It’s that time of year when newly engaged couples are seeking out potential venues for their wedding day. Being based in Callander, allows me to work in lots of fantastic local venues. I am also in a great central location, which allows me to travel far and wide for wedding makeup.
I really do get to work at some incredible wedding venues, so I thought I would share some of my favourites in today’s blog…
This venue is really quite literally on my doorstep, being just a 5 minute walk away. It ticks all the boxes for a wedding day to remember. It’s gorgeously elegant, making it feel nothing short of Regal. It has a 3-star AA award winning restaurant, delivering the most phenomenal fine dining experience. Behind the stunning wood panelled library, it has its very own small chapel. Did I mention? It is set within the most beautiful lush green gardens right on the banks of the River Teith AND the Beatles once stayed here? There is so much more history to uncover at the Roman Camp Hotel, it is such a magical place.
Venachar Lochside – Brig o’ Turk
Venachar Lochside is my venue choice for a ‘handmade’ wedding. For those couples who want to really put their own personality stamp on their day, venues don’t come any better or as unique, than this one. Outdoors or indoors? Within Venachar Lochside, there are three different spaces to choose from – the Restaurant (downstairs), the mezzanine (upstairs) and also, outside, to enjoy the most spectacular views from the lawn and decking area (weather permitting!). I have provided makeup for Brides here who have had a more rustic or boho flair but also, ‘traditional’ Brides who are looking to have a more intimate feel to their day.
Altskeith Country House on Loch Ard, Kinlochard, Aberfoyle
Altskeith Country House on Loch Ard – A place that shines whether the sun does, or not. This is another venue I would consider to be local. Just past Aberfoyle in the village of Kinlochard – 15 miles from Callander, set upon stunning Loch Ard. This is another venue choice for lovers of ‘the great outdoors’, with its stunning backdrop of Ben Lomond with forest and lake views. The night sky here is something really special, whether you capture a super sunset, or a cloud filled moody sky. This venue is well loved by photographers and it’s easy to see why.
Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro
This popular wedding venue is one of my most frequently visited, for good reason. The stunning grounds make a great first impression on the entrance driveway up towards the hotel. The hotel offers various packages and suites, depending on the size of wedding you are having. If you are planning a large scale wedding, Dunblane Hydro is definitely worth checking out. The wedding team here really are fantastic, ensuring your ceremony and reception run like clockwork.
Dunblane – rightly claims it’s city status from its stunning cathedral.
Errol Park Estate is one of the most romantic venues I have visited. It is a historic family house, which defines the word ‘grandeur’, with its stunning period furnishings and decor. The large Bridal Suite is an absolute dream to work from, with its beautiful bay windows, inviting plenty of natural light into the room. This luxury Scottish venue offers a bespoke wedding experience, making it a perfect choice for ‘diy’ brides and grooms.
The incredible Guardswell Farm offers a ‘total wedding escape’. Many couples hire out this venue over a few days, so they can spend quality time with their loved ones and to really make an extension of their wedding day memory making. Set on a hillside, just 6 miles from Errol Park Estate, there are 150 acres of this venue to enjoy. Offering a blank, but beautiful, canvas, this is another popular choice for couples looking to create their own wedding day vision.
On Monday 13th May 2019, we were blessed with gorgeous sunshine and a much welcomed warmth in the air. Blue skies, sunshine and fluffy white clouds all added to the appeal of our beautiful photoshoot venue – Cardross Estate, Port of Menteith. We based our location shoot around a beautiful ‘chocolate box cottage’, ‘Arnvicar’.
Along with myself, the team collaborating on the shoot included Hannah Sidi Wedding Photography, Laura Beaumont Couture, Toni Johnson Hairdressing, Pretty Little Flowers and Brooch Bouquet UK. The brief was to keep things, elegant, cheerful and bright. Toni created beautiful Hollywood waves on our stunning model Izzy, while I worked to create a peachy pink harmonious makeup look.
I had a very clear idea in my mind of the look I wanted to create on Izzy and the products I would use to achieve it. I enjoy mixing makeup products to invent new shades and this photoshoot was no different. For the cheek colour, I mixed both a Glossier and a NARS Liquid Blush for the perfect hint of a peachy pink glow.
I also wanted to play up the eyes a little but in the most subtle way and one of the easiest ways to achieve this is by adding individual lashes. I used an entire pack of Eylure Individual Lashes on Izzy but you would never know, they look as though they belong to her eyes.
