The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

The Best Wedding Dress Designers

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Featured image: Halfpenny London

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Gorgeous Wedding Venues In London

1. The Foundling Museum

Bloomsbury

Best for Dickensian design and Bloomsbury’s bookish legacy – and it’s one of the only museums in London offering exclusive hire. foudlingmuseum.org.uk

2. Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Covent Garden

On Valentine’s Day 2022, 210-year-old West End venue Theatre Royal Drury Lane announced it will be opening its doors to wedding parties. Those wanting to recite their vows in theatrical style can book the 2,000-seat main auditorium, The Garden or the Grand Saloon. thelane.co.uk

3. No. Fifty Cheyne

Chelsea

Perched beside the river with views across Albert Bridge and a floral façade, No. Fifty Cheyne is one of the most picturesque spots in Chelsea. It has recently been appointed as a wedding venue, with ceremonies taking place in the homely yet glamorous first floor Drawing Room and various private and semi-private options for the reception. fiftycheyne.com

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4. Strawberry Hill House

Twickenham

Plump for gothic opulence in London’s leafy fringes (once Walpole’s own castle). With beautiful gardens, a grand Gallery and plenty of more intimate spaces, there are lots of options for wedding parties big and small. strawberryhillhouse.org.uk

5. The Standard

King’s Cross

A city wedding never looked so cool… King’s Cross’ The Standard has launched a new wedding offering, with venues and moods for every aesthetic. With capacity from an intimate 20 to a party-ready 150 guests, you can dine in Decimo, sip cocktails in Sweeties, or dance all night long at Double Standard. Don’t forget the pretty Isla Terrace to say ‘I do’ amid fairy lights, or Townhouse 8 for stunning skyline views. standardhotels.com

6. Petersham Nurseries

Richmond

For a rustic, horticultural celebration with locally-sourced dishes and fairy lights aplenty, consider Petersham Nurseries. Located next to Richmond Park, the venue is a green oasis offering a slice of country living in the capital, with in-house florists on hand to help with the décor and menus created using produce from the restaurant’s own kitchen garden. petershamnurseries.com

 

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7. Horniman Museum

Forest Hill

A Victorian conservatory, bandstand, or modern pavilion, the choice is yours at this anthropological museum. The collections are idiosyncratic, but the weddings by Suzanne James are seamless. horniman.ac.uk

8. Leighton House Museum

Kensington

The former home of the Victorian artist Lord Frederic Leighton is an awe-inspiring palace of art. The extraordinary Arab Hall, with its golden dome and mosaic tiles, offers the ultimate backdrop for a unique yet lavish reception. rbkc.gov.uk

Picking a ring? Choose a lab-grown diamond

 

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9. Clissold House

Stoke Newington

If you’re reluctant to ship your cohort out of London but fancy a country house feel, this solves all your problems. This recently renovated Grade II listed marvel has vast windows that offer scenic views across the park. hackneyvenues.com

10. Kew Gardens

Kew

Spend your special day inside the world-renowned gardens and iconic buildings in Kew and dance your evening away with some of your nearest and dearest alongside the blooms. kew.org

 

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11. Hotel Café Royal

Mayfair

Providing classic and contemporary weddings in the heart of London for over 150 years, Hotel Café Royal certainly knows its stuff. So sit back, relax and let the magic unfold. hotelcaferoyal.com

12. Claridge’s

Mayfair

No idea is too big or detail too small at Claridge’s. With a history of state banquets and royal receptions, you’ll be in the right hands. claridges.co.uk

 

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13. Ironmongers’ Hall

Barbican

This Tudor style hall was built in the 1920’s and is the perfect example of a beautiful country house which sits in the City of London. Its striking architecture, rich history and warm atmosphere are just three things which make this venue perfect. ironmongers.org

14. One Marylebone

Regent’s Park

Just a stone’s throw away from Regent’s Park station is the beautiful, Grade I listed One Marylebone, one of London’s leading unique venues. Only one of only three London churches by Soane, the venue is most architecturally distinguished with a beauty of national and architectural significance. Fall in love with the beautifully landscaped gardens and breathtaking courtyard and choose between two exclusive spaces for your perfect day. The 27 foot high Soane Hall with its stunning mosaics and stained glass windows or the U-shape Galleries with marvellous floor to ceiling windows that let in natural light. one-events.co.uk

