Wedding Makeup Advice From Carolyn Scott

It's the first Wednesday of the new month, and that means, yup, you guessed it, we get a new feature by guest writer, Carolyn Scott, the awesome Raleigh wedding photographer. This week, regarding wedding makeup! Thank you so much to Carolyn for writing this feature! Like always, I truly appreciate it, and am happy to share your wedding photography advice with readers!



I get asked about makeup a lot, which is kind of funny since I hardly wear it and I could probably name about three brands if I tried. ;) But girls getting ready for their big day are really concerned about how their makeup will affect their photographs, so I’ve compiled a list of things to keep in mind as you pick out your makeup artist and makeup location for your day.

1. It doesn’t have to be dramatic: I highly recommend doing what you feel comfortable with. If you want dramatic makeup, by all means make it dramatic! But don’t get pushed into having a lot of heavy makeup by friends or your makeup artist if you aren’t comfortable wearing it. Be yourself and be comfortable because…

2. Not wearing enough makeup is a myth: I’ve photographed plenty of weddings with very natural girls, two in particular simply wore mascara, and that was it. Both of their weddings were published, one in a national magazine, and the other on a popular wedding blog. They looked GORGEOUS and they looked like themselves, which is what they wanted. Did it cause me a problem while photographing? No. Did it make the girls look pale or strange in the pictures? Absolutely not. They looked simply stunning, perhaps even more so because they looked so natural.

3. But there IS such a thing as too much makeup: In contrast to the natural beauty presented by wearing little makeup is the ever-present danger of wearing too much. Too much makeup absolutely can and will cause photographic challenges. Many brides have their makeup done almost like stage makeup for the benefit of the guests to see their features during their vows. The downside to this is the photographs. You will have a ton of close-up portraits done, and you really don’t want to look clownish. Layers and layers and layers can look piled on and create strange skin tone variances and an unnatural-looking surface. Fake eyelashes will definitely be visible and noticeably fake due to the crispness of lenses. Some people are fine with that, but just know what type of look you’re going for instead of being talked into too much makeup.

4. Don’t go tanning the month before your wedding: There’s nothing worse than an orange bride. Your bridesmaids, your groom, your groomsmen, and even your grandma have more than likely not been tanning, so you’ll stick out like a sore thumb in all of your pictures. It’s fine to want a little color, but don’t go tanning for at least a month before your wedding in case your last session turns you orange. My advice? Don’t tan at all. It’s hard to keep orange tones down in pictures and you don’t want to look like a nuclear accident.

5. Get ready in natural window light: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, florescent lighting doesn’t translate well to photographs taken outdoors. Make sure that you do your makeup in natural light so that you’ll have a good sense of what it will look like outside.



(photo credit: Sandra Proudman Photography)

Getting Ready Pictures by Carolyn Scott

Getting Ready Pictures: How to Make the Most of Them
By Carolyn Scott, the talented Raleigh wedding photographer.

(Like always, a huge thanks to Carolyn for writing this month's wedding photography segment for brides that are looking for wedding photographer tips!)

(photos credit: W. Scott Chester Photography)

Getting ready pictures can be often overlooked by wedding couples. They’re often dismissed as not needed or silly. But oftentimes, surrounded by friends and family putting on makeup and dresses— and guys doing whatever they do, which is typically sitting around watching some sort of sporting event—can be a very emotional and beautiful time with the opportunity for stunning candid photographs. Unfortunately, many couples choose the location for their ceremony and reception, but not their getting ready portraits. It becomes sort of a last-minute sort of thing, or they choose the small, windowless church basement offered to them by their ceremony vendor. To avoid this, here are some things that you can do to get fantastic getting ready pictures: 1. Choose a location for both the girls AND the guys: Don’t fall into the trap of using whatever room is suggested or provided by the venue without seeing it first. Usually these are dark rooms with no windows and overhead florescent lighting. Actually go around and scout out your possibilities, but don’t forget the guys! Sometimes the girls will get ready in a beautiful room and the guys will end up in a dark basement. Sure, the guys may not care, but the pictures will be ugly. Remember the guys! 2. Choose locations with PLENTY of natural light: Windows make the best light ever. Overhead lighting makes the worst. Choose a location where you can turn off the lights and leave it to the windows to light the space. 3. Don’t put on your makeup in the bathroom: After you choose a room with beautiful light, don’t leave it to go put on your makeup in the bathroom! Bring an extra mirror or drag over the full-length one to the window if you’re doing your makeup. Putting on makeup in florescent lighting is a very bad idea if you are planning to have your wedding outdoors; the makeup doesn’t translate well. Pull the mirror over toward the window so that you get good natural light, which will provide you with awesome pictures and great makeup that will translate well over to the ceremony. 4. Don’t trip over each other: Choose a room big enough to accommodate the people who will be in it. We’ve been in spaces with 20+ people in a 2 person hotel room. Let me tell you: It doesn’t work. Everyone gets irritated and panics, and your photographer will have a heck of a time trying to jump and trip over people sitting on the floor. Plan well so that you’re not stressed, and choose a room that’s large enough. Keep in mind, all of the ladies will have large bags and you’ll have a few extra bodies—makeup and hair artists, and your photographer—in there with you.

