“When you are happy in love, the whole world is a prettier, happier place”…

Ask any bride and they will most likely tell you that they have never felt more beautiful than the day they were married.  There is a sense of ‘Princess Perfection’ or ‘Hollywood X-factor’ – it’s hard to say exactly what makes you feel that, but it’s there.  The hard work and planning is done, and all there is left to do is bask in love.  But how do you hold onto this inner beauty so that it continues to project outwardly through your honeymoon period and beyond???

Good question!  To ensure you are maximizing your inner beauty and bringing it to the surface, I have come up with a few helpful hints and trade tricks that you can use throughout your wedding preparation, on the wedding day and beyond!

Pre-wedding:

You’re engaged!!!  And your eyes are sparkling brighter than the rock on your finger!!!  Lap it up honey!  There is nothing nicer for the ego than being able to share your engagement story over and over again.  Just the simple art of engagement story-telling can get your heart racing and your blood pumping which in turn will give you a beautiful healthy complexion.  And don’t under estimate the power of a compliment – show off your new piece of jewelry and remember to say ‘thank you’ when your best friend, co-worker or random stranger tells you that yours is ‘the most beautiful ring they’ve ever seen’!

Aside from starting on developing your confidence, you may also like to start a skincare regime.  This is the PERFECT time to begin (although it is never too late).  However, don’t feel like you’ve got to take out a loan to afford the top of the line products (save that for your wedding dress).  In my experience those high end products that claim to have real gem stones crushed inside to unlock the power of your inner baby skin, don’t always live up to the hype.  Instead, why not treat yourself to a facial to kick things off?  There is nothing nicer than letting someone else take over the reins for a little while.  Discuss any concerns you have about your skin (i.e.: dryness, discolouration or breakouts) with your beauty therapist, as they will be able to determine the best course of action with the treatment they provide.  The salon will most likely sell their own range of skincare, so if you are in the need of top up then this might be a good opportunity.  But always have the therapist write everything down so that you can pick and choose and always add to your skincare collection as your old products run out.

Finally, the easiest and most beneficial addition to looking after your skin during this time is to drink lots and lots of water!  Not a water drinker?  START!  You can jazz it up with slices of lemon or lime or even some crushed mint leaves – but drink it whenever you can – I promise you, your skin and body will thank you for it!  And you will find you have a load more energy to tackle all those wedding plans!

Wedding day:

So after weeks, months or years of planning here you are!  The big day!  Did you get enough sleep the night before?  My guess is not… But don’t worry – that’s why they made concealer!

Rule one of preparing your skin for your wedding day is to remember to relax and breathe!  Whilst we makeup artists can do some amazing things, we hold brushes, not wands, so if you are getting yourself all worked up because you can’t remember how many roses were supposed to be in each bouquet,  you are going to get red and flustered – not very bridal at all!

The planning is done, you have your nearest and dearest around you and you are the centre of attention for the day (what did I say about taking compliments???) – ENJOY IT!

If you are having your makeup professionally done on the day, put your trust in the expert you have selected, and try to keep in mind that you will need to wear slightly more makeup than normal so that your face has some definition in all those photographs that are going to be taken.  It’s amazing how your features can disappear under multiple camera flashes!

Sip some water throughout the morning and avoid the temptation to load your face with moisturiser – even if you suffer from dry skin.  This just makes the makeup application a bit slippery – your professional will have his or her own routine to ensure that you look picture perfect, so go with that!

Whilst the morning of your wedding can be an emotional rollercoaster, at the heart of it, keep in mind that you are about to marry the love of your life!  With that in mind, there is no gleamer in the world that will shine brighter than the beauty on display on your wedding day!

Allow yourself to have a ½ glass or a glass of champers before the photographer arrives, and leave it at that – once you’re in the dress, you will be feeling warm and the addition of alcohol to the mix will just make you flush.  Why not have a cup of tea if you need to relax?  There will be plenty of time to party later…

One final tip, after all is said and done, remember to wash your face!  Don’t wake up Day 1 of being MRS SO-AND-SO with raccoon eyes (it spoils the romance).

The honeymoon and beyond:

If you are lucky enough to go honeymooning after your wedding, please remember to pack some sunscreen.  Even if you are not destined for the sand and surf, this one little product will be the key to maintaining the best skin of your life!

Think about it – you’ve gone to all that trouble with scrubs and creams and treatments, don’t throw it all away now!  But you can certainly tone down your skin regime if you are finding it all a bit much to maintain, pack on the bare essentials!

Other than that, make sure you kiss lots (it gives your lips a beautiful pink-red hue), laugh even more (we’re all going to get wrinkles one day, so they might as well be from smiling) and just enjoy each and every moment with your husband, for the rest of your life.

And there you have it…some quick and easy solutions to maximizing your best skin ever!  Best of luck brides-to-be!!!

Ms Polka Dot says: We always love a great beauty tip or three and Vanessa comes up with some that may surprise even the most savvy of beautiful brides!

Vanessa at Princess Cherry Pie says: Inspired by a peaches and cream complexion, chocolate ice cream, bombshells, girly things, vintage wares, loveliness, sunny days, all that sparkles and feeling free as a bird, Vanessa loves being original and always aims to please.

Princess Cherry Pie offers a range of beauty and pamper services, including drop dead gorgeous make up, scrumptious lashes, fall on the floor massages, fresh facials and splendid skincare products.

Images from Princess Cherry Pie