15. Dartmouth House

Mayfair

The perfect place for a quintessential London wedding, Dartmouth House features only the most elegant interiors to wow your guests on your big day. The Grade II listed building offers three spaces: The Long Drawing Room, The Small Drawing Room and The Churchill. Each room has seating for around 100 guests and standing room for 450. The mansion also has a courtyard, a private and secluded haven if an open air reception is more your style. Situated in the heart of Mayfair, the mansion features a grand marble staircase to make sure you get all the insta-worthy wedding shots. dartmouthouse.co.uk

16. Natural History Museum

South Kensington

Walk down the aisle inside London’s Natural History Museum. Breath-taking architecture and spectacular collections make for a stunning backdrop to your vows. Choose between eight spaces in which to host your event: from the popular Hintze Hall with its romanesque arches to Fossil Way, home to the giant Stegosaurus fossil, or even the North Hall, the perfect place to soak up the Museum’s grandeur. nhm.ac.uk

17. Syon Park

Isleworth

Fall in love all over again at Syon Park as you and your partner celebrate your special day at this idyllic venue. Be as intimate or extravagant as you want with 50-800 of your most loved friends and family in this sublime London home of the Duke of Northumberland. From the impressive and majestic Great Hall to the intimate State Dining Room, or even the stunning Great Conservatory and Garden Room Marquee, you can design your wedding however you dreamed. syonpark.co.uk

18. The Queen’s House

Greenwich

Feel like a real-life princess and get married inside Britain’s first and finest classical building. This unique wedding venue takes its place inside Greenwich Park and offers sublime views over the Thames and Canary Wharf. A masterpiece of 17th-century architecture, the venue comprises is a spacious 40-foot Great Hall with classic black and white geometric marble flooring on which to dance your night away. The marvellous Orangery, Parlour Room and the vaulted Undercroft are the most perfect place to toast to a happy couple. rmg.co.uk

19. Wiltons

Shadwell

A true London gem, this Grade II listed hall offers the chance to get married in the world’s oldest grand music hall. The auditorium still retains many of its original features, including its famous barley-twist columns. With only a small amount of dates available each year, this is one of the most exclusive wedding venues around and features interiors that inspired Moulin-Rouge. wiltons.org.uk

Featured image: Theatre Royal Drury Lane

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The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

Bridal Trends We Can Expect To See In 2023

While we’re all fond of the odd tradition or two, the brides of 2023 have had enough. Expect a shedding of simplicity in favour of maximalism and drama, as well as a blend of casual and formalwear to make bridal outfits wearable beyond the big day. Sound interesting? Read on to find out what the biggest bridal trends of 2023 will be…

Top Trends at a Glance

1. Deconstructed Dressing
2. Big, But Make It Cool
3. Grown Up Glamour
4. High-Low Hemlines
5. Trousers, Trousers, Trousers
6. Let There Be Lace
7. Feathers & Embellishment
8. Styling Notes – Mixed Metals and Sunglasses
9. A Sustainable Wedding Wardrobe

1. Deconstructed Dressing

The Low-Down: Separates are back in a big way

2023 is set to be the year of deconstructed dressing, with a huge uplift in requests for cool separates. Brides love how separates allow them to change up their look from day to night with minimal effort, not to mention the added eco-benefit of being able to rewear them long after the wedding day.

2. Big, But Make It Cool

The Low-Down: The bigger the skirt, the better

Oversized styles and volume are back, but the traditional bridal silhouette has been redefined for 2023. Voluminous skirts are contrasted with modern details such as scoop necklines and drop waistlines, giving these outfits a cool, nonchalant attitude.

3. Grown Up Glamour

The Low-Down: Be ready to proudly show off your curves

Sumptuous and sophisticated; confident dressing for the modern woman is a strong trend for 2023. Brides are looking for pieces which celebrate the female form with increasing demand for structured and fitted styles.

