When planning a wedding, budget decisions matter. While every couple wants a beautiful event, cutting corners on photography, makeup, and hair can lead to regrets. The way you look and how it’s captured lasts far beyond the flowers and decor—here’s why investing in these areas is essential.
1. Your Photos Are Forever
While decor is temporary, your wedding photos are lifelong memories. You're not going to look back at photos of your place settings with the same feeling you have with a close up portrait of you and your partner in 10 years time.
Poor-quality photography due to budget cuts can leave you with edits not to your style preference, blurry, or poorly composed images. Inexperienced photographers may not have enough experience with weddings and struggle with time management of important moments or even may miss some once during the day moments like a first kiss!
Notice the differences between my first wedding photos and my most recent elopement.
First wedding:
Editing was almost non-existent, I didn't understand how proper color and light metering in camera was so important even before using any editing program on my computer.
I shot in Jpeg rather than RAW, so even if I wanted to do more editing now to these images, I am limited on the amount of information that was captured in order to edit this now in a better way. If you don't know most photographers will shoot in raw as there is so much more information captured so you can crop and edit a photo without loosing quality of the photo.
Over exposed on the whites, weird contrast on skin tones and clothing of the people in the photo and composition was a bit crooked and guests were cropped out in camera rather than taking a wider shot and cropping in post.
I didn't move or have a second camera with a different lens to get alternative shots of this moment and I only got this photo that worked out of about 30 photos I took (blurred photos, bad angles).
I had to stop and ask them to redo the confetti toss rather than being prepared for this moment.
I was still shooting with Auto rather than manual and didn't understand my camera well, however this client was aware and was okay with this as we communicated expectations ahead of time.
I also didn't have makeup and hair services for anyone on this day as everyone was doing their own for this small intimate wedding.
Now I'm not slamming my former self, I think as a starting point I didn't go crazy with editing (mainly because I didn't know how!!!) and with an art background I intuitively understood composition. And we all start somewhere but they paid a very low rate and the quality of the photos they received reflected that.
Most recent wedding:
I 100% now shoot in manual and always adjust temp, tone and exposure in camera to allow for easier post production editing. Particularly with skin tones and whites and blacks looking true to life.
Multiple camera lenses and camera bodies are a staple in my camera gear so I can hop back and forth with different options for zoom, focus and ability to shoot in different lighting situations.
I also used flash in this photo so that the couple pops a bit more as they were under a covered space and the background was in daylight
Composition, posing and focus draws you in and isn't distracting or feel off in any way.
No over editing staying true to what was shot but also adjusting color grading so that all the images have a cohesive feeling when viewing all together, but look stunning separately.
Makeup and hair looks natural and effortless for this Mexico elopement. A pop of glitter was decided to compliment the disco theme but the overall look is soft so the fun of the glitter doesn't give off drag queen vibes as it could if we went heavier with the look.
Attention to body makeup was also included as the face was glowy and so should parts of the body such as shoulders, decolletage.
Also having the grooms skin match in terms of glow/matte.
Hair was prepped for the humidity and not hard set so that it had natural movement but still looked polished.
2. You Deserve to Look & Feel Your Best
Your makeup & hair should enhance your natural beauty and last all day. A experienced artist has a large skill set and many years of experience on ALL skin types, tones and ages as well as MANY, MANY hair types, textures, and lengths. They can trouble shoot on the spot and leave their ego's at the door, allowing you to custom create a look that suites your features as well as personal preference for your look.
A experience artist will stay on top of trending makeup and hair looks but also be skilled at the classics.
Budget-friendly artists may not have the expertise, high-quality products, or time to create a long-lasting, flawless look.
A professional ensures you look stunning in person and on camera. They will also have the experience in educating you on the WHY's behind WHAT they are applying to your face and in your hair.
Notice the differences between some of my older makeup and hair work and my more recent work
Older wedding makeup and hair:
Now this is a decently executed makeup and hair look, I'm still proud of this even though it's almost 10 years old (however, I had been doing makeup and hair for 5 years at this point!) But this showcases how doing more trend based makeups and hair, even if expertly done can age in photos over time.
Hair finishing could have been looked at more with a detailed eye. The front part of the hair doesn't really look "done" or really suit the client.
Makeup is pretty intense in the eye area for a wedding and a dramatic eye look isn't a bad thing but the cool tones, bold upper and lower liner and matte lip takes you back in time.
The skin work and match is quite good, but you can see that it isn't sitting on the nose and chin well. The clients skin doesn't look like it was properly prepped prior to makeup application and that is something over time that I whole heartedly believe can make or break skin work in makeup. Dry, dehydrated skin will always grab makeup differently than a hydrated, exfoliated well prepped base will always adhere makeup better and look better in photos and real life.
