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
As much as we love hashtags and Pinterest, it’s not always the best place to find unique ideas. If everyone is looking at Pinterest or searching hashtags, that…
Love is definitely in the air! These celebs recently got engaged. You may have missed them because some big names prefer to keep things on the down low. Have a look at who popped the question.
1. Riverdale’s Vanessa Morgan shared a beautiful picture on her Instagram, with fiancé, Michael Kopech. The two got engaged on July 4, 2019.
2. Joker actor, Joaquin Phoenix, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo actress, Rooney Mara are officially engaged. The couple started dating in 2016. They have starred together in Her (2013), Mary Magdalene (2018), and Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot (2018).
3. Rob Schneider’s daughter Elle King received the best birthday present. Her boyfriend, who goes by the name Jim proposed.
4. Scarlet Johansson’s publicist confirmed that the Black Widow star and SNL writer, Colin Jost are engaged. The couple have been dating since December 2017.
5. Lizzie McGuire’s Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma have also tied the knot. The love birds welcomed their daughter in October 2018 and she shared a picture of her beautiful engagement ring on June 4, 2019.
6. On April 22 2019, Elizabeth Henstridge posted a cute snap announcing her engagement to fiancé
Zachary Burr Abel. The English actress is known for her work in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
7. Good Luck Charlie star, Bridgit Mendler got engaged to Griffin Cleverly. She shared a picture on Instagram of her and future hubby on April 21 2019. The two posed for a selfie on a beach while showing off the new shiny ring.
8. Survivor: Worlds Apart alumni, Joe Anglim got down on one knee, and popped the question to fellow contestant Sierra Dawn Thomas. She shared a beautiful picture of her new addition.
Picture: Pixabay
By Amy-Lee Steenkamp There are very few hard and fast rules when it comes to planning a wedding but there might be a very important one that cannot…
Weddings are a huge expense which grows together with your guest list. Inviting colleagues is a frequent topic of discussion – you see them every day but after inviting family and friends, there might not be much space left on your guest list.
Technically, you don’t have to invite anyone you don’t want to/don’t have space for, but it’s never that simple when it comes to colleagues. After all, you do spend a lot of time with them and not inviting them could turn awkward.
With colleagues you have three options.
1. You can either invite no-one from work and easily explain that you are just having family and friends
2. You can invite the few colleagues that you really get on with
3. Or you can invite your whole team which will obviously be easier if you work in a small group
First make your guest list which includes including family and friends is accounted for, then save your colleagues for the end of your list. If you have enough open spaces to invite all of them and that’s what you would like to do, then do that. If you only have a few open spaces then you will need to think about who you would really like to be there.
Are you friends with your colleagues outside of work?
If you see colleagues in your free time then they should be treated the same as your non-work friends and definitely be invited. If you handle the situation correctly, this shouldn’t cause any tension in the office. Let your colleagues that are invited know you are not able to invite everyone from the office, so your wedding should not be a topic of discussion at work.
If you still feel awkward about the situation, explain to those colleagues who aren’t invited that your guest list is tight and as much as you would like to, unfortunately you can’t invite everyone. Most people will understand and if they don’t, well, it pretty much justifies them not making the guest list.
If you have limited numbers, a good rule of thumb is to save your invites for friends and family. Colleagues are colleagues and if your friendship is limited to your work place, you should not feel bad about not inviting them to one of the most intimate days of your life.
When you find the person who you want to spend forever with, you are aware of the different personality traits you each possess. We spoke to Helen Searra,…
The wedding is over and it’s finally time for your intimate getaway, a chance for you and your partner to spend some quality time together before heading back to reality. So where do you go? Well unless you’re Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner, you may need to budget and plan for your great escape. Honeymoons can be expensive, so to help you along, we’ve gathered a few spots for a budget-friendly honeymoon:
Proudly South African
With so much beauty around the corner, you may want to opt for a local honeymoon. Do you know your own town, city or province?
1. The Garden Route
With 300km worth of beauty, the options are endless. Make a road trip of it. Check in to a local lodge or hotel and become a tourist in your own town. Make sure you don’t miss out on whale watching in Hermanus and the nature reserves along the Garden Route. Enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches of Plettenberg Bay. Get your surf on in J Bay, or pop in to the Addo Elephant Park.
2. Cape Town
It is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. With so much to see and do, you and your partner will have plenty to keep you busy and connecting in a special way. Be sure to checkout Table Mountain, Bo Kaap, Boulders Beach, Cape of Good Hope, and Chapman’s Peak Drive.
3. Hazyview, Mpumalanga
There are tons of adventurous things to do, such as horse riding, abseiling, river rafting and visiting the area’s incredible elephant sanctuary. You can even hop in a hot air balloon for a tour with a whole different view!
Venturing out of the South
1. Mauritius
Sit back and relax while enjoying the picturesque beaches. The beautiful island is known for boasting great hiking trails, exquisite waterfalls, and lovely fresh seafood.
2. Kenya
Get the best of both worlds in this beautiful country. Enjoy the great safaris and stunning beaches.
3. Zanzibar
Soak up the sun on their gorgeous beaches and have a dive while you’re there! Be sure to check out Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park too.
Up up and away
1. Bali
This magnificent Indonesian island offers many affordable packages which can include your accommodation and activities. Take a look at the exquisite temples and breathtaking beaches.
2. Brazil
Take advantage of Brazil’s visa-free entry for South Africans! This magnificent and culturally-rich country offers much to see. From stunning beaches to the famous picture-perfect moment at Christ the Redeemer. Enjoy the beautiful mountains and snap a pic at the Escadaria Selaron.
3. Sri Lanka
While flights to Sri Lanka may be a bit steep, the country itself is inexpensive. Accommodation is affordable and there’s a lot to see, from ancient city ruins and temples to epic national parks.
Picture: Unsplash