Top Beauty Tips on Twin Cities Live For Professional Headshots
Refresh your professional image with top beauty tips on Twin Cities Live. Learn key makeup techniques to shine in your headshots and branding shoots.
Makeup For Professional Photos on Twin Cities Live
Jessica Mae, Makeup Artist and Founder of WarPaint International, is a renowned expert in the beauty industry. With her extensive experience and expertise, she has shared her top tips on how to look and feel your best for professional headshots and company branding shoots. Recently, Jessica had the opportunity to share a few of her top product tips on Twin Cities Live, a popular show on KSTP 5.
During her appearance, she provided valuable insights and advice on makeup techniques and styling that can make a significant difference in your photos. To benefit from her expertise, be sure to check out the segment on Twin Cities Live and discover the secrets to achieving a flawless and captivating look for your professional endeavors.
Skin and Lip Hydration
When it comes to looking and feeling your best, hydrated skin and lips are essential. This is especially important on days when you have a photo shoot scheduled. One product that I absolutely love for skin hydration is the Water Balm from Sonia Roselli. It serves as the perfect skin prep for makeup application or can be used alone to enhance your skin's natural glow. The Water Balm is a highly recommended Japanese facial moisturizer that will leave your skin feeling nourished and refreshed.
Water Balm: Sonia Roselli - Best Japanese Facial Moisturizer Water Balm
In addition to hydrating your skin, it's equally important not to neglect your lips. For everyday lip hydration, I am a huge fan of Kind Lips, a local Minnesota company. Their lip balms are not only incredibly moisturizing but also made with natural ingredients. By incorporating Kind Lips into your daily routine, you can ensure that your lips stay soft, smooth, and ready for any photo opportunity.
Kind Lips: Kind Lips - All Lip Balms
Color Correct and Conceal Your Under Eyes
When it comes to makeup for professional photos, one important technique that is often overlooked is color correction. Even with the use of concealer, dark circles can still peek through and create a muddy appearance in photos. To address this issue, it is recommended to use a peach or orange color corrector specifically designed for dark circles. One color corrector that I personally like is the Huda Beauty FauxFilter Under Eye Color Corrector. This product effectively neutralizes dark circles, providing a smooth and even base for your concealer.
Huda Beauty Color Corrector: Huda Beauty FauxFilter Under Eye Color Corrector
Speaking of concealer, a go-to option for achieving a flawless under-eye look is the MAC Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Wear Concealer. This long-lasting concealer offers excellent coverage and a smooth finish that will help you achieve a seamless and natural-looking complexion in your photos. By incorporating color correction and a reliable concealer into your makeup routine, you can ensure that your under-eye area looks flawless and camera-ready.
MAC Concealer: MAC Studio Fix 24-Hour Smooth Wear Concealer
Mattifying Loose Powder in the T-zone
When it comes to being in front of the camera, achieving the perfect balance between avoiding shine and maintaining a natural glow is crucial. The last thing we want is for our skin to appear overly shiny or flat in photos. To combat any unwanted shine, a simple and effective solution is to sweep a loose powder over your t-zone area just before stepping in front of the camera. This technique helps to control excess oil and keep your skin looking fresh and matte without compromising your natural radiance.
One loose powder that I am currently loving is the Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking Setting Powder. This powder is specifically designed to set your makeup and provide a flawless finish. It helps to blur imperfections, minimize shine, and prolong the wear of your makeup, making it an ideal choice for photo sessions. By incorporating this loose powder into your makeup routine, you can ensure that your skin looks picture-perfect and camera-ready.
Huda Beauty Loose Powder: Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking Setting Powder
Tame Flyaways
When it comes to professional photoshoots, saving time in post-production is a valuable consideration. One trick that can greatly assist your photographer is taming flyaways without compromising your hairstyle or volume. To achieve this, you can use a clean mascara spoolie sprayed with a soft hold hairspray. By combing the spoolie through your flyaways, you can secure them in place and ensure a polished look. This simple technique not only saves your photographer precious time in post-production but also helps you maintain a flawless appearance throughout the shoot.
For this purpose, I recommend using the Pureology Soft Finish Flexible Hold Hair Spray. This hairspray provides a soft hold that keeps your hair in place without making it stiff or crunchy. It offers flexibility and control, allowing you to tame flyaways while maintaining the natural movement and volume of your hair. By incorporating this hairspray into your routine, you can confidently keep your hair looking sleek and polished during your photoshoot.
Pureology Soft Finish Flexible Hold Hair Spray: Pureology Soft Finish Flexible Hold Hair Spray
Book WPI Beauty for Onsite Services and Save!
If you're looking for convenient and professional makeup and hair styling services for your headshots and branding shoots, look no further than WPI Beauty. Our talented team specializes in on-location services, meaning they will come to you, saving you time and hassle. With the expertise and attention to detail of WarPaint International Artisans, you can trust that you'll look and feel your best in front of the camera.
Booking is easy and can be done online at warpaintinternational.com. And here's an exclusive offer for Twin Cities Live viewers:
Use the code TCLWPI15 when booking and enjoy a 15% discount on your services.
*This offer is valid through 5/31/24, so don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your professional image with the help of WPI Beauty. Book now and let our team help you “Prepare For Battle” to ensure you shine in your headshots and branding shoots.
10 Tips for Matching Bridal Makeup with Wedding Themes and Decor
Your wedding style reflects who you are, so coordinate bridal makeup carefully to ensure it complements the theme and decor perfectly.
Featured image by Ali Leigh Photo Co.
