EFFORTLESS. ELEGANT. TIMELESS.

These are the words I would choose to describe Vanessa’s bridal look from her breathtaking Muskoka wedding in July 2022.

Vanessa came to me with a very clear picture in her mind of the feeling she wanted to capture on her wedding day. She wanted to feel like the most perfect, true version of herself. Not overdone, not “wedding-y”, or unrecognizable to her soon-to-be-husband, Carson. I met Vanessa during one of her best friends’ weddings a year before. She was one of the gorgeous bridesmaids, and although I hadn’t done her makeup on that occasion, I was so honoured that she knew that I would be the right artist for her wedding day.

The Previews

Preview, trial- whatever you want to call it- this session is the time for artist and bride to get on the same page and preview the look for the wedding day. With Vanessa’s makeup look, we knew immediately that it had to be glowy, bronzed and polished. That part was a piece of cake.

Vanessa’s hair turned out to have much better hold than she anticipated, which meant that the style we first previewed needed to be tweaked. It’s amazing how professional products and technique can coax typically uncooperative hair into submission! Its not uncommon that a bride says to me “Oh my hair never holds a curl” - and then after their trial tells me that the style lasted days.

The slightly more structured wave that we first tried was not it - for either of us. I loved this moment because it’s actually very typical of a bridal trial. It’s so common for a bride to have a vision in her head (usually inspired by a carefully curated Pinterest board) and once we actually execute the look, it just doesn’t feel right. I tell this story because I want brides everywhere to understand - it’s totally normal to need to make some tweaks after the trial or preview. If something doesn’t feel right, you evaluate and adjust.

So that’s what we did! Vanessa came for a second hair trial, and this time we nailed it. The look was an intentionally understated wave, almost as though her hair naturally dried that way. I used a 1.75” barrel curling iron to achieve this look, and rather than setting the curls pinned up, we let them drop and set with the natural weight of her hair. I still remember the moment when she said to me “YES, this is it.”

The Wedding Day

Photo by Emily Michelson

On the morning of July 9th, I arrived at the Sherwood Inn in Muskoka, Ontario. The sun was shining, and it was still quite early - we were set to start services at 8:30 AM. The girls were going to be getting ready in the boathouse and as I approached, saddled with my numerous bags, I noticed a grouping of people laying on the dock. As I got closer I realized - the girls were starting their morning with lakeside yoga. I melted, how cute! Take a mental note - this is how to start a wedding day.

We got going and the bridal party had the most delightful, positive energy. It helped that it was the most perfect weather. If you know Ontario, you know that July can be an absolute scorcher, like melt-your-skin-off hot. But the wedding gods and goddesses had a perfect day planned for Vanessa and Carson!

The bridal party consisted of seven bridesmaids and the mothers of the bride and groom. In total, ten people for hair and makeup services. For a party of this size, obviously more than one artist is needed. That day there were three of us, myself doing makeup & hair, Samantha Jane on makeup, and Mecia on hair.

The day flew by (as wedding days usually do), and before we knew it, I had Vanessa in my chair and it was time. I absolutely love Vanessa’s vision for her look. Basically, as glowy as possible, and looking one hundred percent like herself. She has beautiful skin (a magnificent example of why thorough skincare is so important before your wedding), so I customized the foundation for somewhere between a sheer to medium coverage with a natural, satin finish. For Vanessa, I wanted to be able to strategically place her glow, so we stayed away from a fully dewy complexion. The stars of the show with Vanessa’s makeup were the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter and the Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette. Seriously, between the two of these products, you couldn’t ask for a more natural, gorgeous glow.

The Wedding

I could go on forever (some might argue that I already have), but I’ll let the photos do the talking. Needless to say, this wedding was a Pinterest-perfect dream wedding. I am genuinely so happy for this gorgeous couple, and feel honoured to play a small part in their incredible day!