and where to slot it into the schedule. Having enough time means you’ll experience a sense of calm and have the freedom to explore poses, light and locations without worrying about running out of time.

Skip the drinks, for now.

A glass of champagne to ease the nerves is perfectly fine but any more can have you feeling a bit tipsy, especially if you haven’t had anything to eat. Alcohol can also cause your skin to flush, so rather leave those drinks for the reception.

Focus on each other

You just said “I do”. Look into the eyes of one another and allow the photographer to capture those special moments, almost as if no one else is around you. Sometimes it’s not about the perfect pose or perfect smile, it’s about capturing a joyous, genuine moment.

Consider your posture

Having a good posture will ooze confidence so remember – shoulders back, lift your chin to elongate your neck, breathe and smile. Don’t hunch your shoulders over, this can result in you looking small and uncomfortable. Your photographer will guide you and have your best features in mind, so trust them with their recommendations, even if it seems a little crazy.

Get your hair and make-up done professionally

Looking like the best version of yourself will give you a burst of confidence and make your pictures look flawless. Your hair stylist and make-up artist knows what works well on camera and what will last for the entire day/night, so it’s essential to have them in your arsenal too.

Embrace the moment and have fun

Nothing reflects better in photos than a genuine feeling. Be yourself and have fun – don’t take it too seriously!

Feature image: Pixabay