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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do I really need to be preened, plucked, waxed and sprayed for my wedding?

109 replies

baxterboi · 11/05/2018 16:45

I am getting married in October this year.

I have my sister as my maid of honour and we are very similar, not very girly, dress for comfort etc.

Now it's a bit closer and I am planning what make up to wear and hair to have done people keep suggesting all these beauty treatments for th big day.

  • Waxing (not just my legs but my armpits and privates)
  • Make Up by an Make Up Artist
- Hair by a hairdresser
  • Spray tan
  • Manicure
  • Pedicure

Now I was planning on doing my own make up and hair and having my finger nails done but none of the other stuff.

AIBU or do people expect this as being the bride? I don't want fake tan on my dress or to look like a different person!

I feel like I'll look like a fat version of Miss Congeniality when she walks out of the warehouse after they have "beautified" her within an inch of her life!!!!!

OP posts:
Helpmeplan · 11/05/2018 16:48

I'm getting married October 2019. Hair and nails being done only because I am rubbish with my hair. Make up I'm doing myself and I'm not having the rest.

I live in england. Its not sunny in October. I shouldn't have a tan!

MirandaWest · 11/05/2018 16:49

I got my hair dyed a week before our wedding as my hair is going grey and I didn’t want grey hair at our wedding.

I washed my hair in the morning when we got married.

Either shaved my legs or used hair removing cream on the morning of wedding.

Painted my nails after lunch.

Did toe nails at some point

My sister did my make up.

And we have a lovely day 😊

claraschu · 11/05/2018 16:50

No, of course not, and you will look a lot better if you don't do any of that (in my opinion, which others probably don't share).

SasBel · 11/05/2018 16:51

I diddent! Hair dresser knew I was going to a wedding, did not know it was mine, did my own makeup about 10 mins before the ceremony started, had loads of time to spare.....

Congratulations on your wedding, do it your way!

SquigglePigs · 11/05/2018 16:51

It's entirely up to you! I had my hair done (mostly because I never do anything with it beyond blow drying it so wouldn't know where to start!) and my nails (just a nice colour on fingers and toes - had them done with my Mum the day before so it was a nice way to spend a bit of time together and get in the mood. That was it! My Mum did my makeup because she's really good and it did feel a bit like pampering getting ready, which was lovely. Do what you feel happy with! Smile

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 11/05/2018 16:52

Why the heck are people suggesting that you need to wax your pits and bits??!!
You either do this already and don't need their input, or you don't do it and don't intend to start.
None of their business

Ohyesiam · 11/05/2018 16:53

Do what suits you, or you run the risk of feeling like a trussed up doll on your day.
I’m getting married next year, and am of the opinion that no one can do my hair and make up as well as me( mixed race hair, so both white and black hair dressers are a bit lost).
If I thought my fiancé would prefer me with my pubic hair ripped out I wouldn’t be marrying him Grin.
Why not go as yourself to your wedding?

Aprilmightbemynewname · 11/05/2018 16:53

All plucked will only doodle do!

reallyanotherone · 11/05/2018 16:54

God no, stick to what you want.

If you’ve never been into any of that waxing/tanning/make up stuff anyway you’re going to need two or three trial runs, last thing you want on your wedding day is to discover waxing gives you an itchy rash or that a spray tan clashes with your natural colouring.

Personally i far prefer the more natural look. Women are beautiful without any of that altering.

Have to say i went to a local shopping centre last week and noticed all the sales girls appeared to have taken make up lessons from a drag queen- heavy make up, contouring, massive eyelashes, hd eyebrows drawn on an inch too high, and lipstick drawn far outside the lipline. Plus big hair.

I wanted to give them all a good wash...

TooMinty · 11/05/2018 16:54

It's totally up to you. I did my own hair, nails and makeup for my wedding and I've never been waxed or fake tanned in my life. I wouldn't have been comfortable or liked how I looked - saying I prefer the natural look is an understatement!

