What will my morning be like on my wedding day?

It's kind of funny. I share with brides their wedding morning usually 2 times a week. To me, it seems so routine. To them, it's chaotic and all so new to them. 

Here are some tips from me to you when it comes to the morning of your wedding. 

1. Things rarely run on time. Especially your bridesmaids. 

If you tell your bridesmaids to be at your hotel room by 9am to start getting ready, many of them won't show up til 930. Some might show up with wet hair (adding a lot of time for the stylist). 

Aside from your bridal party...you might need to call down to the front desk to get a steamer for someone's dress. You have to wait for the food from room service. Someone needs to run to CVS to grab something they forgot to pack. The list goes on and on. 

With that being said....PLAN in some added time for cushion so that if one or two things run behind, your morning won't be messed up!

LC Doing Makeup on a bride

2. You should allow for 30-45 minutes between finishing your hair/makeup from the time you need to be walking out to door to head to the ceremony (or to pictures, whichever comes first). You will need that time to get dressed, pack up your bags, tie up loose ends, and probably take some shots of tequila. 

3. This is the time to stop taking control and reeelax!

At this point in the game, there's no point in stressing over the details that you can no longer control. It's time to kick back, relax, have a mimosa, and let your beauty team work their magic. 

Makeup For Eva Longoria

I recently had the pleasure of working on Eva Longoria in Chicago (I do more than just wedding makeup!). I wanted to share some of the photos. 

Lauren Clark and Eva Longoria. June 2013

Eva Longoria at the Clinton Global Initiative June 2013. Makeup by Lauren Clark LC Faces

Contracts -- They're a very good thing!

​Sometimes I get asked by friends that are wanting to book me why they need a contract. "I'm good for the money, you know that!" is the general issue they have with me asking for a signed contract. Every once in a while I'll sense some hesitation from a client who feels uneasy about signing a contract as well, as if they're signing their life away.

First of all, yes, the contract covers my butt. Secondly, the contract covers YOUR butt!​

I don't care if your my friend's friend, aunt, cousin, bff, or coworker, we are DOING a contract. I don't care if you are booking me 1 day before your event in a last minute situation, we are DOING a contract.​

​Why is a contract a good thing?

Well, in short, it establishes boundaries. We all need them. It's going to let you know what to expect out of your services. It's going to give you the peace of mind that I'll be at your event, on time, and if I'm not, you've got legal grounds to take me to court! It also confirms your booking, so that you can rest knowing that I'm not going to take another job during the same time frame. Consider me YOURS on date and time frame listed in the contract. It assures you that I will arrive looking professional, clean, and hygienic. ​

On my end, it does many things for me as well. Mainly sets the boundaries again between us. Gives ME the peace of mind that you will not be changing up details every week. Gives me peace of mind that you won't leave me high and dry on the payment. ​

Every wedding vendor should be operating with a contract. If they don't have one, you should be scared. I can't think of a single vendor in the wedding industry that shouldn't be using a contract. Again, EVERY vendor should have a contract of some sort, otherwise it's a red flag that either they're very new to the scene, or are out to screw you.​