DIY makeup or hire a professional...

I had people tell me to do darker makeup for photos as well. They said I wouldn't like how I would look in my natural makeup but honestly, I just feel much more comfortable in light makeup and I wanted to feel like myself. Whenever I put on heavier makeup I just don't feel as pretty and can never wait to take it off. Plus DH doesn't like a lot of makeup. I used to love heavy makeup (well, eye makeup and such, I've never liked foundation) but now I just don't. So despite the comments I got I wore what I like and I was thrilled with how I looked on the day and in photos. I wore mascara, brow pencil, light powder, and a lipstick that was sort of like a tinted balm (the only thing I don't normally do, daily I stick to a clear balm). I didn't have on any foundation, eye shadow, or anything like that.

Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable. If you want to look different that day then do, if you'd rather stick to your normal look then that's ok too. You don't have to wear a ton of makeup to look nice.

I was having the same issue and I'm glad I got all this info from your thread! I really wasn't thrilled about the idea of having to do makeup for my wedding but it is sounding not so bad for one day. I don't really want my friends or family to do it because last time I did it ended in disaster. I was so upset. I don't have the skills or the want to buy makeup.

Didn't Princess Kate do her own makeup for her wedding? Just throwing that out there.

I think a professional is great if they are a good professional. I have had great professional makeup and horrible professional makeup. Hence why a trial is so important.

I would consider myself somewhat of a makeup guru/junkie but I'm still getting my makeup done professionally. Sure, it's $100 but it will allow me to feel 100% confident and worry free on the day- and that's priceless. I guarantee a professional who does makeup for a living can do my makeup better than I can.

Thank you guys for all these opinions and ideas. I have so much to use to my advantage. I tried doing my makeup today and I'll post a pic when I get home. Stupid app not letting us post pictures. I'll keep trying and I will go to sephora and see if I can get some help. Or ulta. I have both.

Have you tried looking or asking around at beauty schools? And some artists will do tutorials and it's like $50. Which might be a cool option

I'm hiring a professional. I suck at makeup and want to look a lot better than I normally do that day

Most women think they do their make up great until they see themselves in photos. Try doing your make up the way you would and with what product she would and then take photos. So many poor bride's end up either looking washed out or overly bronzed. Find a good primer and setting spray and have your foundation professionally color matched. I did my own make up but I don't think I count since I am a professional. I think I'm worth it haha.

I'll definitely need help in the foundation department lol. I'm so pale....

@JoRocka what do you bring for makeup brushes?

I highly recommend Blush by Nicole:

http://blushbynicole.wix.com/letsblush IG: blush_by_nicole or Beauty by Vera Bella (Kayla):

http://beautybyverabella.wix.com/http#!about/c1x9v IG: beautybyverabella

They both do beautiful work (Kayla also does hair) for GREAT prices!! Nicole did my airbrush makeup and Kayla did my wedding hair but her makeup skills are fabulous! Honestly, they are cheap for how great they are!

ETA: Not sure if it was clear or not but I am a Baltimore bride lol. Not just a rando on the internet making recommendations.

I am really great with my own makeup but I am using a professional for my big day. I learned my lesson after engagement pictures. I took my time doing my makeup for the engagement shoot, and when I got the pictures back, it looks like I barely have any eye makeup on and my contouring isn't contoured lol. A professional definitely knows the tips and hints to make us photograph our best. To each his own, but I am going pro

I am splurging because I don't trust my make up skills for a heavily photographed day. Plus, I want to feel beautiful so I'm paying about $450 for the trial and 5 bridesmaids.

I'm going to play with makeup during this blizzard lol

@sarah my main face brushes are real techniques.

My eye brushes almost mash Mish of real techniques, eco bamboo, and morphe. I have a handful of coastal scents and bh cosmetic, two from Revlon and one from make up geek (a pointed blender).

My first Revlon brush sucked, which was a shame because they were the only drug store brand to even bother making a real actual blending fluff. And they are trying their hand again at them. But the first one was a little scratchy and the next one is to big and not dense enough (for me). I can take some pictures when I get home of my must haves I recommend if you want.

I am very comfortable with doing my own makeup, but I'm still having a MUA because I don't want the stress. I'm also getting airbrush makeup and I don't have the machine for that.

I looked at airbrush makeup and I'm trying it out for my boudoir shoot next month.