Busted bustle

Every time we photograph a wedding, I have my little purse of indispensable emergency items no bridal party should be without. Scissors are by far the most used items in the kit, but a close second is needle and thread. Last Saturday night, when a guest accidently stepped on Logan’s dress, the needle and white thread came in very handy. “I heard it rip,” Logan said, as I kneeled in the bride room of Hamilton’s 110 North East sewing up the torn bustle. Nothing hampers dancing like a dragging dress!

Other things in the kit include safety pins, Band-aids, Shout Wipes, mints, Super Glue, double-sided tape (tape your necklace pendant to your skin to keep it from being off-center!), lint roller, hairspray, Static Guard, hair pins and boutonniere pins, just to name a few things.

Tiffany sews up Logan's bustle in Hamilton's VIP room. Copyright Warmowski Photography.

Unique hairdos

Hair "chain." Copyright Warmowski Photography.

I photographed a unique element in an updo I hadn’t seen before and wanted to share here. At Rita and Jim’s wedding in the Quad Cities in February, the hairdresser tried something new on the ‘do of a bridesmaid. The “chain” of hair looks to be loose knots one after another. I think there were 3 “chains” altogether.

Get your makeup done by a pro

I’m a big advocate of knowing ones strengths and weaknesses. If all of your friends come to you to have their makeup done for formal events, it’s probably a safe bet that you can do your own makeup on your wedding day. If you barely wear mascara and lip gloss on a daily basis, you might want to consider a pro. There are a couple of ways to go about it. 

#1 get your makeup done at the same time you get your hair done. OK, well, not exactly at the same time. There are often makeup artists at hair salons. Use them. The morning of my wedding, I got my makeup done for free because all of my bridesmaids paid to have their makeup done. (Actually, I think that was part of my bridesmaids gift). Of course, I went to the salon 2 weeks earlier and did a hair and makeup trial. That was part of the hair/makeup package – no extra charge. If makeup and hair professionals are coming to you – even better. That was the case for Megan. She had a preconsultation with the professional who came to her home the morning of her wedding. So did Lisa.

Meghan's pro came to her house. Copyright Warmowski Photography

Lisa's pro came to her hotel room. Copyright Warmowski Photography

#2 go to a makeup counter the morning of your wedding and get a “makeover.” It’s probably a good idea to do some research in this case and not just show up the day of your wedding with  no prior notice. If you go to a certain makeup counter at the local department store frequently, ask if they have such a service. In our town, we have a Merle Norman store that provides such a service. 

#3 have a pro teach you how to put on makeup for your wedding day, buy the necessary products, get a diagram, and practice, practice, practice.  Karen had this approach.

Karen was taught by the pros and then did it herself. Copyright Warmowski Photography

One of the most important reasons to have your makeup done well is that you photograph better with makeup that plays up your best features. It can also give you more confidence. And, if you take Karen’s approach and learn how to apply it on your own, it’s a skill you will continue to use long after your wedding day.

Personalizing the dress

Lisa and David (31 May 2008) had many special touches at their outdoor wedding in Pere Marquette State Park near St. Louis. Lisa did two things to personalize her dress to the day.

First, she had a small pocket sewn into her dress, near her heart, where a special ring (with a blue stone – something blue) was placed.

Copyright WarmowskiPhotography.com - copying is illegal

Copyright WarmowskiPhotography.com - copying is illegal

Second, she had their names and wedding date embroidered in white onto the white satin under the layers of tulle on her dress.

Copyright WarmowskiPhotography.com - copying is illegal