XP: PLEASE tell me if im being cheap!

vanessa7889 · April 2010

OK Two topics here:

1.) I was going to do my own makeup for the wedding, and I had my little trail last night and lets just say I ended up very annoyed and took a 30 minute shower scrubbing my face.
So now I started looking into paying someone to do my hair and makeup for me, and I'm realizing that this isn't a cheap expense. So now I'm considering trying to do my makeup again. Is anyone else doing their makeup themselves? Any tips or advice on doing it yourself? Also, I'm noticing a lot of places are charging for trials? Well, what if you really hate it, what a waste of money!

2.) Ok my second question, is anyone skipping out on getting a limo? I was thinking of getting a get-a-way car (just a limo for the ride home) because I really don't see the point of spending a ton of money on a limo just for it to sit in the parking lot. Am I being to cheap?

SummerBoston10 · April 2010

I would never consider doing my hair and makeup myself. To me that is way too much unnecessary stress on your wedding day and I think it is something best left to professionals.

I am using my own hairstylist from Boston and my makeup person (Jane Sincere) is on the more expensive end for makeup artists. I'm sure some of the girls here can give you less expensive recommendations.

Regarding the limo....I don't think that you are being cheap. We are not using any transportation but our ceremony and reception are at the same location and our hotel is right next door so we have no need for transportation. I would definitely spend any money you would possibly spend on a limo for the end of the night on hair and makeup. You will be relieved to not have to worry about it that day.

AmyRI · April 2010

I would say that you're being cheap, but I consider it a good thing! We were on a very tight budget, and we cut corners. I'm actually really proud that we had a wonderful wedding with half the price tag of the average for RI. It's hard not to get wrapped up everything with how much money most weddings in this area cost, but there's no reason not to cut back if you want or need to.

(1) I have very thick hair, and while I thought I could pull it off with some help, I ended up paying to get it done (but not much - I used Sandra (Sam) Colavolpe - who is incredibly reasonable and a great person to have around on your wedding day). But, I did my own makeup. I could not justify spending so much money having someone else do it for me, and I have always hated it when anyone else did my makeup.
It does take practice, but it can be done. I used my regular foundation (Bare Minerals), mascara, eye shadow, and lipstick. The one thing that I knew I needed was a primer for eyeshadow. I definitely recommend getting one because it keeps the eye shadow from getting a crease line after you've been wearing it all day, and it keeps any risidual powder from falling in your eyes and making them itchy. It took practice, but I just tested out a few different things until I found something I liked that also photographed well. It looked fine in all the pictures, and no one knew the difference.

(2) We got a limo to pick up our bridal party and us and take us to the country club. We paid almost nothing because it was just an hour of work, and we didn't care if the limo was a white escalade or anything, it just needed to get us from point A to point B. Everyone in the bridal party had dates that drove to the country club after, so they all got rides back and we hitched a ride with one of them. There is nothing wrong with skipping a limo if you don't care. No one else is going to judge you for not having one, if they even notice.

kathanddave · April 2010

I have to say one of my bestfriends got married last weekend and she was on a very tight budget. I talked her into having her hair and makeup done professionally and she said it was the best money she spent. It is a decision only you can make but why put that added stress on yourself.

As far as a limo I would go for it. Shop around and you can certainly negotiate prices.

RoyalOrient · April 2010

You really don't need a limo. That's not being cheap, it's saving money so I say that's a smart move. However, I strongly advise you to hire a professional make up artist and possibly a hair stylist unless you know how you want your hair and you have been able to acheive that look. The make up is so important because digital photography is not kind to flaws so everything is magnified. If you don't wear much make up and find traditional make up too much than invest in air brush make up. It is worth the investment to have a pro on hand.

AmyRI · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_xp-please-tell-im-being-cheap?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:122Discussion:c34b46df-a680-4bfc-b1a5-38b334117a44Post:d9a04405-b69d-4743-b7d7-0ca203e6f6b3">Re: XP: PLEASE tell me if im being cheap!</a>:
[QUOTE]You really don't need a limo. That's not being cheap, it's saving money so I say that's a smart move. However, I strongly advise you to hire a professional make up artist and possibly a hair stylist unless you know how you want your hair and you have been able to acheive that look. The make up is so important because digital photography is not kind to flaws so everything is magnified. If you don't wear much make up and find traditional make up too much than invest in air brush make up. It is worth the investment to have a pro on hand.
Posted by RoyalOrient[/QUOTE]

I totally don't agree with this. Digital photography is no different than film, except that you can alter and adjust the images. Photoshop can fix just about anything. Not to say that you shouldn't wear makeup, just that if there's some small spot that you miss or that wears off, it's not like your photographer can't fix the image.

