6 Tips for Incorporating Nature in Your Raleigh Wedding

By Emma Bishop

Credit: Caroline Lima Photography Hair and Makeup by Makeup for Your Day

Get me to the park on time! Outdoor weddings are a growing trend right now. The idea of exchanging vows in the beauty of nature has expanded from backyards, parks, and beaches to ranches, barns, and even wineries!

Any wedding venue, whether outdoors or in, is enhanced with a touch of nature. That includes everything from the decorations and gifts to the bride herself.

Ways to incorporate nature into the tying of the knot are limited only by your imagination. It’s a great way to get the bride, groom, family, and friends involved in the hands-on adventure of creating an experience that is uniquely yours!

Here are a few ideas for starters.

1. Prep Your Venue

Credit: Fancy This Photography Hair and Makeup by Makeup for Your Day

If it’s an outdoor setting, make sure the lawn and plants are neat, trimmed, weed-free, and pruned. Indoors or out, see that electrical lines to lights, speakers, and instruments are tidy and out of the way, not only for appearances but for guests’ safety.

2. Consider Potted Plants

You can place these practically anywhere — at the end of seating rows and on prosceniums, stages, and altars. Arrange them in asymmetrical groupings with taller ones at the center, and shorter ones huddled around. Choose blooming plants that complement the surroundings and your color scheme. Orchids are favorites because they come in such a large variety of shapes and colors. Hibiscus can give the event a tropical flair, and you can’t miss with roses. Hint: Plants with heart-shaped leaves such as philodendron and anthurium impart a subtle message. Keep in the spirit of the season — poinsettias around Christmas, lilies at Easter, red, white and blue blossoms in July, and garnish with gourds in autumn.

Credit: Fancy This Photography

3. A Flower for Her Hair

Continue the nature theme with a complementing flower, crown, or wreath in the bride’s hair. Garlands are challenging traditional bouquets as a wedding favorite. Blooms intertwined in vines may be a simple shoulder wrap or trail elaborately down the train. Smaller versions are great for bridesmaids.

Credit: Blueberry Creative Hair and Makeup by Makeup for Your Day

4. Think Arbors and Bowers

Arbors and bowers can be constructed from a trellis available at any garden center. Intertwine with vines of ivy and a few blossoms for color. Weave in eucalyptus branches to add a pleasant, fresh aroma.

5. Hang Baskets, Ferns

In an indoor setting, Use a suspended frame to allow English ivy or fern fronds to dangle above guests. Just make sure the frames are sturdy and securely suspended.

6. Trees

The owners of the hall you rented might frown on planting trees in their space, but you can always use potted trees to add diversity to your venue (and cover up things you don’t want showing). Topiary trees make excellent sentinels at the entrance of the aisle. Instead of buying, you might find them at rental companies that carry wedding supplies. Good artificials can work as well as real trees.

In addition to beautifying the decor, touches of nature work as gifts. Small potted succulents make excellent take-home favors. So do wildflower seeds in decorated packets. Tiny glass terrariums are more expensive, but always a hit.

Adding a little extra nature to an outdoor wedding has a practical benefit. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, you can always take your portable forest inside at your Plan-B setting. Another practical advantage is that with some careful planning, nature weddings can cost less than a traditional formal ceremony.

Don’t be tied to old-fashioned ideas and rules. It’s your wedding, so make it the once-in-a-lifetime experience you want it to be!

Emma Bishop is a lifestyle and design writer, and mother of two beautiful girls. She is a social butterfly and loves to entertain guests at home with beautifully decorated spaces for any occasion.

September 18, 2018

An update on Hurricane Florence from Makeup for Your Day

HurricaneFlorenceWilmington — Wilmington, NC Waterfront. Photo by @ki_aneri

Dear MYD Beauty Family,

After so much coverage about Hurricane Florence and its aftermath, we wanted to update you on the storm’s impact on our teams in Raleigh and Eastern NC as well as how you can help as we focus on supporting our neighbors and fellow North Carolinians in the wake of tragedy.