4. High-Low Hemlines

The Low-Down: Traditional hemlines are a thing of the past

From maxi, midaxi and midi to the mini and micro mini – hemlines are continuing to shapeshift, with fashion-forward brides increasingly drawn to wearable lengths and away from the traditional floor length gown. Requests for ankle length pieces are up 120 per cent.

5. Trousers, Trousers, Trousers

The Low-Down: Brides and bridesmaids are after versatility

The bridal party has grown up. The vast majority of our brides are in their 30s and so are their bridesmaids, they know their style and want to maximise their budgets, favouring styles and colours that their bridesmaids will wear again. We’ve seen a huge surge in requests for trousers among bridesmaids (a rise of 150 per cent) as brides like the idea of mixing and matching silhouettes and shapes.

6. Let There Be Lace

The Low-Down: Classic lace is here to stay (but modernity is catching up)

Seen on the catwalks at Valentino, Miu Miu and Saint Laurent, lace detailing is a strong trend for 2023. We’re seeing more brides return to lace but looking for a contemporary twist. Many are requesting razor-sharp cuts for a more modern finish.

7. Feathers & Embellishment

The Low-Down: Statement dressing, but make it bridal

Feather is a strong decadent detail seen across the catwalks, adding drama to the evening look. Update your daytime look with a detachable feather trim for instantly elevating night-time glamour.

8. Styling Notes – Mixed Metals and Sunglasses

The Low-Down: Expect a rise in chic and casual accessories

When it comes to styling, brides are starting to favour a mix of metals, with silver jewellery staging a comeback. Sunglasses are now a permanent feature of the bridal look, with many brides bringing sunglasses to appointments to check the outfit works with their chosen pair.

9. A Sustainable Wedding Wardrobe

The Low-Down: Brides want to rewear their outfits

Multiple wedding looks also mean that even more importance is placed on brides being able to rewear their pieces long after the wedding day. Many are opting to dye and tailor their pieces afterwards, so investing in silhouettes and fabrics suitable for dyeing are increasingly important to brides.

DISCOVER

Check out some of the trends listed here on theownstudio.com

Images courtesy of The OWN Studio

The post 9 Bridal Trends We Can Expect To See In 2023 appeared first on Country and Town House.

The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

As always, keep the planet in mind when shopping. Re-wearing old clothes is the best way to be sustainable, but if you can’t avoid it then shop consciously at responsible retailers, as well as rental and resale sites.

Stunning Wedding Guest Dresses For Ceremony Season

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Featured image: Samantha Gades, Unsplash

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10 Wedding Nails Ideas For Every Bride

1. Glazed Peach

‘The glazed doughnut trend is perfect for a wedding because the iridescence offers a beautiful and elegant finish to any shade,’ says Tinu. ‘The beauty of this look is that it gives a sheen and diffuses the shade to create a sophisticated offering. For this look I suggest picking a peachy shade and layering with an iridescent top coat. The result: a delicious shade that’s timeless.’

 

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2. Double Micro French Manicure

Tinu also recommends this new take on a classic. ‘For an extra “je nais se quois”, try this update on the iconic French. This look adds a parallel line underneath the tip for a sleek but interesting take on the classic manicure.’

 

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3. Confetti Hearts

‘Weddings are a day of love, so why not let your manicure reflect that with a heart manicure? This look is a fun manicure that you can go bold with. You can opt to layer your confetti hearts on to pinks and reds for a truly romantic affair.’ Tinu also recommends opting for shades of pink and red to build up your hearts.

 

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4. Milky Mani

‘A trend that has been huge this year is the milky mani, and the shimmering white nail design is so fittingly bridal,’ explains Tinu. ‘It’s a softer version of a stark white manicure, but adds a bit more colour than a sheer nude. Plus, you don’t need to grow out your natural nails or sign up for extensions for milky nails to look great. Top tip: mix some of your colour with base coat to sheer it out and give a milkier effect.’

 

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5. Blushed Floral

This springtime favourite is also perfect for weddings, says Tinu: ‘Florals for spring may not be groundbreaking, but they are a gorgeous nod to all things bridal and this blushed version is a beautiful way to add some a pop of colour to nails. Top tip: although blush is beautiful, you can also opt for a shade that matches your bouquet.’

