Let’s face it, we all know planning a wedding can be stressful. While we know having your Bridebook app certainly helps organise your planning, nothing beats a little self pampering to make sure all those big decisions aren’t getting you down or keeping you up at night.

And who better to guide us through the best ways to battle any niggling anxiety and help you sleep better at night than the experts from Aromatherapy Associates. Terrence the Teacher, Aromatherapy Associates Mindfulness Expert, is here to impart his words of wisdom… here’s to a happy, healthy and stress-free engagement!

How To Reduce Anxiety:

1. CHANGE YOUR FOCUS

I would tell my client to change their whole focus for the upcoming day – let them remind themselves continuously that the day is about celebrating their love for another person. Plus sharing it with their family and friends. The only important thing to focus on.  Could anything really change that? This should put the day in perspective and often makes them look forward to it more.

1. PLAY THE MIND GAME  

Rehearse the day in your mind for a few minutes a day. Use your imagination to envision everything going perfectly. Create a really colourful movie. Add to the movie, seeing yourself being calm and happy. (Research has shown that this mind game, used by top athletes, actors and world leaders really works.) It is as if the brain does not distinguish between real or imagined. So, on the day, your rehearsal will pay off, as the mind will go “I have done this before, and it all will go well”.

1.  MINDFULNESS IS KEY

A powerful Mindfulness exercise for stress is the 7/11 breathing.  This breathing exercise is used by therapists all over the world to help with anxiety, stress and even panic attacks. It is known to relax down the whole body, including the parasympathetic nervous system, so really creating calm. Do as follows: Breathe in for 7 counts and breathe out for 11 counts.  Do a few of these a day as often as you want. On the special day you can use it whenever needed.

How To Get A Better Night’s Sleep:

1. BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT & RELAX

The first thing that needs to be done to get to sleep, is to relax. Stressing about not sleeping will just keep you awake. Let it go and know that the body is perfectly created to get the amount of sleep you need. By relaxing about it you might find sleep comes easier.

1. SET THE SCENE

Make sure that your sleep environment is geared for a good night’s sleep. Tech free, dark, the right temperature and the bed comfortable.

1. SET A ROUTINE

Last but not the least, create a night time routine that tells your mind that you are preparing for sleep. From an aromatherapy bath, beauty routine to undressing and getting ready for sleep. The connection your brain makes to the above actions will help the body and mind to start switching off in recognition of the routine.

Aromatherapy Associates Recommend:

1. Bathing – Bathing is proven to ease muscular tension and calm a wired mind. Use DeStress Mind Bath & Shower Oil to help clear the mind with Petitgrain, camomile to calm and soothe as well as Frankincense to focus the mind on the moment.
2. Keep a roller ball by your bed – for those nights that you may wake up in a panic Deep Relax roller ball with the sedating powers of vetiver will ensure you fall right back off to sleep.
3. Keep an essential oil in your handbag – We recommend Lavender which is a great tool for getting rid of any niggly headaches during the day. Place a couple of drops of the oil onto the tips of your fingers, and push into your forehead.
   

Now you’ve got your relaxation routine sorted, how about perfecting the rest of your wedding planning? Be sure you’re on track, without the piles of brochures and endless spreadsheets with these top wedding planning tools!

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Bridebook was lucky enough to have Bobbi Brown herself spill all her wedding beauty secrets…she reveals all below:

No matter your age, bridal makeup should be special. On your wedding day, you should look like yourself at your most beautiful. However, it’s not a time to try a look that is very trendy or radically different from your usual style. Wedding makeup should be long lasting, look amazing in photographs, and be timeless.

When you look at your wedding pictures ten years from now, you should still love the way you looked.

Bridal makeup needs to have enough colour to compensate for the whiteness of the dress. Remember, there’s a big difference between everyday clothes and a wedding dress, so there should be difference in your makeup, too.

Start by making sure your skin looks even and smooth, and then add colour to your cheeks and lips to give them a glow. Finish with eye makeup that defines your eyes but doesn’t look overdone. To avoid feeling rushed, allow 45 minutes to an hour for makeup application on the wedding day.

A few wedding beauty tips:

• Emphasise your eyes by brightening any darkness under them with corrector and concealer. 

