Bride Yvonne: Modern Downtown Atlanta Wedding

Last year, I had the opportunity to work with an amazing young woman, Yvonne. Not only is she absolutely gorgeous (with stunning red hair), she has a beautiful spirit and is so much fun!

Yvonne and her husband Clifton got married last May, at an amazing location in Atlanta, Georgia. Studio No. 7 is where they chose to hold their celebration; it's a creative space that includes an art gallery.  I was so excited to work with Yvonne after speaking with her about her bridal style. She knew she wanted Hollywood waves for her hair and she would be changing into a jumpsuit during the reception! I'm all for a bride who decides to switch it up a bit during her wedding day.

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

I was honored to work with both Yvonne and her mother, providing hair styling and makeup for the wedding. We began our bridal glam session at Twelve Centennial Park Hotel, an upscale hotel in downtown Atlanta. It has an modern feel and gorgeous views of the city.

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

The amazing Janel Elise Events was there to ensure everything ran smoothly. Colleen of 2nd Truth Photography photographed Yvonne and Cliff's engagement photos, and was there to document their wedding day as well.  

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

There are so many things to love about this wedding! I always enjoy seeing first looks, if the bride and groom choose to have one. 

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

The emotion and love is so evident.

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

Here are a few more of my favorite shots from Colleen.

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography, Floral design by Victory Blooms

And the gorgeous bride! . . . Who enjoyed every moment of their day :-)

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

Image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

Such a beautiful couple with an authentic celebration full of love and laughter! What's your favorite detail about this wedding? For details on the awesome vendors involved in this wedding, check below. 

image provided by 2nd Truth Photography

Stay beautiful! . . . Inside and out.

Photographer: Colleen of 2nd Truth Photography / Venue & Catering: Studio No. 7 / First Look Location: Studioplex & Living Walls mural by MOMO, Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta, GA / Designer & Wedding Planner: Janel Elise Events / Florist: Victory Blooms / Hair & Makeup: Corianne Elizabeth / Invitations:Minted / Pie Bar: Fredrina Bomar / Gold Linen: I Do Linens / Ghost Chairs, Linen, Tables, Chargers, Silverware: Event Rentals Unlimited / Lighting: Liquid AV / DJ: DJ dLux / Chalk Artist: Dayle Bennett / Metallic Place Cards/Favors: Klepac & Co / Gold Leaf Guest Book: Paper Jayne Books / Cocktail Napkins & Matchbooks: For Your Party / Ring Box: West Elm / Candle & Succulent Containers: CB2,H&M, West Elm / Candles: Ikea / Geometric Floral Centerpiece: West Elm / Bride’s Dress: Winifred Beanfrom The Sentimentalist / Shoes: Charles by Charles David from DSW / Belt: Hushed Commotion from The Sentimentalist / Rings: Anna Sheffield / Earrings: Borrowed / Backdrop Necklace:DeniseJewelryDesigns / Reception Jumpsuit: Missguided / Nails: Minx rose gold by Buff Nail Bar / Groom’s Suit & Shirt: J. Crew / Shoes: Allen Edmonds / Band: Blue Nile / Cufflinks: Jos. A. Bank / Bowtie & Pocket Square: The Tie Bar

Wedding Planning: Bridal Beauty Research & Inspiration

Happy Leap Day! Welcome to our Leap Blog!

Enjoy the great ideas, tips and inspirations as you Leap along through the blog leap.  

You may just be starting the blog leap or may have come from Katie Snyder Photography.  If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today.

Image by Gracie Blue Photography

Getting engaged can be such an exciting time, and for many, it's when your obsession with Pinterest begins. Most of my brides hire me as soon as they choose their bridal gowns, and this is essential because your gown, hair, makeup and accessories are all a part of your bridal style.  

Image by Jeffrey Franks Photography

When I speak with my clients one of the things I ask them to do is send me their bridal Pinterest boards or to create a board of hairstyles and makeup looks they want for their wedding day. This helps me as your artist to better understand what you desire: as your version of "natural makeup" may not be what I interpret as "natural makeup." After years and conversations with many brides and many clients, I want to offer you some advice, so that you are pleased with your bridal look and beauty experience.