Handmade Wedding Albums

(photo credit: Cypress Albums website)

I ran across Cypress Albums yesterday and fell in love with the company that creates handmade wedding albums that are awesome. Joe and I have a lot of great photographs from our big day, but we still haven't put them together in an album. I think it's something a lot of couples put off doing, but I'm really considering getting one made from Cypress Albums now that I've discovered them! I love wedding companies that have great stories behind them, and I really think that the story behind Cypress Album is what makes it so special. You can view their story in the video to the right. These wedding albums are also a great gift idea!

Wedding Photography: Incorporating Photos Into Wedding Decor

Since both Joe and I have photography backgrounds, when our wedding came around, I wanted to make sure we included photography into our decor. There really is a lot that you can do with photography, and for this month's wedding photography segment, the lovely Carolyn Scott - the much talented Raleigh wedding photographer - shares some of her ideas for incorporating cameras and photographs into your wedding decor.

A huge thanks for Carolyn for sharing these ideas!

Incorporating Cameras and Photographs into your Wedding Décor
by Carolyn Scott

Photographs are very important in families and people looove to look at them… especially when they’re waiting on the bride and groom at the reception. ;) Have some time to kill? Entertain your guests with these camera and photograph ideas at your reception while they wait for you to make your big entrance!

1. The Polaroid Photo Guest Book: As your guests enter the reception, make sure they pass through the Polaroid photo guest book! In lieu of a traditional sign-your-name guest book, have a Polaroid camera, plenty of film, a blank scrapbook, several glue sticks, and a pen to create your own photographic guest book of everyone at the reception. Set up a small blank sheet and a table of these items. You can even include props! Each guest will take a portrait of another guest (or group of guests) before they take their seats. Once the picture is developed, the guests glue it into the portrait book and sign their name.

2. Family Portraits: Consider asking your family for family portraits to display at the wedding from generations long past. You can display them in frames on a table or on a display board. You can also hang them from a clothesline (or several)! Get creative. Label the names of the family members along with years and possible occupations. It will entertain your guests and give everyone a talking point at the reception.

3. Childhood Pictures: At a loss for how to number your tables? Consider numbering them by different years of your childhood, complete with your favorite picture of you and your sweetheart from back in the day! If there’s any age difference, make sure it starts with whatever year you were both alive. ☺ Guests will get a kick out of seeing your pictures from back then!

4. Photo Jars: Got a lot of empty glass jars lying around? Glass jars (with the labels peeled off using GooGone or another product) make fantastic wedding centerpieces complete with photos! You can roll up a photo then place it in a round glass jar to make an instant photo frame.

5. Jones Soda Photo Bottles: Jones Soda now offers personalized custom labels on their bottles! These make for awesome centerpieces as well as serve double duty as favors. Pick out your favorite flavors in your wedding colors or mix and match! Use your favorite photo of you and your sweetheart for the label.

The First Look by Carolyn Scott

Do you know what a first look is? I really wish I would have known about it before I got married. See, my wedding was pretty much the first wedding I'd ever attended and I figured that the first time the groom and bride saw each other was during the ceremony. If I would have known what the first look was then I would have definitely opted to go with it. Now, I know there are some that are superstitious and really believe that it's bad luck for the groom and bride to see each other before the wedding, but read on and you may just change your mind.

