Looking back through all of the weddings I did last year I have so many favourite looks – some seasonal, some natural, quite a few sparkly glam looks and even a Lord of the Rings inspired wedding. From starting earlier than normal, weddings were busy all through the year. Summer weddings have always been popular but I had bridal bookings starting from February all the way through to 28th December. I had 6 Christmas weddings this year and I absolutely loved going to the festively decorated venues getting my girls ready.
Throughout last year I also had 3 personal highs for my business starting with being listed in the top 5 Makeup Artists in the North East and North Yorkshire by www.weddingbridalmakeup.co.uk for the second year in a row…
In the summer, my work was shared by the prestigious Vogue Italia – this was right up there on the personal goal level getting that delicious Vogue Italia stamp on work I had done, along with an amazing creative team…
Lastly, in November I was won the category of Makeup and Hair Specialist for North East at The English Wedding Awards… and then won Overall Winner in the category for the whole of the North which includes all of North East, North Yorkshire and North West. There were 29 of us in that full category… so that was an amazing personal win.
I have also been fortunate enough to work with some private celebrity clientele this year on my travels up and down the country. What a year! I think 2018 was my busiest year to date with weddings and I have been so lucky to have worked on some fantastic weddings with the best bridal parties. From meeting the bridal parties at the trials through to spending the morning on the big days, I have met some great people, laughed a lot and had a diverse mix of requested looks.
Sparkly eyes have been more popular than ever this year…particularly gold sparkles and glowing skin has been a continuous request, vintage glam through to barely there, dark smokey eyes through to nude shimmers… you name it, I have done it in 2018.
Thank you to every single person in each bridal party I have done this year for making my job rewarding, fun and for making me excited to meet all of my new bridal parties this year and next.
So here are some of my favourite looks as well as some kind words from some of the bridal parties…
Bride Jo (who got married at Eshott Hall) and her bridal party had such a beautiful elegance to their styling… Jo’s veil was stunning and her girls all looked beautiful and so different from each other. I loved how bridesmaid Cat described herself as “totally extra” and went for a dark steely dramatic eye and Bride Jo didn’t bat an eye! I love to incorporate personality in to makeup and you should wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and special. Jo’s professional were taken by Sally T Photography.
Bride Helen got married at Whinstone View and despite being nervous initially about having a makeup trial loved her makeup! Getting feedback like this makes my day! (middle image credit to Michael Cartwright Photography)
“I cannot speak highly enough of Gemma, what an absolutely amazing person she is! Right from the beginning, at my bridal makeup trial, she made me feel comfortable and I could tell straight away that I wouldn’t want anyone else to do my makeup on such a special day! On the day, Gemma did different makeup styles for everyone, listening to what everybody wanted and creating looks that we were all over the moon with (even those who don’t usually feel comfortable wearing makeup). Gemma is more than a makeup artist, she is a beautiful person and I am so so glad she was with us on the morning of my wedding! Gemma, I cannot thank you enough xxx”
Bride Sophie and her bridesmaid Sarah opted for a natural polished look and looked absolutely gorgeous (these snaps were taken at the wedding trial)
Bride Fiona got married at Middleton Lodge Estate and after initially going elsewhere for a trial, came to me for a trial and booked her wedding straight away. Fiona and her girls were great fun and the photo of the 3 of them above is one of my favourite professional bridal images, ever. Great moment captured perfectly by Gary Walsh Photography. Here is Fiona had to say;
“I chose Gemma to do my wedding make up as so many people had recommended her to me. I went for my trial at her house and was so pleased with her work. She made me feel so relaxed and comfortable and felt like I had known her years!! On the morning of my wedding Gemma came and did my makeup, mother of the bride and 2 bridesmaids. She was amazing, all our make up was unreal and she made me feel like a princess and it lasted all day without even needing to touch up! I would highly recommend Gemma. She is very professional, friendly and super talented. I can’t thank u enough for making me look amazing on my special day. I will definitely be using Gemma again!! 👌👸”
Gorgeous bride Gemma wanted a natural look for her wedding day but trusted me to go with a soft copper toned eye which looked absolutely stunning with her natural colouring. I love this photo of Gemma taken at Robin Hoods Bay where she got married. I will always remember this wedding for nearly giving me heart attack 🙂 Parking my car at the top of the bank… going downhill, not a problem. Going uphill with a heavy stool, a bag and a suitcase filled with my kit… not so good! I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest by the time I made it to the top 😀 Great venue though… Photography credit to Sasha Lee.
Ah, beautiful Heather and her bride squad… Heather was the last bride of 2018 for me and what a group of beauties to end with. I was just doing final touches to Heather’s makeup in the natural light before shouting “Stay there, face the window” and grabbing these phone snaps showing her flawless makeup in all its bridal beauty glory. Her girls were also great fun on the morning and looked very elegant in their off-shoulder navy dresses. After Heather’s bridal trial I got this review;
“Gemma recently did my trial for my makeup ahead of my wedding next year. She was professional and informative and the results were excellent. Would highly recommend Gemma – she is a very talented artist! Heather”
Bridesmaid Julie also said “53 years old and Gemma made me feel so much younger. Amazing results”.
Back in October I had the huge pleasure of doing Becca and her bridal party makeup. Having known Becca a number of years from when she started out as my apprentice (in an earlier life) I was delighted to be involved in her special day and enjoyed the wedding at Grinkle Park as a guest – it was a fabulous wedding! Becca’s photographer was Jen Hart Photography.
Bride Laura booked me on recommendation from one of my regular clients and I also met her bride-to-be Anna at the trial too which was lovely. Laura was such an easy going bride and trusted me to create a look for her. These photos of her wedding in Saltburn are just beautiful taken by Angela Waites Photography!
“Gemma recently did mine and my bridal party makeup for my wedding. As soon as I saw Gemma’s work (my friend had her makeup done by Gemma) I instantly knew I needed Gemma for my wedding day! From the moment we met, Gemma really listened to my concerns about my skin and ensured that I was comfortable with the makeup we had chosen. Gemma is so knowledgeable in the products she uses and I fully trust her with my makeup. I was absolutely in love with the makeup for my wedding day and couldn’t have picked a better makeup artist. I will definitely be coming back to Gemma in the future when I have an event. Thank you xxx”
I need to know the secret to my bride Michelle’s eternal youth as she doesn’t look any different to when she did my first perm when I was 15 and she was 19! Michelle opted for a full glam look with gold sparkles on her eyes for her wedding at Wynyard Hall. Her dress was also a bespoke bridal design by Kate Fearnley. It was very unusual… I am a huge fan of anything out of the ordinary. Photography credit on bottom 2 images to McGee Photography.
With so many weddings throughout the year I couldn’t go on forever sharing photos and client testimonials but I really just wanted to say to all of my brides… thank you for choosing me. Looking back I can’t believe how many faces I have painted and I have made new friends, caught up with old friends and worked with so many other wedding suppliers and venues.
If you are looking to book a Bridal Makeup Specialist for your big day please get in touch asap. Many of the peak season dates for 2019 are already snapped up and I have lots of wedding booked in for 2020. Weddings are booked now 2 years in advance in my diary so please don’t leave your special date to chance. I have already turned down lots of dates due to existing bookings. Contact me here.
So for now, I’ll leave you with a selection of some more 2018 brides… and I am so looking forward to meeting my 2019 brides now!
Gemma x