• Set concealer and foundation with a sheer loose powder. Powder applied with a powder puff assures amazing wearability and reduces unwanted shine – a must-have look for pictures. 

• Neutral, brown, and pale lip colours can look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one or two shades brighter than what you normally wear. If you usually wear a neutral hue, it should be worn as a base, with a pink or rose colour on top. If you typically wear dark lipstick, use that as the base, and apply a brighter pink on top to give the colour a lift. Pinks, roses and plums are all great, classic choices for brides.

• Define your eyes by applying colour in the crease, but avoid using a shade that’s too dense or dark, as it can detract from the eyes themselves. 

• Use a water-resistant liner that can withstand tears! If you prefer to line with shadow, make it last longer by applying it with a slightly damp eyeliner brush.

• After applying all your makeup, finish with a highlighter shade on the brow bone to make the eyes pop. Rub your finger in a light matte shade, and pat lightly on the outer corner of the brow bone.

And of course, make sure to take care of yourself on the inside too – eat well in the weeks leading up to your wedding, and try to exercise a few times a week. Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated and refreshed, and take a relaxing bath the night before.

Most of all, be present! Slow down and appreciate what’s around you rather than rushing to get from start to finish.

Happy Planning!

Ready to book your make – up artist for your big day? Have a read of our useful article ‘15 Questions To Ask Your Make-Up Artist‘ 

Browse other similar articles:

• Wedding Stationery Solved 

• Bridal Musings’ Expert Tips For Wowing Your Guests On Your Wedding Day

• Wedding Cake Tips by Mary Berry 

• Etsy Spill Top Decorating Tips To Bridebook 

• Q & A With Celebrity Hairdresser Daniel Galvin 

Written by Jo Malone London

Jo Malone London are at the forefront of perfumery, curating collaborations between London’s leading creative talent and world-renowned master perfumers, thereby offering bespoke luxury fragrances immersed in the modern British culture.

When planning a wedding, one is always keeping in mind the whole picture – from matching your stationery, to your flowers, to your dress, to your venue, to your everything, we know you brides have it down to a tee. But why limit yourself to just one of the senses?

Bridebook was lucky enough to partner with Jo Malone London, the British scent powerhouse, to learn the best ways to up the wedding game with scent – from pre-wedding pampering, to picking the perfect scent for your venue, read on to hear what Jo Malone London has to share on perfecting the scent element to your wedding. Enjoy!

The Night Before

Here at Jo Malone London we know that in the lead up to your wedding day, there are many different elements that the bride and groom have to consider. Firstly though – a moment for you! This is going to be a busy day and the best way to start is with a peaceful and pampering session.  Take an indulgent bath infused with our Red Roses Bath Oil.  Follow with a rich Body Crème such as Blackberry & Bay or Nectarine Blossom & Honey.

The Body Crème will help hold your fragrance, leaving a trail of your scent throughout the day.  Then accessorise and layer with your favourite Jo Malone London scent.  This fragrance can reflect your personality or capture a special moment and what could be more special than your wedding.  

Style Your Scent

Choosing a fragrance to suit your dress is also something to consider. Depending on the season you may have a different kind of dress design; something more structured in the winter or more floaty and light in the summer.

Your scent can change to work with both and perfectly fit the atmosphere. Chiffon dresses are light and airy so something like English Pear & Freesia with Wild Bluebell creates a cool floral fragrance, dewy with wild flowers and a fruity pear note.  

Peony & Blush Suede was inspired by the Cecil Beaton era and the English Ballroom with romance and fashion – this would be the perfect scent for a satin gown.  It’s an opulent and flirtatious scent that fits with this aesthetic.

His & Her Pairing

Lots of brides and grooms do like to complement each other on their wedding day with their fragrances. All of our boutiques offer a complimentary wedding consultation service where our wedding stylists can help with combining signature scents for both bride and groom, as well as other members of the bridal party.

A wonderful bridal scent is Orange Blossom. A traditional bloom in floral bouquets, Orange Blossom is a symbol for good fortune and happiness for a newly-wedded couple. Alternatively, and perhaps more unusual, is the combination of Peony & Blush Suede with Red Roses. Like a freshly cut bouquet the voluptuous blend of seven exquisite roses adds modern romance with a clean and surprisingly fresh lift.

