An Expert Guide to Your Dream Wedding Dress and Beauty Wardrobe

These days, a wedding doesn’t have to be limited to a single five-hour event. Oh no, we’re talking wedding extravaganza, meaning an entire series of celebrations — possibly over a weekend in a glamorous, far-flung locale — inclusive of a rehearsal dinner, after-party and brunch, perhaps.

A sequence of nuptials-related occasions also require a stellar bridal wardrobe, meaning not just the dresses, but also corresponding beauty looks — kind of like a costume designer coordinating with a head makeup artist on a film production. Sense a theme?

Because the stage-inspired Make a Scene collection from Galia Lahav House of Couture offers the most spectacular and show-stopping gown options for your big day. The whimsical, fantastical Alice in Wonderland-themed looks from Gala and the runway-ready luxury couture collections perfectly round out all the accompanying wedding festivities.

As for the supporting beauty role, New York and Los Angeles-based makeup artist Tomy Rivero, who shared wedding beauty trends with us earlier [add link when available], offered his expertise on how to create a program of makeup looks for each event. And the veteran artist would know about superstar, stage-ready makeup. Rivero regularly designs beauty looks for celebrities on the red carpet, plus dramatic characters in showbiz — for screen-within-a-screen (or stage-within-a-screen) effects — on the award-winning Mozart in the Jungle and the film Bel Canto starring Julianne Moore.

For the pre-wedding welcome feast with your bridal party, close friends and family, feel free to play with silhouettes, while staying on-theme. Try a glamorous, elegant hybrid of gown and suiting: a tailored and ‘70s-inspired high-neck and tiered and ruffled tulle dress shimmering with sequins. Remember, the rehearsal dinner is also an occasion to give a teaser — or preview, per se — for your big day look.

To coordinate, “opt for a fresh skin and rosy cheeks look,” suggests Rivero. We like Erborian BB Tinted Moisturizer for a natural, dewy complexion and Glossier Cloud Paint gel-cream blush for a hint of color. “Go for natural neutral tones and maybe bleach your teeth to make your skin pop even more,” he adds.

Make your grand entrance, and stun the crowd, like the leading lady you are, in the most jaw-dropping gown with all the headlining details: an alluring off-the-shoulder neckline, a body-celebrating corset-top, stunning floral lace embroidery and glittering detail on dreamy layers of tulle.

You obviously need beauty tricks to both complement your dramatic moment and put the spotlight on you — in the moment and for the photos that will last forever. So go for all the highlights and contouring to help define your bone structure. Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Match Stix Trio covers all your bases, plus offers inclusive shades for all complexions.

“Opt for mid-tones on the lips for a timeless look,” suggests Rivero. “On the eyes I always love a blended crease with a satin finish eyeshadow in a champagne tone.” Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick does not budge and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Wash Eyeshadow comes in a trio of glimmering shades.

Nothing screams “party!” like a Roaring ‘20s-inspired body-con sheath dripping in opulent beading — and Instagram-friendly fringe, so you can really shake it up on the dance-floor. (And consider keeping the revelry going with a mini-wedding dress for the after-party. [G-311])

“Pump up the makeup!” says Rivero. “Use a bold ruby tone lip, add more eyeliner and stack a second lash!” Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lip shades, like the aptly-named red Carpet Red and Legendary Queen, along with buildable liquid Surratt Auto Graphique Liner, make an impact.

While the post-wedding day event concludes your celebratory weekend, it also marks the beginning of the rest of your life with your soulmate. So keep the festivities going and freshen up the vibe with a pop of color and lively silhouettes. Consider a chic and modern pink tunic top, which continues the floral theme of your ceremony gown with a veritable garden of paillette embroidery in pretty rose, emerald green and nude. The versatile piece could be worn as a flirty mini-dress or paired with white tapered trousers or maybe even jeans for an irreverent casual feel — and you can definitely wear it again.

“Keep everything light,” says Rivero, who suggests a natural coverage foundation or tinted moisturizer as a base (and maybe some concealer for those hangover under-eye circles, kidding, kidding). He also suggests lightly contouring with a bronzing powder, like Benefit Cosmetics Hula Matte Bronzer. “Use a stain on the lips for a subtle, but bright pop on the lips,” he adds. We like Bite Beauty Outburst Longwear Lip Stain.

Avoid layering in too many mineral SPF products — although, definitely wear SPF, especially if your ceremony is outside — because the whiteness in the zinc could make your face look lighter than the rest of your body in photos.