We recently had LeAnne Ramey of LeAnne Ramey Artistry on the podcast, and honestly, the conversation was full of the kind of advice every bride needs to hear before her wedding day. LeAnne has been doing makeup for about eight and a half years, working weddings, photo shoots, and even New York Fashion Week. So when she talks about bridal prep, we listen.
On Shoot the Vows, we love digging into how every vendor on your wedding day shapes the experience, and this episode was a great reminder of just how much your makeup artist matters to how the whole day feels.
The Bridal Trial Isn’t Optional, It’s Insurance
LeAnne said something that stuck with us. She never skipped her own trial, and honestly couldn’t imagine anyone showing up to their wedding day without one.
A trial gives you and your artist a chance to sit down, talk through your daily routine, your skincare, your dress, your color scheme, and land on a look together before it actually matters. Without it, you’re asking your artist to nail your exact vision on the one day there’s zero room for a redo.
Here’s why that matters so much. If something feels off with your makeup on the wedding day, there’s no fixing it after the fact. You’re wearing that look all day long, through every hug, every dance, every photo. A trial means you walk into your wedding already knowing you love how you look.
Skincare Prep Starts Earlier Than You’d Think
One thing LeAnne was clear about is timing. She recommends starting a skincare routine nine months to a year out if you can, not two months before the wedding.
Her reasoning made a lot of sense. Trying a new retinol, a harsh exfoliant, or an aggressive facial right before your wedding can leave skin dry, patchy, or irritated, which then makes makeup harder to apply and less likely to last through the day.
Her bare minimum advice for anyone starting from scratch:
- Find a moisturizer that actually fits your skin type, whether that’s oily, dry, combination, or acne prone
- Use a gentle facial cleanser consistently, nothing fancy required
- Drink more water and eat more fruit for that inner hydration boost
- Skip the five step routine unless you actually want it, simple and consistent beats complicated
None of this needs to be expensive or overwhelming. It just needs to start early enough that your skin has time to respond.
The AI Inspo Photo Problem
This part of the conversation really stuck out to us. LeAnne mentioned that a lot of the inspiration photos brides bring to trials now are coming from Pinterest and Instagram, and increasingly, those platforms are flooded with AI generated images.
She used to get frustrated seeing an AI photo brought in as inspo. Now she’s shifted to gently explaining that the look isn’t actually achievable because it was never real makeup on a real face to begin with. It’s a good reminder for any part of wedding planning. Inspiration is great, but it helps to know the difference between a real result and something generated to look flawless in a way that doesn’t hold up in person.
If you love a specific artist’s actual work, showing them their own photos as inspo is honestly one of the best compliments you can give.
Book Your Vendors Early, She Means It
LeAnne echoed something we’ve heard from a lot of wedding vendors on this show. Book as soon as you know you want someone, especially if their style and your budget align.
She’s already booked out roughly a year in advance for makeup, and she’s not alone. The same is true for a lot of vendors around Central New York, from photographers to florists to caterers. Waiting too long often means losing out on the person you actually wanted, and settling can affect how the entire day feels.
A few things she recommends before booking any vendor:
- Talk on the phone or over Zoom before committing, not just email
- Read reviews and ask people who’ve actually worked with them
- Make sure their style and personality genuinely fit what you’re looking for
- Keep your vendor info organized in one place so planning doesn’t become overwhelming
Why This All Ties Back to Your Day
Every vendor on your wedding day is working toward the same thing, a day that feels good and looks even better in the memories you keep forever. Your makeup artist helps you feel confident. That confidence carries through everything else, your vows, your first dance, every moment in between.
So if you’re planning your wedding and haven’t thought much about your bridal trial yet, consider this your gentle nudge. It’s a small step that makes a real difference in how you look and feel on one of the biggest days of your life.
Let’s Chat
If you loved this episode and want to hear more conversations with real CNY wedding vendors, subscribe to Shoot the Vows and drop your topic requests in the comments. We’d love to feature them in a future episode.
