Your wedding is quite possibly the most photographed day of your life. And of course you want your wedding makeup to be perfect! I asked the beautician Stella Drakou about her 5 best makeup tips every bride should know to feel and look gorgeous on her wedding day. 

Five makeup tips every bride should know:

1. Book a makeup trial after you chosen your wedding dress or at least decided on a wedding style. Wear something white and bring some photos representing the makeup style you love!

2. Choose a lipstick or lip balm  you feel comfortable with. Cheeks and lips tend to disappear in photos so my advice is to choose a slightly brighter shade.

3. Schedule a facial is important because how expensive the makeup products can be, they cannot have the best results on an untended skin. Its also a good idea to let your beautician apply a hydrating face mask a few days before your wedding day.

4. Drink a lot of water the days before your big day. Get enough rest and sleep the day before to keep not only your physical and mental health but also your appearance on top!

5. Find a makeup artist who knows the secrets of a long lasting makeup. This isn’t the time to let your friends who watches YouTube tutorials to flex their skills. You want to call a professional who is experienced to be sure that your makeup will last all day and all evening!

Stella Drakou is a beauty therapist and teacher graduated from the international Beauty and Spa & Therapy School Cidesco in Stockholm. “I love the creative part of my job, see my clients glow and smile whether this is the bride or a woman who needs that special care for a special occasion”.

If you’re looking for photographer to capture your wedding moments in Sweden or in Greece  get in touch with me to explore your options. More getting ready moments in my portfolio.

Att välja kläder till familjefotografering - 5 tips

Klädval inför en fotografering är en knepig uppgift för dem flesta skulle jag vilja säga. Här kommer några enkla tips hur du ska tänka inför din familjefotografering i Stockholm:

• Välj bekväma kläder som du trivs i. Klä dig efter säsongen. Matcha dina kläder med platsen du ska fotograferas. Ta med dig ett ombyte, en extra jacka eller kofta för att variera och kombinera med det du redan har på dig. 
• Välj gärna natur material i bomull, linne eller ull  i mjuka färgtoner som passar med omgivningen du ska fotograferas. Var försiktig med mönster och tryck så dem inte dominerar i bild. Ju mindre mönstret är desto bättre om du inte väljer enfärgat förstås. Undvik randigt och rutigt om det går.
  
• Makeup och hår. Känner du dig snygg i håret syns det även på bilden. Välj gärna naturliga toner för din makeup när du ska fotograferas utomhus. Glöm inte manikyr och pedikyr, små detaljer som blir viktiga på bild.
• När man är en familj kan det vara lite extra knepigt att få ihop helheten. Börja med plagget som du vill absolut ha med och bygg sedan vidare med plagg som matchar färgskalan.
• Skor och accessoarer. Välj skor efter platsen du ska fotograferas. Det är fint att vara barfota på stranden medan på helt annan miljö exempelvis på landet kan det var trevligt  med stövlar. Det viktiga är att du känner dig bekväm när du går.  Lägg ner att par extra skor, accessoarer eller varför inte en hatt i din väska innan du åker iväg till fotograferingen. 

Vill du boka en familjefotografering i Stockholm?

Läs mer om hur jag jobbar här, hjälp med klädval och tips inför foto sessionen ingår i paketet.

Greek wedding gift- bomboniere

Have you seen the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Did you notice the greek wedding traditions in the movie? Last week I was in one of my familys wedding events in Epirus. An orthodox church wedding is an old and beautiful ceremony and has been celebrated in its present form for centuries. 

Certainly the ceremony is unique as the bride and groom don’t make any promises in the church. Since they are present means that they have given each other the promise to enter into marriage. During the ceremony many acts are repeated three times to symbolize the Trinity: The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The two candles at the altar represent the bride and groom’s promises to respect each other in their new life together.

Outside the church

Meanwhile the guests wait outside the church until the bride arrives, the groom waits with her flower bouquet at the entrance. The most common thing is that the bride and the groom walk in together, followed by all the guests. Furthermore you can sit wherever you like, as there are no grooms or brides sides in the orthodox wedding.

The ceremony

First part

At the beginning of the act, the priest blesses the bridal couple’s rings and places them on the right ring finger. The maid of honor (Koumbara) makes the ring change three times and the act symbolizes the promises that the bridal couple give each other. After the readings the priest brings together the bride and groom’s right hands that remain united throughout the act. The wedding crowns (stefana) which are joined by bands symbolize the couple’s love. They are blessed and placed on the bridal couple’s heads, whereupon Koumbara or the Bestman (Koumbaros) change place on the crowns three times. One piece of the readings says that the woman should obey the man, sometimes the bride fits the groom on the foot to mark that the custom is outdated.

Second part

The bride and groom are offered three sips of wine from the same cup as a symbol for sharing on the burdens of life together and sharing on everything in life, both in joy and in sorrow. Isaiah’s dance is the first steps the couple take as real spouses when the priest leads them around the table. Koumbara alternatively Koumbaros hold in the crowns and according to Greek custom one throws rice over the bridal couple. By throwing rice you express your hope that the bride and groom together will become strong and form a family.

After the wedding ceremony, the couple turns to the guests and the closest family members congratulate them followed by the guests. In the Greek wedding tration all the guests receive a gift of traditional sugar-coated almonds in a bomboniere. The number of koufeta or almonds are uneven and indivisible. As usually five or seven, as well as the groom and the bride are now inseparable. The sweets represent health, wealth, happiness and a long life.

With this post I wish the bride and the groom, Artemis and Vasilis a lifetime of love and happiness! Thank you for letting me photograph your most important day of your new life together.
Feel free to ask me questions about weddings in Greece or in Sweden. Are you dreaming of tying the knot in Greece, say hello here.

Bride preparation

Getting ready

Arriving at the church

Inside the orthodox church

Rice for the guests

Throwing rice - a common tradition in orthodox weddings too