How To Match Bridal Makeup with Wedding Themes
Your wedding speaks volumes about who you are as a person, your journey as a couple, and, of course, your tastes, so you want it to be as unique to you as possible.
The bride is usually the center of attention, with everyone’s focus on her gown, hair, and makeup, and to leave a stunning impression on your wedding day, you must look your best.
While designers and hairstylists will cover the rest for you, we’re here to help you out with the bridal makeup, which can be tricky if you don’t know what you want.
In this article, we have included tips to help you choose a wedding makeup look and ensure it matches the theme and decor perfectly!
Incorporate Your Personal Style
One of the most crucial factors about your wedding makeup look is that you have to feel happy wearing it, so don’t forget to include your personal style in your bridal makeup instead of just going with what the makeup artist suggests.
Understand the type of daily makeup you like - moderate, minimalist, or full-out glam. For example, if you’re someone who just puts on lipstick, eyeliner, or mascara, you’ll feel pretty uncomfortable if your makeup is overdone, and you don’t want that for your special day. Natural beauty is a trend in professional makeup artistry for weddings.
Visualize Your Makeup Look
Have a discussion with your makeup artist about what you specifically want or don’t want in your look. You must communicate your vision well. Find out details about the cosmetics and foundation they use in the event you have sensitivities or allergies. Communication is a key part of having your service professionally done so as not to run into sudden breakouts from cheap products or beauty products you may have specific issues with.
Plus, discussing this in advance means you can also ask for tips to prep your skin before your big day. Makeup artists have a lot of tricks, and these can certainly help you get the bridal glow for your big day. When hiring a beauty agency for your professional hair and makeup needs, all of these questions and concerns should be covered up front in your bridal consultation, and then again in your trial run.
In addition to your makeup, selecting timeless wedding bands is another crucial aspect of your big day. Just as with your makeup, it's important to communicate your preferences clearly to your jeweler. Discuss the style, material, and any special designs you have in mind. Ensuring that your wedding bands match your personal style and complement your overall look will help make your wedding day even more special. Taking the time to choose the perfect bands means you'll have a beautiful symbol of your love that you can cherish forever.
Include Wedding Elements
If your wedding is themed around a specific location or vibe, then let it reflect in your makeup as well. For example, if you are planning a destination wedding somewhere, maybe include a flower or leaf in your hairstyle for a natural, vibrant touch to your overall look.
If you choose coast-inspired venues like these in Southern California, eye makeup with sandy tones and pink blush will give you an ethereal, sun-kissed bridal makeup look that will have all eyes on you as a beautiful bride!
Bride Leanna
Beauty by WPI Minneapolis
Photography by Emily Paulson
Key Wedding Colors
If your wedding has a statement color scheme going on, don’t forget to include that in your makeup look. Whether it’s bright, bold colors or simple all-white decor, you can wear complementary eye or lip makeup to match it with your wedding colors cohesively. Suppose your wedding colors don’t match your skin tone; you can use muted shades of the same colors to tie your whole beauty look together.
Consider The Wedding Attire
As strange as it may sound, your wedding dress, especially the fabric, plays a key part in wedding makeup inspiration. For example, if your wedding dress is soft and flowy with fabrics like chiffon, a “no makeup” makeup look would pair well with it, but light makeup on a fuller, satin gown would look rather bleak. Bridal makeup, even in its simplest form, is an art that requires a professional to capture your vision and natural beauty.
Match It To The Season
The season is important, not just to inspire your bridal makeup colors but also to check what products you should use. For instance, long-lasting, waterproof products are a must for hot summers because there will be a lot of sweating, but this isn’t necessary during the cooler months. As a general rule of thumb, know that cool tones look great in Summer and Winter, while warmer tones match the Autumn and Spring colors.
Venue Theme And Decor
While some couples choose a single theme across their wedding venue, some include bits of everything that showcase their love story; use this in your makeup as well! For example, if your venue shares similar features to Watermill Grove in Tulare County, a natural glam look will perfectly complement the rural, nature-inspired setting with gardens and ponds. Whereas having your wedding reception in a palace-like setting means you can go the extra mile with high-glam makeup like bold red lips or smokey eyes. As the bride, you'll likely want your bridesmaid's makeup to match the theme as well.
Pick A Focal Feature
You must choose which part of your face you want to stand out. Whether you want your eye color to pop or draw attention to your luscious lips, choose one area of your face to play with. This way, you prevent your entire face from looking overdone.
You don’t want too many features fighting for attention because it may only look like a mess or just too much. If you’re going for a bold eye look, then keep the lips minimal, and vice versa. Your bridal makeup look should reflect your personality and style while accentuating your favorite features.
Bride Meredith in Chicago
Photographer: TWA Photographic Artists
Beauty by WPI Chicago
Do A Trial Run
We can't stress this enough.
Be sure to check out the complete look before the day itself. Once you’ve narrowed the ideas for your makeup, request your bridal makeup artist for a trial to know what it looks like so you can make the necessary adjustments.
Don’t forget to wear something similar to your gown, or the gown itself, to get a taste of what you’ll look like. Ask a friend to take pictures indoors as well as outdoors; this way, you know if the makeup looks dull in different lighting. Your skincare routine will also lend to the outcome of your desired look. The best way to embody your vision of being a beautiful bride is to implement your skincare routine months before the big day.
