“O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” said Romeo of his Juliet in the Shakespearean play. That dazzling beauty was certainly on display when Make Me Bridal hair and makeup pro, Rebecca Haines, teamed up with a group of local talents to create a theatrical take on modern wedding design at the famed Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. The lucky crew were given free rein in the Prop and Costume Store, and decided on a theme of ‘Romeo and Juliet – with an edge’. To contrast with the bold styling, spaces with bare plywood walls and foil covered ducts were chosen as a backdrop, as well as the huge bronze doors of the scenery dock. The styled shoot offers a peek behind the scenes at a truly unique wedding venue, as well as a playful interpretation of a classic love story. It was also featured on Magpie Wedding.
Two looks were created for the bride. Both used a flawless base of NARS primer and Smashbox foundation. For the first, paired with an off-the-peg wedding dress from ASOS and fuschia heels, Rebecca opted for smoky eyes and a soft, natural pink lip. MAC eyeshadows in green and gold were chosen for their amazing pigments, which really stand out on camera. This is a bold but extremely wearable combination for any bride, especially paired as it was with a simple low bun, for a beautifully elegant overall look.
For the second outfit, the bride wore a pink ra-ra skirt with a sheer top, hired from the RSC Costume Store. Rebecca opted to really embrace the theatricality of this look. She kept the greens and golds on the eyes, but amped up the pink lip, making it brighter, with just a hint of gloss. This beautifully complemented the stronger colours used in the bouquet. For the hair, Rebecca wanted to create something a little different but still flattering, and used extra hair pieces to style a curly Mohawk that worked perfectly with the overall look.
The gents weren’t left out either! Rebecca opted for a ‘new romantic’ look to complement suits worn by her pair of Romeos. Soft curls were allowed to peek out from their hats, while a bit of ‘guyliner’ and a beauty mark were the perfect finishing touches. As Rebecca says: “Anything goes when getting married at the theatre!”
Rebecca Haines is a highly qualified and much-sought-after makeup artist and hair stylist, who works in the fashion and photographic industry as well as creating beautiful looks for her brides. Based in Worcestershire, Rebecca works both nationally and internationally, You can see her profile here.
- Featured Hair & Makeup Artist: Rebecca Haines Makeup and Hair
- Styling & Photography: Sara Beaumont Photography
- Venue: The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
- Attire: RSC Costume Store
- Suits: Duncan James of Walsall
- Props: RSC Prop Store
- Bespoke Accessories: Lilly Dilly’s
- Floral: Vale Garden Flowers
- Cakes: Elegant Bakes By Elizabeth
- Stationery: Littlebird Weddings
- Models: Billy Pearson, James Newman, Ruby Smith
