Considering I do at least a couple of weddings a week, the nerves really set in when my sister got married on 23rd August. I was determined to make the morning run smoothly without too much stress though, so I devised an itinerary (which I usually do for my brides as time disappears on wedding mornings) much to the amusement of my father and brother - I learnt the hard way three years ago after my own wedding that some sort of itinerary is essential, they seemed to have forgotten this, though.

The night before the wedding I was at my parent’s house making the bouquets and button holes. A couple of bottles of wine were consumed and we were all a weird mix of excited, stressed and nervous.

We woke up on the wedding morning at not much past 8am at my parents’ house - my husband was back at our flat as he was determined to stay far, far away for as long as possible! My mum and sister-in-law had to go to the venue to take the cake and do some last minute venue dressing. Fortunately the co-ordinator at the venue had taken care of most of it though so there wasn’t much to do. In that time I took care of a few bits and bobs and tried to relax a little - the odd glass of bucks fizz helped!

The morning went on and I set to work on styling my mum’s hair (I can do basic light hairstyling but never usually do wedding hair, only makeup). Then my mum put the heated rollers in my hair while my sister-in-law cooked a huge fry-up for everyone. Our fry-up had to wait though as my hair was taking longer than we thought it’d take.

After we chowed down our fry-up it was time for me start work as a make-up artist. I did my mum’s make-up first, then my own and finally my sister’s. Tick tock tick tock…. somehow we’d lost time somewhere and there was a little bit of a last minute panic. When I finished my sister’s make-up we took our rollers out of our hair and there was the funniest moment where we just looked at each other and broke into hysterical laughter - our hair hadn’t gone quite as planned - huuuuge hair! Anyway, no time to faff, we had to get dressed. Upstairs my ever-organised sister-in-law had already got into her bridesmaid dress and was waiting to dress my sister. I hurriedly got my dress on so I could also help out. We got downstairs and the other two bridesmaids had arrived and were looking beautiful. We grabbed the bouquets etc and headed off!

My sister had an amazing day… and it turns out that I know far too much about weddings - I received many comments that I should become a wedding planner!

Anyway, here is a picture of my sister and me.

After the wedding, my husband and I drove down to Devon for a holiday with our friends and we had an amazing time - although I now need another holiday to recover!

It’s been such beautiful weather recently which has been brilliant for my last two brides who both have had their wedding celebrations at Dodmoor House, Northants. Sarah married there on Saturday and Jo got married there yesterday.

I absolutely love Dodmoor. The staff are always friendly and helpful, and it seems like such a relaxed venue. It’s one of my favourite venues to do bridal make-up in too because there is so much space to work. There’s plenty of room for everyone… bridesmaids, mum, photographer, hairdresser! And the added bonus for me is that it’s only 15 minutes down the road!

Tomorrow I’ll be in Barford, Warwickshire for Jenny’s wedding and then at Moxhull Hall for Anne on Sunday. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the weather stays beautiful for them both.

One of my brides has been featured in April 2008’s Wedding Ideas Magazine! Have a look at pages 172-175 for Joanne & Neil.

Joanne’s beauty tip;

“If you’re not used to wearing very much make-up day-to-day then I would definitely recommend having it done professionally on the day. Not only will it look better than you could have done yourself, but it will also take the strain away when you’re getting ready.”

Photos kindly provided by Your Big Day Photography

Huge thanks to Mark at Mark Betts Photography for allowing me to use this photo of Joanne who married in Kettering back in April.

…since I wrote in this blog. So here I am!

I’ve added lots of new photos to my galleries and have today been over to Coventry to do Gemma’s make-up. Congratulations Gemma!

That’s all I can write for now as I’m getting ready to go out to a stag do this evening… yes, you heard right, I’m going to a stag do!

Sarah x

It has been a mad few weeks with lessons, consultations, bridal makeup and shoots. Plus, we saw some fantastic sunshine which meant that I could do Fiona’s bridal make-up in her parent’s back garden!
Most recently I was at Brownsover Hall for Sarah’s wedding who seemed to be having a fantastic girly morning getting ready with lots of friends.
Congratulations Sarah and Fiona!

On my shopping trip yesterday I decided to treat myself to one of the few luxuries that I enjoy… candles! I was in SpaceNK in Leamington Spa where they introduced me to DayNa Decker candles. The candles are in fantastic green glass jars, are eco friendly and have a wooden wick that crackles as it burns. I bought ‘Violetta’ and it’s gorgeous! I also bought a new Laura Mercier lip gloss that I’m yet to try.

Kit wise, I’m back to lugging a suitcase about as my Make Up For Ever bag broke and has had to be sent back to them… so any new customers if you see a woman with a suitcase approaching your front door it will probably be me!

In other news, my laptop is being sent for repair tomorrow so my internet access will be limited. I will do my best to reply to emails as soon as possible using my husband’s computer.

I hope everyone enjoys their bank holiday weekend

Sarah x

On Saturday I did the wedding makeup for Caroline, her mum and two bridesmaids at Plum Park Hotel near Towcester. It was a lovely relaxed morning for the girls - lots of pampering, Haribo eating and champagne drinking! Congratulations Caroline!

It was the first time I’d visited Plum Park and it seems like such a lovely wedding venue. It’s set away from the main road surrounded by fields, and the view from the bedroom that the girls were getting ready in was fantastic.

In other news, I’ve started using the Boots No7 Protect and Pefect serum, so I’ll let you know how I get on!

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been busy doing lots of make-up lessons and trials, but I’ve also had the pleasure of doing make-up for two weddings. On 15th March, Rony got married in the most beautiful red dress at the Lime Trees Hotel in Northampton and on 22nd March Gemma got married at the Woodside in Kenilworth with pretty snow falling on and off throughout the day. Congratulations Gemma and Rony x

February was jam packed with make-up trials for weddings this year. It’s been fantastic to meet all the brides to be who I have previously only chatted to over the phone or on email. It has quietened now so I can finally catch up with my accounts, paper work… all the boring stuff

It was a brilliant start to March doing Kath’s wedding make-up at Dodmoor House near Weedon, Northants on Saturday. It’s such a beautiful venue, the sun was shining (again!) and Kath was looking gorgeous. Congratulations Kath!

Today I did the makeup for Jennie and three of her bridesmaids in Flore, Northants. Jennie was getting married at the local church and is having her reception at Fawsley Hall.

The sun is shining and I hope she is having the most amazing day.

Congratulations Jennie!