NHS Win your wedding

NHS Win your wedding

NHS Win your wedding

So with everyone still in lockdown due to COVID – 19 a lot of small wedding businesses like myself, have found themselves unable to be a part of what they love the best about their job – the actual wedding day itself!

As a Kent wedding hair and make up artist my job is to join the bride for the duration of her wedding morning and get her ready for walking down the aisle and the most amazing day that follows. With weddings unable to take place, a lot of my brides have opted to move their dates meaning that some are having to wait another year – maybe even two , to make their dream day a reality.

A wedding day isn’t just the chance to get ‘married’. It’s the chance to really celebrate your love, it’s a day where families come together and it’s the opportunity for your nearest and dearest to enjoy a massive milestone in your life alongside you. We wanted to give the chance for someone really special to have all of that, and who more special and more deserving at this current time than a member of the NHS.

OUR WAY TO THANK THE NHS

We all know that at the moment the real superheros are our NHS, the ones who are working hard to ensure that people are supported through illness at this time. They are the ones having to go off to work, leaving their families at home, unable to see friends, and with the added concern on top of all that, that they might just be risking their own life to help patients cope with theirs. Every single one of them deserves recognition for the fantastic service the NHS are showing to us all at the moment. So many people are doing whatever they can to show their appreciation, and we wanted to be able to do something too.

A FREE WEDDING

And that’s why a group of Kent Wedding suppliers, myself included, have decided that we want to give something back. We have come together to offer one lucky couple a completely free wedding day. And what a day it’s shaping up to be! With over 45 suppliers donating their services, products and time in order to be able to gift the most wonderful wedding day worth in excess of £31,000!

Applications will open shortly and to apply, one member of the couple need to be working for the NHS ( Kent Trust ).

THERE IS NO CATCH

Seriously, when I say free wedding day I really do mean 100% FREE wedding day. All of the Kent suppliers participating are offering their part in the day at no cost. Our way of showing our appreciation and giving back to the NHS teams in Kent who have given so much for us.

HOW TO APPLY

As soon as applications are open then full instruction on how to apply will be posted. In the mean time you can head over to the website www.nhswedding.co.uk and take a look at just some of the amazing offering from a variety of Kent wedding suppliers. We’ve got everything covered – from hair to canapés, from music to magic … and more!

THE KENT WEDDING SUPLLIERS

Co-ordinated by Lou Finn from Bake to the future ( check out her cakes! ) 40+ of Kent’s finest wedding suppliers are on board, donating their services, products and time at no cost. You can see a full list over on the website and I’ve included just a few to get you excited below…

Bake to the future: www.baketothefuture.net

Valley view alpaca farm : www.weddingsinkent.uk

Ice cream: www.vintageicecream.co.uk

Videographer: www.BenBryantfilmandphotography.co.uk

Wedding Planner: www.amanda-jane.co.uk

Photobooth: www.20-20sounds.com

Suits: www.couchman-bespoke.com

Wedding celebrant: www.celebrant-uk.co.uk

Wedding day Photography: www.florenceberry.com

And that’s not even all! Check out the full listing on the website www.nhswedding.co.uk to see them all We’ve got Magic, Makeup, Gliiter bar, Favour boxes, Cake toppers, Engagament shoots, Rock the front photo sessions, , Invites, Children’s Teepees, Flowers, a Toastmaster – even hen and stag do’s!

It’s shaping up to be quite a day! And certainly one I’m very proud to be a part of. Make sure you tell everyone you know who’s currently working hard for the NHS and help us share a little bit of love for our NHS heros!

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The world’s worst wedding hair and makeup advice

The world’s worst wedding hair and makeup advice

The world's worst wedding hair and makeup advice

If you want to make your wedding hair and make up artist cringe a little then I can guarantee you can achieve just that by pointing out any of the following facts!

Below I’ve listed a mere 6 of the worlds worst wedding hair and make up advice that I’ve ever heard. Us hair and make up artists  hear a lot of these floating around, a lot of the time, but I can assure you it’s not good or valid advice to follow – least of all when it comes to your wedding hair and make up!  If you do want some positive and productive advice about any aspect of your hair or skin care in preparation for your wedding hair and make up then please do just ask. Any good artist doesn’t want you making any of these mistakes and certainly doesn’t want you thinking any of these crazy statements might actually be true!

You need more

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. There is no direct relation meaning that the more product you put on your face the better you will look. It’s not about more , its about knowing, choosing and using the right products so that even with more coverage you don’t look like you’ve simply added more make up. You want people to think ‘ Wow you look amazing’, not ‘Wow ,shes wearing a lot of make up today’.

