Lisa Lloyd

The Moat House, Acton Trussell
10 May 2015

Myself and Gemma from Dream Bridal Hair were contacted by a bride in distress. Unfortunately she had not had a positive outcome from a previous hair and makeup trial. She came across us after a recommendation from her seamstress and luckily we had the date free. 

Gemma and I were messaging Lisa for a few weeks before we finally met her at the trial. Lisa initially only booked me and Gemma for herself as her mom and daughter had been put off from the previous trial.

We completed the trial and Lisa was happy with us doing her makeup and hair for her wedding, so much so that her mom and daughter wanted a trial. 

Lisa married Jon at The Moat House which has been one of Staffordshire’s most popular wedding venues for the last 25 years. Located alongside the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal in the picturesque village of Acton Trussell, the venue is set in stunning grounds and surrounded by tranquil waters. The moat house is certainly one of my favourite venues because I had my wedding reception there 8 years ago. 

The wedding theme was cornflower blue and vintage in style. 

I arrived at the Moat House on the morning of the wedding to Lisa and her step daughter Charlotte outside very nervously excited and also tired from having an unsettled crying baby in their room next door. We went into the Moat House where I discovered they had a lift - after 8 years of knowing the Moat House yet not knowing there is a lift. Years of struggling up the grand staircase has come to an end hahaha. 

We all got settled in and got my makeup kit out then made a start on the beautiful Charlotte who wanted a Kylie Jenner look. 

While I was doing her makeup we were joined by our third partner in crime Laura from Laura's Mobile Hairdressing to blow dry and style the mother of the bride. And Gemma started to style the hair of Lisa. So everybody was having something done, and enjoying a glass of champagne. 

For Charlotte's makeup it was pretty simple as it was more about the eyeliner and the lips so I created a very simple eye using Makeup Geek "Beeches and Cream" eye shadow and creating a subtle crease using the lighter colour of my Motives eyebrow palette, on the lid I lightly applied Vanilla eye shadow from MAC.  I then used a piece of tape to help me create a sharp flick and then lined the rest of the eye to the desired shape then lots of my favourite Max Factor mascara. 

I used Mehron prep skin as a primer as Charlotte experiences super shiny/ greasy skin, then used Estée Lauder "Doublewear foundation" and set with powder. I used my Anastasia Beverly Hills contour palette for contouring and highlighting. I used MAC's Melba blush and finished off with MAC's Sore Lip Pencil and a little touch of Angel lipstick to the center. 

Charlotte loved her makeup and was very happy with it. 

Charlotte the Bridesmaid

The flowers were delivered from Lavender Flowers, Penkridge and were beautiful white roses with cornflower blue flowers. They looked gorgeous and Lisa was over the moon with them. After seeing the flowers Lisa wanted to see how the ceremony room was looking but was worried about guests of the wedding who were checking in seeing her. However the excitement got the better of her and she risked it. She managed to sneak a peak and even saw the cake. She had Vintage individual cakes which were made by Amerton cakes in Stafford. 

Wedding cake from Amerton Cakes

Beautiful flowers from Lavender Flowers, Penkridge

She was one happy lady and couldn't wait to come back and tell me about the room. 

I then did the makeup of Lisa's mom who by her own admission and rightfully so is a perfectionist, so I was quite nervous about doing her makeup. I primed her face using Smashbox photo Finish primer and used Urban Decay's eye shadow primer potion. Her mom was wearing a blue Jacque Vert suit for the wedding so I used my YSL eyeshadow  palette in Tuxedo which looked amazing with her eye colour and complimented the suit colour, I then lined her eyes using Estee Lauder's brown eyeliner pencil then finished the eyes off using my favourite mascara. 

Lisa's mom had beautiful skin and only needed a small amount to even tone out so used my favourite MAC's face and body foundation set with Powder and applied blusher. I finished with Estée Lauder lipstick in Potent and MAC fix+. 

Mother of the Bride

Lisa's hair was finished and I was then ready to do her makeup. 

Lisa's hair and dress was very 1940's vintage so we needed to go down that route with her makeup. 

