Planning

10 Ideal Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Make-Up Artist For Your Big Day

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Poorly done make-up is capable of ruining a perfectly good day. You don’t want anything raining on your parade on your big day. Neither do you want your groom to wonder about your weird transformation.

What are we trying to say? A good make-up artist who knows his/her onion is major.

Fixing a date for Q&A with your makeup artist before fully committing is equally important.

According to Weddingwire, here are a  few questions to ask before diving in.

1. Are you available on my wedding day?
This is the first question you’ll want to ask. Why? If the artist of your dreams isn’t available on your date it’s good to know sooner rather than later. Make sure to ask when they’re available for trials, as well!

2. What’s your standard rate and what does that include?
You’re going to have to fit your wedding makeup artist into your budget, so cut to the chase and ask about cost at the beginning of your conversation. Specifically, you’ll want the balance for pre-wedding trials, your wedding day services and any additional costs.

3. Can you travel for my wedding day?
This is a key question if you’ve planned something out of town. Wedding makeup artists aren’t always available to hop on a plane or train as they may have other obligations or clients to tend to. Ask your artist whether they are able to follow you to your destination right out of the gate. If not, it’s on to the next one. If you want to skip the hassle and cost of travel, look for an artist who already resides in or around your wedding destination.

4. Can I book a trial appointment?
No matter how much you trust them, you don’t want your first appointment with your makeup artist to be your wedding day. Request a trial run or two so that you can try out different styles and products to see what works before committing completely.

5. Do you have a portfolio?
Flipping through your makeup artist’s portfolio will give you an idea of their personal style and ability. If your artists looks like he or she cakes on the makeup and you want a more natural look for your big day, now may be the time to start looking at other options. Testimonials and references will also help you determine whether you’ve found “the one”.

6. What products do you use?
Anyone with problematic skin knows that the wrong product can wreak havoc on your face. You’ll want to get the lowdown on what products and brands your artist plans on working with so that your skin doesn’t freak out on your big day. Side note: If you care about things like parabens, cruelty-free brands or all-natural cosmetics, now’s the time to ask about those, too.

7. How can you make my look last and look good in photos?
You’re wedding day will be a long one, filled with emotions and probably a healthy dose of tears. Make sure your artist is up to the task of keeping you looking pretty no matter what the circumstances. Ask what they can do to minimize shine, lock on your foundation and keep those mascara tears at bay.

8. Are you able to do my bridal party’s makeup as well?
If you want your bridesmaids to have a cohesive look, having the same wedding makeup artist is key. Though one or two of them can probably do a killer job of applying winged liner, you don’t want to leave the others floundering around (that’s just asking for some makeup mishaps). Having your makeup artist handle your entire party means that you won’t have to put your faith in more than one person. After all, if he or she does a great job, why keep hunting?

9. What look would you suggest for me?
Having trouble picking out a look for yourself? Getting a few tips from your wedding makeup artist is a good idea.

There’s a good chance that your artist has worked on many brides with different face shapes, features and colouring – meaning they have an idea of what’s flattering and what’s best avoided on your wedding day.

10. Can I see your contract?
Asking to see a copy of your makeup artist’s standard contract should take care of any unanswered questions.

Their contract should lay out all pre-wedding day, wedding day services plus any additional fees that may impact your balance (like travel fees, parking, etc.). Once you’ve seen a draft, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for.

You are on way to looking like royalty on your big day. Let nothing stop you!

Photo Credit: LionessesOfAfrica, Shutterstock, Adomonline

Planning

8 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring A Caterer For Your Wedding

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Catering is an integral part of any ceremony especially a Nigerian wedding. In all you do, ensure your catering is topnotch or assign a trusted person to do so.

 

Here are a few relevant questions you need to ask before hiring any caterer.

1. Are you booked on my wedding date?

If the caterer is not available on your date, it’s a no-NO.

2. Have you ever worked at my venue before?

Some venues only allow approved caterers to work on their premises.  Whether or not that’s the case, it’s a good idea to find a caterer who is comfortable at your venue, though not a deal-breaker.

3.  Can I take a look at a sample menu?

Start by telling the caterer about your wedding – your style, the guest count, how you visualize the food, etc. and ask to see a menu from a wedding that’s similar. You’ll get a sense if you and the caterer are on the same page in terms of style.

4. Do you allow couples to customize their menus at all?

If you have specific requests or dietary restrictions, it’s important to find a caterer that’s flexible. Find out if the caterer would be open to preparing family favorites, if that’s important to you.

5. Will there be a pre-wedding tasting?

If so, is there a fee involved? Having a pre-wedding tasting is an important part of the planning process. Find out how the caterer’s tastings work – are they done before or after the contract is signed? What is included?

6. Do you provide rentals like tables, chairs, linens, etc.?

If the answer is no, your venue should be able to assist you with finding a rental company to work with.

7. What’s your typical ratio of servers to guests?

This depends on if you’d having a buffet or sit-down dinner. Usually sit-down dinners will have around a one server to 20 guest ratio or less, while for a buffet the guest count will be higher.

8. Who will be on site on my wedding day?

You’ll want to be sure that you meet the coordinator who will be at your wedding beforehand.

Whatever you do, make sure everything is 95% in order in the catering department.

Photo Credit: Cruise Africa, Bella Naija

Planning

A Simple Guide To Addressing Your Wedding Invitation Cards

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Most couples tend to overlook the way their wedding invites are being addressed. Typically, addressing your wedding invitation card is as important as any of your other wedding plans.