 

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6. Clean Girl

Tinu also mentions that those keen to for a more minimal look can embrace their natural nail: ‘The current clean girl trend celebrates the simplicity of a natural nail. This is perfect for those brides or those in the bridal party that want healthy looking nails that are understated. The key is to keep nails neatly filed and use a building gel for healthy and strong nails.’

 

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7. Pearl Detail

‘Pearl accent nails are the perfect way to add some interest to your manicure without stealing attention away from the ring,’ says Amanda Lee, owner and founder of Iris Avenue. ‘They can be applied randomly, or along the cuticle to give your mani a subtle pop. We recommend applying them in salon encapsulated in a gel manicure, as at home options such as nail glue work well but aren’t as likely to last very long.’

(c) Iris Avenue

8. Raindrop Accents

‘3D nails have been a big trend recently,’ explains Amanda. ‘Raindrops are the perfect option to tap into the 3D trend in a delicate way. They’re a lovely look for the whimsical brides that want to subtly catch the eye. Ask your manicurist to create the raindrop look by using a dotting tool and some hard gel.’

(c) Iris Avenue

9. Chrome Nude

Another one for those who like a textural pop, says Amanda: ‘After the glazed donut trend, chrome powder is here to stay. Elevate your traditional nude manicure with some chrome powder to create a mirror-like iridescent finish. Ask your manicurist for either a barely there nude base or a milky white base (for a mani with a pop) and top with chrome powder.’

(c) Iris Avenue

10. Something Blue

A great way to work tradition into your big day is through your nail art, says celebrity nail artist and Essie UK partner Michelle Humphrey. ‘Brides have been known to pop a blue pedicure on to tick this box, or add a small nod to the ‘something blue’ tradition in the manicure. This could be a french tip, a minimal dot or even all-over coverage in a soft shade of blue.’

 

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Featured image: Iris Avenue

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10 Tips For Doing Your Own Wedding Makeup

Before The Big Day…

1. Nail Your Skincare

According to Jaimie, one of the first things to consider is our skin – setting up a good base for our makeup to sit on. ‘It’s important to establish a good skin care routine ahead of the big day. This routine should prioritise hydration first and foremost. Water, water, water – it’s your best friend. Follow up with a cleanser, toner, exfoliant and a moisturiser with SPF.’

Not sure where to start? Check out our guide and timeline for achieving perfect wedding skin within 12 months here

2. Find A Makeup Style

Now for the fun bit: decide the makeup style you want. ‘Many brides opt for a classic look, as this will look timeless years later. I always advise my brides to avoid having anything that they wouldn’t normally go for; your wedding day isn’t the day to experiment with a red lip if you normally wear a nudes and vice versa.’

3. Do Your Research

Take your time putting your makeup look together. ‘You can look online or in your favourite bridal magazines for some bridal inspiration,’ advises Jaimie. ‘Try and look at models that have similar colouring to you and narrow it down to your top two favourites to help you decide which look you’d like to recreate.’

(c) Chalo Garcia, Unsplash

4. Check It Matches The Rest Of Your Look

‘Once you’ve narrowed it down to your top two, this would be the time to look at finer details like your dress, hair, accessories and colour theme (if you have one). This will help you decide which look you prefer and whether it fits in with the bigger picture. If you can’t decide, you can always choose your favourite bits from each look and put them together.’

5. Find Your Products

‘Now you’ve selected your look, it’s time to gather some products to start practicing,’ says Jaimie. ‘I think it’s worthwhile investing in a few key bits. This includes a primer based on your skin needs (oil-control for longevity or moisture-based for dry skin), a waterproof mascara, a new lipstick (there’s something so special about having a new and unopened lipstick shade especially for your wedding day) and a trusty setting spray to keep your makeup in place.’

6. Practice, Practice, Practice

The thing to do to make sure you nail your look? Practice, practice, practice. ‘With your makeup look and products chosen, it’s time to practice! Taking just an hour a week to set aside to really hone in and perfect your craft ahead of the big day can really build your confidence, and help you get your routine down quickly so you can spend more time celebrating on the day.’