Laura Beaumont created three dresses for the shoot, each very different from the last, but all suiting Izzy Perfectly. First up – a gorgeous blush toned corseted gown with a cathedral length veil
The Second dress – a loose fit pure white shift dress, with a daisy edged veil, all paired beautifully with the bright blooms by Pretty Little Flowers.
Last but certainly not least (this might have been my favourite!), a two piece bridal set. The shift satin top was edged with feathers and pearls and matched with a maxi length satin skirt, which was finished with a lace train detail – gorgeous!
Your choice of makeup artist on the day will come down to lots of different factors. You will have:
• Browsed their website gallery to determine their style of makeup and its suitability for you.
• Read countless reviews attesting to their reliability and professionalism.
• Checked out their social media platforms, to gauge whether their personality ‘clicks’ with yours.
Whoever you decide to invest in (at the end of the day that is just what you are doing, investing not only your money – but your faith and time in that person too), my advice to you – make sure they are an expert. I am sure you will have put lots of thought into choosing your wedding dress and selecting your makeup artist should be no different.
The makeup artist you have with you on your wedding morning should be a seasoned professional, having performed Bridal Party makeup, time and time again. That means they will have dealt with many situations in their time and will have the skills to problem solve for you. They should have the expertise to perfectly match any skin tone, colour correct, cover blemishes, provide the right care for sensitive skin and create a look that really shows who you are.
Speaking of your wedding dress, as stunning and as important as it will be, there is another thing that will be centre stage all day – your face. Your makeup must be ‘you’ and it must be flawless and long lasting. When your husband to be and your loved ones watch you make your way down the aisle, they will be looking at your smile. When the speeches are being made, the drinks reception, the first dance – your makeup, dress and hair will all be on show. My promise, is to make sure your makeup looks beautiful during all of these special moments.
I arrive on your wedding day promptly, at our pre-agreed time, which we set together at your trial appointment. Rolling beside me, I have my trusty Zuca Makeup Case, housing the best makeup and skincare the beauty industry has to offer, along with my must have Glamcor Lighting Kit.
We decide on the best area for me to set up, which is close-by the window to catch as much natural light as we can.
I get on with the business of working on the party – bridesmaids, flower girls, mums and yourself all receiving the most beautiful skincare prep, a flattering eye look bespoke to you and a flawless makeup base to build a harmonious colour story upon.
The morning is comfortable and relaxed, you might be wearing bridal pyjamas and robes whilst sipping on Prosecco or maybe you are doing everything your own way – set the rules to suit you! We chat, laugh and keep to our timescales without any worry of over-running or having to rush. Your photographer can snap away at will, it’s all part of your wedding day memories.
The finishing touches of the last member of the party are complete, the last spritz of my Skindinavia Bridal Setting Spray has been and gone and it’s time to pack up my kit, leaving just your lip colour to top up before you head for the aisle…
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzT8HEQM7OD/?igsh=bTA1M29iN2QxZHd4
This is our chance to begin to get to know one another and set out our plans for ensuring a success of your makeup ideals on your most special day.
Bring ALL of your inspiration with you, Saved photos, Pinterest boards, magazine clippings – whatever it is you use to find and store your ideas, please make sure to bring this with you. A ‘natural look’ can mean a thousand different things depending on the person wearing and the other observing, so by having your idea of a ‘natural look’ plain to see in the photos you bring – it helps us both to sing from the same hymn sheet.
Think about your skincare routine and the products you are currently using. Your skin type, condition and routine will be one of the first things we address at your consultation and provides me with an an opportunity to help you on your way to a solid skincare routine on the lead up to your big day. Remember – beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin.
Think of a time when you have had a makeup look that you loved! Either applied by yourself or by someone else, what did you like most about it? Is there any elements you would like to recreate in your bridal look? Again, a photo of this makeup will allow me to see exactly what you are trying to communicate to me.
Your makeup look will be complementing white/ivory/blush toned hues of your bridal gown (unless you are going alternative!) and so it is really helpful to wear a similar shade and style of top/blouse to your trial, so you can see how your makeup will look against a lighter tone.
whoever it is you can trust and respect an opinion from. This is not essential but I do feel it can be helpful for a bride to have someone along for support, just as many brides do when choosing their dress.
Remember, the makeup trial is all part of the exciting planning and prepping you will be doing for your wedding day – so relax and enjoy your time being pampered!