Her eye makeup was pretty simple. I used Urban Decay's Eye shadow Primer Potion and used my Urban Decay Naked Basics palette to even Lisa's eyelids, then using MAC's Naked Lunch eye shadow on the eyelid. I used Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner in Black to create a wing,  applied my favourite mascara then individual lashes. 

Lisa was blessed with her mom's good genes and her skin was beautiful. I used Estée Lauder Doublewear foundation and powdered with MAC mineralize powder, then applied MAC's 'dainty' blusher. 

Lisa the Bride

There was a lot going on in the room by the time it was ready for lipstick so I applied MAC's 'Lady Danger' Lipstick. At the trial when I suggested red lipstick to fit in with the theme of the wedding Lisa said no as she didn't suit the colour at all, so a nude lip colour was used. I was messaged later on in the week by Lisa to say she'd gone into a MAC store and tried on a number of red lipsticks which just confirmed they didn't suit her. But a theme is a theme and 1940's vintage wouldn't be that without red lipstick. So as Lisa was occupied with what was going on in the room I then applied the red lipstick, which looked amazing on her. I do believe that because she'd got her hair styled 1940's and the rest of her makeup was 1940's it all came together nicely. I was mega nervous showing Lisa the finished look as she didn't see me put the red lipstick on her and especially as we were running out of time too and everyone was panicking a little, but she loved it. She 100% loved the red lipstick and the rest of the makeup. It was a hit!

We were joined during all the madness by Les from Barry James Photography who took some of the wedding jewellery peices and shoes for photos. 

The last hour came very fast upon us and was panicking a little as we had been held back a little bit earlier, but luckily the last hour went very slowly. We seemed to get a lot of stuff done in that hour. Gemma and myself helped by transferring all of Lisa bags and wedding items like her dress etc into the bridal suite. Lisa and Charlotte got into their dresses and last minute adjustments done. Lisa looked radiant and very beautiful. Lisa had her dress from Adele Louise Bridal and is a Justin Alexander design. Both Charlotte and Lisa's dresses were very similar as they wanted to be as much the same as possible.  Lisa's mom used to be a seamstress so made the bridesmaid dress herself and was also on hand during the wedding planning to help with alterations. 

Everything looked so perfect. The registrars came to the room to give the pre wedding interview and then we were ready to go down. 

Les from Barry James Photography took some pre-wedding photos and some gorgeous photos on the grand stair case. 

I wanted to see Lisa into the ceremony room so left my packing up till after. 

Lisa was greeted by Gaynor, the Moat House's wedding coordinator, at the bottom of the stair case to ensure Lisa was happy with everything then handed her over to Ben who escorted her to the special red carpet entrance of the Ceremony room. I turned my camera on and started to video Lisa,  she walked into the room with the song "million years" by Christina Perri  andI managed to get her walking down the isle which was amazing, I was lucky I could see so many smiling faces looking at Lisa walk down to Jon. 

And she was gone. I couldn't wait to get back and view the photos of the morning. 

Lisa and Jon are going on Honeymoon to Pathos, Cyprus. 

If you would like to book me to do your makeup. Please take a look at my website www.helenpearsonmua.com 

You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pintrest, LinkedIn you can email me helenpearsonmua@hotmail.com 

or ring me on 07826 542 676

Emma Danks

Fishley Park, Walsall 

15/3/2015

The morning of Emma's wedding was delightful. Everybody was calm and collected and everything went to plan. Emma was certainly very organised, which with wedding planning is definitely  a must! 

It was an early start I arrived at the house just before 7 am. I was all set up and ready to go I just had to wait for my first bridesmaid, she was still in bed lol. They all had a late night last night celebrating the wedding and finishing off last minute touches. 

Mel the Bridesmaid

Whilst I did Mel's makeup the rest of the bridal party went to David James Hair Design to have their hair beautifully put into a half up, half down hair do. Upon their return Mel went off to have her hair done. It was then the turn of Lauren, the groom's daughter to have her makeup done. We had a lot in common and talked mainly about horses and general country life. Then I did the makeup of Chloe and Emma's mum Tracey. Tracey was quite relaxed when I arrived until the last couple of hours when her mobile kept ringing every 5 minutes asking her for advice and her partner kept asking if she had turned up his trousers yet. Lol. 

