Faye Harris

Alrewas Hayes 

2/4/2015

Faye the Bride

It was the wedding of Faye and Mark today who got married at the stunning Alrewas Hayes estate, which is a grade 2 listed manor house and countryside wedding venue nestled alongside the picturesque Fradley in Lichfield.

I love the drive up to Alrewas Hayes, especially when it's a bright sunny morning, seeing the water fountain in the little lake out the front. 

Alrewas Hayes

Gemma Neville from Dream Bridal Hair was booked to do everyone's wedding hair and i was booked to do everyone's wedding makeup. I arrived and was greeted by Faye, Jenny and Donna in the entrance room, everyone was calm and looking forward to the day. 

I went upstairs to the bridal suite where everyone was getting ready and everything in there was all set up.

The wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses were all hanging from the wooden beams and the shoes were neatly laid out to the side of them. 

The Dresses 

I got all set up whilst having a chat about school politics as all the girls were teachers we were setting right the education system. 

I did the makeup of Jenny first, Jenny doesn't wear much makeup so we went with natural glamour. I prepped her skin ready for the Estée Lauder double wear foundation, then used MAC eyeshadow in warm neutral colours, Bobbi Brown eyeliner, mascara and fluttery eyelashes. For blush I used motives cosmetics and contoured with my favourite MAC sculpting powder and went with natural pink for lips. She looked so beautiful and was shocked when she looked in the mirror, she loved it. 

Jenny the bridesmaid

Next up was Faye and I used Illamasqua skin base for her foundation with the same colour's as Jenny for her eyes but going a little bit darker. I added individual eyelashes to thicken up her own lashes, MAC blush and sculpting powder was applied with a slight dusting of highlighting powder from The Balm. 

Faye the bride

We were then joined by the third bridesmaid Chloe, who was just eight years old. She was such a good girl throughout the morning and didn't hear her at all other than to say she had ran out of lives in candy crush lol. She didn't even complain when she was having her hair done by Gemma who for part of the process had to have her turn her head upside down so she could do a plait "very technical". 

The flowers arrived at this point from Fine Flowers in Rugeley, who also decorated the venue with flowers, and fine flowers they were.  They were so pretty and beautiful the colours fitted in well with the colour and theme of the wedding which was rustic vintage in dusky pink and grey colours. 

The wedding flowers

The very talented photographer Les from Barry James arrived and got to work straight away with the posed and natural makeup shots from all around the room to get the best shots. 

Donna was next for her makeup and asked to have a vintage look so I decided on a neutral eye with winged black eyeliner from Bobbi Brown and red lips using my favourite MAC lipstick. Donna’s skin was beautiful so went with a light coverage of MAC's face and body foundation and Motives Blusher. Donna photographed lovely and with such a different style of makeup I couldn't stop taking photos of her.

Donna the bridesmaid

Faye was looking through the window of the bridal suite which has full view of everyone that comes into the venue and noticed that Mark had arrived, she got so excited. Not long after a beautiful arrangement of flowers were delivered alongside a card and present off the groom. As Faye was reading the card she got a little emotional until I told her she wasn't allowed to cry. She opened her wedding present which was a beautiful jewellery set from Pandora which happened to be the jewellery that Faye asked Mark if she could buy a few weeks previous only to be told no. She giggled as she told the story. You could see just from that smile how much she loved him. Faye and Mark met a few years ago in a park when she was 14 and he was 16, this was also the park where he proposed to her. Faye loved her jewellery so much she decided to wear it for the wedding day after previously deciding she wasn't going to wear any. The necklace and earrings looked so perfect and was just so meant to be there. This was also the point that Faye handed her bridesmaids a little present of a beautiful Pandora bracelet which they both wore for the wedding day. 

Faye putting her wedding earrings in

Faye slipped away into the humongous and very glamorous bathroom with her bridesmaids to get into her Stella York designer wedding dress which she bought from Shropshire Country Brides and her super sparkly designer shoes from Kurt Geiger. When she came out she had the biggest smile, she looked stunning. She came into the room where her bridesmaids were and then started that stressful job of doing the dress up which they did an amazing job, I don't think Faye could breath after it was finally done up. This was when we were joined by the last flower girl Chelsey who was all dressed and ready to go. The other bridesmaids got dressed into their dusky grey dresses and enjoyed a few moments of calm. 

Soon Faye had just 15 minutes before she had to go downstairs for her interview with the registrar and then finally, after a year of planning, to get married. 

I quickly packed up my kit and went downstairs where I saw some added features to the wedding. There was a white and gold English post box from Fine Flowers where wedding cards could be put into and a white frame hung on an iron easel with little brown paper hearts for people to write their names on which was made by Lemon Mill Designs which I thought was an amazing idea. 

Faye with her flower girls Chelsey and Chloe

Postbox from Fine Flowers

Heart Board from Lemon Mill Design

Gemma and I sneaked into the marquee to hopefully get a glimpse of the wedding cake as I knew Carole Gregory had made it and she makes great cakes. We saw a sweetie table and a cool little chill out area with a photo booth inside which was all done by Faye and Mark. 