A huge thanks to Carolyn Scott, the talented Raleigh wedding photographer, for sharing her insights on what the first look is and why it's a good option.

(photo credit: Kelli Nicole Photography)

The 1st Look: What It is and Why It’s Awesome
By Carolyn Scott

There are a lot of different ways to organize the pictures on your wedding day, but one thing that saves time and sanity every time is doing a “first look”. So what is it? Why would you do one? I’m glad you asked…

Doing a first look simply involves seeing your future husband or wife before the ceremony as opposed to seeing each other for the first time while walking down the aisle. I know that as little girls we all dreamed of seeing our sweetheart through a romantic and dramatic veil of tears as we walked down the aisle, but things have gotten a little bit more realistic. So why do the first look?

1. The movie entrance you’re envisioning isn’t entirely realistic: Now, before anyone gets upset, this is a generalization and may not be true for everyone, but it certainly was for me. I had to walk down a flight of modernist stairs in order to see my beau, in a gown, in three-inch heels. Clutching a bouquet in one arm and my dad on the other. I was so incredibly nervous (and concentrating on not falling and holding on to everything) that I do not even remember walking down the stairs let alone seeing my future husband. Granted, not everyone has to walk down steps, but plenty of my friends have this moment conveniently blocked from their memory as well. You’re surrounded by friends and family. Everyone is staring at you, and you’re trying to remember exactly what it is you’re supposed to do when you approach the ceremony point.

How does the 1st look help? The first look helps by creating a private space for just you and your sweetheart to see each other beforehand. No family members, no groomsmen cheering inappropriately. It’s typically just you and your photographer(s)… with the photographer(s) hopefully being very inconspicuous and allowing you a bit of silence and space.

2. Let the silence be broken and the nerves be calmed: Upon walking down the aisle, you’ll see your sweetheart and grab his or her hand, then turn to face your officiate. Later, after walking down the aisle, you’ll be scooped up by your photographer and ushered off to the reception. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to exchange a few hurried words.

How does the first look help? The first look will provide you the opportunity for some much cherished time alone with your sweetheart when he actually tell you what he thinks about what you’re wearing! You can talk about the little mishaps of the morning before you forget and the day goes by in a rush. It’s a nice breather. In addition, I was terribly nervous before the ceremony and had spent a long time without my best friend and person who is constantly by my side, so it was absolutely wonderful to see him. I was so relieved to be with him that I got teary eyed and was so happy to remain by his side before the ceremony.

3. It saves time: If done in a traditional way, weddings usually require a cocktail hour after the ceremony. At this time, you take family portraits, bridal party portraits, and newlywed portraits. Things are usually rushed and a little crazy because your reception guests are at the venue waiting for you.

How does the first look help? The first look helps by getting all of your pictures out of the way early. You can do your first look, your bridal party, your family, and your newlyweds all before the ceremony or you can save just your family for afterward like we did. That way you save all of your guests from waiting around and becoming antsy, and you can enjoy your cocktail hour or a longer reception.

4. It saves money: A typical cocktail hour can be pricey, especially if it’s an open bar.

How does the first look help? It can easily eliminate the use for a cocktail hour entirely by taking only family pictures afterward, something that can be accomplished in 10 minutes, and moving straight along to the reception.

Wedding Photography: 5 Save the Dates Ideas by Carolyn Scott

Today's wedding photography segment features five save the date ideas by the talented Raleigh wedding photographer, Carolyn Scott. Thank you Carolyn for sharing these ideas with us! :]

Fun Photography Ideas for Save the Dates by Carolyn Scott

Using one of your engagement session portraits for your Save the Date postcards? Here are some fun, easy ideas to inspire you!

1. Spell it Out: Writing “Save the Date” on things has become very popular. We’ve seen it written on chalkboards and in Scrabble letters… even in ketchup! You can paint it, use chalk, crayons or just breathe on a window and use your finger to write in the date. It’s super easy, fast, and doesn’t require anything elaborate. You can do it in one picture, or you can spread it into a panel of three on the postcard – one with a “Save” picture, one with a “the” picture, and one with a “Date” picture.


(photo credit: Ruffled)

2. The Wedding Teaser: Consider giving some sort of teaser for your wedding, such as having the theme to your postcards match your wedding theme. For instance, if you’re having a Halloween themed wedding like we did, consider dressing up in costume for a few of your engagement pictures! Send these in for your Save the Dates, and all of your guests will be wondering and talking about your wedding months in advance!

