Emer O'Callaghan: We're in peak wedding season...here's my advice on getting ready for the day

August is peak wedding season, and I’ve been so busy again this summer with clients getting ready for the big day.

We are a nation that loves a wedding - any excuse for a big day out for the parish.

That said, it can also be a stressful day for all involved. Unless you have been a bride and been through the whole circus, you don’t understand the stress one day can bring on.

It’s meant to be a day to celebrate a couple’s love, yet so many tell me in my clinic about the stress the mother-in-law is causing, or the bridesmaid who won’t wear a dress.

I’ve been to lots of weddings, and a few in other countries, and no-one puts on a show like we do here in Ireland. Our European neighbours look on at us in disbelief at how much of a fuss we make of one day.

Some young girls tell me they don’t even have a house yet, but are paying €40,000 on a wedding, for what? To give the neighbours a day out - see, I’m just not one to follow the crowd.

I still think the most romantic wedding I ever saw was in Braveheart - just the two of them and a monk in a forest, the simplicity of it emphasised their love, and at the end of the day that’s is what a wedding truly is - two people who love each other coming together.

Here, we send wedding invites out to everyone - a summons more like! - and the occasion is often lost.

It’s fair to say weddings are big business, and I see this every day in my job. I’m often over a year getting a bride’s skin wedding ready as so many never did any facials or proper skincare until they got engaged.

So this week I want to give some skin and beauty tips for all of you heading to a wedding this season, there is a lot of work in prep needed.

BRIDES

The most important person of any wedding, and some might need to re- read that line if they are busy making some poor bride’s life hell.

As young girls, we are brainwashed to believe that if you stay pretty and beautiful, your Prince Charming will show up, marry you, and you will live happily ever.

So much pressure is put on brides to look amazing for their wedding day, and they always do, but so many feel the pressure to conform and be as beautiful as all the airbrushed, photoshopped models on every wedding magazine.

Wedding dress shopping is stressful. Trying to even choose a dress from the millions we have today, then you have to drop any weight you might have and try to get your body back to how it was when you where 16. And your skin must be flawless and youthful so you are radiant on the day... jeez, tis exhausting to even think about it all again.

Far too many brides take their advice from magazines, from people who have no beauty, skin or health and fitness training. When I hear a bride say she will start facials 12 weeks before her wedding, it’s just far too late.

Our skin needs time and a consistent routine and this takes months. We experts advise you to book in 12 months before your wedding.

Far too much emphasis goes on wedding make-up, and no make-up will sit right on mountains of dead skin - this is why your facials are so key to how your make-up will sit, look and last all day.

In my professional opinion, no bride should ever have a smokey eye look, it’s too drastic and only makes the eyes look closed in photos. Opt for soft, subtle, neutral tones that open up the eye and bring out the white and colour. Get a trial or two done beforehand so you have seen the make-up before the big day.

MOTHER OF BRIDES/ GROOM

I say this on behalf of every poor bride in the country. Yes, you are the mother of the bride or groom, but you are NOT the bride, you had your day. Of course, everyone wants you to enjoy your child’s big day, but you need to simply do three things on this day: Glam Up, Show Up, and Shut Up!

Show up with love, and enjoy the day.

Again, so many mothers of brides and grooms book in for one facial just before the wedding, but we are beauticians, not magicians.

One facial to remove 40-odd years of dead skin and neglect is impossible. You need at least 3-6 good, age- appropriate, deep cleanse facials before the wedding to get your skin ready and your make-up sitting well.

Your make-up should match in with the bridal party, and while you might love a certain shade of lipstick on you, please know the professional make-up artist knows what shade of lipstick suits your dress and the bridal party. Going rogue is why your make-up looks wrong in the wedding pictures, let the professional do their job and you just enjoy the day.

I did one of my beauty videos on this, and you can watch it on the Emerald Beauty Clinic Facebook/Instagram/TikTok pages.

BRIDESMAIDS

I’ve been one so many times, and I’m so glad I’m no longer that age!

Your job is to be there for the bride, respect her wishes and choices, put on the dress she chose for you, have the hairstyle she chose for you, the tan she wants you all to have, and the nails she wants matching. Basically, just do as she wants.

Far too many bridesmaids push back on the bride insisting they know better, refusing to wear dresses, and just really childish, unnecessary stuff really.

The clue is in the name of the title: Bridesmaid. You are there to facilitate the bride and what she wants.

Again, if a bridesmaid wants their skin looking well, you too need to book your own facials, as well as help the bride with her many jobs.

ELEGANT GUESTS

Do make an effort, guests. Hats, headpieces, and fascinators are made for wedding days.

We glam up for weddings as a mark of respect for the couple, the same as we wear black at a funeral.

I just love seeing guests in hats and headpieces who went all out to look good for the couple’s big day.

And you can always tell when they used a professional beauty service because it looks better and it lasts. Fake eyelashes are a classic example of this, so many pop on their own and they’re hanging off sideways on their eyes by 9pm. Had they got them done professionally, this wouldn’t happen.

Same for the nails and make-up and uneven tans. A full body spray tan is best for weddings always.

Regardless of whether you are getting married or attending a wedding this summer, I hope you enjoy it, and remember the true meaning of the day is in fact LOVE.

It really is the most powerful and important thing all of us can have in our life.

Emer O’Callaghan is a multi-award-winning beauty doctor and skin specialist who won Irish Beauty Therapist of the Year and works at Emerald Organic Beauty Products Ltd, trading as Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. A Gold Guinot Crown Elite Clinic and Dermalogica Centre of Excellence, 2008-2026, www.emeraldbeautyclinic.ie - follow us on Facebook/Instagram/TikTok.

SUMMER RESET FOR SKIN: The summer can take a toll on skin, and consistency with homecare and facials is often out the window. But our popular Six Week Skin Kickstart is having huge results. You get three professional facials to remove dead skin, you get your skin professionally analysed, and a homecare plan of what products it needs daily to get a youthful, clear, radiant glow.

To book, call Emerald Beauty Clinic, 021 4365949. Appointments only. Free parking.