Weddings tend, more often than not, to be rather long, fabulous, heavily photographed affairs these days - so feeling and looking great as a guest is best not left to chance. Or the last minute.
Whether this summer’s nuptials will see you faced with church pews, a bucolic garden marquee, destination dance marathon, or all of the aforementioned, here are the need-to-know expert tips and essential products guaranteed to help each and every guest survive The Season in style and fabulous form.
Find the scent of success
“Fragrance is powerful stuff which makes everlasting memories, so don’t let that memory be too loud,” says Tracy Munro, perfume expert and managing director of cult Belgravia perfume store Les Senteurs. “Never outdo the bride or bridegroom. If you like the same fragrance, let them have that day to shine.”
Wedding in the sun? Add a little more power to your line-up. Marc Antoine Barrois Tilia (£190) is an explosion of sunshine and yellow florals that radiates happiness. Or if you’re celebrating nearer home, go for something fresh and airy. Try Pernoire Anelo (£240), a gorgeous fruity, unisex scent that pulls on pineapple and pomelo.
Day to night is a challenge, but Grossmith King’s Salute (£230) is a grown-up fragrance for the grown-up man with citrus, herbs and woody undertones. And we can’t overlook Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady (£200), a classic masterpiece. Pungent, sensual rose with a streak of patchouli and frankincense.
Achieve super skin
“Six weeks before a wedding is the cut off for trying anything new skincare-wise,” recommends skin health specialist Annee de Mamiel. “Instead use this time to get skin looking healthy, clean, hydrated and glowing. The secret is to pick the right actives – Vitamin C and peptides in particular – and to be consistent.”
In the two week lead-up, pick up on your facial massage, doing it morning and night with your cleanser or cream. Even a few minutes daily makes a difference. On The Big Day keep things simple and focus on hydration. Take the time to really cleanse your face with a nourishing cleanser like my Restorative Cleansing Balm (£70) before re-applying it as a mask, leaving it on the skin for 10 minutes to soothe and nourish.
Once removed, follow up with my Multi-Active HydraMist (£68, demamiel.com) layered with an ultra-hydrating serum. Be generous with both and use the flat of your fingers to press everything into the skin so it soaks in.
Put your best face forward
“I forgot to do my make-up on my wedding day,” says make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon. “My dad came in and said, ‘Lisa, you’ve got no make-up on.’ We were already late so he put on a timer and I ended up doing it in three minutes and 46 seconds. But that’s another story…”
A bright lip is always great for guests. Whether you like it or not, there will be lots of pictures, and a statement mouth adds instant vitality to your complexion. Red is always beautiful. Lisa Eldridge True Velvet lipstick in velvet ribbon (£27, lisaeldridge.com) is amazing and works on everyone.
Underpainting — contouring under your foundation — is another way to add subtle structure to your face. Apply a cream contour like Vieve Modern Radiance ( £32, cultbeauty.co.uk) under the cheekbones, across the forehead, down the jawline, and blend it through, before adding foundation.
Tips from the top
“For this summer’s weddings, find a shade that matches your outfit,” says manicurist Julia Diogo (@paintedbyjools). “I’m seeing lots of pastels, and butter yellow is very in! You needn’t paint the whole nail that shade, but add a little detail like a flower or French tip. Chrome can be added to any colour for that glazed look which I love.”
In terms of your kit, Margaret Dabbs London Crystal Nail File, (£20, margaretdabbs.co.uk) is super gentle, and you never know when you’ll get a chip.
Used twice weekly, Joonbyrd Violet Haze body scrub (£45, joonbyrd.com) removes dry skin to reveal glowing, hydrated hands. L’Occitane cuticle oil and mini shea butter hand cream (£16 and £10, uk.loccitane.com) are a must, while the Navy Doris Manicure Tool (£45, navyprofessional.com) pushes cuticles back safely and easily.
Shine on, volume down
“Hair-wise it can go wrong for wedding guests when they forget they are neither the bridesmaid nor the bride,” says hair colourist and trends forecaster Zoë Irwin. “Whisperings that you are trying to upstage the top table must be avoided at all costs.
“With this in mind, I always recommend picking shine over volume as a rule, making sure your colour looks flawless and your hair is in great condition. L’Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Spectrum glass shine serum (£28, lookfantastic.com) is just the thing.”
Style-wise soft, undone waves are a great option. Or try a low, braided bun. If it’s an accessory you crave, make sure it’s something sleek, like a satin or grosgrain bow.
And ask your stylist to talk you through exactly how to create your chosen look in your last appointment before the wedding, then D.I.Y it. Diving into an unknown salon on the big day doesn’t always yield the results you want.
See also: The best wedding guest dresses (and power suits) for every summer 2025 dress code