(c) Karolina Grabowska, Pexels

7. Tan Or No Tan?

Some brides prefer to top up their tan for their wedding, but Jaimie warns us to be careful with our skin so close to the big day. ‘Sunburnt, dry, dehydrated or sun-damaged skin is never a good look, so if you want a tan then try opting for a fake tan. If you choose to have a spray tan, I always recommend having a trial run where possible a few weeks before. It’s also worth making sure that you have the tan done at least two days before the big day, so you can have two showers and reduce the chance of your tan transferring on your dress. There are lots of other tans available in the shops too, but I’d always have a practice with these first.’

On The Day…

8. Hydration Is Key

Now, for the big day. ‘First things first, wake up and get hydrated (sadly not in the form of Prosecco yet!) with a big glass of water and some hydrating eye patches. These will do you a world of good in prepping your skin for the day. A top tip for the night before the wedding is to sleep with your head slightly higher with an extra pillow – by elevating your head, any fluid can drain away, reducing puffiness around the face and eyes the next day.’

9. Plan Out Your Schedule

‘Give yourself plenty of time on the day to do the makeup,’ emphasises Jaimie. ‘ Take a slot somewhere mid-morning before the chaos of the wedding morning ensues. Pour yourself a glass of bubbles (although maybe don’t hurry through it before you’ve finished your makeup) and put together your gorgeous makeup look. The most important thing at this point is to enjoy yourself and take your time.’

(c) Min An, Pexels

10. Prepare A Top-Up Kit

Some things might not go entirely to plan – there might be (good) tears, after all – so make sure you have a top-up kit on standby. ‘All that’s left to do now is pack a little top-up kit for the day ahead. Some tissues for the happy tears (dab, don’t wipe), pressed powder to keep any excess oil at bay and your lipstick for reapplication after all the yummy food, drink and happy kisses!’

Featured image: Shot by Cerqueira, Unsplash

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The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

Why Buy A Pink Wedding Dress?

While we’re very familiar with the term ‘big, white wedding’, we’re aware that it doesn’t appeal to every bride. Walking down the aisle in something colourful is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding wardrobe (while letting you stand apart from fellow brides) – especially when it comes in a gorgeous shade of pink, arguably the trendiest colour of 2023.

 

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Many celebs have also taken the plunge and opted for pink on their wedding. From actresses Kaley Cuoco, Blake Lively and Mandy Moore to Italian-journalist-turned-royal Beatrice Borromeo.

With stunning gowns like these on our radar, the case for pink wedding dresses seems strong. Still not sure? Find some inspiration below, alongside our edit of the most beautiful dresses to shop now.

The Loveliest Pink Wedding Dresses

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More Pink Wedding Dress Ideas

 

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Featured image: Selkie

The post Blushing Brides: 10 Pink Wedding Dresses To Discover Now appeared first on Country and Town House.

The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide

As always, keep the planet in mind when shopping. Re-wearing old clothes is the best way to be sustainable, but if you can’t avoid it then shop consciously at responsible retailers, as well as rental and resale sites.

Alternative Wedding Style for Fashion Forward Brides

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Main image: Kim Kassas

The post Alternative Wedding Style For Fashion-Forward Brides appeared first on Country and Town House.

Timeline: How To Achieve Perfect Wedding Skin

What To Do 12 Months Before

(c) Anastasia Shuraeva, Pexels

Identify Your Skincare Goals & Issues

First things first: figure out what you want to achieve with your wedding skin. ‘This is the ideal time to be having an in-depth consultation with an experienced facialist, discussing goals for your skin, as well identifying any skin conditions that will need to be treated,’ says Kate Kerr, aesthetic facialist and director of Kate Kerr London Clinic. ‘Following the consultation your facialist will be able to prescribe a bespoke skincare and treatment plan firstly focusing on treating any active skin conditions to get them under control in time for the big day. We offer an initial consultation and exploratory facial, which you can use to help identify issues – and then set up a plan to help treat them.

‘Over these next few months a facial should be performed every four weeks with a focus on treating any active skin conditions.’

