Laura, the bride with the megawatt smile

Laura Mruz is the most unforgettable bride that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Many makeup artists shy away from doing weddings, because the environment can be extremely tense and emotions can run high. Laura was the kind of friendly, easygoing bride we all dream of working with. There was absolutely no "Bridezilla" drama with this young lady. When I first spoke to Laura, talking with her was like talking with an old friend. I even told my husband, "She is already pretty with no makeup, and she's going to be stunning on her wedding day. This is going to be easy."

Less than a month before The Big Day, I received a phone call from one of Laura's bridesmaids. Laura's mother had just passed away. While Laura was working on final details of her wedding, her family was preparing to say goodbye to their mother. This really broke my heart, because my own wedding felt totally incomplete without my mother in the room. I knew it was going to be a bittersweet occasion, but I wanted to help in whatever way I could. We discussed a few makeup changes (peachy or pink lips, NO smoky eyes, and waterproof everything).
I made one more suggestion. I told her that some of my best girlfriends surprised me with a locket on my wedding day. Inside the locket was a picture of my mother. We wrapped it around my bouquet so my mom could be with me when I walked down the aisle.
Fast forward to Laura's wedding day...
When I arrived at the Mruz family home, Laura's aunt cheerily announced my arrival by saying, "Hey everybody... it's THE LOCKET LADY!!!" The next thing I knew I was getting hugs from strangers. They had made a similar locket for Laura with a lovely photo of her mother, too.
This amazing family could not have been more wonderful and positive to work with. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Laura was beauty and resilience personified, her family was hilarious, and I could literally feel the love in the room.
I kept the bridemaids' eye makeup very simple by using my favorite waterproof eyeliner and finishing it off with two coats of waterproof black mascara. At the end everyone got a double spritz of Makeup For Ever Mist and Fix to keep the makeup looking fresh and smudge-proof all day.

Million Dollar Smiles!

Laura had a Christmas weekend wedding in December of 2009. I just heard from her last week, and she is expecting her first baby!!! I wish the Mruz-Cronin family all the happiness, love, and luck in the world.