The natural look costs less.

If anything, it takes a skilled artist to be able to perfect the ‘I’m not wearing much make up’ look, using make up!  It doesn’t mean it’s any quicker for the artist or that they are using any ‘less’ product which should be considered in relation to a cheaper pricing structure. You are paying for the artists skill, time and expertise, not the amount of eyeshadow they use!

You can use hairspray to set your make up.

Please do not do this! By all means use a setting spray, this will help your make up last all day and hold everything in place for you but hairspray does not do the same thing! Its sticky, clogs up your pores and is designed to add hold to hair – not skin!

If you want your lashes to stay on longer then use hair extensions glue.

No NoNO! Its meant for your head and scalp , not your delicate eye area! It simply isn’t safe, if any glue got into your eye – it doesn’t bear thinking about – especially not with a wedding coming up!

Put some water in your mascara if its dried up.

If it’s dried, it’s died.  It’s not hygienic. Mascaras harbour bacteria at the best of times so treat yourself and go and get a new one. Ideally, you should be changing your mascara every few months, and if your eyes even get sore or infected then you should ditch your old mascara and start using a new one as soon as the infection has cleared.

Dye your hair as close to the wedding as possible.

I always advise my brides that if they are having a colour change , then they need to do it AT VERY LEAST a week before the wedding. This ensures A, that they’re happy with the colour and there aren’t any last minute disasters. B, that they have had time to wash their hair between the colour application and the wedding in order to remove and residue. And C, that I’m not creating a beautiful up do that is finished off with and added band of colour that has stained your neck and scalp which wont budge!

Although I’m sure there are so many more I could add to this list these ones really do stick out as my top 6, most heard, most concerning so called ‘facts’ .  If you have any more or think there’s any important ones I might have missed then please do let me know. This lot really is the absolute worst type of wedding hair and make up advice , and if you need any real advice you know where to find me! I’m always happy to help, whether you’ve booked my services or you’re just in need of some guidance – please do get in touch!

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An October Wedding at The Nightyard, Kent // Katie and Matt

An October Wedding at The Nightyard, Kent // Katie and Matt

An October Wedding at The Nightyard,

Kent // Katie and Matt

Katie and Matt’s Wedding at The Nightyard was the perfect setting for their rustic, natural style… and their pet horse too!!

 

I really do love it when I receive professional pictures from photographers. Often it’s the only chance I get to see some of the details that I’ve heard about from the bride when we’re getting ready on the morning. Thankyou to Fleur Challis for providing me with this selection from Katie and Matt’s big day. I loved looking at these and hearing the story from Katie as to how their big day finally all fell into place…..

How did you meet?

We met at secondary school. I said no a hundred times before Matt finally got his way and I let him take me out! Our first date was to see the movie ‘’I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry!”

How did you get engaged?

On my birthday, Matt made me a cup of tea and said he was going to get my present. He called me downstairs and when I came down there was candles everywhere and he whispered in my ear ‘will you marry me’. Very personal and very ‘Matt’

What was the inspiration for your wedding day?

Beauty and the Beast. Our centrepieces were dome jars with enchanted roses and there was a Miss Potts, Lumierre and Cogsworth on the top table.

What did you like about the venue?

The Nightyard was just perfect for us . Really natural and they allow you to decorate however you want ( plus they let me bring my horse!!)

You invited your horse….?!?!

My horse April was my bridesmaid so she entered with the bridesmaids and stayed for the photographs too.  She even got a mention by name from the registrar when she introduced who would be walking down the aisle!

What was your first dance?

A thousand Years by Christina Perry from the Twighlight Movies

Do you have a tip to share with other brides to be?

Do what you want –  not what other people want you to do.

How did you decide how to wear your hair?

Braids and waves. I wanted to keep it natural but I also wanted it to work with our Disney theme. It fit in perfectly with Belle and our other Beauty and the Beast extras.

What was your favourite thing about your wedding day?

I loved all of it but if I had to pick one moment that stands out then it would be walking down the aisle and seeing Matt standing there at the other end.

So there we have it, if you’re after a pet friendly venue in Kent then be sure to check out The Nightyard! 

And if you’re getting married in 2020/2021 then be sure to get in touch! I have selected dates remaining for this year and the diary is now open for 2021 ready to book in a whole new host of beautiful brides….and their horses too!

Kent Wedding Awards Finalist!!!

Kent Wedding Awards Finalist!!!

I found out today that I had made the finalist list again for The Kent Wedding Awards 2017 . Last year I was lucky enough to walk away with the trophy for the Hair Design category ( you can see my video below!) and this year ill be back there again!

