Brides share their secrets with BuzzFeed Life.
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
Stick with tradition, if that's what you want.
Safa of My Big Fat Pakistani Wedding chose to be classically bridal with her wedding-day mehndi (a temporary henna tattoo): "As a South Asian girl, you grow up wearing mehndi. For example, when a close friend or relative gets married, you also apply mehndi as part of the celebrations.
"However, wearing mehndi for your own wedding – wearing bridal mehndi – is unlike anything you would have worn before. Particularly, if you choose to go with a traditional design, like I did. I think there is nothing more classically bridal than the look of mehndi designs, so intricate and elaborate, adorning a woman's hands and feet. That's exactly what I wanted as bride. Also, stepping my mehndi-adorned foot into my wedding Louboutins on my big day felt pretty damn good!"
Mir Anwar miranwar.com / Via mybigfatpakistaniwedding.com
But you don't have to do the traditional bridal thing.
Fashion journalist Naomi Attwood stuck to her normal style for her wedding:
"I had my hair done in a double victory roll-style quiff by a lovely hairdresser at The Painted Lady in Bethnal Green. Then they popped in a few small roses on wires from my florists, The Flower Appreciation Society. I also had a neon pink manicure at the salon. I did my own make-up, going for a very '80s turquoise smoky eye to match my Topshop earrings.
"There was no particular inspiration other than what suits me – a quiff and blue eyeshadow – and I was happy when I walked into the town hall on the morning of the wedding and the registrar said: ‘You do look like a bride, just offbeat.’"
Courtesy of Naomi Attwood
Run your look past your partner too.
Wedding planner Kellee Laura Dawkins went for a simple yet charming wedding that proves you don't have to pull out all the stops for a perfect day:
"I always leave special occasion looks to the pros, like local make-up artist Glam by Cham. I knew I wanted a fresh face look – something timeless with just a hint of drama – and the white liner under the eye offered just enough! My husband doesn't love make-up but can tolerate it. However, he absolutely abhors lipstick so I opted for a thin application of a blush-coloured gloss."
Temi Coker / Via temicoker.me