All of these fragrance combinations will interlace perfectly with the groom’s more masculine Amber & Lavender.  Together these offer a clean and aromatic fragrance combined with a floral freshness – the perfect match.

The Complete Sensorial Experience

It is nice to think of all of the fragrances, from your personal scent, to the venue and location together. They should go together but not be the same necessarily.  For the venue think about the mood you want to create. I.e. an English countryside wedding can be emphasised with vibrant and verdant Blackberry & Bay.

Scented candles add touches of style to the aisle, tables and reception space, and create an aroma to envelop the guests, for a lasting memory. The flicker of Orange Blossom candles scattered around the ceremony venue is incredibly romantic and enchanting. Seated for the speeches, surprise guests with a hand-bowed Travel Candle or Bath Oil; a thoughtful touch for them to take home.  

To complete the sensorial experience at your wedding, lightly spritz a linen spray over napkins and the table cloth to lift the scent of the candles and floral arrangements.

About Jo Malone

At Jo Malone London we orchestrate a world of bespoke luxury and fragrance that is immersed in the modern British culture. By curating collaborations between world-renowned master perfumers and London’s leading creative talent, we are enduringly at the forefront of perfumery.

At Jo Malone London our signature is elegantly simple allowing you to recognise the ingredients within the fragrance; our scents are transparent and modern.

Fragrance combining is a key part of our philosophy, allowing each customer to find a fragrance combination unique to them. This can be through layering bath and body products with fragrance or spritzing two different colognes; it’s a personal choice for each individual.

Happy Planning! 

It doesn’t get more pamper worthy than The Ritz Salon! Luckily for you, we’ve chatted with their very own Spa Manager Hannah Wood to get some insight on pre-wedding bridal beauty and pampering from the best of the best. So read on and get your comfy slippers and fluffy spa bathrobes at the ready!

Below you will find Hannah’s recommended bridal beauty steps in the run up to a wedding from 6 months before to the night before:

6 months before

From six months, brides-to-be should starting going to the gym to make sure that they are toning their body, and especially concentrate on toning arms. Brides-to-be should also start to have regular facials from six months, and they should look to have one every four weeks so that they have at least five sessions before the wedding day. In The Ritz Salon, I recommend the Elemis Visible Brilliance Facial, which will help to brighten and illuminate the skin.

3 months before

Keep having the same facial every four weeks, unless you have a specific concern that you would like to focus on. With the Elemis Visible Brilliance Facial, we can prescribe the facial and adjust a few of the products depending on the clients skin concerns. I would also recommend for the Bride to have a good hair cut three months before the wedding, and then a trim a couple of weeks before.

1 month before

One month before the wedding is now getting really close and I recommend having a hair and make-up trial at this time. Your skin will be bright and glowing after the facials and a make-up trial is essential as this, especially, can be subject to personal taste. If you colour your hair, I recommend doing this at least one week before the wedding, just in case any changes are necessary (even if you have the same stylist and same colour it can still look different to normal so to avoid any last minute disasters and ensure it is done in plenty of time to correct it). At one month, start growing your nails, so that they are at a perfect on the day (all of the guests will be asking to look at your ring!). Cuticle oil is one of my hero products to strengthen and hydrate the nails. Exfoliate your body two or three times a week, and use a good moisturiser morning and night. Do a face mask twice a week from one month as well. I would also suggest to have a massage to de-stress you for the big day.

1 week before

With one week to go, your body should be ready. Have your waxing done if necessary and keep your body as a clean canvas if you are wanting to tan the night before.

The Night Before

The night before is dependent on your skin type, but I would exfoliate and use a mask on the eve of your wedding, but no new products. Use eye pads as well to make sure your eyes are sparkling for the big day. Drink lots and lots and lots of water. No alcohol. The day before have a manicure and pedicure and wash your hair if you are having your hair put up on the day. Day old hair is the best as it has better hold than if it is fresh clean hair.