When booking a Beauty Agency like WarPaint International, the trial run is a mandatory part of our bridal contracting process. This helps you avoid disappointment and know what to expect on the day of your wedding. Professional artists will also know what worked for you and how to make subtle changes on your big day to perfect your look effortlessly. Trials ensure confidence and everyone wins.
Listen To Your Gut
In the end, it’s all about how you feel and what you want. After doing your trial, don’t forget to address what you didn’t like or felt uncomfortable with so your makeup artist knows what to avoid on your big day. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or request changes because you get to decide how you look at your wedding, and it should be absolutely breathtaking.
You are, after all, the bride.
5 Things You Need to Know About Spray Tanning For Your Wedding
Not all sunless solutions are created equal. There is a big difference between an automatic spray booth and a handheld custom spray tan, so be choosy when deciding where to get your custom wedding glow.
Update October 2020!
Visit GoGlow Edina for your sunless tanning experience and receive 20% off your service. Just mention that you found them by way of WarPaint International. Applies to new customers only!
Wedding Day Spray Tan. Good Idea or Bad Idea?
Good idea. Sure you've heard the horror stories... But like anything in life (specifically in the personal services sector) there are options to cut corners, and then there are options to ensure a flawless and luxurious experience that provides beautiful results. So we've enlisted Ali Ericksen of goGlow to talk to us about the Top 5 things you need to know about getting a Sunless Tan for your wedding. But first, check out the CBS Local segment that featured goGlow's sunless tans on our Bridal models for "Get Movin' Monday: Top Spring Fashion Wedding Trends"
Automatic spray booth vs. Custom spray tan
There is a big difference between an automatic spray booth and a handheld custom spray tan. An automatic spray booth uses the same amount of solution and the same color solution regardless of the individual tanning. There is no way for the automatic machine to accurately follow the lines of your body for an even application. At goGLOW, every service is done by a highly trained and specialized professional. Each goGLOW is customized to the individual’s body, skin tone, and desired result.
In addition, not all sunless solutions are created equal. Low-grade solution found in automatic booths can contribute to an orange, streaky color. For natural looking results it is important to choose a provider who uses quality ingredients. At goGLOW, we carry only the highest-grade sunless solutions and products that are naturally derived with eco-certified DHA. They are paraben, sulfate, gluten and cruelty-free (as well as being vegan).
Don't look to social media
Be choosy when deciding where to get your custom wedding glow. First, take a look at a company’s Instagram and social media. They should be displaying pictures of real people and real brides representing their actual wedding day tan. Take a look at the color, evenness and tricky areas like hands and feet. Be wary of companies that filter images to alter the look of the tan. Check out reviews on Yelp and Google+.
Always talk to other brides and bridal shops, as it’s always nice to get a first-hand referral from a source you can trust. Lastly, look at the company’s accolades and seals of approval. goGLOW is the only sunless provider in MN that has received a 5-star rating in Allure Magazine, was listed as one of “the best spray tans from NYC to LA” and recognized with the coveted Allure “Best of Beauty Award”.
“Be choosy when deciding where to get your custom wedding glow”
Book a trial run before your wedding
Book a trial run before the big day. Like many other wedding day beauty services, you’ll want peace of mind knowing exactly what to expect come your wedding day. At goGLOW we have mastered The Bridal Glow while ensuring we are still providing our clients a custom, professional experience. In order to ensure that your custom color and wedding day goGLOW is flawless, we recommend booking a trial tan at least 3 weeks before the big day. At your trial tan appointment, we get to know you and your color preferences, while finding the perfect shade for your skin tone and type. We will also discuss your skin care routine and regimen to provide insight on how you can incorporate the most natural products available for healthier skin leading to a flawless wedding glow. Keep in mind it’s also a good idea to schedule your spray tan a day or two before your trial makeup sessions. This way your wedding day makeup artist can match your glowy skin tone to perfection!
Natural. Not orange!
Your wedding day glow should look natural. Trust us, the perfect wedding glow is only a shade or two darker than your natural skin tone. You don’t want to look like you just got back from your honeymoon on your wedding day! That dress will be much whiter than you had remembered...
Level the playing field
Your significant other and bridal party should join in too! You certainly don’t want to be the only one in photos rocking a healthy glow while the rest of your party looks washed out in your expensive wedding day photography. Or even worse, a dreaded orange hue. Getting the entire party together for spray tanning is not only a fun pre-wedding event but will ensure everyone has an even glow and radiates confidence for beautiful wedding photography.
Real goGlow Brides
How about an offer from goGlow!
Get your group together at one of our locations or book a "goGLOW On The Go" party and we will travel to you. Many bridal parties love the convenience of hosting an in-home party! Join goGLOW’s exclusive goGLOWbride program which entitles you and your significant other to 20% off your glow the week of your wedding and 10% off to your bridal party and anyone attending your wedding.
To sign up just email ali@goglow.co with your full name and wedding date. You will receive a custom discount wedding code that can be used when your friends and family book online!
goGlow Owner, Melanie Richards is a Minnesotan to Meet!
The Importance of a Beauty Contract for your Wedding Day
You're getting married, planning and decisions galore! Not to mention the countless options that are out there for every vendor you could ever want or need. Selecting the perfect professional takes research, due diligence and time. When you find that person or company that you click with, and you feel confident in them, is important to solidify the relationship with a legal agreement or contract. It is equally important as a professional to secure a client relationship through a contract.
Do I need a contract for my makeup or hair artist?
You might not have thought of this, but all too often brides-to-be have their wedding day turned upside down into a ball of stress due to makeup artists or hair stylists not showing up or cancelling the night before - never to be heard from again. So you may have already guessed the answer, but I'll do my best to paint this picture for you below.