BOOK IT: katekerrlondon.co.uk

Start A Wedding Skincare Diary

Kate also recommends starting a diary to track potential causes of skin flare-ups. ‘It’s also a good idea to start to keep your own skin diary around this time; if you get breakouts or redness, when do these flare? Do you notice a correlation to your menstrual cycle? This will help you pre-empt how your skin may behave the week of your wedding so that you can take precautions to prevent any flare ups.’

See our edit of the best diaries for 2023 here.

Find A Medical Aesthetic Clinic

If you plan to book in a couple of treatments before the big day, now’s the time to start booking those consultations. ‘It is best to start preparing your face and body six to 12 months before the big day,’ say Dr Victoria Manning and Dr Charlotte Woodward, founders of Skin Bureaux and River Aesthetics clinics. ‘This is because a lot of treatments are collagen-stimulating and take three months before they even start to take effect.

‘Start with a consultation with a reputable medical aesthetic clinic who will develop a bespoke plan for you. Treatments most often included within the plan are toxin (Botox), peels, skin tightening and laser skin rejuvenation for the face and cool sculpting (fat freezing) and laser hair removal for the body.’

Organise Your Skincare Routine

‘Investing in a great skincare routine at this stage will pay dividends and should be an integral part of your plan,’ highlight Dr Manning and Dr Woodward. ‘We recommend products from Skin Bureaux, a medical grade skincare range created by leading British Aesthetic Doctors which has been clinically proven to deliver results.’

‘It’s a good time to start an effective streamline skincare routine,’ adds Izabela Pawlitka, aesthetic therapist at Dr David Jack. ‘This is to ensure you support your skin with daily SPF 50, cocktails of antioxidants, retinol and peptide. It’s important to use those ingredients in a smart manner without too many layers. Look for hybrid formulas that offer you more then one ingredient, like an all-in-one daily moisturiser and SPF50.’

High Tech Treatments

This early on, it’s also a good time to consider what kind of treatments you’d like to try in the lead up to your wedding day. ‘You can start to address any skin concerns like a loss of skin elasticity, enlarged pores, scarring, hyperpigmentation, rosacea or acne,’ says Izabela. ‘Six to 12 months pre-wedding is a great time to do any high tech or laser treatments, like IPL, Morpheus 8 or Forma. They require anything from two to six sessions, depending on the technology being used. Working with an aesthetic practitioner is as important as investing in a personal trainer, as it helps you learn to understand your skin for life.’

BOOK IT: drdavidjack.com

What To Do 6 Months Before

(c) Sora Shimazaki, Pexels

Streamline Your Home Skincare Routine

‘If you’re embarking on a six to 12 month treatment plan, I would keep the home routine as simple as possible,’ suggests Nicola Jones, celebrity facialist and founder of Face Junkie. ‘Stick to what I call the Six Elements Of Skincare:

Morning

1. Prepare (Brightening Face Wash)
2. Prevent (Vitamin C Serum)
3. Protect (Hydrating Sunscreen)

Evening

1. Re-cleanse (Detox Cleanser)
2. Replace (Hydrating Solution)
3. Regenerate (Pro Collagen Night Treatment).

‘You can build this routing using our Face Junkie Hero Collection, which offers a complete daily skin care system to meet all your skin’s needs.’

EXPLORE: facejunkie.co.uk

Salicylic Peels

‘It takes a few months to make any corrections in the skin,’ says Nicola. ‘If you have oily or problematic skin, for example, then the first three months you should be using products to balance the skin’s oil production and reduce breakouts. I personally would pair this with a course of Salicylic Peels, which are great for this skin type. Your therapist may recommend a course of six over three months. In my experience skin peels are the best to start with to create a smooth and even canvas.

‘After three to four months, you should start to notice a visible improvement in the skin, such as a smooth and even skin tone, refined pores, less breakouts and a reduction in fine lines or wrinkles and an overall brighter complexion.’

Regular Facials

This is also the point at which you need to set yourself up with good wedding skincare habits, starting with a regular facial. ‘We would recommend a course of monthly HydraFacials six months prior to the big day,’ say Dr Manning and Dr Woodward. ‘These deliver a deep clean, while exfoliating and hydrating skin.’