Next up, Hannah’s tried and tested facial treatments for brides-to-be:

For De-Puffing

On the wedding morning, put teaspoons in the freezer. Run them under a tap before placing them on your eyes – this really works to de-puff the eye area quickly before your make up is applied. The Elemis Procollagen Hydra Eye Masks are amazing as it really works de-puffing eyes, getting rid of dark circles over time, brightening the eye area and making the eyes more open and refreshed.

For Skin Clearing

I recommend a microdermabrasion facial. This type of facial gets rid of the top layers of skin, and works well to resurface the skin and helps eliminate any recent scarring or imperfections on the skin.

For Skin Smoothing

A good moisturiser for your skin type is essential and use this morning and night. Do make sure that your moisturiser is right for you – drier skin types should use a thicker moisturiser and if you are have more oily skin, go for a gel based moisturiser. At The Ritz Salon I definitely recommend the Elemis Visible Brilliance Facial. It is a brightening and illuminating facial which is exactly what you want for wedding ready skin. I love exfoliating the skin to take away all the dead skin, and then if you put a mask on the face straight away, you can see instant results.

Hair Removal Timing

A week before for the lip and eyebrows depending on your hair growth. Legs can be done closer to the day. I also recommend waxing and tweezing (rather that threading as the hair can come back thicker). We recommend for our brides to have their eyebrows shaped in The Ritz Salon a week before because if any spots or irritation occur they can be completely gone by the wedding day.

Tanning Tips

For streak free tan, in the driest areas of your body (such as your elbows, knees, feet -especially your heels – and the back of your wrists which are noticeable), always cover them in a thick moisturiser first. Apply the tan using a mitt in order to get an even coverage all over. I would recommend that brides apply the tan themselves if they are an experienced tanner or have a professional do this but not to get a spray tan. Always make sure you do a test run and that you exfoliate properly before.

Bridal Pampering

I personally find facials very relaxing, and brides-to-be should be having these regularly. A relaxing 50 minute or 80 minute Swedish Massage in The Ritz Salon is very relaxing because it focuses on the areas which carry the most tension, such as the shoulders and scalp especially.

Don’t Forget!

An often overlooked area is the thigh area. People can get cellulite no matter how skinny they are and the thighs are often neglected. Cellulite is caused by poor circulation and the toxins get trapped. I recommend daily dry body brushing with an Elemis dry body brush every morning before you shower – always on dry skin. It’s painful but the results are very worthwhile and noticeable, always brush up towards the heart and not downwards.

Hair is also so important. Brides to be should do hair masks regularly to get a nice shine. You can also get a Wella shine spray from The Ritz Salon for the day of the wedding which looks unbelievable in pictures. We use this on all of our Ritz Brides.

Want to book yourself in for some of these expert treatments? You can contact the Ritz Salon directly through their Bridebook profile!

Worried about crying too much on your big day? Bracing yourself for the tropical temperatures of your wedding destination? Well this beauty trick may just be perfect for you! More and more brides are turning to the incredible technological developments in the beauty industry to ensure they look absolutely perfect on their big day, and for many days after. Semi-permanent makeup is leading the pack as it looks more natural than ever. So if you’re considering semi-permanent makeup for your big day, read on to get the complete low down on the treatment by one of the greats – winner of the 2015 London Hair and Beauty Awards, Sian Dellar.

“Every bride wants to look perfect on their wedding day. After months of planning and preparing, the big day can seem overwhelming. Plenty of tears, kisses and high temperatures can hinder maintaining a flawless look all day.

Enhancing your natural beauty, permanent makeup can be your answer to flawless makeup on your wedding day. Whether you need a few subtle touches or prefer a full glamorous effect, our permanent makeup treatments address all of your makeup needs on your big day. Allowing you to enjoy your day and forget about touching up your makeup, our treatments can avoid the early morning bridal rush and ensure you look flawless all day long.

Helping to replicate everyday makeup, permanent makeup is great way to boost confidence on your special day.

What Is Permanent Makeup?

Perfect for any bride that is looking to enhance their natural beauty on their special day, permanent makeup is a new and manual method to create a natural look using a needle to place pigmented granules beneath the upper layers of the skin.

Using similar cosmetic techniques to tattoos, permanent makeup can help to define eyebrows, contour lips and enhance the eyes. Using fine and natural strokes, our permanent technicians work closely with your colour shade, along with the natural contours of your face.