1. Think about the season and your venue - Be sure to keep your venue in mind when looking at photos. For example, if you are getting married outside in a botanical garden will you want all of your hair down? The answer will be different for each person, but keep things like this in mind.
2. Your complexion - When looking at photos of different makeup looks, look for individuals who skin tone is similar to yours. If you have very tan, olive skin, it will be difficult for you to picture yourself with certain looks if you're pulling a lot of photos of models/brides who are extremely fair.
3. Your day-to-day look - Consider how much makeup you wear on a daily basis and how you typically wear your hair. To go from no makeup to "smokey eye, contour, red lip," is too much for most people. This is not to say it never works, just consider your comfort zone.
4. Hair color and thickness - For sometime now, braids and whimsical updos, have been quite popular in the bridal world. The intricacy of braids show up best on those with blonde, light colored or highlighted hair. A braid can be incorporated into almost any style, but may have a very different feel depending on the color and length of your hair. The same is to be said for thickness. A messy, whimsical updo works best on those who don't have thick hair.

Most importantly, remember that YOU are beautiful. Your features, your hair, your eye color is what makes you beautiful. We live in a world where just about every photo we see has been edited somehow. I can't tell you how many times I've had clients ask me why they can still see their pores, when I've completed their makeup look. It's important to understand that the photos you see on Instagram are highly edited 90% of the time. It's unfortunate that even most makeup artists edit their photos so much, you are unable to really see the quality of their work. But real people have pores! . . .  And there is nothing wrong or unattractive about that! My job isn't to change what you look like, my job is to enhance your beauty and to help you make YOUR statement as a bride.

Image by Claire Diana Photography

The next stop is Elle Golden Photography, on Irene Tyndale Events’s Blog Leap! Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month!

Blog Leap Line-Up 

1.  Irene Tyndale at Irene Tyndale Events 

2. Katie Snyder at Katie Snyder Photography 

3.  Corianne Elizabeth at  Corianne Elizabeth Makeup 

4. LeiLani Golden at Elle Golden Photography

Stay Beautiful! . . . Inside and out.

Makeup Lovers: MAC Cosmetics Select Loyalty Program

How many of you are makeup lovers? I thought so ;-) If you enjoy playing with makeup, wear makeup daily or are a makeup artist, then I'm sure you are aware of different loyalty programs offered by various stores. These programs typically offer points, based on purchases, and after you accumulate a certain amount you will receive makeup or skin care goodies; dollars off your purchase amounts; cosmetic bags; or even invites to special events!

Sephora and Ulta are two places that I shop regularly because they offer loyalty programs. And it's a simple way to say thank you to consistent customers. Well, MAC Cosmetics has FINALLY jumped on board!

MAC now offers what they call their "MAC Select" program, and if you shop there often, you need to sign up. As a beauty professional I go through a TON of makeup, and although I don't all of my kit isn't MAC products, I do love some of their blushes, lip colors, lip liners and powders. 

They have 3 different levels of the program: Seduced, Devoted and Obsessed. You will automatically become part of the "Seduced" level when signing up. You'll be able to purchase exclusive products (I've already ordered a lipstick shade that was designed from the trends of this year's runway looks), receive complimentary samples and free shipping for online orders.

To become part of the "Devoted," you must spend at least $150 . . . And some of you can spend that in less than  5 minutes! Some of the added perks are a free express makeup application and an anniversary gift from MAC.

The premier tier for you makeup addicts is "Obsessed." This level is perfect for makeup artist and all of you MAC fans. If you spend $500 or more at MAC, this is for you! You're spoiled with being able to shop new collections before anyone else (and we know how quickly things can sell out), receive enhanced product samples, a Back to MAC tracker and so much more!

This isn't for everyone, but if you shop MAC often, why wait?! You can check it out here!

Stay beautiful! . . . Inside and out.