It was so cute and pretty how it had been set up so far. 

The bride and groom with their wedding cake

It was such a lovely morning with Faye and her bridal party. Thank you so much for booking me to do your makeup and I look forward to stalking your Facebook for wedding photos. Congratulations to Faye and Mark on your special day. 

Faye and myself

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

Elaine Sneyd

I'm Somerford Hall, Brewood

21/3/2015

It was a beautiful bright morning, cold but beautiful. Elaine had decided she would be better getting ready at her friend's house just around the corner from the church. Elaine and Ed (the Groom) planned to get married at the beautiful St Marks church in Great Wyrley and the reception at Somerford Hall in Brewood, one of the West Midland’s most prestigious wedding venues, which has a Georgian mansion set a midst extensive landscaped gardens.

When I arrived I was greeted by an excited Elaine and 4 of her bridesmaids with the fifth coming a little later. Elaine was very good and munching on a melon considering there was the temptation of chocolate croissants. The bridal party had already had their hair done at Chequers in Great Wyrley, Elaine had her hair up, whereas the bridesmaids had their hair half up half down.

Elaine stayed at a local hotel the night before and said she hadn't slept too well, not because of the nerves but because of a strange noise that was keeping her awake. Elaine was updating me about some of the disasters leading up to the wedding. The main one was that she had paid a dressmaker to make her red bridesmaid dresses but when she received them she was horrified. The strap that went over the shoulders was sewn differently on each dress, the side seams to the dress were higglety pigglelty, and iron marks were seen on most of the dresses. Elaine was horrified but was rescued by her bridesmaids who took her emergency shopping and bought some new black elegant dresses from Coast. 
Considering the stress that Elaine and Ed have been through with the wedding planning she was very upbeat and still smiling away. 

I started the makeup on Elaine and it was visible how nervous she was. But then her flowers arrived and that settled her down a little. The flowers were beautiful. They were unusual flowers, berries and foliage in line with the wedding theme which was enchanted forest. The bright red roses stood out from the deep green leaves. The flowers were done by Ava Event Styling who also decorated the venue. The ladies that delivered them were lovely.  

Elaine wanted an elegant but natural look for her wedding makeup so stayed with creams and brown eye shadows from Urban Decay and Motives Cosmetics then a light application of MAC's face and body foundation and lots of mascara. 
While While I was doing Elaine's makeup the very talented Photographer Anna Clarke then arrived. She was straight onto it, taking photos of the preparation, the dress and very expensive Christian Louboutin shoes Ed had bought Elaine as a wedding present. Elaine was very excited to be wearing them and it was lovely seeing Elaine get so excited. 

Elaine was very excited to be wearing them and it was lovely seeing her get so excited.

Elaine and Ed are both police officers and met through work. Ed proposed outside the O2 arena in London before they went to see Elaine's favourite band Depeche mode. It took the couple 22 months to plan the wedding.

The makeup was done, Elaine was happy so she went to get dressed. Elaine was dressed by her bridesmaids who helped with that dreaded task of getting it over the hair and makeup without messing either up. The dress supplied by Rebecca Jayne's exclusive bridalwear in Rugeley  and designed by Ronald Joyce was stunning and very sparkly.  Jewellery was  bought by Elaine and her bridesmaid Rachel from Buddha Bijoux in Kingswinford.

Elaine just oozed elegance and the whole finished look along with flowers and shoes just proved it.

It was time to leave for the church and Elaine was running slightly late and panicking about Ed so as quickly as the bridesmaids could they went off to the church leaving Elaine, her dad and me.

I helped Elaine get into the wedding car which was a stunning and very elegant Beaufort car from Heritage Cars in Stone. She looked so excited and I wished her luck on her big day. 

I’m known to stalk my bride’s Facebook page afterwards for any photos of the day and I was over the moon when I saw her wedding cake. It was very unusual but very fitting with the theme of enchanted Garden. The cake was made by the talented Fairytale Cake Company in Wombourne.

Thank you Elaine for booking me to do your makeup. It was lovely meeting you, your bridal party and your parents. You have a great circle of close friends around you and made me feel very welcome and part of the morning celebrations. I've enjoyed all the photos your friends have put on Facebook and glad you had a happy day, Congratulations x

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

Carly Fisher

Manor Hill House, Upton Warren, Worcestershire

14/3/2015

It was an early start for Carly's wedding as it was an hours drive to the venue. 

Carly's wedding was at Manor Hill House, in Upton Warren, Worcestershire. 

Manor Hill House is a contemporary property which has been furnished to very high specification. The property is set in a wonderfully tranquil location with panoramic views over landscaped gardens to the distant Clee Hills.

I noticed there was a marquee attached to the Property too. It looked beautiful. 

I was greeted by Emma the owner of the house and a very chilled out Carly. I was then escorted to the bridal suite  where I was impressed by the spacious modern room. 

Carly had everything neatly placed out, the jewellery was set out for the bride, bridesmaid Amy, and flower girl Zoe, as well as shoes. 