Helping to correct imperfections from scars, permanent makeup can also benefit those who suffer with alopecia, trigonometrical or any other condition that causes hair loss. Creating a natural hair stroke to suit your facial symmetry, our permanent treatments can enhance the face, lips, and eyelids.

The Process

Delicately adding hypo-allergenic pigments in a range of shades to the outermost layers of your skin, most commonly the eyebrows, eyes and lips, our permanent makeup address all of your makeup needs.

With everyone’s routine and beauty styles varying, here at Sian Dellar we ensure a specifically tailored look is provided to each bride to achieve your desired results. We work along the natural contours of the face and with your hair colour, however this can be altered if you would like something different to your current appearance.

Completely safe and effective, permanent makeup works by implanting pharmaceutical grade pigments of your choice into the chosen treatment area. The treatment is often described as ‘permanent’ makeup due to the colour is being introduced into the upper dermal layer of skin and although the pigment will fade over time, it will often remain in the skin even if not completely visible.

Eyebrows

Helping to define and shape the natural contours of your face, eyebrows can help to enhance your facial features. Along with previous trends and ageing, overtime eyebrows can begin to lose shape and appear thin and shapeless.

Especially on your special day, we want eyebrows to look flawless, without looking too shaped using eyebrow products. With our permanent eyebrow treatment, we ensure we create the most natural looking eyebrows. Using crisp, thin strokes, we can fill and shape brows, imitating added hair growth using a natural look.

Lips

Throughout your wedding day, every bride desires the perfect pout. A plump shape along with a soft outline, our permanent lip treatment helps to create a gentle flush of colour to lips. Staying put during all those kisses and in particular when sealing your marriage, our permanent lip treatment can create volume and shape to lips.

We can also correct any imperfections on lips, as well as minimise ageing on lips and loss of colour.

Eyes

Especially on your big day, eyes are one feature that many brides want to accentuate on their wedding day. Eye-liner is a perfect way to define the shape of eyes, but also to accentuate your eye colour. However, with many brides being particular about their eye makeup, many find their makeup artists can’t quite achieve their look and it can also be prone to smudge and wear off during the day.

In particular, during a few emotional speeches and special moments, we want our eyeliner to stay put. Our permanent eyeliner treatment can make your eyelashes look thicker and more defined by applying soft, natural colour between your lash line

After-care

Important after-care instructions will be given to you after your treatment to ensure you take care of the treated areas for the following 7 days. You will also be given an after-care leaflet and balm to be applied for 7 days.

Here at Sian Dellar, we specialise in permanent makeup treatments and strive towards making every bride feel beautiful. So if you’re ready to transform your beauty regime, contact us today“

Read more about our Bridal Make-Up tips  here. 

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Rose is a freelance hair and make-up artist who also works closely  with the Liz Earle Beauty brand, celebrities and international bridal clients. Rose is based in London, but travels far and wide and knows how to get you walking down the aisle looking like an absolute goddess. See also the amazing guide she wrote for Bridebook on making the decision between hair up and hair down here. Enjoy!

From clips, combs and hair-pins to flower crowns and wreaths, there are many ideas to consider, and it can be a lot of fun exploring the options available. You want to ensure that the hair accessory you choose compliments your dress, your hairstyle and your jewellery.

The overall theme and setting of the wedding also plays a part; for instance, if your wedding features a country garden setting, soft floral hair accessories can work beautifully. For an evening do, you may wish to choose something more dramatic and sparkly to catch the light. Some brides choose to make their hair accessory a main feature, opting for bold and colourful floral wreaths and flower crowns, a perfect choice for hair down styles and boho brides.

That said, if you want the focus to be purely on the dress, the jewellery and the veil (not to mention your beautiful bridal hair style) – you can choose not to have any hair accessories at all, or just add one in for the evening before your first dance.

The following considerations should help you to decide the type of hair accessory that’s right for your day.