Makeup & Hair look from 2014/2015 archives!
More recent wedding makeup and hair:
Now I chose this photo, even though it isn't a BTS image, as this client has similar features: lighter but slightly tan skin, blue eyes, brown hair with blonde highlights and a natural brow color tone (although more natural thick shape).
Skin prep makes the makeup application effortless and I can not see it on her skin in any one particular spot. Finished texture has been done mindfully with glow where appropriate and matte where it is flattering.
Eyes are defined but not over done with emphasis on the lashes for making the eyes pop rather than pulling shadow tones in complimentary shades to artificially make her blue eyes pop.
Lip color is a soft stain in a similar tone to her natural lip color and a serum type lip balm that even if it transfers onto her partner it isn't going to affect HIS look in photos. With a more hydrated look her lips look fuller without having to overline as the highlight of the sheen of the serum makes the lips look plumper.
Blush, contour and bronzer is all used but in a more sculptural way, paying attention to the clients natural face structure rather than simply applying a heavier hand to force contour and definition into the face. Contour is taken from the cheeks to the perimeter of the face, jawline, nose, eye sockets but isn't obvious!
Hair styling was requested as a fun, soft half up/down style with natural florals included. No hard setting but product choices were made so that even with the heat and humidity of Mexico the look held up and looked natural.
This style of makeup will look timeless 10 years down the line as it still looks like the bride, just enhanced.
3. Photography Captures the Emotion & Magic
A skilled photographer captures candid moments, emotions, and details beautifully.
An under-budgeted photographer might miss key shots or lack the skill to direct lighting and posing properly.
Notice the differences between my first Triple Threat Wedding where I did Makeup, Hair and Photography and one of my last wedding seasons photos:
First wedding:
For this wedding it was one of my first weddings I did all three services and in this particular part of the day you can see that I wasn't where I should have been to snap this particular cute candid moments between this couple.
I would have had an easier time with this photo as well if I didnt have them back lit.
Editing style was when everyone was doing very orangey warm tones (yes I know it's golden hour) yet the skin tones weren't quite right even though the image was quite warm.
As this was trying to stay trendy with the editing style rather than knowing my camera settings and shooting just true to what was in front of me and then adjusting in post if I want to have a most stylized editing color style. It's not bad by any means, but as I grow as a photographer I am realizing that trends come and go and can date the look of a photo and I am leaning more towards true to life edits.
More recent Elopement:
I now pay more attention to lighting source when shooting and even if a shot is a candid interaction between the couple doesn't mean I can't prompt them into a better position while still allowing them to naturally interact with one another.
A very contracting light source and dark location can feel more emotive if you expose in camera to your subjects and can look very artistic without crazy coloring changes...
Color tones are true to life with subtle adjustments to enhance rather than overpower.
Caught a intimate moment of love and happiness between this couple without forcing anything and I love it.
4. Cutting Corners Here Could Mean More Stress
An inexperienced team can lead to time delays, rushed services, and extra stress on your wedding day.
Professionals streamline the process, ensuring you’re ready on time and looking incredible.
5. Payment Plans Make It Easier
We offer payment plans for the remaining amount after the retainer has been paid, making it easier to budget for professional services.
Instead of sacrificing quality, spread out payments over time for a stress-free experience.
6. Creative Budget-Friendly Wedding Solutions
Backdrop Flexibility: You don’t need a fancy venue for stunning photos—we can transform any location into a breathtaking backdrop, whether it’s a street, open field, lakefront view, or urban alleyway.
DIY Decor & Rentals: Cut costs by renting decor instead of buying, coordinating with other local brides who have similar decor ideas and buying used on Facebook Marketplace or through Wedding Groups. Incorporating budget-friendly florals and candlelight setups or items that can be repurposed in your home and garden after the wedding.
Prioritize Experience Over Extras: Guests will remember the fun, emotions, and atmosphere more than expensive party favors or elaborate centerpieces. Guests for the most part will remember what happens and the vibe of the day (and of course if the food tasted amazing), they may notice on the day of the decor and florals but probably not weather you spend a large portion of your budget on it or not.
Wedding dresses are worn for one day so if you're not opposed purchasing second hand that's an excellent option. Or consider alternative dresses
7. Prioritize What Truly Matters
Stunning photos and feeling confident in your look will always be worth the investment.
Instead of sacrificing quality in these areas, consider adjusting decor, floral choices, or guest favors to stay within budget.
Invest in the details that last beyond the day—your photos, your confidence, and the memories captured beautifully. Let’s make your wedding day seamless, stress-free, and stunning!
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