Here’s an easy guide to creating top-notch wedding invites that would also impress your guests.

1. A Married Couple

On the outer envelope:

Mr. Bassey and Mrs. Joy Okon

Or

Mr. and Mrs. Bassey Okon

On the inner envelope:

Mr. and Mrs. Okon

Or

Bassey and Joy

2. A Married Couple With Different Last Names

List the person you’re closest with first on the outer and inner envelopes. If you’re similarly acquainted with both, list them in alphabetical order.

On the outer envelope:

Mr. Bassey Okon and Mrs. Amara Chukwu

On the inner envelope:

Mr. Okon and Mrs. Chukwu

Or

Bassey and Amara

3. An Unmarried Couple Living Together

As with a married couple, both names should be included on the envelopes, but in this case, each name gets its own line.

On the outer envelope:

Mr. Henry Adamu
Ms. Olive Tamuno

On the inner envelope:

Mr. Adamu
Ms. Tamuno

4. A Married Woman Doctor or Two Married Doctors

If a woman uses her maiden name professionally and socially, the envelopes should read:

On the outer envelope:

Dr. Anne Kwame and Mr. Charles Badejo

If she uses her husband’s name socially:

Dr. Anne and Mr. Charles Badejo

If both parties are doctors, you can address the outer envelope:

Doctors Anne and Peter Badejo

On the inner envelope:

Dr. Kwame and Mr. Badejo

Or

The Doctors Badejo

5. Those With Other Distinguished Titles

Apply the same rules you use for doctors for military personnel, judges, reverends and so on. If both titles don’t fit on one line, indent the second line.

On the outer envelope:

The Honorable Victoria Audu and Lieutenant Jason Audu, NN

Or if they’re both captains in the military:

Captains Victoria and Jason Audu, NN

On the inner envelope:

Judge Audu and Lieutenant Audu, NN

Or

The Captains Audu

6. Children and Families

Younger guests can be included on the inner envelope of their parents’ invitation by their name(s) – they should not be addressed on the outer envelope. For girls under 18, use “Miss.” Boys don’t need a title until they’re 18 – then they’re addressed as “Mr.”

Mr. and Mrs. Martins Okpa
Daniel, Jeffrey, Miss Brittany and Miss Kelly

7. Children 18 and Older

They should receive their own invitations (unless they’re living at home with their parents).

On the outer envelope:

Ms. Audrey Okpa

Or

Mr. Jack Okpa

On the inner envelope:

Ms. Okpa

Or

Mr. Okpa

These guide will surely come in handy when you intend on getting those wedding invitations addressed in the right way. It goes a long way to show that you and your spouse actually pay attention to detail.

Have a good time wowing your guests.

 

Photo Credit: Brides.com

Planning

Here’s Why You Need A Gift Registry In Your Life

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Buying gifts can be very tricky, especially for a newly wedded couple. You can be low on cash or stuck with what to buy. Aargh! Nobody wants this.

Thankfully, Iludio is here to ease your burden. The gift registry is open to both the couple and guests. This means you and your friends can create gift registries where preferred items are selected and funds shared with no stress. Yeah, you are welcome.

Photo Credit: Etsy

This is what you should know about Iludio gift registry.

1. Selection

The gift registry has a variety of items and you can choose those that easily match your budget too.

Photo Credit: Dhgate.com

2. Gifting

As a couple (bride) you can set an item as a group gift and get guests to contribute to buy the item.

3. Cash Contribution

Funds can be added to your registry and you can get guests to contribute cash.

4. Unlimited Access

Your guests in Nigeria and any part of the world can buy gifts and contribute to funds.

Furthermore, there’s a column where you get to select the particular brand you would love to purchase items from. Of course, this totally saves you the hassle of going to the market, stalls or malls. If you are a bride-to-be or friends with a bride-to-be then why don’t you or her have a gift registry?

Proposals

7 Out Of The Ordinary Pre-Wedding Photos That Left Us Speechless

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A pre-wedding/engagement shoot is usually to get professional photographs for your engagement announcement to post on your wedding web page (if any), inform family, friends and the public or to decorate your wedding reception.

Albeit not compulsory, these days pre-wedding shoots are ranked as high as the wedding preparations. Couples typically express their love through various expressions during the shoot.

We have put together a couple of pre-wedding photos that are far from the usual that have left us speechless. Enjoy!

1. Toilet Themed Or Nah?

This got us holding our sides. Surely sh*t happens.

2. Military Drill Themed Shoot

All is fair in love and war, right?

3. Mugshot Themed Shoot (I Am A Prisoner Of Your Love)

”I am a prisoner of your love”.

4. Automated Teller Machine Themed Shoot

Whoop! She has got her very own money making machine!

5. KEKE Themed Shoot

Driving her to eternity, no?

5. Under Water Shoot

This totally reminds us of a line from John Legend’s All Of Me-”My head’s under water but I am breathing fine”.

6. Float/Suspension Themed Shoot

Indeed Nollywood has messed up our minds but she is certainly ‘floating’ in his love for her.

7. Farmer/Trader Themed Shoot

He is totally besotted with the love of his life!

Although these shoots are a far cry from what we normally see or are use to. They just depict how far couples are willing to go to express their love for each other.

Photo Credit: BellaNaija, OMGvoice, JaxonPhotogroup and Bunmi Adedipe Photography