Hold the mirror. I’m doing my own makeup.
You. Are. Beautiful.
Ah, the other woman in your partner’s life. No, we’re not talking about infidelity – we’re referring to the Mother-In-Law (MIL)! Generally speaking, MILs are fantastic on the morning of the wedding. Excited, supportive and buzzing around offering up mimosas and granola bars because “you can’t forget to eat!” The morning of the wedding is a sacred time, and most MILs get that. For the Top Knot team, it’s a few special hours when we get to come in and work our magic on the bridal party and be part of something incredible...
Okay, if you’re sensing a BUT coming, you’re right.
But every now and again, we come across a MIL who missed the memo that it’s somebody else’s wedding day, not theirs. Somehow, the day becomes all about them and their needs. Their hair, their makeup and their dress are the most critical items on the to-do list. We’ve even heard some comments along the lines of, “I’m paying for most of this wedding,” or the opposite, “I had no say in this wedding!”
Unfortunately, this type of drama queen MIL really messes with the energy of the day. When the MIL is unhappy, everyone feels it. We start to notice pockets of stress and tension, instead of our usual smooth operation. Then, sometimes we hear the questions our makeup pros dread:
“Can you just hold the mirror while I do my own makeup?”
Yup.
Believe it or not, we’ve had plenty of MILs ask this of our artists. Instead of trusting an expert to enhance their features and make them glow, they request that we hold the mirror while they do their own.
So, the lesson today, our sweet brides?
Prepare your heart for drama on the day of your wedding. There is always something, even with the kindest, sweetest families, there’s always a touch of drama. The best approach is to expect a little chaos and shake it off in advance.
Communicate with your bridal party, especially the MILs! Let your girls know if you’re crunched for time or feeling stressed. Inform them how long hair and makeup takes, the cost involved and — most importantly — how gorgeous the results will be!
Always remember – your wedding is the one day you get to shine the brightest. Don’t let anyone dull your light. Slow down, sink into the fun and the craziness and enjoy every minute!