 

These types of awards are a chance to showcase to potential brides the standard that myself and all of the other professionals who enter , are striving towards. It’s important to me, as I approach another year in business, to carry on growing and developing my skills, as well as my reputation.

It is so lovely to hear from brides that they have chosen to book me on the recommendation of a past bride or previous client. As cheesy as it may sound I really do love what I do. Everyday I go to work I get to go to someone’s wedding and play a part in the most important day of their life – it doesn’t get much cooler than that!

 

When I was younger I really didn’t know what I wanted to do – I travelled, I went from one rubbish sales job to another and then I finally decided that in order to really love what I was doing I had to do something that I really loved! When I first started my business I didn’t know how it was going to work, I wasn’t sure if id make enough money or take enough bookings. Now it seems bizarre to think back to that time! I’m booked well into 2018 – 2019 and I’m so grateful that I get to do this job, and even more grateful for the people that help me to continue doing it! For a bride to be, choosing the person that you trust enough with the way you are going to look in photos that will last a lifetime is no easy feat! If you looking and you want to see what some of my previous brides have to say about me then please do have a read…. www.prettypleasebykatie.co.uk/testimonials 

 

On a final note – Good luck to everyone who’s entered the awards – we all work so hard to do what we do and were all so proud of the businesses that we have created – you couldn’t go wrong with any of them! X

 

 

Wedding Trial Tips

Wedding Trial Tips

Wedding Trials and Preview Sessions

 

Can you believe that it’s already March!? I am well underway with the bridal trials for all my 2017 summer brides now and it is so exciting to be meeting so many of you in preparation for your big day! I’m often asked what a preview session involves and what you can expect so I thought I’d put together some pointers for you. Although it is not a requirement for you to have a preview session it really does gives us a chance to work together and perfect your bridal style – plus it’s so exciting for you to see exactly what you’re actually going to look like!! If you have any questions then please do get in touch, you are more than welcome to drop me an email at info@prettypleasebykatie.co.uk but in the mean time, here are a few of my most commonly asked questions for you …

 

  • So what happens at the bridal preview session? The point of the preview session is for us to get some time to talk about what you want from your big day. We start with a consultation, you can tell me a little about the plans you have for the day, what you’re wearing, your theme and colour choices – and together we can develop an understanding as to what you want to look like and how we are going to make your look compliment all of these other factors. The session lasts around 90 minutes for hair or make up, and around 2 1/2 hours for both. We will create your look, based on the things we discuss, so you can actually see what you’re going to look like on the day itself!
  • Do I need to bring anything? A lot of brides come prepared with a Pintrest board so I can instantly see what ‘kind’ of wedding style you are working towards. If you don’t have Pintrest – fear not! You can show me some pictures of things you like – and especially things that you don’t! This is really important as it leads me to gain a much better understanding of what you expect and require from me. Oh, and if you have a veil or accessories then bring them along too!
  • Shall I wash my hair or take off my make up? Please come to your make up preview appointment make up free. This allows me to see your skin, your natural colouring etc and means that we can proceed straight into make up application. In regards to washing your hair , ‘day old’ hair is easier for me to style, really clean and soft hair can mean that I end up having to use a lot more product to manipulate it into the shape I want. Please do not curl or straighten your hair before your appointment, let it dry into it’s natural state if you can and then i can take it from there!
  • Can I only try one look? This is totally up to you. If you know exactly what you want then I will create this look first. If you are certain that it’s what you want upon seeing it in ‘real’ life then –  perfect! However, as we go along I might be able to make some suggestions or tweaks that you might appreciate, or as we create the style you may decide that actually it isn’t quite right for you. Either way I am more than happy to show you an alternative – you are welcome and encouraged to take lots of pictures so you don’t have to make any instant decisions either!
  • When can I have my preview session? I can be flexible in regards to timings when it comes to preview sessions. generally morning slots ( when available) fill fast. Most of my mornings are spent with brides on their wedding day so I tend to schedule preview sessions in the afternoon. I offer both evening and weekend availability so if you work or are restricted in any way then just let me know and we can work something out for you.
  • What if I change my mind? Not a problem. You can book as many preview sessions as you like! Each session is charged separately but there is no limit to the amount you can book! If you don’t feel that you need another session , you just want a few things slightly different on the day itself then that’s fine. Just make sure you let me know before hand so I can come with everything I need!

 

Like I said if you need anything else then please do just ask! Stay up to date with what I’m up to and get lots of bridal inspiration from my Instagram and Facebook pages too!

 

Love Katie x