SirVixofVixHall · 11/05/2018 16:55

I did my own nails, ditto hair, no spray tan, shaved my legs in the bath that morning, lady garden left as natural intended. I had highlights done a week before, and my one and only facial, a present from a friend, about ten days before. I do wish I’d had someone to put my hair up as it fell down due to me being cackhanded from stress, but everything else was fine. I didn’t want to look like a strange version of myself.

YouCantBeSirius · 11/05/2018 16:55

I'm getting married in two weeks, all I'm having done is a haircut because it's not been cut in several years and is now bum length and too heavy to hold a curl. My brother is a hairdresser so he is going to style my hair on the day and a friend is doing my make-up. That's it. I don't want to look like a different person.

Original poster
baxterboi · 11/05/2018 16:56

Why not go as yourself to your wedding?

Bloody good point!

I think my main concern was I didn't want to look like I hadn't put lots of effort in as it was more than one person who asked about it. All the heavy make up / tan stuff just isn't me at all!

OP posts:
liverpoolmiss · 11/05/2018 16:56

I have to wonder what people are telling your STBH he should do before his wedding day?!Wink

AmazingPostVoices · 11/05/2018 16:56

I had my hair done by my hair dresser but I did my own make up and nails.

I hate fake tan so was my own pale self.

Do what you want. Ignore everyone else.

Ubercornsdiscoball · 11/05/2018 16:56

I had hair and make up for myself and my bridesmaid purely because it was a nice luxury! We did our own nails and nothing else out of the ordinary! No tans! I am so pale I would have looked ridiculous!! Just do what you want. There are no laws!

ChocolateChipMuffin2016 · 11/05/2018 16:57

Personally I think it’s a bit odd when you look completely different on your wedding day, don’t get me wrong I get you want to look your best! I think you should do what you’re comfortable with! For me that was naice hair and make up, nails done the day before and that was it!

sexnotgender · 11/05/2018 16:57

Absolutely not!!
I got married in December, did my own hair and makeup, I wanted to feel like myself on the day.
I’m not a fake tan, fake nails person anyway so that was never on the agenda.

Original poster
baxterboi · 11/05/2018 16:58

"I have to wonder what people are telling your STBH he should do before his wedding day?!"

I imagine nothing, if anything!

OP posts:
mavismcruet · 11/05/2018 16:59

Don’t be a borange bride Angry (I’m not angry but there isn’t an orange face). You are perfect the colour you are.

It also looks really odd in group photos when most other people are their natural colour.

youarenotkiddingme · 11/05/2018 17:02

Of course not. If you tan easily I'd probably try and wear stuff that doesn't give me strap marks in the run up but wouldn't fake tan. The tinted moisturiser is good if you need to even out any tan lines etc!

I don't 'do' make up and I'd do my own hair as feel really uncomfortable with these huge hairstyles and bugs hanging down in MH face.

Don't have nails and wouldn't like false ones.

Quite happy to shave my legs or use removal creme - I'm sure your DH to be is use to any body hair patterns you have by now Wink

Most important have a fabulous day - remember it's about you and DH and not even about the guests. They come to share 'your' day - you shouldn't be making it about their day!

The80sweregreat · 11/05/2018 17:02

These days - yes.
When I got married no as I couldn’t afford all that - plus the pics will never be on social media ever!

Onlyoldontheoutside · 11/05/2018 17:03

Do not have a spray tan.
Everything under your dress should be as it usually is.And do you hair andakeup.Your STBDH s marrying you,as you are.Have confidence and do it your way.

BackforGood · 11/05/2018 17:03

Of course you don't!
I, too am of the opinion you look best 'as you' on your wedding day.

Do whatever you feel comfortable with.

Cuppaoftea · 11/05/2018 17:05

I did my own hair and makeup for our wedding and my daughter's hair too.

I wanted to look like myself and found it relaxing just getting ready at home with DH and DD1 before my Dad arrived to drive us to the registry office.

Your arrangements sound lovely.