A Beautiful Day

Your Best Face Forward
For those who prefer an effective anti-aging treatment that doesn't involve injections, Revessence offers an intensive one-day treatment that incorporates laser technology. "Our anti-aging ÔLaser 360' involves three treatments in the same day, incorporating photorejuventation followed by skin tightening followed by pixel laser treatment," Welle says. Photorejuvenation, in which light from a laser "photo-bleaches" capillaries and brown spots, works to eliminate rosacea and sun damage. Skin tightening is a light therapy that focuses on stimulating proteins and collagen to tighten skin. Pixel, which is a laser peel, targets reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, softens scarring, evens out skin tone and texture, and permanently reduces pore size. "Depending on your needs, you could do all three or just one," Welle says. "We recommend doing the treatments three times within sixty days, with the last treatment one month before your wedding day."

The Blushing Bride
Even if you don't have any skin problems, a facial is still a must for brides who want to have glowing skin on their wedding day. For those who haven't been getting regular facials, Catherine Krull of Juut Salon Spa recommends one per month for six months prior to your wedding, with your last facial taking place at least one week prior to the big day.

"Increased circulation can cause temporary redness, and the extractions in facials can cause breakouts and uneven skin," Krull says. "If you're closer to your wedding day, you can get a less intensive facial that focus on hydration and exfoliation." Not to mention relaxation, which is key for brides at this stage.

Scherven recommends a basic overall rejuvenation facial several weeks before the wedding. "We cleanse and prep the skin, use exfoliation and extractions, and massage with appropriate ingredients and products to the client then apply a nourishing or purifying mask," she says.

Allison Surma of Allison's Esthetics & Makeup Design in Maple Grove treats skin problems like acne and hyperpigmentation with customized facial treatments. Surma also recommends beginning facials several months in advance of your wedding, with the last taking place two weeks before the event. "If you're closer to the wedding, I can do a gentle exfoliation without extractions to get that glow right before the ceremony."

Kiss and Makeup
Though your final wedding make-up will be applied just hours before your event, you should start thinking about the look you want well in advance. "We recommend an initial consultation a couple of months before the wedding day, with a practice session at least a couple weeks before so any needs or requests can be addressed well before the final application," says Krull. "We offer a more natural look, so you look like the best version of you."

For a more dramatic effect, Surma offers onsite airbrushing as well as traditional makeup. "I use a special foundation that you spray through an airbrush, which creates a flawless look that feels natural," says Surma. Airbrushing is ideal for weddings because it lasts for eighteen hours and is water and rub resistant. "There's no blending or makeup lines, and it looks flawless in photographs," says Surma.

For those planning destination weddings, it can be difficult to find a salon from afar and fit in a practice makeup session if you're arriving close to your wedding day. Mary Kay Cosmetics offers the perfect solution: a consultation and training in how to do your own makeup. "You can come with your whole bridal party, including your mom and mother-in-law," says Lori Hawthorne, a senior sales director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. "First I will ask if there are any issues you want to deal with, like oily skin or dark circles, then we'll talk about skincare."

The next step involves finding the perfect color foundation, then looking through the Mary Kay book to pick the look you want—natural, classic, or dramatic. "We have little cards that demonstrate how to apply each look, and we show you how to apply your own makeup," Hawthorne says. "It's great for destination weddings and for other occasions like showers or engagement photos where your pictures are taken." Hawthorne adds that the brides who are happiest come for a consultation seven or eight months in advance. "The closer you are to the wedding, the more it feels like a job than just fun," she says.

Smile Pretty
Your wedding and all the events surrounding it—engagement parties, showers, rehearsal dinners, the big day itself—will likely be the most photographed period in your life. A fabulous smile is therefore a priority, and it's never been easier to get your pearly whites (or not-so-whites) in perfect shape. Dr. Wendy Bach, a cosmetic dentist in downtown Minneapolis, says that having a healthy mouth is the first step. She recommends getting a professional cleaning and general check-up several months prior to your wedding.

Then it's time to consider your options. Bach says that whitening (via over-the-counter strips, customized bleaching trays, or an in-office "power bleaching" session) is popular with not only brides, but also grooms and parents.

Additionally, many brides and grooms "might want some bonding to close up gaps, or want yellow fillings turned into white fillings," Bach says. "Most procedures can be done very quickly, simply, and relatively inexpensively to make your wedding photos just perfect."