Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

May, love is in the air and brides are getting gorgeous for their upcoming wedding dates. Choosing the makeup and hairstyle for your wedding day is a huge dilemma for many brides. Here are some key factors to keep in mind before you beg your makeup-artist and hairstylist to transform you into Keira Knightly or Kate Winslet for a day you will never get back.

Remain true to what you normally look like, accentuated.

True beauty is unique to each and every one of us. Channeling a celebrity's identity is an insult to your own special kind of beauty. Allow the makeup-artist to play up your features and bring out the best version of you for all to admire. If you normally wear your hair a certain way, let your hairstylist know so that he or she can recreate it on a more upscale level. If you normally don't do much with your hair, by all means go with your dream style, but be sure you will still be recognizable in photos for years to come.

Your fiance's opinion matters.

Sure, he usually tells you he prefers you with no makeup and in comfy, soft sweats; but what really makes him melt? What did you wear or look like when he first fell in love with you? If you can't get a straight answer on whether he prefers your hair up or down, start paying attention! Notice his reaction when you do a couple of test trials at the salon and take a mental note.

Test it.

Always do a trial for your makeup and be sure the artist plans on doing the exact same look for the day of the wedding. Always do a trial for your hairstyle and be sure to consider the weather changes and how much you plan on dancing. Do similar activities the days of the trials to see how the makeup and style holds up.

Choosing the 'perfect' look for your wedding day does not have to be stressful. Perfection is a matter of perception. Sometimes imperfections are the most beautiful things of all. Sometimes the answer is a simple one—and right in front of us. Hopefully you now have a bit more clarity to help bring you to your final decisions. Until next week—remember to breathe and be true to yourself.