You're getting married, planning and decisions galore! Not to mention the countless options that are out there for every vendor you could ever want or need. Selecting the perfect professional takes research, due diligence and time. When you find that person or company that you click with, and you feel confident in them, is important to solidify the relationship with a legal agreement or contract. It is equally important as a professional to secure a client relationship through a contract.
I've been in the business of weddings for years now, and unfortunately, my company has become an expert in crisis management. I know what you're probably thinking... "Crisis management? For makeup and hair?" Oh yes. More often than I like to admit (for the sake of the reputation of my industry) we have clients that come to us that have had their beauty team bail on them last minute OR worst yet...not show up at all! When I ask if they had a contract with them most of the time they say no. I am here to tell you, a contract is a non-negotiable item when it comes to a vendor-client relationship and you should never operate without one.
I could go on for days on this topic and bore you to tears with all the reasons why you need to have a contract in place with every professional you hire. I promise, though, I won't do that here. I've highlighted below three of the most important reasons for having a contract in place.
It keeps everyone honest.
Transparency is key. A good contract should list out all of the company's/vendor's policies on payment, deposit, cancellation, prices, additional fees etc. There should be absolutely no room for error when it comes to additional fees that you, the client, would incur if "X" happens. If down the road something gets called into question, you and your hired professional will have the contract agreement to fall back on. With the craze of planning your wedding, it's easy to forget some of the details you agreed to early on in the planning process. Your contract is a record of those items and keeps you and your professional honest and on the same page. Likewise, as a professional your contract is a tool to hold your clients accountable to what you've agreed to.
If something goes wrong you have a leg to stand on.
Heaven forbid your hired professional doesn't show up on the day of your wedding! What happens? If you have a contract in place, is this covered? Do you get a refund...what action can you take? If you don't have a contract in place and legal action is necessary it will be very difficult and a major stress on you to pursue. This goes for both the client and the professional. If your client's payment fails to process; what action are you able to take to ensure you get paid? Are you obligated to complete the service(s) without payment?
A professional standard.
A true professional will require a contract in order to secure their services and your wedding date. If the person/company you're looking to work with doesn't require a contract...run do not walk. You might get lucky and all will go well, but you might not. Do you really want to risk it on one of the most important days of your life? Industry pros, if a prospective client doesn't want to sign your contract and pushes to hire you without one...run do not walk. Signing a contract in order to secure you should not be up for negotiation.
Here's a snippet from an actual bride's comment on Wedding Wire's client forum.
“This past weekend I went with my mother to get my hair done for the first time with her hair stylist. We were thinking of hiring her to do our hair for my wedding but I wanted to see her work first. After meeting her (and she did a wonderful job with my highlights) I feel confident in hiring her. The only problem is that she does not use contracts nor does she require a deposit and I don’t think I feel comfortable taking her on her word that she’ll be there when the time comes. The same goes for the makeup artist who works at the same salon. My mom just trusts her because she’s been to her a bunch of times but I don’t feel comfortable not having it in writing. Especially being that my wedding is on a holiday weekend. Does anyone have an example of a contract they’ve signed with hair/makeup artist for their wedding? Maybe I can present it to her myself and simply explain that it’s not that I don’t trust her, but it’s common practice to protect both of us?”
The final word on wedding day contracts
The last piece of advice I'll give here is, make sure the contract, is an actual contract. Email and text message conversations do not count. Pros, invest the money and time into hiring an attorney to draft your contract(s) for you. Clients, trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right ask the pro to explain or consult your own attorney. A good contract should protect BOTH the professional and the client.
Does this seem like a lot of hassle? Well... it is your wedding day. Ensuring that things are done right and that your day is filled with a stress-free, luxurious experience is a top priority for every bride-to-be. It's just about doing your diligence (or maybe you plan to hire a wedding planner to do it for you). Here are some top points to consider when hiring a glam squad to perfect your wedding day beauty looks.
- Ensure that communication is clear, open and professional.
- Ensure that a trial run/consultation is as important to the artists as it is to you.
- Ensure they have some processes in place, like contracts and billing schedules.
- Ask about reviews, techniques, specialties and client work.
- Have a budget already in mind. Good Artist have horrendous costs - they charge accordingly and they are specialists in their craft.
- Find an artist or agency whose work you love.
- Expect a contract.
I hope this has helped shed some light on how important contracts are. Please keep all of these things in mind when planning your dream wedding! For more information hiring beauty professionals for your wedding day, read our blog on "Should I Hire A Makeup Artist or Hair Stylist For My Wedding Day?"
Top Things to Know Before Hiring a Wedding Photographer
We wanted to answer your qestions about hiring a photographer, so we interviewed the Executive Director of Amore Lux Studios, Kelly Barry-Miller - one of the top teams in the Twin Cities when it comes to wedding day photography and videography.
Top Tips For Hiring a Wedding Photographer For Your Big Day
Like any of the checklist items in your wedding day, there are a growing number of "need-to-knows" about almost every service vendor you might hire. Our specialty, hair, and makeup, ranks top of the list when it comes to doing your diligence. But photography and videography is also an area where you want to really know what you're looking for and how far in advance you need to begin thinking about it in order to secure the people that are not fly-by-night freelancers - but here for your lasting memories and the long haul.
So we interviewed the Executive Director of Amore Lux Studios, Kelly Barry-Miller - one of the top teams in the Twin Cities when it comes to photo and video all under one roof.
