There is nothing like having your own personal hair and make-up team (just ask our cover model finalists!), and for your wedding day, we think it’s one of the essentials so that you can picture perfect.

We recently asked hair and make-up pro Raquel Siders from Image Provocateur and VIP-Cat Make-up Academy (she was on the hair and make-up team for this issue’s Real Weddings Magazine cover model winner Kimmi — pictures featured here),to offer up some advice on finding the right make-up artist for your big day! Here’s her advice:

“If you are planning on hiring a professional make-up artist on your wedding day, find an artist you are comfortable with, one who listens to your needs and one who offers constructive advice. Look at portfolios if available and do a trial run so you can see how you will look on your wedding day.

At the time of the trial run try and have your hair done in the way you’ll be wearing it on your wedding day as different hairstyles influence the way your make-up should be done.

When you decide on the lipstick, lip pencil and perhaps gloss and powder you will be wearing the day of your wedding, ask the make-up artist if it is possible to purchase those particular products for the day of your wedding as touch ups in those particular areas will be required.

If you have a particular color you want to wear on your lips, bring it to the trial run and see if it works with the overall look.

Some make-up artists will ask the bride and the bridal party to bring their own mascara. This is for sanitary reasons only! It is always a good idea to take this precaution.

Make sure when doing your trial run to view make-up in different lights if that is possible because on your wedding day, you’ll be having photos taken in multiple areas. It is ideal to apply make-up in a room with natural light.

And finally, if you feel comfortable with your make-up at the end of your trial run, you should try to book the artist immediately because if you are marrying during a busy season your make-up artist probably won’t be able to hold the date without a commitment.”

Thanks Raquel!

Stay tuned to Real Weddings Magazine for more guest bloggers with expert tips!

For more information on Raquel and her team at Image Provocateur and VIP-Cat Make-up Academy, visit their Blog, Web site or call them at 916-474-5578.

Real Weddings Magazine Winter/Spring 2010 Cover Model Finalist photo shoot photography by Jodi Yorston Photography. For additional credits on dresses and flowers, please see page 60.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

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This week, we have the honor of profiling the talented Fay Linson, owner of Dynamic Images Salon & Day Spa in Placerville.  We got to work with Fay on our recent cover model finalist photo shoot — her team provided the hair and make-up for or cover model finalist, Kate (featured in the middle on our Spring 2010 cover below). Take it away Fay!

Fay (bottom row middle) with her team.

Dynamic Images Salon  & Day Spa

What’s your specialty?  Taking care of all your beauty needs pre-wedding (hair care, skin care, massage, nail care), then making your hair and makeup wedding day perfect.

When did you establish your business?  We’ve been in business since 1976, and I purchased the business from my parents in 2000.

What sets you apart from your competition?  Consistency, stellar customer service, compassion.

Where do you find inspiration?  Big cities, kids in the streets, the runways, the Internet, trade journals.

When you opened shop, what was your promise to your customers?  My promise is to do everything within my power to meet and exceed your expectations.

Do you have any hidden talents?  I make fabulous chicken enchilladas and am a great softball mom.

What color gives you the most joy?  Any shade of green.

What song is the soundtrack to your business day (or at least to how you feel right now)?  OK, this is not really business but I just downloaded “Low Rider” for my cell phone ring because it makes me smile and my head starts to bob on it’s own accord whenever I hear it. And no, I do not have a low rider, I have a Caddy.

What is your favorite flower? Gerbera Daisy – happy flowers!

Do you regularly blog?  No, but I need to.

Where is your favorite place to travel?  Hawaii and New York.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?  HeyDay Cafe for their HeyDay Salad with grilled Ahi, yum!

What’s your favorite local charity?  The Women’s Shelter, which is no longer just for women.

If you weren’t in the wedding industry, what would you be doing?  I can’t even imagine anything else.

What three things are you most grateful for in life?  My family, our health, good friends.

If you were to plan your own wedding, or re-do your wedding, what element would be most important to you?  Outside wedding with all my family there.

What is the best advice you can give to brides and grooms getting married today?  Marriages are not 50/50, they are more like 30/70 – but who is the 30 and who is the 70 should go back and forth.

