Grooming Tips for the Groom

When you’re planning a wedding, we believe every little detail matters. You have spent hours choosing your color theme, putting together your guest list, perfecting the florals, preparing the menu, and putting together the playlist-just to name a few. With such a long list to do before the big day, often times the Groom’s preparation is the last thing on your mind. After all, he doesn’t need to worry about whether he should wear his hair up or down, getting that makeup just right, or fitting into the dress. However, it is his special day too, and there are some steps he can take to look and feel his best on his wedding day. We have compiled some grooming tips for the groom before the wedding with a little help from Harry’s.

STYLING YOUR HAIR

When it comes to how to style your hair for the big day, you don’t want to do anything drastically different. Since it’s your wedding day, you want to choose a hairstyle that best represents you.  If you choose to go for a new haircut, it’s best to do a “trial run” at least three months before the wedding date. You want to give it time to grow in if you decide it’s not the right look for you. Also, be sure to take photos of the haircut right after you get it done, so you can replicate it later. It’s best to stick to a barber you know and trust; talk to friends and colleagues to find out who they recommend if you are still not confident with yours.

If you plan to use hair products, again, you should do a test run a few days before the wedding. Since the event itself will be long, you need to be certain that your hair won’t look oily or limp by the time the night ends. Try to avoid products with lots of chemicals, as you don’t want anything that will irritate your scalp during long term use.

GROOMING YOUR FACE

Much like your haircut, deciding how to groom your face should not be a last minute decision. It’s best to know in advance exactly how you want your face to look on the big day. If you plan to have a beard, make sure it’s trimmed neatly. If you plan to shave your face, make sure you use a new and sharp blade. Using a cheap or dull razor can leave cuts on your face, and you don’t want to have to photoshop your wedding photos later.

If you don’t already, you should get in to the habit of washing and moisturizing your face as soon as you set the wedding date. It can take some time to start seeing the effects of a daily cleaning regime, so it’s a habit that has long term benefits. Planning a wedding is stressful, and forming a routine early on in the process will help eliminate any breakouts related to stress. When it comes to choosing a moisturizer, first make sure it’s designed to work for your skin type. You can take a test to determine your skin type. As a general rule, when you’re starting out with a product, try to avoid harsh chemicals, and don’t put anything new on your face at least a week before the wedding.

ENJOYING YOUR DAY

Worrying about grooming shouldn’t be an additional concern during an already busy day. Having the foresight to be diligent in your grooming habits leading up to the big day will not only ease your mind, but will make your special day a lot more fun and carefree.

photo credit: Kate Ignatowski 

florals: Sebesta Design

tuxedo: Tom Ford

wedding dress: Marchesa

 

An Intimate Palm Springs Inspired Wedding

Inspired by the bright, poppy colors and endless summer days of Palm Springs, we dreamt up a color palette as beautiful as a sunset on the West coast. And yes you may recognize this couple from their stunningly romantic wedding & engagement session here and here even though they are gorgeous, they are a real life couple that I had the privilege of being a part of several events leading up to their May wedding. Luckily, Love & Light Photographs was on board as well to capture all of the sweet moments.

Nicole, Mike and I were in the planning process of their “black tie almost 300 people” wedding when they decided to also have a small intimate & traditional church ceremony with just their immediate family. When they asked me to be a part of this as well, of course I said yes!

We started brainstorming how to make this day stand apart from their soft, ethereal wedding the following weekend. A bright and colorful palette filled with coral charm peonies, flamingos and a white-on-white snakeskin linen fit the bill. We had fun to say the least! Mary Kate Moon set the stage with this bright watercolor beauty of an invitation suite. The cactus stamps we found were just so perfect- I love when that happens!

Their wedding dinner was held at Angelica’s in Sea Bright. Originally the plan was to host the dinner outside, but the weather didn’t cooperate but in my opinion was sweet to be nestled inside by the glow of candlelight.

One of my favorite little details were these wooden laser cut place cards from Ever Laser. I always recommend that for a head table at a wedding or a small dinner party to assign seating to take the guess work out of where to sit and encourage great conversation.

We also had some fun with a few details like the custom napkins and fun flamingo cake topper. The cake topper on a cake from The Vintage Cake was created by Ann Wood. You can shop the cake topper here.

Jessa of Love & Light always does an amazing job of scouting the best location for portraits. She spotted this bright teal door with striped awning and we knew we had to shoot the newlyweds here. These two are so in love and I felt so lucky to get to know them & witness their true partnership during this wedding planning journey.

For anyone wondering what it was like to have two ceremonies. I can guarantee you that it made it even that more special. From the bride Nicole, “Having two ceremonies is something we couldn’t be happier about.  They were both incredibly different and special in their own way.  The church was so intimate and romantic.  It was a day for us to spend such a sacred moment with our closest family members.  The large ceremony was just breathtaking and it truly felt like a wedding.  I wouldn’t change a thing!”  Not to mention, it goes by so fast so why not do it twice!

Vendor Credits: Photography Love & Light Photographs //Design and Florals Gilded Lily Events //Paper Goods MaryKate Moon // Cake The Vintage Cake //Place Cards Ever Laser Venue// Anjelica’s // Cake Topper Ann Wood // Bride’s Dress Anthropologie // Groom’s Suit Tommy Hilfiger // Vintage Stamps Gubba Gumma