Fortunately, we did not sustain any damage to our Makeup for Your Day Studio in Raleigh, NC and are open for business. Our Wilmington, NC office and team were unfortunately forced to evacuate and have not all made it back home as of today. If you have mailed correspondence or payments to our Wilmington Office please reach out to us directly so we may note your account. We are unsure of how long it will take to get postal mail updated in that region. Your patience is appreciated in advance.

During this time of need for our Wilmington team and our neighbors at the NC Coast, we are working to deploy resources to help with the relief efforts. We have collected items to take back to Wilmington and will continue doing so for the next few weeks. If you have any donations that you would like to give to the recovery efforts there you can drop off your items for collection at our Makeup for Your Day Raleigh Studio located at 6308 Angus Drive, Ste B.

To all the emergency management officials, first responders and others across our North Carolina Community who are working around the clock in the midst of this crisis, we are forever grateful for you!

If you would like to help, we encourage you to sign up through the State’s volunteer website, or — for donations — go to the governor’s Disaster Relief Fund. For local, direct monetary donations made to support basic need supplies for those affected in Wilmington, NC please visit our friends with the Port City Disaster Relief Fund.

Affected areas of Hurricane Florence will require extensive, long-term relief. We appreciate your help for our state in any way that you can, no act is too small. Even just a social media share of this message, posting a link to one of the relief funds previously mentioned or volunteering your time is so appreciated.

Thank you again for your calls, messages and genuine concern for our team and our community. We hope to send updates on the coast soon!

xoxo,

Jen B.

September 13, 2016September 12, 2016

September Beauty Challenge!

Hello all my favorite MYD Beauties! I hope you’re enjoying these back-to-school days and settling in to your new routines as we transition in to fall.

It’s well known with family and friends that summer time is definitely my favorite time. Being super cold-natured, I actually despise the winter. That all being said, I do have very fond feelings about autumn simply because it’s the best time of year to express yourself through fashion and beauty. I mean, hello, the 2 inch thick fashion Bible (Vogue) launches all of the fall “must-haves” and “oooh I wish had the money to splurge on” goodies!

This year, I’ve challenged our MYD team (and subsequently YOU!) to choose 3-4 products in your cupboards, vanity, shelves, showers, etc to finish off during the month of September. Why? Well, to make room for all the new fall arrivals, of course! We’re calling this our #septempties challenge.

We’re going to upload videos and posts throughout the month from our team finishing off some of their products from home and we’d love to hear about yours! Upload a video of yourself with your challenge products or your finished off #septempties and let us know your thoughts: did you love it, hate it, would you buy it again? We’re all beauty junkies here so we can’t wait to hear your reviews! Most of all…we want to know what you’re finishing things off FOR. What are you replacing your empties with?!

Stay tuned for my own video update later this week. I’ll be polishing off these gems this month:

Hair Product Category: L’Oreal Professionnel Mythic Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

Body Product Category: Jergens Natural Glow +Firming Daily Moisturizer

Makeup Product Category: Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Mascara

Skincare Category: Eminence Organic Skin Care Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant

I can’t wait to see your videos and hear all about your progress with emptying out your current products! Please use the hashtags: #mydbeauty and #septempties so we can easily keep up with all your videos to respond. Of course, we’d love you to tag us, too @makeupforyourday on Instagram and @makeup4yourday on twitter. Good luck!

XOXO,

Jen B.

**Jen B is an MYD Beauty Co-owner, Artist, and Stylist in our Raleigh, NC studio. She is available for airbrush makeup applications, beauty lessons, temporary lash applications and semi-permanent lash extensions by appointment. To schedule a session with Jen B (or any of our MYD Beauty Team experts) please contact us HERE and leave a note requesting her in your comments! Jen B, as is all our MYD Beauty Team, is available for travel to destinations outside our Raleigh, NC studio for special events and weddings worldwide.**

July 1, 2016June 30, 2016

How to Get Beachy Waves – For All Hair Types

Its Summertime! Time to hit the pool, the beaches, the picnics, the bbqs and the patios. One of the best hairstyles for summer is beachy waves. They have a trendy, yet low maintenance look to them and they can be chic but laid back at the same time.