Lauren the Bridesmaid

Chloe the Bridesmaid

Tracey, Mother of the Bride

It was then the turn of Emma but she wanted to show me all the little wedding bargain items she had bought off eBay. She first showed me her garter which she had from Ebay and had her married name cut out of the ribbon. It was very cute.

The bridesmaid dresses were from China and after close inspection were immaculate and well structured. The colours she had were so pretty, the younger bridesmaids, her daughters Ellie (7), Laci-Mai (2), and Taliyah (10 months) wore dusky pink dresses. The older bridesmaids Lauren, Chloe  and Mel wore aquamarine dresses. 

Emma then was super excited for me to see her custom made Converse trainers mad by Crystal Couture. They were very pretty and even had her married name of Mrs H on the back in rhinestones. 

Emma and Dave decided that today was an important day to get married as it was exactly 15 years ago they met. It just so happened it was also Mother's Day! Emma and Dave then realised how difficult it was to book somewhere and people as not only was it a Sunday but a very special day and only gave themselves 6 months to plan too. 

Dave used to play 5 a side football on a Thursday evening at indoor sports hall (Sneyd school hall), where Emma worked laying out the hall for the various activities football / badminton etc. Dave romantically proposed on Christmas Day 2011 on one knee in their living room. 

They didn't have a theme as such, they just wanted the whole wedding to be fun and relaxed, they did however want a Mr and Mrs Minion wedding cake. Which was made by For the Love of Cake.

We were almost finished when the Photographer Colm-Ross of Colm RE Photography arrived. So there were plenty of photographs where Emma was beautifully made up. 

Emma has a glam makeup look as she doesn't normally wear makeup but said she didn't have anything in mind and wanted me to do my magic. She was over the moon when she looked in the mirror. She couldn't wait to get her dress on. But not before Emma had to iron the bridesmaids dresses as she had noticed a few extra creases. 

Emma, my beautiful bride

Emma was all set to get dressed. So while Emma went upstairs and everybody else was running like mad women in the usual final hour countdown, I managed to get a cuddle with Emma's 10 month old baby. Who I must add was as quiet as a mouse and happy just sitting there watching everyone around her. I've never known a child that you possibly could forget about. She was such a cutie. It was short lived as she fell asleep on me. So I put her ready to go in the car seat and prepared myself with face powder and lipstick for the mad rush out the door. 

Emma came downstairs in her dress which was a champagne colored Ronald Joyce dress which she bought from Your Wedding Shop in Birmingham. She looked beautiful Especially with her custom made Converse trainers.

Emma's flowers were artificial with vintage broaches which she had from Angela Copestake, Angie's floral designs. 

The time came for Emma to then go to the registry office. She was taken there by a stretch Land Rover which was provided by Finishing Touch Cars in Birmingham. 

Emma and Dave had their reception at Fishley park in Walsall where they had Bake-a-cake catering provide the food, a photo booth, popcorn and candy floss machine. 

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Emma and her family. Everyone was so kind and made me feel like i was part of the celebrations, and even treating me to a McDonald's breakfast. I feel like I've known Emma a life time, yet I've only met her twice and have been in regular contact on Facebook in the lead up to the wedding. Thank you so much for booking me to do the special honor of doing yours and your bridal party's makeup. Hopefully we  can keep in contact.

If you would like to book me to do your makeup. Please take a look at my website www.helenpearsonmua.com 

You can also find me on Facebook, you can email me helenpearsonmua@hotmail.com or ring me on 07826 542 676

Jemma Harvey

The Moat House, Acton Trussell

7/3/2015

The Bride and Groom

It was an early start at the now J Lowe's house. I did the wedding makeup up for Jemma, 2 bridesmaids and her mom. 

When I arrived everyone was all calm and chilled and enjoying having the rollers put in their hair and enjoying a glass of Bucks Fizz! 