Anything else you’d like to share with Real Weddings Magazine’s brides?  Your wedding day is a one shot deal. Make it fabulous, devote your time and energy before hand – but on the day of, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Find out more about Fay and her team at Dynamic Images Salon & Day Spa’s Web site or call her at 530-622-5436.

Real Weddings Magazine Winter/Spring 2010 Cover Model Finalist photo shoot photography by Jodi Yorston Photography. For additional credits, please see page 60.

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At our photo shoots, we get to play dress up with so many gorgeous gowns all from local area boutiques. I know, it’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it!

One gown that we were absolutely gaga about at the photo shoot for our current issue was this sassy layered Agnes gown from Dreamnette Bridal.

Our cover model winner Kimmi Armstrong (whose makeup was impeccably done by Image Provocateur) had just the right attitude to pull off this dress, which, incidentally, fit her beautifully! We paired it with a beautiful bouquet from Visual Impact Design. And, when we found this amazing red wall at the Cosmo Cafe, we were positively giddy with excitement! Jodi Yorston captured it all on film (well, I guess not really film, but saying an SD card just doesn’t have the same punch, now does it?!).

Check out more dazzling dresses at Dreamnette Bridalat 1850 Douglas Boulevard in Roseville. 916-780-4747, www.dreamnette.com.

Blog Post by Real Weddings Editor/Publisher Wendy Sipple

We recently asked Wedding Planning Pro Lora Ward from A Day To Remember Wedding and Event Planners for some tips to help brides achieve a more blissful wedding planning process – and, she’s graciously agreed to be a guest blogger on our site!

So here’s her first entry: Five Mistakes to Avoid During the Wedding Planning Process:

1. Wedding Gown Delivery Date – don’t give your exact wedding date to the bridal gown salon. Request (insist) that your gown be delivered at least two weeks prior to your actual wedding date. Mistakes in ordering, delivery problems or alterations could take longer than expected. Peace of mind is everything!

2. A “friend of a friend” – don’t get swayed by a good pitch or a price that’s too good to be true. Hire a professional vendor (whether it’s a photographer, caterer, florist or DJ), as they are prepared and can handle any unusual situation and have experience “walking the walk.” You cannot repeat your wedding day so don’t set yourself up for possible failure and regret.

3. The “B” word (Budget) – weddings, like home construction, almost always cost more than you originally planned. If you have an absolute set amount, research every expense in advance, don’t wait until the moment of hiring as you’ll be up against the wall, then. Track every dime, and keep the head count manageable.

4. Hair and make-up scheduling – like the first doctor appointment of the morning, if it runs late, you’ll spend hours trying to catch up to run on schedule. Set the appointment with your stylist/artist far earlier in the day than you think; communicate with the stylist/artist exactly what services are needed and don’t throw in any last minute services… you’ll run late!

5. Private/Professional Planner vs. Facility Coordinator – don’t assume the person who walks the floor at your event is also your personal wedding planner. While he/she can be and often are very helpful to you, he/she works for “the house.” They will take great care of the staff, the meal service and other details of the facility (and are often taking care of those same details in another part of the building for a second event). Services you’ll need throughout the planning of your wedding (sometimes a year long process) needs more than just the facility coordinator. Remember, a successful wedding depends on excellent planning.

About A Day To Remember Wedding and Event Planners:
A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners believes planning the wedding of your dreams should be just like falling in love… joyful and effortless!

Your wedding will have a myriad of details that a professional consultant and wedding planner will have the experience to deal with, and the knowledge to implement. A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners listen to your wishes and concerns, offering guidance and providing peace of mind.

Based in Sacramento, California, A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners have 25 years experience coordinating and planning special events in the Northern California area, including the Greater Sacramento area, Napa Valley, Sierra Foothills/Gold Country and Lake Tahoe and are available for travel to your destination. They are here to help you plan and coordinate a worry-free wedding that will be memorable, exciting, unique and romantic.

Be sure to check out A Day to Remember Wedding and Event Planners’ Web site: http://www.adaytorememberca.com/ and Lora’s blog: www.adaytorememberca.com/blog

Photo above of cover model finalist Theresa Garcia by Jodi Yorston Photography, dress by Alfred Angelo, flowers by Ambience Floral Design and hair/make-up by Nevaeh Boutique, Spa, Salon. Shot on location at Cosmo Cafe.