7 Wedding Makeup Tips from Your Wedding Photographer

Your wedding is one of those days where you want everything to be absolutely perfect. If you google “Wedding Day Makeup TipIf you Google wedding makeup, you’ll find hundreds upon hundreds of articles telling you everything from “apply 10 tons of makeup” to “wear nothing but mascara.” But after six years of photographing weddings, events, and portraits, I’ve seen just about everything when it comes to wedding day makeup—both the good and the not-so-good.

Disclaimer: Should you decide to hire a professional hair and makeup artist (which I HIGHLY RECOMMEND), these tips can be passed onto your bridal party or other family members to keep everyone on the same page!

So, let’s talk about real, practical wedding makeup tips that will make you feel confident, look amazing in photos, and last through every tear, laugh, and dance move.

1) Do a trial run of your wedding makeup.

Whether you’re hiring a pro makeup artist or doing it yourself, a test run is non-negotiable. Experiment with different looks, wear them for a few hours, and take photos (selfies totally count!). This way, you’ll know exactly how your wedding makeup will look and hold up throughout the day.

2) Less is more—go for natural, everyday beauty.

There’s an old myth that you need to cake on extra makeup so it “shows up in photos”—but that’s not true anymore! Cameras today pick up details beautifully without excess product. Heavy makeup can actually be harder to fix in post-editing than going for a natural, well-blended look. Stick to what makes you feel beautiful and comfortable.

3) Waterproof everything.

Your wedding day will be filled with emotions (and maybe a little sweat from dancing). To avoid raccoon eyes or smudged lipstick, waterproof mascara, eyeliner, and long-wear lipstick are your best friends. Trust me, it’s worth it.

4) Use a good primer and setting spray.

A mattifying primer smooths your skin and keeps your foundation in place, while a long-lasting setting spray locks everything in. My go-to? Urban Decay’s primers and E.L.F.’s setting spray from Target—budget-friendly and effective!

5) Get the perfect foundation match.

There’s nothing worse than realizing your foundation is either too orange or too ghostly pale in your wedding photos. Visit a Sephora or MAC counter for a professional shade match and test it in natural light to make sure it looks seamless.

6) Consider your wedding season and venue.

Getting married in the middle of July? Humidity and heat can be brutal on makeup. Choose an oil-free foundation and keep blotting papers handy to absorb shine. For winter weddings, hydration is key—use a good moisturizer and avoid overly matte products that can look dry or cakey.

7) Say no to the glitter bomb.

Glitter might seem fun, but on your wedding day, it can reflect light in all the wrong ways. Glitter in your hair? It can look like dandruff. Glittery highlight? It might wash you out in photos. If you love the sparkle, save it for post-ceremony fun or a few dedicated glitter shots.

At the end of the day, wedding makeup is all about enhancing your natural beauty, feeling comfortable, and making sure it lasts all day long. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be glowing from “I do” to the last dance!