3. The Tiny People: Have a lot of information to include in your postcards but not a lot of space to do it? Consider taking a photograph where you and your fiancé are tiny and on the side of the photograph, leaving ¾ of the picture to negative space like a field or a wall. Then doctor up the negative space with some fancy text!

4. Numbers in Nature: Find a way during your engagement session to incorporate the number of your wedding day. Write out the number using sticks or flowers… or find it in a city parking lot! Stand by it, sit by it, or find a way to highlight it so that it becomes the center of attention on your postcard!

5. Make Your Own Writing Space: Have poor handwriting and would rather type in your information? Instead of making yourselves tiny in the picture, considering holding something up in the picture that you can easily type on (sign, house, suitcase, sunglasses, etc)… anything that has a decently large and blank space. Then get creative with taking your pictures!

Real Weddings: Mari Catherine + Robby

Today, we're excited to bring you a super cute rustic inspired wedding photographed by talented Georgia wedding photographer, Melissa Tuck. Thank you to Melissa for sharing this beautiful wedding with us! Thank you also to Mari Catherine and Robby for allowing us to share your big day with our readers, congratulations on your union!

From Mari Catherine, The Bride:
Robby and I were married on what felt like the last day of spring, just before a sweltering Georgia summer settled in for good. The day could not have been more charming, more perfect - or more fun! We felt as though every moment held special meaning. These moments were enhanced not only by the presence of our friends and family, but also by certain elements of the day which we felt helped capture our personalities, our love, and the life we looked forward to together.

Our mutual love for the outdoors drove us to choose the rustic-chic setting of the John Oliver Michael house and the decision was made even easier by the warm welcome we received from the close-knit and endearing family which owns and operates the venue. We immediately felt at home and loved the story behind the venue, which is steeped in family history.

While every moment was magical, certain elements carried added significance. The incredible Sue Stalvey custom handmade my dress, in which my something blue appears: our wedding date and our names embroidered in silk. My ingenious Grandpa crafted the tree branch candle holders and my creative and talented matron of honor fashioned the guest book. One of our dearest friends graced the day with her musical gift as a harpist. The roses in front of which Robby and I exchanged our vows were planted by my generous and meticulous Father. My Mother, whose smart elegance and classic style has been an unwavering example of true taste throughout my life, searched tirelessly through antique stores for blue mason jars to adorn the guest tables. She found the perfect burlap to use for table runners and painstakingly measured and cut each, a task for which I doubt I would have had the patience for. To continue the Southern and rustic-chic theme, the banners which hung around the reception were handmade - sadly not by me, but by creative souls of Etsy. Robby gave his groomsmen custom cufflinks, individualized to match their varied interests. One of his most brilliant and talented friends restored the striking blue MG convertible we used as our getaway car. The perfect ending to a perfect night!

All of these and countless other aspects of our wedding, from the flowers to the food to the music, helped make it extraordinary. They enhanced our favorite moments of the day which include seeing each other for the first time when I walked down the aisle, exchanging rings, and our first dance. The contributions made by so many creative and generous people helped make our wedding day even more meaningful. Although I hope I’m mistaken, it’s likely that when we’re old and grey, the memories of these small details will fade away. Which is why we are every-grateful for our amazing photographer, who captured each detail with perfect precision and grace. Thanks to her, we have the rest of our lives to look back to the magical moments of the day, both big and small.

Vendor Information:
Bridal gown – custom, handmade by Sue Stalvey
Bridesmaid attire – Aria
Groom and groomsmen attire – Joseph A. Bank
Hair – Emporium Salon
Florals – Gardenia Floral Design
Cake – Cecilia Villaveces
Ceremony music – Peggy Bailey, harpist & family friend
Reception music – Complete Music
Venue – John Oliver Michael House (JOMH)
Caterer – Twigs Catering, contact through JOMH
Planner – Brittany Wardlow, JOMH's event specialist
Invitations/programs – Michaels and Bel-Jean Copy/Print (local store in Athens, Georgia)
Tree branch candle holders (at reception) - Mari Catherine's Grandpa
Burlap flag banners - Etsy
Getaway car - MG convertible provided by Robby's friend