Wedding Essentials

Wedding planning and pre-nuptial bliss are all the rage during the summer months. We understand the vast amount of preparation (weeks, months, years!) which goes into making your dream wedding the perfect day. More and more brides are now opting to become their own makeup artist on their big day; saving them time and money but with the added pressure of choosing which products to buy ahead of the ceremony. There are lots of questions to ask yourself ' What will the weather be like? What's my skin type? How will the make-up photograph? Will it last all day? Luckily for you, we've compiled a list of the best products we think you should be taking with you on your wedding day.

Fragrance

Traditionally, the 'blushing bride' wore a white floral scent, representative of modern day elegance and class. Wedding scents showcase strong floral undertones which sometimes can be loud and overpowering. Fragrances often act as emotional triggers which when sprayed, can capture the essence of your favourite memories and take you back to important life moments, such as your wedding day. For your special occasion, you should aim to pick something special; a scent that your partner will recognise and associate with you.

If you're the ultimate girly girl, the idea of a floral scent will appeal to you as it will suit the femininity of your dress and the occasion as a whole. Stella McCartney's Lily's Absolute Eau de Parfum Spray is alive with a fresh and floral aroma which opens with top notes of black truffle and black pepper, infused with lily of the valley. Stella once spoke of the fragrance, explaining that her love of the flower 'lily of the valley' was so great that is was actually part of her bridal bouquet. Housed in a chic and beautiful glass bottle, which consists of a crystal and metal frame, Lily is the perfect addition to your wedding day and will encapsulate your favourite wedding day memories for years to come.

Dispense your wedding perfume into a rollerball bottle so that you can carry your fragrance with you all day, without the hassle of it weighing down your bag. This also allows you to apply it discreetly during the day to ensure your signature scent is always topped up. Apply to the neck and pulse points for long lasting fragrance.

Nails

With the dress, flowers, headpiece, hairstyle and shoes arranged, it can be easy to overlook something as simple as nail polish on your wedding day. But don't forget, your hands (particularly your left) will make up part of your big day when your wedding ring is placed on your finger! So have every part of your wedding day preparation look as perfect as you do.

Steer away from bright colours or any shades that may detract from the style of your dress. Opt for a classic nude or French manicure shade which will still leave your nails feeling luxurious and impeccably clean. OPI 'You Callin' Me a Lyre' is a gorgeous sheer pink which when applied, gives a very clean and feminine look.¶ÿ If you want to opt for something a bit different, why not try a pastel shade? It gives you that little bit of colour, without being too overbearing.

Although you want your nails looking healthy, why not make them feel healthy as well. Take a look at our Sally Hansen Fabulous Fingernails Manicure Kit to adequately prep your nails for the nuptials.

Make-up

You want to feel comfortable in your own skin, especially on your wedding day. Make-up is often seen as a reflection of your creativity; a second skin if you like. If you're comfortable enough to take on the wedding make-up challenge without the assistance of a professional make-up artist, you need to prepare all your ammo for the morning of your big day. Your first step is to look for long lasting products that will see you through the day, which we all know will feel like it's flown by but in reality, you have a lot of wedding photography to get through! Remember that you're looking for a shade that will even out your complexion, not mask it.

Max Factor Lasting Performance Foundation is great for its performance and durability. This foundation claims to be long lasting and smudge resistant. It applies naturally to the skin to make you feel as though you are wearing little or no foundation and is designed with silicones that feel lighter and less greasy than other formulas. Test your shade out on the jaw line to check that is evenly blends into your neck; creating a more natural look.

Avoid using a foundation with any SPF, as it contains ingredients which leave a sheen to the face and this photographs badly. This can result in your skin looking oily in your wedding album. Of course, if you're getting married in a hotter climate and require an SPF product, simply make sure you have a good translucent powder on hand to cover up any oily areas.

Mascara

With any wedding, one thing you can expect is tears and lots of them. With emotions running high, we think it's essential to carry waterproof mascara as part of your wedding day beauty kit. Maybelline Lash Stiletto Waterproof Mascara builds length with each stroke while still protecting you from any blubbering mishaps. This mascara promises to stretch and shape your lashes so you can still achieve the 'natural' look on your wedding day.

Top tip: For any mascara mishaps, simply dib a cotton swab in eye make-up remover and trace it along your lids to eliminate any smudges.

Powder

It is essential to carry a loose powder with you on your wedding day to touch up any oily areas which may risk the outcome of your photos. Areas of the face that will naturally catch the light are the nose, cheeks and forehead.¶ÿRimmel Silky Loose Face Powder is a translucent powder which is long lasting and provides a semi-matte finish so that it won't mask your pre-wedding 'glow'. Apply the powder lightly with a soft, fat ¶ÿbrush to reduce shine.

Top tip: Opt for a translucent power so as not to make your face look 'cakey' or overdone. You want your make-up to look as natural as possible.

What are your reach for wedding products? Will you become your own make-up artist for your wedding day? What fragrance will you be taking along with you?

Let us know by leaving a comment below or getting in touch via our Facebook and Twitter page.