Sometimes it is hard to achieve this look because different hair types have different problems. Straight hair may go limp, curly hair may be too frizzy or colored hair may be too dry. Thanks to The Beauty Department, they give a product recommendation for 8 different hair types to help achieve the perfect beachy wave.

Do you like the look of beachy waves? What are your favorite products or tricks? We would love to know! Let us know via Facebook or the comments box below!

XoXo,

Jen B

**Jen B is an MYD Beauty Co-owner, Artist and Stylist in our Raleigh, NC studio. She is available for airbrush makeup applications, beauty lessons, temporary lash applications and semi-permanent lash extensions by appointment. To schedule a session with Jen B (or any of our MYD Beauty Team experts) please contact us HERE and leave a note requesting her in your comments! Jen B, as is all our MYD Beauty Team, is available for travel to destinations outside our Raleigh, NC studio for special events and weddings worldwide.**

June 30, 2016June 30, 2016

Beat the Heat with These Cooling Sprays!

Are you looking for relief without wiping off all of your makeup? We’ve got some great face sprays that will do the trick.

Urban Decay – Chill Cooling and Hydrating Makeup Setting Spray

Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray has already hit it big as a must-have in many people’s makeup bags and with rave reviews all over the web. This spray takes all of the great capabilities of that setting spray and adds cooling and hydrating features. This spray will keep your makeup in place all day. Need to freshen up? This product comes out cold and refreshes makeup so it looks like it was just applied!

Derma e – Hydrating Mist with Hyaluronic Acid

This spray will instantly refresh and add moisture to your skin. With botanicals and nutrients in an aloe base, this spray will leave your face refreshed and moisturized. Hyaluronic acid is extremely effective in retaining moisture in the skin. This ingredient combined with antioxidants such as Green Tea and Vitamin C will help your skin against environmental aggressors.

Avene – Thermal Spring Water

This ph-neutral spray is super refreshing on a hot day. This spray contains silica, which is a natural extract that is very soothing. This spray can effectively tackle any free radicals and cool you off while refreshing and resetting your makeup at the same time.

evian Facial Spray Mineral Water

Greatly enhances the effectiveness of all moisturizers and any skin care regimen. Convenient size perfect for office. Propelled under high pressure by nitrogen, the ultra-fine pure, natural mist allows the skin to absorb a unique balance of beneficial minerals along with the water.The 5 ounce size lasts over a month and should be a daily part of every woman’s skin care regime which is why many say the French may have discovered the fountain of youth.

Skyn – Iceland Arctic Face Mist with Biospheric Complex

This spray contains glacier water combined with potent herb extracts. It refreshes, improves skin tone, revitalizes dull skin and can also soothe any skin irritation. This spray will not only cool you down, but will also re-balance your skin and improve it overtime.

How do you keep cool and smudge-proof in the heat? Let us know in the comments box below!

XoXo,

Jen B

January 10, 2016

Our MYD Team Retreat – Wrightsville Beach, NC

Each year, in lieu of a holiday party in December that may cause our gals to choose a “work function” over spending quality time with their families, Jen H and I like to do a little something special for our team in January. It’s a nice way to both close out the previous year and jumpstart the new.

2015 definitely had its personal challenges for several of us so we thought a little R&R was in order for this year’s retreat. Where better to get some peace of mind and clarity to kickstart 2016 on a better foot than the beach?

That view, right?! Not too shabby for taking a long morning stroll with our coffee and reflecting with each other on the past year’s accomplishments, challenges and our intentions for this year.