How far in advance should you book your photographer and/or cinematographer?
As seasoned professional and award-winning photographers in the Twin Cities, we receive bookings six months to one year in advance. So it is imperative to book with us as soon as you get engaged or you have set a date for your big day. For wedding cinematography, expect to book three to six months in advance. At Amore Lux Studios we have three truly talented cinematographers, so we have more options for our Brides and Grooms when it comes to booking their wedding dates. When planning your wedding, you should know in January of 2017, we are already receiving wedding contracts for 2018. The industry, in general, has expanded its vendor commitment times.
When looking at pricing; what can a couple expect to spend on photography when they want to book their engagement session and their wedding day with the same photographer?
You will find that the pricing structure for each photographer will be different based on the experience and education they have, as well as the quality of their work, their portfolio, camera gear, knowledge, experience, and training. Our Associate Photographers start at $1800.00 (for full wedding day) and a Master Level photographer starts at $2400, based on package collection choices.
We love to add a few complimentary items as an incentive for our wedding couples to book with us, such as custom print credits and engagement sessions, because it is a great way for us to get to know our clients in a personal photography setting, before their big day. We are also one of the only photography companies in town that offer full design and wedding day branding services, which promote a luxurious and cohesive visual feel to the day. We can customize any collection to match the vision and budget of our clients.
What are some key elements to consider when looking at a photographer's portfolio?
The quality of imagery is number one when looking at a photographer’s portfolio. Every photographer has their own style, personality, and creativity that they bring to each session, so it is a matter of finding the right photographer that fits your personalities and the vision or style you are looking for. Seasoned photographers will have consistent imagery within portfolios which showcase their unique style and full weddings within their galleries. I would highly suggest asking your photographer to see a few of their full-coverage weddings because you will see how they are able to handle different lighting situations that can happen throughout the day.
What advice can you give to couples about deciding whether or not to do a "First Look"? Does this typically affect pricing?
Deciding whether or not to have a “First Look,” shouldn’t affect pricing at all, however, it can affect the overall stress level of the day in regards to your wedding day timeline. We always honor our couples who want to see each other, for the first time, “walking down the aisle,” if that is what they have always dreamed of. However, having that unique and very special quality time of seeing one another “before” the ceremony for a first look, can be just as special and will produce an easier schedule for you – the Bride and Groom -- to be able to have the formal/family and bridal party pictures done before the ceremony. It usually provides more time for fun the rest of the day. We have found that our wedding couples are far less stressed and can truly enjoy one another and their guests, during their wedding day, when a first look is added.
What are some of the benefits of having a cinematographer in addition to the photographer on the wedding day?
Since we offer both photography and cinematography for our couples, we can tell you firsthand that the couples who decided to save money and not book a cinematographer have come back to us wishing they would have booked. Because even though pictures capture the day as it is unfolding, it doesn’t capture the energy, atmosphere, and living personalities of each person. A special moment captured with photography is beautiful, but being able to see the same moment in full action, HD film is another thing altogether. It brings that extra dimension that pictures simply can’t bring by themselves.
We recently had an after-wedding viewing party with one of our bridal couples to show them their pictures and video. They loved the pictures and had smiles on their faces afterward, but when they viewed the video they were whole-belly laughing at the fun moments, crying good tears at the sentimental ones, and were completely brought into their wedding day all over again. It is difficult for brides and grooms to remember their wedding day because everything goes so fast that it is like a fog in their memory, but being able to view it in real-time, HD, they are able to truly enjoy all the little things they couldn’t remember, that happened.
A quick story . . . one of our brides asked us if we had any extra film footage of her Grandfather because he recently passed away. We were able to find it and send it to her, and she was overwhelmed with joy at being able to see him moving in real life - essentially capturing his essence and personality in action. That is the power of video. And that is the reason every bride should add cinematography to their wedding day.
Should the bride and wedding party hire professional makeup artists and hair stylists?
ABSOLUTELY, beyond a doubt. Every bride should at least consider, if not hire Makeup and Hair Artists for their big day. Professional photography goes hand-in-hand with makeup and hair artistry. If a Bride and her attendants want to look and feel their best in front of the camera and have stunning images for this milestone event, they must be willing to add hair and makeup artists into their day.
Long after the wedding day the caterers, florists, venue, DJ, etc. and all the people you have paid big dollars to (so that your day will be special) will be long gone. They won’t be able to help you remember your wedding day after it is over. It is the photographers, cinematographers, makeup artists and hair stylists who will be the defining factor in helping you have those memories of your wedding day for generations to come. It sure also makes our post production job a lot easier :-)
In your experience, what are some regrets that couples have about their photography or videography after their wedding?
Many of the couples who booked us for photography, but decided not to book cinematography, or decided not to book one of our preferred makeup/hair artists, regretted not hiring those vital people. They have said, “Ohhhhh I LOVE the pictures, but I wish my hair and makeup was better or lasted all day,” and “Man, I wish we would have gotten film footage of our Aunt, who recently passed away.”
“Ohhhhh I LOVE the pictures, but I wish my hair and makeup was better or lasted all day”
These are things that new brides can learn from the ones who have gone before them, and be proactive with when they are considering who to hire for their wedding day. It is easy to look at the budget because let’s be real... not everyone has a ton of money to spend on their weddings, but they still want a fantastic day. The main money-saving area that brides will go to, is to book a lower priced photographer and no makeup/hair artist. They don’t realize at the time that the only lasting thing after the wedding celebration is the images and film footage from the day. It is VITAL to have professionals who know what they are doing and are highly educated and seasoned in their artistry, in order to have memories they will cherish through the generations.