BOOK IT: riveraesthetics.com

Advanced Treatments

It’s now time to start considering more advanced treatments for your skin, says Kate. ‘The skin should now be functioning well and any active skin conditions should be well under control, so now is the time to have a course of any advanced treatments to really enhance the skin quality.

‘Many advanced treatments target the deeper layers of skin to promote new collagen and elastin production; this process of collagen induction can take a few months to take effect, and so having a course six months before ensures that the results will be visible on the big day.

‘A course of micro-needling, for example, is a versatile treatment that can help with a variety of concerns, from reducing any scarring, fine lines, hyper-pigmentation and enlarged pores to being a great option for general skin rejuvenation.’

BOOK IT: katekerrlondon.co.uk

Prep Your Calendar

‘This is also the time to plan and book all of your treatments in the lead up to the wedding,’ advises Kate. ‘Take into consideration any pre-wedding events such as hen parties and engagement celebrations, especially if they are abroad.’

What To Do 1-3 Months Before

(c) Getty Images

Continue Your Set Treatment Plan

‘We would recommend you continue with the treatment plan you’ve settled on with your facialist or skincare specialist,’ say Dr Manning and Dr Woodward. ‘At this stage, you might also like to consider adding in oxygen facials to give skin a healthy glow and increase luminosity. You may want also to consider a toxin (Botox) and or filler treatment prior to the wedding.’

Maintenance: The Clinical Brightening Facial

‘This is a time for maintaining and enhancing the skin,’ says Kate. ‘A treatment should be performed every four to six weeks, depending on the overall condition of the skin.

‘We’d recommend the Clinical Brightening Facial as the perfect maintenance facial, as it helps to further improve the appearance of the skin, provide hydration, remove any congestion and refine texture. Courses of peels that work on the epidermal layer of the skin can also be performed within this time period, if the skin’s texture needs refining, or if any hyper-pigmentation needs further lightening.’

BOOK IT: katekerrlondon.co.uk

Try Supplements

Izabela also suggests taking supplements at this stage. ‘It’s important to support your body during those stressful months leading up to the wedding, both with some skin supplements and nervous system supplements. Those with adaptogens and 360-degree approach are always a winner.’

You can see our list of the best supplements for 2023 here.

Perfect Your Pre-Wedding Facial

Practice makes perfect, and helps avoid a load of disasters later down the line. Kate advises that, ‘During this period, your pre-wedding facial (the one you’ll also be receiving the week before the wedding) should be performed at least once, so that you and your facialist can see how your skin responds and ensure that no adverse effects occur. You will need to track how your skin is post facial; did you get any peeling or redness? If so, how long did this last for? This will determine how many days before the big day you have your pre-wedding facial.’

What To Do The Week Before

(c) Arina Krasnikova, Pexels

Instant FX Skin Perfector Facial

‘Ideally, you want to have an in-clinic facial as close to the wedding day as possible,’ advises Kate. ‘Depending on how your skin has responded to previous treatments, this is usually anywhere from seven to three days pre-wedding.

‘We offer the Instant FX Skin Perfector facial, which combines the use of gentle exfoliation and peels, hydrating masks, eye and lip treatments and radio frequency to leave the skin visibly brighter, smoother, firmer and radiant. Remember that you should never have a treatment for the first time just before your wedding.’

BOOK IT: katekerrlondon.co.uk

Fire & Ice Facial

‘Your therapist will advise when to have the last facial before the big day,’ adds Nicola. ‘But for a last minute boost, I would recommend the Fire and Ice Facial. I always have this facial a day before a big event, but if you want to be cautious then one week before is fine.

‘Some salons offer dermaplaning as an add-on to this treatment, which involves a tool to remove facial fuzz (I wouldn’t recommend you do it yourself, as it requires a professional touch).’

Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial

‘Intraceuticals Oxygen Facial is a wonderful addition to add in at this stage,’ recommend Dr Manning and Dr Woodward. ‘This treatment delivers oxygen deep into the skin, which helps to rejuvenate, brighten and impart a gorgeous glow. It is also very soothing, so can help calm down any pre-wedding jitters.’