After enjoying some of Wrightsville Beach’s coolest restaurants and shopping it was time put Jen H to work feeding our troupe some genuine Puerto Rican cuisine. Y’all don’t even know what you’re missing in life until you’ve had her abuelita’s rice and beans! We may or may not have displayed some very unladylike behavior with our dinner enthusiasm. 😁

We could not ask for a better group of women to work alongside. Each team function opens new doors for inspiration, guidance and motivation for our continued focus on enhancing other womens’ experience within the beauty field.

Thank you to our amazing team of ladies for all you do for our wonderful clients. We appreciate you so much!

xoxo,

Jen B

September 23, 2015

Our #California couple Alli+Drew’s gorg

Our #California couple Alli+Drew’s gorgeous @FearringtonNC #SouthernWedding feat on @CaratsCake! http://ow.ly/Sy91V

January 29, 2015September 12, 2016

GRACE ORMONDE | CHANEL IN THE CITY : An MYD Feature!

We can’t hold it in any longer…bursting from the seams, singing from the rooftops, dancing in the rain. You get the picture. We are extremely giddy and honored to be featured on GRACE ORMONDE today with the likes of the very talented Renee Sprink Photography and a slew of other amazing vendors that helped style a beautiful CHANEL inspired shoot. We were so thrilled to get the call from Renee to collaborate on the perfect and classic CHANEL color story for the beauty look for the model. How in love are you with that sultry eye and bright pink lip?! Of course, Miss United States – Elizabeth Safrit, looks stunning without a stitch of makeup and not one curl around the wand, we think we dolled her up just perfectly for this type of inspirational work. {Hair and makeup by Jen B. (me, eek!)}

Enjoy this snippet from GRACE ORMONDE and check out the full gallery by clicking on the photo. Check back soon for more of our favorites from this shoot. Believe us…GOW only touched on a few of the beauties that came out of this CHANEL IN THE CITY shoot!

GRACE ORMONDE | CHANEL IN THE CITY STYLIZED SHOOT

The Creative Team: Location: SIR WALTER VIRGINIA DARE BALLROOM, Raleigh, NC; Photography: RENEE SPRINK PHOTOGRAPHY; Event Design: Monica Noa, NOUVEAU EVENTS; Hair and Makeup: MAKEUP FOR YOUR DAY; Floral Design: EMBELLISHED BLOOMS; Cake: Jessica Alexander Designs; Stationery: Opus 1 Weddings; Linens: CE RENTAL; Rentals: BAILEYS FINE JEWELRY; Jewelry: CHARLOTTES, INC.; Wardrobe Stylist and Bridal Salon: TRADITIONS BY ANNA; Shoes: KAREN MILLEN; Tuxedo: BERNARDS FORMALWEAR; Signage, Backdrop, and Desserts: Pretty In The Details; Models: Elizabeth Safrit and Tom Roach

January 25, 2015January 25, 2015

Join Us at the Carolina Inn’s Bridal Showcase!

We are thrilled to meet blushing brides all day in the beautiful city of Chapel Hill for the 20th annual Carolina Inn Bridal Showcase. You will not want to miss out on all the delicious food, champagne, talented vendors and all the pretty, pretty decor! Please stop by and introduce yourself at our table in Hill Ballroom. We can’t wait to hear about your wedding plans! Don’t forget to share your experience of the show by using hashtag #Innlove2015 and of course we’d love for you to tag us and use #mydbeauty so we can chat after the show.

December 8, 2014December 8, 2014

Instagram Beauties!

We have the pleasure of working with so much talent on a daily basis. There is a constant source of inspiration amongst our diverse group of hair stylists and makeup artists. You can see our regular updates on hair and makeup that we’re creating through our Instagram and Facebook pages but we thought we’d post some of our work from the second half of 2014 here…you know, for “Pinspiration“, too! Please let us know your thoughts on your favorites. Our team loves all the feedback!

Enjoy! XO,

Jen B.