It’s unfortunate but wedding couples will spend a fortune on their venue, caterers, flowers, etc. and then skimp on photography/cinematography and hair/makeup artistry. Once brides’ understand the value of investing in great photography, cinematography, and makeup/hair professionals, then they understand after the wedding day, why their investment ended up producing such gorgeous memories for them, and there are no regrets. It is the couples who are only looking at cost, and not understanding the value and investment that end up with the regrets.
What are some of the perks of choosing Amore Lux Studios over other photography/cinematography companies in town?
Thanks for asking! First of all, we work hard to ensure that our client services are truly the best in town. We give our complete heart and souls to each client, making sure their every need is taken care of with integrity, from the time of initial consultation all the way to final delivery of images/film and beyond. We don’t see our clients as one-time bookings, but lifelong friends that we are honored to take care of. We also view each client as an individual, with individual styles and taste, and that is why we offer varying degrees of customization so they feel confident they are getting services that are custom-designed just for them.
Most wedding photographers are what we call “shoot and burn” professionals, which means they take pictures and then burn them to a USB or DVD, and give it to the client. They don’t provide additional quality printing and design services. However, Amore Lux Studios offers extra design/branding a-la-carte options to go with each collection, which gives the clients that luxury visual feel. We have custom invitations, save-the-date cards, guest sign-in albums, wedding ceremony cards, reception menus, wedding websites, thank you cards, fine-art Italian albums, and so much more. Our design services are rare to find in town, so clients love being able to get that perk of working with us, along with the gorgeous imagery and film footage.
How would a client go about booking an Amore Lux photographer or cinematographer for their wedding day?
We absolutely love to meet with our clients one-on-one for a complimentary consultation. This is the time that we can truly meet and get to know them better, as well as hearing the vision they have for their beautiful wedding day. Clients can simply complete our online Wedding Day Inquiry Form, to check on our availability, and to schedule a bridal consultation with us. The photographers/cinematographers are the only ones who are with the bride and groom all day long, so we want to make sure we are all comfy together and know one another. During the consultation, we can answer any questions and go over our packages and collections, and customize it to the client's needs. At the end of the consultation there is no pressure at all to book, but if a client is happy and wants to book with us, then we can walk them through the contract, and they can submit a 30% non-refundable retainer fee, at that time, to reserve their Amore Lux Studios professionals for their wedding day.
Or if they want to go home and think about it, we have convenient and verified online contract-signing, and payment submissions.
The Final Word
So there you have it. Planning your wedding can be hard enough - you don't need to worry about the minutia. Seasoned professionals may cost more in some cases, but they bring value and experience to the table. Hopefully, some of your concerns about hiring a wedding photographer have been addressed here. You can always reach right out to the Amore Lux Studios staff for more intimate conversations.
Don't forget about your hair and makeup!
You can have your cake and eat it to with Amore Lux Studios!!
Traditional Celtic Weddings and Modern "Must Haves".
One style of wedding that continues to grow around the world is Celtic Weddings. Not only are many people looking deep into their family roots for wedding inspiration, but many have been moved by modern trends. One such recent trend stems from the hit television program OUTLANDER. With so much interest in Celtic and Scottish Wedding trends, we went to the experts in everything Celtic to ask a few questions - our friends at The Celtic Croft.
Celtic & Scottish wedding traditions.
Claire & Jamie. Outlander: The Wedding.
One style of wedding that continues to grow around the world is Celtic Weddings. Not only are many people looking deep into their family roots for wedding inspiration, but many have been moved by modern trends. One such recent trend stems from the hit television program OUTLANDER. With so much interest in Celtic and Scottish Wedding trends, we went to the experts in everything Celtic to ask a few questions - our friends at The Celtic Croft.
1. How prevalent are traditional Celtic and Scottish Weddings in the United States? What are some of the must-haves in a traditional Celtic Wedding?
There are not a lot of statistics on this but it is estimated to be in the 10,000 range annually. Traditional Weddings must include, full formal kilt dress for men and groomsmen, and usually a sash and garter matching the groom's tartan for the bride. This is the attire for a Celtic-themed wedding, however there are many traditions and they would vary in many ways if the wedding was Irish vs. Scottish, English, Manx, Welsh, or Cornish.
2. What recommendations do you have on traditional men’s dress? How about for the Bride?
Unless you only have one family tie to Scotland, know that you can wear any ancestral Tartan. In addition, if you're not sure about your lineage, there is a general Tartan that is very common; you won’t be left out and you'll still look great.
For the bride, there are many alternatives (if you are looking outside of the "White Dress Family") that can compliment the overall theme. Just ask the your friendly Celtic apparel outfitter for suggestions.
3. Let’s talk Kilts and Tartans. Explain the significance of the various Tartans. What does the modern Scottish Groom look for in appropriate attire?
Photo Credit: Fresh Photography
Tartan is a family registered plaid and every single one is different. Along with the Tartan, you want to ensure you have a full formal or dress attire which includes the Ghillie Brogues, hose, kilt pin, flashes, jacket (either Prince Charles or Argyle), kilt belt, Sgian Dubh, and shoulder fly plaid with brooch.
Celtic dress, specifically weddings, are preserved through formal dress and proper accessory attire. Where it with pride!
