Hoar Cross Hall, Staffordshire
25 July 2015
I arrived bright and early at 6.30am for the Wedding makeup of Laura (the bride), her mom and Sophie (Laura's sister) who was head bridesmaid. Laura married Liam at Brewood Church and later had their wedding reception at Hoar Cross Hall and spa.
Hoar Cross Hall is a Grade II listed stately home retreat in Staffordshire that pairs period style with modern luxury and attentive service. Commissioned by Hugo Meynell Ingram as a home for his family, it was completed in 1871 and has a distinctive Elizabethan style with Jacobean overtones. Lofty gables, turreted water towers, 48 chimneys and mullioned windows are all excellent examples of the period and exude a level of grandeur.
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| Hoar Cross Hall |
I was the first to arrive and was welcomed into an excited household, even dad. Laura and her mom had said that they didn't sleep very well and were up at 4.30 playing Mastermind before Laura then decided to go out for a run?!?!?
I was offered an array of beautiful fruit, fresh juice and even Buck's Fizz and all before I got my coat off, I was in heaven lol.
As I was unpacking my kit the hairdresser Tracey from Chequres Hair and Beauty arrived. We discussed how we were going to work and I was going to start on Amy, the brides sister but she was still in the shower so I had a cuppa before starting. Laura and her mom made a joke about how Amy is the worst time keeper and if anybody was going to be late it would be her. Amy was certainly very relaxed.
Laura's mom showed me that they had all had dressing gowns made with the date and their names of the back which she was very proud of and even posted a photo of the back on Facebook. She said she was new to Facebook but has enjoyed going on it and posting each day up until the wedding little messages and a countdown to the wedding.
The general theme of the wedding was romantic with a baby blue colour scheme. So we decided to keep the makeup simple and elegant for everybody using neutral colour's.
For Amy and Laura's makeup I used a lot of colour's out of my Urban Decay Naked Basics pallets and then for just a pop of highlight I used Mac "all that glitters" on the centre of the eyelid.
Eyeliner to define the eyes and lots of waterproof mascara. I was told that everybody was 'cryers' so to make sure I used waterproof mascara.
I gave a light contour using 'two faced Chocolate solero' and natural roses cheeks using MAC's Rosey Outlook.
I used Motives 'Pink sugar' to give a natural lip with a little bit of shimmer.
Laura was next to have her makeup done and we kept to the same products as Amy. Laura was sat in my chair which was in front of the window so she could see the weather outside quiet clearly.
The weather couldn't quite make its mind up and had beautiful clear sky's one min then heavy downpours the next. Laura said as long as the rain held off for her getting in and out the car and for the photographs she wasn't too fussed about the rain.
Laura was having a early wedding and the church service was to start at 11am. Laura was adamant she didn't want to be traditionally late as all she wanted to do was marry 'her Liam'. Laura and Liam were a perfect match and have been together for 10 years after meeting at a dance that was organised by both of their schools. I met Liam on Laura's trial and it was so obvious how much they loved and cared for each other. After Laura's trial he was taking her out to Marco Pier Whites restaurant and later to the theatre as to not waste the makeup.
I asked Laura why she had such a early wedding and she said it was because all she wanted was to marry Liam and enjoy the much of the day as she could with her love.
Liam had delivered a beautiful box of wedding presents to Laura by his best man. Laura had her nails done the previous day so was struggling to open the wrapping on each gift but got there in the end.
We were now joined by Laura's other 4 bridesmaids who had had their hair done elsewhere. Laura said she had so many good friends from different friendship groups so found it very hard to decide who to have as bridesmaids as she could of had a lot more.
The photographer Mitch at SMD Wedding Photography arrived and made a joke about how organised Laura was and pulled out a itinerary of how the day was planned right up until he was ok to leave at the end of the night. Then Laura's mom said everybody was emailed a detailed itinerary of how the day was planned. The photographer said Laura was the most organised bride he had ever had in his whole career of a photographer.
The wedding flowers were delivered too which were beautiful flowers arranged by Patricia Cooper in Penkridge. Laura mentioned that the lady that had done her flowers was also the florist that had made her moms wedding flowers when she got married, which she said was an extra special touch.
The wedding morning was filled with lots of love and laughter. Laura had compiled a playlist of songs on her iPad to be played and were all my favourite songs so was having to sing a lot in my head as to not ruin the atmosphere with my bad singing lol. Laura then played the song she was to be walking down the isle to and everyone was in tears again. It was a good job waterproof mascara was used!
I did the makeup of Laura's mom last and I wanted to add a little colour into her look. I used my YSL Eyeshadow palette to add a little blue onto her eyelid.
She was super excited for the wedding and couldn't find a outfit she liked so had one made for her. She asked if I could help put her in her dress as it had little buttons all the way down the back and couldn't reach. On the trial I was also asked if I would put Laura in her wedding dress as it had a corset back and she didn't know how to do them up.
Laura's mom was so proud of her girls and was sharing with me some fond memories of when the girls were younger. More tears were to come when she said that last night laura gave her a Thank you card which included a reading from one of her favourite books that she used to read to laura as a little girl.
Time was moving on, it was 10.15, both me and the hairdresser had just finished So raced upstairs to get Laura and her mom into their dresses.
I started to put Laura's mom in her dress first which was beautiful, the colour was light powder blue with lots of little buttons to the back. First time doing them up I realised I must have missed a button so started again, but was then helped out by 'hairdresser lady' who finished them off so I could make a start on Laura's dress.
Laura's dress was beautiful. It was white and had little bead and crystal details to the bodice. The dress was a Viva Bride dress and bought from Wed2be. I helped Laura into the dress and laced up the back. She looked like a princess. Nobody was allowed to see Laura or her mom in their dresses until everyone was downstairs ready and waiting.
Laura came downstairs and made the grand entrance into the lounge she took everybody's breath, her dad looked so proud.
Laura had gifts to give to her bridesmaids so everyone gathered around her as they opened then, they were presented with a gorgeous Tennis bracelets to wear with their bridesmaid dresses. It was time for everyone to go to the church and for me to say goodbye.
The bridesmaids and mother of the bride were being driven by family friends in their car and Laura and her dad were driven in a Regent Landaulet In Black And Ivory With Wired Wheels Car supplied by Love Wedding Cars.
Laura looked so excited and happy. Thank you for choosing me to do your wedding makeup. It was lovely meeting you. I wish you and your family a happy future and look forward to seeing your wedding photos soon x x
Laura looked so excited and happy. Thank you for choosing me to do your wedding makeup. It was lovely meeting you. I wish you and your family a happy future and look forward to seeing your wedding photos soon x x
Here's a little video of Laura's wedding morning, Please click on the photo x