The Dress:

Look at the fabric in your dress, are there any ‘sparkly’ or ‘pearly’ elements, or is the material matte? It’s lovely to tie in your hair accessory with the types of fabric in your dress. For example, lace bridal hair combs can really compliment a lace gown, while a crystal hair accessory will work beautifully with a dress with featuring any crystal detailing. The colour tones of your dress can also be used as a guide for selecting a complimentary hair accessory.

The Bridal Party:

Hair accessories can work with all bridal hairstyles; up, down and half up. Once you have chosen the perfect bridal hair accessory, you can select similar complimentary hair accessories for your bridal party. If your bridesmaids are having different hairstyles, a hair accessory could be a lovely way to unify them and maintain your look and feel across the board.

The Jewellery (and veil):

Any hair accessories you choose should work colour tone wise with your jewellery. As with your dress, it can be nice to match up elements of the detail (pearls, crystals, diamonds) between your jewellery and hair accessory. If you decide to wear a veil, make sure that the hair accessory you choose can be worn with the veil, or have one of your bridesmaids on duty to help you out it on once the veil is taken off.

In love with any or all of these gorgeous hair styles? Check out Rose’s very own Bridebook profile and book her for your big day!

Happy Planning!

Are you trying to decide whether to wear your hair up or down on your wedding day? Brides often face this dilemma, but fear not, today we give you some of the best advice from one of our dearest wedding experts: Rose Magnall. 

If you want to cut to the chase, these are the questions you should be asking yourself in order to make a decision:

How do you usually wear your hair?

Are you more comfortable with it up or down?

What kind of dress are you wearing? 

Keep reading to explore these questions in more detail with our wedding expert, and by the end of this article, you should be on a good path to making your decision!

If you’re still looking for your hair and make-up, search in your area with Bridebook’s beauty, hair and make-up search! 

Rose Magnall is a freelance hair and make-up artist who also works closely with the Liz Earle Beauty brand, celebrities and international bridal clients. Rose is based in London, but travels far and wide and knows how to get you walking down the aisle looking like an absolute goddess:

I find the decision between hair up or hair down is one of the most common difficulties many brides face in the run-up to their wedding. Hair, after all, is a woman’s crowning glory, and we as a gender can be pretty obsessed with our locks. This obsession tends to be magnified on our wedding day, as many things are!

There can be many pressures about how your hair ‘should’ look – from worries about the weather causing havoc if your hair is down, to agonizing over the many style options of an up-do, not to mention the endless ‘hairspiration’ photos to be found online and thinking, which of these is right for me?

My advice in helping any bride to make the decision would be to focus on two main questions: first, what suits the dress? And secondly, (and I think most importantly) what are you most comfortable with? Let’s focus for now on the latter.

Personally, for me, when it came to making the decision for my own wedding last year, I took a step back (many years back) and remembered how it felt to be a young girl, imagining myself as a grown-up woman getting married. Although I have long and generally well-behaved hair, I always imagined that I would wear my blonde hair up in a chignon – it was a clear vision that never wavered.

Perhaps the main reason I knew I wanted my hair up, is that I’ve always felt comfortable with it tied back, I’ve enjoyed wearing up-dos and having my hair styled off my face. I’ve also always found it easier – once it’s up, its up, and there’s no maintenance required.

However, for every girl who loves wearing their hair up, there’s another who prefers it down. And, in most cases, they always will have. I have worked with many brides with the most beautiful thick hair, who want nothing more than to show it off at its best on their wedding day.

And rightly so. Bridal hair down styles are exquisite, and girls who love to wear their hair down will feel nothing less than perfect if they decide to go down this route for their wedding. The thing is, brides who choose to wear their hair down tend to be girls who always wear their hair down – bottom line, they feel the most comfortable, beautiful and confident with their hair down. It’s the same reasoning for brides who choose to wear their hair up – it just feels ‘right’ for them.

So, amidst the stresses and endless to-do lists involved in planning your wedding, take a step back and think about what it is that you really want – not what fashion and trends and family members want, or think you should do.

Think back to memories or occasions (a good opportunity to look through old photos) in your life when you felt the most beautiful and confident – was your hair down? If so, then maybe down is the way to go for your wedding day.