4. What is the significance of the horse shoe and the harvest knot?
Traditionally - Harvest Knot:
On a small farm, the Harvest Home feast would have been held in the kitchen. On larger holdings, the festivities took place in the barn - cleaned out and dressed up. Prominently displayed as part of the decor was the last sheaf. And, if it was held in a part of Ireland where a young colleen had tied the last sheaf. It was the custom, that she would be led out for the first dance by the Farmer or his eldest son.
Wedding Hair Style: Harvest Knot
It was at these gatherings that harvest knots were worn to show that the harvest was completed. Usually, they were made in two types: an elaborate braid with the corn ears still attached (which was worn by the women) and a less ornamental twist - although made with equal skill, (which was made for the men). Often, in modern times, you will find the Harvest Knot symbolically represented in bridal hair styling.
Traditionally - Horse shoe:
On the day of the wedding, it is not uncommon among Celtic brides to sew a horseshoe into the hem of a dress. Grandmother did it, and so did her mother. It is said that this act brings good luck. Horseshoes have always been associated with good luck, right? However, the real reason for this custom goes far beyond luck. It is part of an ancient belief, perhaps tracing as far back as the iron age. After the invention of the horseshoe and its association with luck, it became a natural thing to add into the very dress. And it also helps the dress hang properly. So, if your grandmother insists there be a horseshoe somewhere in your wedding attire, you will now have a clue why this may be beyond the merely obvious association with luck.
~ Reference: CelticJewelery.com
5. Where does the phrase “Tie the Knot” come from?
Photo by: Wikimedia Commons
Today, wedding couples around the world use a phrase that seems appropriate at every generation. Little do many know how ancient the symbolic meaning of the phrase "Tie the Knot" actually is. This comes from the old “hand fasting” ceremonies, which are still performed today in some pagan and christian traditions. The hands are tied with a ceremonial cloth OR the male's family tartan signifying their union. Quite moving when done correctly…hence ‘Tie the Knot’.
6. What sort of venue should traditional, Celtic engaged couples look for ?
Anywhere works. We have literally seen it all from a complete outdoor castle wedding in Europe, a Montana mountain range, to a simple church or post-modern art gallery. Kilts go everywhere with everything.
7. What other historical traditions have age-old meaning that are still very prevalent today?
Photo Credit: Fresh Photography
Rings and Bagpipes! Celtic Wedding rings are a basic expectation in Celtic Weddings of any kind. Most couples that are celebrating their heritage, do so openly with obvious Celtic rings. They often feature the symbolic harvest knot and other meaningful etchings. Often times, they don't have to be expensive either. The history of the Celtic wedding dates back to simpler times and today, we find that those that celebrate it, wish to maintain it. The most widely known traditional ring, worn even by teenagers and non-Celtic heritage folks is The Claddagh ring - one of the old traditions that's widely known. The traditional ring is usually given by young Irish men to their girlfriends as a gift; today known as a "promise ring". Sometimes it's inherited from a family member, but the ring takes part in wedding ceremonies, too.
Bagpipes are another tradition that often are a standard expectation at Celtic weddings. Though history will tell us that bagpipes were first seen as early as 1000 B.C., they have been a historic staple in the British, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian military. The first bagpipes to be well-attested to for Ireland were similar, if not identical, to the Highland pipes that are now played in Scotland. These are known as the "Great Irish Warpipes". In Irish and Scottish Gaelic, this instrument was called the píob mhór ("great pipe") - first appearing around the 18th century. Today bagpipes are becoming revitalized more and more every day.
8. Modern Twists: What do you see today that is inspired by modern culture in Celtic and Scottish Weddings?
There are two trends happening right now - "Grey Weddings" and "Ancient Weddings" (with a more 18th century feel). The main driving force behind both of these trends is the hit Starz television program Outlander. The Celtic Croft is an official licensee of Outlander kilts, apparel and accessories and the demand for these items has grown substantially.
Photo Credit: Starz "Outlander".
The Celtic Croft was recently featured on CBS Local in Minneapolis.
Getting Married? Inquire about your date today for Celtic Hair and Makeup.
Visit The Celtic Croft for all of your Celtic apparel, Kilts, and rental needs.
Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips and Advice.
Planning your wedding can be one of the most stressful things in your life. Often times, this is the result of your family, your friends, your timelines, etc. Many brides forget that their wedding day is ultimately about you and your fiancé - no one else. One of the best ways to avoid all of the unnecessary frustration is to hire a professional Wedding Planner. If that's not an option, then take these Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips to heart.
The Top 5 Wedding Planning Pieces of Advice from Wedding planner & expert, Jessica Wonders.
Planning your wedding can be one of the most stressful things in your life. Often times, this is the result of your family, your friends, your timelines, etc. Many brides forget that their wedding day is ultimately about you and your fiancé - no one else. One of the best ways to avoid all of the unnecessary frustration is to hire a professional Wedding Planner. If that's not an option, then take these Top 5 Wedding Planning Tips to heart.
Jessica Wonders
Professional Wedding Planner
651.245.8536
1. Everyone has their own ideas on what the planning timeline should look like, but to effectively plan a wedding with as little stress possible; how soon in advance should a bride & groom begin planning their wedding and what items should they secure first?
Great question! In order to effectively plan a wedding with little stress it is a must to begin the planning process at least 12 months in advance. The ceremony, and reception venue(s) should be secured first!
Pro tip: Some venues are booking up to two years in advance.
2. The Dress. Quite possibly the most important item of the day. What advice can you give brides-to-be on where to look for “the dress", what to expect when shopping and how far in advance should she order to avoid rush fees?