526SadieSadie · April 2010

For what it's worth, I'm having my regular stylist do my hair and I'm doing my own makeup. Our ceremony and reception are in the same venue so we're not going to have a limo in the morning to get there, but we might have one take us and our wedding party & their dates out for a few hours after the reception's over. I got a postcard advertising a free make up trial and it was SUCH A WASTE OF TIME!! I don't wear make up on a daily basis and I asked for a natural look. She made me look like a drag queen with too dark foundation, too much eye makeup and icky colored cheeks.
I don't think you're being cheap, I think you're trying to spend your money wisely!

spfclr · April 2010

Since I know very little about hair and makeup I paid to have both done, but I've had friends who did their own or have had friends do it for them - do you have any friends who would be willing to do either or both for you? I did a trial for neither of them, but they turned out great (they were highly recommended).

We did not have a limo. We were clear with the bridal party that they would need to drive and used a family antique car to take us from the church to the reception. Some of the bridal party was happy that they didn't have to make arrangements to get their car to the reception location since they would take their own. We did all our formals with the bridal party at the church so they did not have to meet us at a photo location or at the reception for more pictures. It was a great way to cut a cost without a feeling of loss, at least for us.

eacosta1120 · April 2010

I was always planning on getting my hair done-there's no way that I could do my own updo. As far as makeup-that was something that I didn't think I was going to need but after seeing some really scary wedding photos where brides looked terrible either because of too much or not enough makeup-I decided to go with a makeup artist as well. As far as the limo, I agree with one of the previous posters-a limo for the end of the night seems like a waste of money-use that money instead for your hair and/or makeup. Many limo companies have minimum number of hours so if you just want a ride to the hotel from the reception, you may get overcharged. My hair/makeup is going to be around $135 which I think is pretty reasonable. Many makeup artists charge more than this just for makeup. I'm using kristin Greene and Sam Colavolpe-both who have tons of positive reviews on the boards.

RoyalOrient · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_rhode-island_xp-please-tell-im-being-cheap?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:122Discussion:c34b46df-a680-4bfc-b1a5-38b334117a44Post:f9d4c33c-a608-488b-ba53-7785f4c58f7d">Re: XP: PLEASE tell me if im being cheap!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: XP: PLEASE tell me if im being cheap! : I totally don't agree with this. Digital photography is no different than film, except that you can alter and adjust the images. Photoshop can fix just about anything. Not to say that you shouldn't wear makeup, just that if there's some small spot that you miss or that wears off, it's not like your photographer can't fix the image.
Posted by AmyRI[/QUOTE]

There is a difference between digital and film. The colour saturation is finer in film than anyting digital can produce. It looks softer. Now I know there is a big debate between photographers about film v.s digital. Most will agree that digital photography has caught up with film. There are definite advantages to digital, like the ease of reproducing images and photoshopping. However, digital photography is not called digital for nothing. Part of is understanding image sharpness and resolution quality. A pro will have no issue with tweaking images but Uncle Bill may not be as savvy with photoshop.

Notice the digital image on the left has highlighted the dark circles under the eye versus the film photo on the right. Small details make the difference.

<a href="#" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', '38ecfca8-ca13-4126-9aec-0b53f5a8581c', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));"> <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/8/10/38ecfca8-ca13-4126-9aec-0b53f5a8581c.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

Original link
<a href="http://chrisbodnarphotoblog.com/theatre-portraits-digital-film/" rel="nofollow">http://chrisbodnarphotoblog.com/theatre-portraits-digital-film/</a>

catemeg · April 2010

Try going to Nordstroms and having your makeup done there before hand - tell them you're looking to buy products to do your own makeup for your wedding, and trying to decide on eye makeup and foundation (so they'll essentially do your whole face). You'll get tips on how to apply it, and get to have a semi-professional put it on. If you find a girl who does it really well, you can always see if you can subtly ask her to do it - "Wow, that's really incredible! I doubt I'll ever be able to make it look that good - I don't suppose you'd be interested in doing it on my wedding day?" with a big smile. They might do it pretty inexpensively!

The other option is to do the same thing - go to Nordstroms, have someone put it on, but bring a friend (who wears classy makeup herself) with you to watch her apply it. Then have the friend help you - you're bound to be nervous on your wedding day, and it might help to have someone else do it.

AngieP900 · May 2010

I did my own makeup and have no regrets about it. I splurged and bought Dior Airflash. It has lasted me from June until last week, so I would say it was worth the money. I put on fake lashes and had no issues with how it came out in photos.

As for limos, there are definitely other options you can pursue. Trolleys, rentals, etc

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