Getting ready for your wedding day is an awesome undertaking. So many decisions to make and details to remember. Today I am posting my recommended top 10 things for you to prepare for your wedding pictures, especially your portraits. This list is from a photographers point of view, specifically mine, and intended to help you look your very best in your photographs. I recommend that you begin your preparation at least six months in advance.
1. If you must tan, do it sparingly and stop at least a week before your event. Tanning takes away the luster and smoothness of the skin and that shows up in the photos. Avoid bathing suit straps that create tan lines. Have your facials done a week ahead of time to allow the skin to recover from any reaction it may have.
2. Drink lots and lots of water. Not much more to say about that and you probably already know how much your skin needs it.
3. Exfoliate your skin, especially your elbows. I use a product that I love, Pure Fiji. It is a coconut sugar rub that you use in the shower and it not only exfoliates but leaves your skin nourished and soft.
4. Go to the dentist and have your teeth cleaned six months before your event. Then whiten them at home with a product that I picked up at the drug store called Luster. It is a similar technology to Zoom from the dentist at a fraction of the cost. Get the box that includes the activating whitening light as in just one hour your teeth will be at least five shades whiter. You can then purchase the rinse and gel separately and repeat the process just before your day.
5. Have your hair professional styled. Meet with your stylist ahead of time to decide what style you want and try it out. If you have long straight hair and you want curls, they may not hold throughout the day. Don't be afraid to try something different.
6. Do not apply your own make-up. Make-up artists are really good at what they do. Daytime and evening make-up should be different. The camera will remove about 50% of your make-up in the pictures so don't be afraid to let the make-up artist apply your make-up heavier than you would normally wear. Fake eyelashes make a big difference and cost a lot less than eyelash extensions. Go for it.
7. Choose a gown that flatters your figure. You may have your heart set on a strapless gown but it doesn't look good on YOU. Tell your maid-of-honor to be honest with you when you try on gowns. You will be much happier with your pictures when your gown fits properly.
8. Do a pre-shoot with your photographer. Getting to know each other will help you relax and allow your photographer to understand your best features which will make the posing easier on the day of the event. Allow enough time to shoot the portraits which means you will miss most of the cocktail hour. The cocktail hour is for your guests. You will have plenty of time to greet your guests at the reception.
9. Jewelry - real or fake? Real diamonds and pearls... why not!?! You don't have to go out and buy expensive diamonds and pearls, you can rent them from Adorn Brides at very reasonable rental prices. Not only will they look beautiful in your pictures but your guests will definitely notice and give you raves.
10. Choose a photographer that is accomplished in touch-up, airbrush, liquify and all of the Photoshop essentials that are necessary to edit photographs. Digital technology have given us the opportunity to enhance our images so make sure that the photographer you choose includes it automatically in their final proofs.
Good bye for now,
Janet