Today was forecast to be as hot if not hotter than Ibiza for this time of year which of course was a blessing for the wedding party. 

Emma the Maid of Honour

I got myself all set up and enjoyed a cup of coffee before starting.

The makeup of Emma was done first where we had a good chat about her wedding which she had at Moxhull hall, she also said I'm booked to do the wedding makeup of her future sister in law too. 

We went with the theme of the wedding and had pearly champagne smokey eyes for everybody's makeup. 

 

Jemms' finished makeup

It was then the turn of Jemma, the blushing bride. This was the point she started to get nervous, so it was a good time for her to have time to chill out from everyone. I had the chance to talk to Jemma about herself and how she planned the wedding. 

Finishing off with a bit of blusher

Admiring her finished hair style

Jemma met her husband Tom in Silks Nightclub in Cannock, but after the 'meet the parents' Jemma found out their brothers used to play football together years ago and Tom's Dad is a very good friend of her dad. 

Jemma and Tom have a dog together called Bruce and are pregnant with their first child. 

We talked about the proposal and she said Tom bought her a big teddy which looked like Bruce, and on her 22nd Birthday Tom put the ring around the collar of the teddybear and put it in their bedroom. Then as Jemma was going up to get ready to party, she turned around to go back down to him and he was behind her on one knee.

It has taken them two years to plan the wedding and a Civil Ceremony at The Moat House, Acton Trussell.

Jemma had 4 Bridesmaids and 1 Maid of Honour. Jemma's Maid of Honour was her sister-in-law, who is married to Jemma's brother. 

Waiting for the bride to come out the house

Anna (bridesmaid) is her sister-in-law to be. Anna is marrying Tom's brother in May. Emma (Bridesmaid) is a friend of the family. She is married to Jemma's brother's best friend, and her brother is a big part in her life.

Rebecca and Harriet (Bridesmaids) are both work colleagues. 

Jemma had no General Theme as such for the wedding, as the colours were Champagne/Neutral with Sparkle, but still wanted to Incorporate the Vintage style.

Jemma's dress was absolutely amazing, and certainly had a lot of class and "sparkle". The dress was from Princess Brides in Staffordshire, Jemma's mom chose the dress, which jemma initially didn't like from the hanger but as soon as Jemma put it on She fell in love with it. 

The Flowers were all lilies and were arranged by Patricia from Pats Flowers, who works from home and comes highly recommended from the Moat House. 

The wedding photographer was Katy Leanne of Katy Leanne Photography who Jemma found from lots of recommendations on Facebook, and after watching her work and meeting with her decided she was the one to capture the day. I have to agree that Katy is a fantastic photographer and has a brilliant eye for pictures.

The hair stylist was the amazingly talented and multi award winner Natalie Bartram of Bridal Hair Specialists, Jemma and Emma have both used Natalie in the past and was the first thing she booked once she knew the date.

All the stationary was from Hobby Craft as Jemma had done all invites, favours, name tags, seating plan etc herself.

So after doing Jemma's makeup I then did her bridesmaids and mom's makeup. It was very evident how proud her mom was of Jemma and became very tearful at times. Which wasn't a problem as the makeup wasn't going to budge at all. 

Once all hair and makeup was done everybody got dressed and admired themselves from Jemma's mom's eureka moment of up-cycling their old full length door to ceiling mirrored wardrobe doors. These were amazing and very chic. Even Jemma's little nephew who is 3 was caught a few times checking himself out in them.

The time then came for Jemma and her bridal party to be taken to the Moat House in style. A huge Range Rover Limo was hired to take Jemma, and the Bridal Party to the venue. And huge it was. It was crystal clean and inside was glamorous with leather seats and twinkle lighting. The limo was hired from Finishing Touch Cars. 

It was here I got to have a cheeky photo of myself and the beautiful bride which was kindly taken by the father of the bride. 

I had such fun meeting with Jemma and her bridal party. Everyone that morning were super sweet and it was evident how much of a good friend Jemma was to them. 

I wish you a very happy marriage and thank you for booking me to do your makeup x

www.helenpearsonmua.com