We enjoyed a lovely cup of tea which was kindly provided by the owner of the house while we waited for her bridesmaid Amy to turn up. I was doing her makeup first so we had a chance to have a good chat about the wedding. Carly told me that she had a bit of stress first thing when she discovered her son Henley trimmed his own hair. He was wanting to look smart for his mom and dad's wedding and looking later on you couldn't tell. He was a handsome chap. Carly and Leo have 3 children together which are all boys, Tao, Henley and Dementri.

Amy the Maid of Honour and her daughter Mia arrived along with the photographer Luke from LPR Photography and the videographer Mark from Ardath Video. Luke the photographer had broken his arm in a skiing accident in France and had his left arm in a cast which I think became quite useful as I noticed him using it as a shelf to rest his heavy camera on while he was snapping away.

Amy sat in my chair for her makeup first,and at this point Carly's hair stylist Natasha Steele arrived. We were all saying how nice it would be to have some music on, not noticing the massive 50" flat screen TV on the wall. When we did finally discover it we had to work out how to use it. Then Amy found a music Chanel with some good tunes on so the party started! 

Amy the Maid of Honour

Zoe the flower girl

Carly started to have her hair curled while Amy was having her makeup done they were reminiscing about the hen party where it started at Go Ape!, Wyre Forrest followed by beauty treatments at her friend's house.
Amy loved her makeup and thought she was very glam, it was the first time Amy had individual eyelashes on. 

Amy's daughter, Mia, was good as gold in fact you wouldn't of known she was there. She sat on the sofa watching the music channel and watching me put the makeup on her mom. 

When I finished I let Mia sit in my chair while I pretended to put makeup on, she loved it and was giggling throughout. 

I couldn't believe how relaxed Carly was. It was lovely being part of her special day and felt like I was part of the bridal party. I even took my time doing Carly's makeup as I was really enjoying chatting to her about her family and wedding. Carly met Leo in their local night club. He proposed a good few years later when out shopping at the Merry Hill Shopping Center, he hand wrote a proposal on a post it note and stuck it inside a jewelers window which said "if I buy you a 'Leo Diamond', will you marry me?". They were walking past the shop when he pointed to the post it note in the window, and of course she said YES!

I put the finishing touches to Carly's makeup and it was time for her to have her hair finished off. 

Carly the Bride

I noticed that outside they had a Thomas the Tank bouncy castle for the children at the reception from Bbc inflatables so this was where I was cheeky and asked if I could have a snoop at her wedding set up. 

Thomas the Tank bouncy castle

The marquee where the wedding reception was held was set up beautifully by Carly herself, family and friends. It was rustic vintage, very pretty. The colour theme was pastel pink with the tables decorated like a vintage picnic table draped in bunting. With centerpieces jars decorated in delicate lace filled with daisies, thistles and baby breath. The wedding favours were decorated jars with half having a scratch card and mini flake pieces and the other half had hot chocolate powder with mini flake pieces. The children had a favour jar filled with sweets.  

Their wedding cake was phenomenal and just up my street, it was a Jaffa cake wedding cake made by Sidolis of Shrewsbury it looked amazing and how people are going to refrain from picking off a Jaffa cake until the cutting I just don't know lol. 

Opposite the cake was a table set up with old vintage suitcase and wicker basket ready to accept wedding cards and little cones filled up with flower petal confetti.   

Everywhere I noticed little love quotes which it was quite evident how much Carly and Leo love each other. There was a scrabble board with the words "in you I have found the love of my life and my truest closest friend". 

The guests started to arrive so I didn't want to get confused with the photographer and I went back downstairs to do any touch ups for Carly and Amy as they got into their dresses. 

Carly and Amy got dressed in the enormous bathroom while everyone else was waiting eagerly in the room. When Carly come out of the bathroom she looked stunning and I heard everyone take a gasp followed by a wow! 

She had the biggest smile, I'm sure she must have felt like a princess. Her dress was so pretty and delicate it had two large sequinned snowflakes on each side. The wedding dress was from "2 have and 2 hold" in Kidderminster. The flowers and bouquets were from Alisons florist in Blackheath.

Everybody's makeup was then touched up and the bridal party posed for some photographs. 

Carly's mom was so impressed by how beautiful the makeup and false lashes were she asked if there was time for me to do her makeup. Of course I could, she was the mother of the bride after all. She was over the moon when I said yes and loved the experience of having it done professionally as she too is a big makeup fan.

The registrars came to the room to do their little pre-wedding interview but nobody wanted to leave the room as we were all taking pictures, we more or less had to be kicked out lol. 

We waited outside the room where we could hear the wedding guests being asked to take their seats. Carly's son came down to see his mom as he was so excited but couldn't go in the room. Carly's dad then took him back up to the wedding room where he went missing for a few minutes. 

We were then allowed into the bridal suite where I said my goodbyes to Carly and got a few photos of her leaving the room to get married. She still seemed so cool, calm and relaxed, so beautiful and happy!
There were also other suppliers that were involved with the wedding. The wedding stationary was from Kissing Otters, and they hired a tandem bike and letter lights from Penny Lane Vintage Hire Ltd.

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