There are always ‘half-up’ options too, which can be a lovely way to show off your hair while keeping it directly off your face. This is quite a popular route for brides who are torn between up or down. Some brides begin the day with their hair up, then have their hair stylist transform the style into hair down for the evening (if you have the time and the budget this can be really special and a lovely surprise for your groom).

The dress also plays a part in deciding how your hair should be worn – if you want to show off back-detail or shoulders then that can help you to make a decision. Bridal boutiques can offer great advice during wedding dress fittings – and you’ll get a feel for what looks better with certain dresses as you try on various styles.

You want to look back on your wedding day as the most wonderful experience, knowing that everything was perfect for you. So, follow your heart and trust your own sense of style, and on the day you’ll feel the happiest you’ve ever felt.

Happy Planning!

Inspired by Rose’s amazing hairdos and gorgeous makeup? Be sure to check out her Bridebook profile and website to book her for your own wedding!

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Here at Bridebook we were oh so lucky to have a chance to pick the brains of one of the most impressive and renowned wedding hairstylists in the UK. As the man behind Kate Middleton’s wedding hair, he is most definitely very deserving of the title! You can’t miss Richard Ward‘s top tips for pre-wedding hair care and especially his day-of hair tips – you’ll be thanking us later.

How can a bride begin to choose the best hairstyle for her dress?

Wedding hair is notoriously hard to decide on – it has to work with your dress, accessories, face shape and make you feel totally comfortable at the same time! Take into account the dress neckline and go for a hairstyle that complements it; for example if you have a detailed, high neckline, an updo or keeping hair behind the shoulders will ensure it’s visible. Try out as many different styles as possible with your hairdresser until you find your perfect look.

How should a bride decide on which hair accessories to wear on her wedding day?

Whether you choose accessories or a veil depends on the neckline of your dress and what hairstyle you have chosen. A beautiful, intricate updo can be hidden or weighed down by a veil, and is better shown off with delicate accessories; wearing the hair in a more loose, flowing style can be complemented by a beautiful veil. Bring your veil or accessories to your hair trial and make sure they work perfectly with the look you have chosen for maximum impact on the day.

Richard’s Pre-Wedding Top Tips:

• Start prepping your hair with deep conditioning treatments – both in-salon and at home – at least 6 months before the wedding so it’s in tip-top condition for the big day.

• Take inspiration from everywhere  – magazines, Pinterest, catwalks – and make a collage of your favourite looks so you have a variety to choose from.

• Try out lots of different styles at your hair trial and take photos so you can look back and choose your favourites.

• If you want to create the illusion of longer, thicker hair, use clip-in hair pieces – they’re really versatile and easy to use, and you don’t have to wait months for your hair to grow!

• Remember your hair has to work with your dress neckline – bring a photo of your dress to your hair trial so your hairdresser knows what type of style they are working with.

• Complement an intricate up-do with beautiful delicate accessories or a tiara rather than a veil, as this could hide or weigh it down.

• Bring any hair pieces, veils or accessories to your hair trial to make sure they work perfectly with the look you have chosen for maximum impact on the day.

• Don’t have any major colour appointments too close to the wedding – have your last full appointment about 4 weeks in advance, and touch up with a semi-permanent gloss or vegetable colour in-salon just before the big day to really refresh your look.

Richard’s On The Day Tips:

• If you’ve chosen an updo or structured curls, wash your hair the day before to give it more grip – freshly washed locks can be harder to style and keep in place, and can drop more easily.

• After a long day of dancing and photos, hair can go a bit flat – spritz a little dry shampoo into the roots halfway through the day or during the reception for extra volume and texture.

• L’Oreal Professionnel Tecni. Art Super Dust is also a great product for volume – it’s a tiny bottle so is the perfect size to pop in a bag and whip out when your hair needs a quick boost.

• If your hairdresser isn’t there all day, keep a small bottle of hairspray and a comb on hand with your chief bridesmaid in case of any last minute touch-ups to ensure your hair stays looking perfect for photos all day and night.

Richard’s top product recommendations:

• The Chelsea Collection Argan Hairspray, £5.99
• The Chelsea Collection Argan Elixir, £5.99
• L’Oreal Professionnel tecni.art Super Dust, £13
• The Chelsea Collection Argan 10-in-1 Styling Spritz, £5.99

Happy Planning!