BOOK IT: riveraesthetics.com

Mesotherapy

‘I truly believe the best treatment to invest in a week before your wedding is Mesotherapy,’ says Izabela. ‘It’s a treatment that delivers incredible results – think an instant glow, brightness and hydration. Fabulous if you want to rejuvenate and refresh skin. At Dr David Jack Clinic, we offer the Egyptian Facial with an add-on of Mesotherapy; it’s always a winner.’

BOOK IT: drdavidjack.com

Consider Your Diet

It’s not too late to alter your diet slightly either, says Izabela, especially when it comes to the positive impact it could have on your skin. ‘Invest your time in creating a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet with high level of antioxidants – and don’t forget to hydrate your skin from the inside out by drinking lots of water.’

Avoid The Sun

If your wedding sits somewhere between spring and summer, it can be tempting to make the most out of the good weather in the lead up to the big day. But remember: you don’t want to step down the aisle with a red face, courtesy of a nasty sunburn. In this case, it’s better to be cautious and protect your skin where you can. ‘Even if it’s a glorious week, slap on that sunscreen and wear a hat,’ says Isabela. ‘You don’t want to risk weird tan lines, or worse, burns!’

What To Do The Night Before

(c) Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

With less than 24 hours until the big day, there’s not a lot you can do here in terms of facial treatments. The consensus among our wedding skincare professionals was that you should make sure you rest up and get a good night’s rest. ‘The best prep is an early night and good night sleep,’ says Izabela. ‘Listen to a sleepy podcast, some white noise or calming music if you need to. Stay hydrated – the more hydrated you are, the better you’ll look and feel.’

‘We recommend plenty of sleep, water and rest, try to relax and enjoy,’ add Dr Manning and Dr Woodward. ‘Avoid caffeine and alcohol as this can cause puffiness, which will carry over to the next day.’

Stick To Routine

While tempting, now is not the time to dive into new products, Izabela adds. ‘Obviously, make sure all your makeup is thoroughly removed and your skin is fresh and cleansed to minimise the risk of any overnight breakouts. To support relaxation the night before you can follow your weekly exfoliation routine and pop on your favourite face mask. Although, note that now is not the time to try out that new face mask you’ve read about, just in case you have a reaction; always use products that you are familiar with and you know your skin loves.’

On The Day

(c) Hugo Martínez, Pexels

Routine Routine Routine

You know what they say: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The same goes for a good wedding skincare routine. ‘Our skin loves consistency so don’t be tempted to use a new serum or primer that your make up artist may recommend,’ advises Kate. ‘So it’s really important you perform your usual skincare routine.’

Last Minute Masks

This is an optional step for your routine if you fancy a last minute wedding skincare boost. ‘If you didn’t get much sleep the night before, then an eye mask such as the AumierMD Eye Rescue pads are great to brighten and hydrate the under eye area,’ says Kate. ‘You can also use a firming sheet mask; ideally you want to use one that leaves minimal serum residue on the skin as this may not sit well under your makeup. The Hydropeptide Polypeptide Collagel sheet masks are brilliant. Again, remember not to use any mask that you haven’t previously used.’

Bridal Glow

For a last minute reset, you’ll need some ice. ‘On the morning of your wedding, fill a large bowl with water and add some ice cubes and dunk your cleansed face in for five to 10 seconds. Repeat this two or three times,’ advises Nicola. ‘Pat dry and continue with the rest of your skin care. This is the ultimate last minute red carpet glow, and will leave you feeling fresh and energised on the day.’

Where To Find Our Experts

• Nicola Jones, celebrity facialist and founder of Face Junkie | facejunkie.co.uk
• Kate Kerr, aesthetic facialist and director of Kate Kerr London Clinic | katekerrlondon.co.uk
• Izabela Pawlitka, aesthetic therapist at Dr David Jack | drdavidjack.com
• Dr Victoria Manning and Dr Charlotte Woodward, founders of Skin Bureaux and River Aesthetics clinics | skinbureaux.com

Featured image: Victoria Priessnitz, Unsplash

The post How To Achieve Perfect Wedding Skin Before The Big Day appeared first on Country and Town House.

As always, keep the planet in mind when shopping. When looking for the perfect wedding guest outfit, consider vintage, second-hand and rental options as well as new.

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Featured image: Al Elmes, Unsplash

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