As well as my own styling and helping run @thebridalstylists, I actually also train beginner and intermediate hairstylists at @thebridalstylistsworkshops!
In our workshops we always do a ton of demonstration first, so students can really get an idea of how each style works. This is one demo I did, with a little sparkle from pins by @makemebridal.accessories.
I love how it came out, this kind of modern ponytail really suits long hair! I like making it look like the style is just magically staying in place, no sign of fastening or product. Wedding photographers will catch you from all sides, so styles need to be beautiful from every angle!
It's always a bit embarrassing sharing testimonials, but I'm really touched by these kind words I received from a bride. She just summed up so much of what I'm about as a stylist!
"Katy was absolutely fantastic and highly skilled. I have nothing but praise for her and couldn't recommend her more! At my trial, she took time to listen to what I wanted and look at photographs I had brought of hair and makeup ideas, as well as my dress and tried several different looks before settling on what I wanted."
At a trial, it's SO important for me to really understand what a bride wants. That might mean spending quite a while looking through photos and talking through her ideas, and it might mean trying out a few different styles. It's worth taking that time to make sure she leaves the trial really excited about her wedding day look.
"On the day, she was the calming influence I needed and really put me at ease. She worked brilliantly alongside my wedding photographer and ensured everyone was accommodated."
A wedding morning is full of busy people with a job to do, and I'm just one of them. I do my best to work with other suppliers, especially the photographer, to make sure we all get what we need. After all, we all want the same thing for the bride - a happy, relaxed wedding day and beautiful photographs to look back on!
"Katy always replied to enquiries promptly and thoroughly and made me feel like I was her only client. She has an impressive background in hair and make-up as well as an amazing portfolio of previous work, showcasing a wide range of looks, on her website."
It's such a privilege to be invited into someone's wedding plans, it's only right to be as responsive and helpful as I can. Choosing a stylist is a huge leap of faith for a bride, and I do my best to deserve your trust.
There really is nothing like working weddings, and receiving letters like this is such a wonderful gift. I'm beyond grateful to all the brides I've worked with who have sent me messages afterwards, it means so much to me!
If you haven't looked at @makemebridal.accessories yet, I highly recommend them! Their beautiful hair pins, vines and combs are a perfect fit for the styles I love to create, and give brides a lot of versatility.
Melissa is the brains behind these stunning accessories, and also behind the @makemebridal directory. What a talent! I couldn't agree more with the thinking behind her brand: "We love to keep things ‘simple, beautiful and special’ for our brides. We aim to inspire you rather than leave you feeling overwhelmed."
I'm proud to be an accessories ambassador for them. This means that if you book a trial with me, you can try on the @makemebridal.accessories pieces you have your eye on. You can book a trial with me through the link in my bio, you'll see these pieces are even prettier in person!!
Can you tell that these pretty beachy waves actually have extensions in them? I always want to make extensions look as natural as possible, just give my clients that extra length or thickness to make their dream hairstyle possible.
Natural isn't quite the right word, anyone with wavy hair will tell you these waves don't look natural!! But they do look right on her, not obvious or out of place. When brides say they want a natural look, that's often what they mean.
It's really satisfying to create a look that feels natural to the bride, even if it's not technically a natural style. How a bride feels in her hair and makeup is always, always more important than technical definitions.
Brides with problem skin are always a bit nervous about how it'll look on their wedding day. Here are a few tips I think might help if that's you.
First, do anything new to your skin more than 3 months before your wedding!! Past that point, don't change your skincare routine and only get spa treatments you've had before. Stick with what you know works.
Second, consider booking your trial a bit earlier. If you have reactive skin then it might help to know you have loads of time for your skin to react and recover if it needs to (hopefully it won't!!).
Third, make sure you know how to remove 100% of your makeup. A two-step oil cleansing routine is pretty unromantic on your wedding night, but it'll be worth it on your honeymoon!!
Honestly though, skin is unpredictable and there's only so much you can do to prevent that. Do what you can, but also be prepared to make peace with it acting up after your wedding (on your wedding day I'll be able to cover pretty much anything, don't worry). You and your skin will probably both want a few days to breathe!!
Beautiful Ellie, wedding ready!! Isn't she beautiful? I love the elegant style she went with for her hair and makeup.
I also love this getting ready space at stunning venue @syrencot, where I took the video. It has lots of light and space, with a luxurious feel. Helps everything stay calm and organised whilst getting ready!!
I'd recommend any bride check out your getting ready space before you book a venue. Plenty of natural daylight is a must for your makeup, and you'll want to make sure you'll feel relaxed in those surroundings. If it's not ideal the venue might be able to offer you something different, but better to know before you book!!
The couples I'm working with now are honestly incredible. They'll wear masks, cut their guestlists, whatever it takes to get married! It's beautiful and inspiring, and I have so much respect for them.
But I'm looking forward to the days when couples don't have to make those kinds of hard decisions anymore, and we can go back to weddings without visors! (Remember them?? 😭)
The couples who got married this summer will have some unique stories and photos to share, and I feel lucky to be a part of them! But let's hope next summer holds many more packed ceremonies, group hugs, and crowded dancefloors. x
I was so pleased to be invited to work on this photoshoot for the new brand @makemebridal.accessories.
It's the sister brand of the fantastic @makemebridal UK wedding hair and makeup artist directory. Melissa, the Make Me Bridal co-founder who launched the accessories, is a brilliant hairstylist and makeup artist, so it's no surprise she's done an incredible job on this.
You can see her expertise in the fact that all the accessories are so beautiful but also really versatile. I love that you can use this gypsophila hair vine and pins set in a single style like this, or use the hair vine yourself and gift the pins to your bridesmaids. You'd all look co-ordinated without having to hunt for matching accessories, a real stress-saver for a bride.
It was just such a pleasure to get a chance to style this range so early on. I'm looking forward to sharing more pictures from the shoot with you here!
Hair by me
Model @lozgozz
Accessories by @makemebridal.accessories
Photo by @charlotte_theoutdoorstudio