The dress is for sure one of the most important items of the day! I would say to look at more than one bridal dress shop if you don’t find “the one” at the first shop. A few of my favorites in the Twin Cities are; Bella Bridal boutique, Posh Bridal, and Luxe Bridal Couture. Expect to have a ton of fun! Start shopping at least 10-9 months prior to the scheduled wedding date.
Pro tip: Don’t bring your entire wedding party or a huge entourage of people. Bring 2-3 people whose opinions for your wedding day attire matter to you most. The more people you bring, the more confused you will be.
3. What is the difference between hiring a day-of wedding planner and purchasing a planner’s full planning package? What are some pros & cons?
Both day-of planning and full planning can differ between Wedding Planners. The biggest overall difference is that with hiring a day-of wedding planner, you will fully plan your wedding on your own and have extra help to execute your wedding plans on the actual Wedding Day. A full wedding planning package involves help in every step of the way with every single aspect involved in the planning process.
Day-of Wedding Planning Pros: Allows you to get married on the day of your wedding - stress free, knowing that you have someone there to help take care of things when unexpected situations arise (and they will).
Day-of Wedding Planning Cons: All of the planning details and stresses throughout the wedding planning process are on you. In my opinion planning a wedding can be a full time job in itself, so adding that to the average person’s typical work schedule can be a lot to handle.
Full Wedding Planning Pros: Your wedding planner will make sure you are getting items checked off on time, while staying in budget. While also serving as what I call “Switzerland” when it comes to differing opinions between family and the engaged couple. This may be the single most important feature.
Full Wedding Planning Cons: It can be costly, but is so very worth every penny.
Pro tip: If it fits the budget, go for the full planning package. You won’t regret it!
4. When hiring a Wedding Planner; what is the number one thing a bride should look for?
When hiring a wedding planner (in my opinion) the number one thing to look for would be chemistry and communication. You have to have good chemistry and “mesh” well with your wedding planner, because you will be spending a lot of time together during the wedding planning process. Communication is big item to consider because not everyone communicates with others in the most effective way. Make sure your potential wedding planner’s style fits your needs.
Pro tip: Great customer service and timely communication in a wedding planner is very important!
5. Every person has the one “over bearing” family member or friend who offers to (or just simply) takes over the wedding planning for the bride. What advice can you give brides-to-be that are facing this challenge, but don’t want to hurt their family member or friend’s feelings by hiring a wedding planner?
Oh yes! We all have that “someone”. My best advice is to find a task that needs to be done on your wedding day that you feel comfortable giving to that person. An example might be something like transporting items from the ceremony location to reception or passing out the programs.
Pro tip: Just remember it is YOUR wedding day!
Northeast Minneapolis Urban Princess Styled Shoot
Urban Princess, a Northeast Minneapolis Styled Shoot, took place in the fall of 2014 on the back drop of Stone Arch Bridge and The Astor Café.
WarPaint International had the privilege of working with Forever Bride to deliver hair and makeup looks for this fun and artsy project. Master Artisans Jessica Mae & Benjamin spent a day in September with a Glam Squad of models to make this styled shoot a ton of fun. You can read more on the Dainty Obsessions Blog.
Luxury Bridal Hair & Makeup Artistry.
Urban Princess, a Northeast Minneapolis Styled Shoot, took place in the fall of 2014 on the back drop of Stone Arch Bridge and The Astor Café.
WarPaint International had the privilege of working with Forever Bride to deliver hair and makeup looks for this fun and artsy project. Master Artisans Jessica Mae & Benjamin spent a day in September with a Glam Squad of models to make this styled shoot a ton of fun. You can read more on the Dainty Obsessions Blog.
Forever Bride is an intimate wedding planning network. They showcase the best wedding vendors in the Twin Cities, an array of ideas with their real wedding stories and styled shoots, and a place where brides can feel connected to their vendors and not get lost in the corporate shuffle of a big name planning site. But I think the thing I love the most about them is their VIB (very important bride) membership. The membership is FREE to join and gets you exclusive access to the network of local vendors they have, plus most of the vendors offer a VIB exclusive discount. Who doesn't love that?! So if you or someone you know is a bride to be, head over to foreverbride.com and sign up today! Below are our favorite images from the Urban Princess Styled Shoot. Thank you Forever Bride for including us in this awesome day!
Vendor List:
Stylist: Forever Bride | http://www.foreverbride.com/
Photographer: Jody Savage Photography | http://www.jodysavagephotography.com/
Event Planner: White Room Event | http://whiteroomevent.com/
Venue: The Aster Cafe & The River Room | http://www.astercafe.com/
Decor & Rentals: I Do Two-Bridal & Consignment | http://www.idotwobridalconsignment.com/
Florals: M Studio Flower Affair | http://www.mstudiofloweraffair.com/
Cake & Desserts: Sugar Love Bakery | http://www.mysugarlovebakery.com/
Jewelry: Sheer Addiction Jewelry | http://sheeraddictionjewelry.com/
Invites & Paper: JB Originals | http://jboriginals.net/
Gowns: Inspire Bridal Boutique | http://www.inspirebridalboutique.com/
Grooms Attire: Heimie’s Haberdashery | http://www.heimies.com/
Hair & Makeup: WarPaint International | http://www.warpaintinternational.com/#about
Headbands & Belts: JolieUSA | http://jolieusa.com/
Videography: Flow Event Group | http://www.floweventgroup.com/
Transportation: Silver Rolls Royce | http://www.silverrollsroyce.com/