A June morning near Lake Bled: besides the bride, Izidora did the groom and their closest guests, three or four people in all. The guests went first, so the bride could relax and get dressed without rushing. That's the shape most mornings take, whatever the size.
Book the bride first
The bride's booking is what secures the date. Bridesmaids, mums and the groom can be added later, closer to the wedding, once you know who's coming and who wants what. Everyone else is priced per person and added to your quote.
How long the morning gets
Every person adds a slot. A ceremony at 11:00 with a party of five can mean starting before 7:00. Very early starts are planned ahead, so nobody is rushed. For larger groups Izidora works with her team of assistants and makeup artists, side by side, so the start time stays reasonable. See a full timeline.
Bridesmaids and mums
The bride is finished last, so her look is the freshest at the ceremony.
Nothing pulled over the head after hair and makeup. Tell everyone the night before.
Allergies, sensitive skin or contact lenses: better known before the morning.
One clear spot by the window, one for the photographer. Bags go in another room.
The groom
It should never look like makeup
You'll stand next to each other in hundreds of photos. Cameras, flash and 4K video exaggerate everything: redness, shine, a short night, a shaving rash. When only one of you is prepared, it shows.
Groom grooming is light, matte and matched to his skin. A little colour correction and a matte finish keep shine and redness away on a warm day. If anyone can tell he's wearing something, it was done wrong.
What it usually includes
- Skin prep, so he looks rested
- Evening out redness, blemishes and dark circles, only where needed
- A matte forehead and nose, so the flash doesn't bounce
- Brows brushed into shape, and balm on the lips
- Hair styled and set to last through wind, hugs and dancing
He needs much less time than the bride. If you get ready in the same place, he fits between the bridesmaids or goes just before you dress, in another room. If he's somewhere else, the travel between the two places goes into the timeline. Best is close to the time he gets dressed, so his hair is fresh when the shirt goes on.
What the groom can do before
- Get the haircut one to two weeks before, not the day before.
- Shave the evening before, or carefully in the morning with a fresh blade. Nothing new on the skin.
- Drink water and sleep, especially after the night before.
- Keep blotting papers in the jacket pocket.
Touch-ups for both of you
Grooms get hot too: a suit at a summer ceremony, a sunny castle terrace, dancing. If Izidora stays with you through the day, ask whether the groom's refresh can be part of it, so you both still look fresh in the evening photos. A quick refresh takes a few minutes. Tell your photographer and planner she's staying, and the couple shoot can start with a two-minute stop in her room.
Questions brides ask
Can bridesmaids be added after I book?
Ask Izidora when you book. It's easiest to plan the whole party early, so the team and the timing fit.
Should the groom wear makeup?
A light, invisible touch is worth it: even skin, no shine and tidy hair. It shows in photos and video, and nobody can tell it's there.
What happens with a big bridal party?
A team of assistants and makeup artists works alongside Izidora, so everyone is ready on time and the bride isn't rushed.
