Choosing a make-up artist for your wedding is without doubt, one of the biggest decisions you will make when it comes to planning your wedding day. Your make-up and artist play such a major role in the outcome of your day that you’d be crazy to skimp here.
Great make-up has a direct impact on:
- The way you feel on your wedding day
- The way you look… obviously
- Your confidence
- How your photos turn out
- The amount of photoshop ‘work’ required after your wedding, if any
- Whether or not your eyes, arguably the most sexy part of any bride, ‘pop’, sparkle and shine
Choose the right make-up and artist and you will have an incredible day. Yes, it makes that much of a difference.

Make-up isn’t just any old make-up when it comes to looking great in your wedding photos
When I had the idea of an audio interview for this post it was a question of choosing the right make-up artist, someone with loads of talent, experience, someone I would trust if I were looking to recommend to my family or friends. On the Central Coast, three girls came to mind – Lee Hanly, Mellisa ‘Melli’ Dempster and Karen Dyer.
All are amazing make-up artists and truly exceptional at their craft. Seeing as I had interviewed Lee Hanly for an earlier blog post and I have a video interview planned in the future with Karen, it was Melli that was the logical and first choice for this post. That, and the fact that she has a shopfront, right next door to one of the best coffee shops in Terrigal. An excuse to sit and chat over a great coffee in the number one location on the Central Coast. 😉

Melli in front of just a few of her own range of products at her Terrigal salon
Listen to the interview and you’ll come away knowing all you need to about choosing the right make-up artist for your wedding, tricks of the trade, what to look for when choosing a make-up artist, face charts, how long you’ll need to allow, the trial make-up session and if it’s even necessary and we even cover the ever controversial topic of wedding day spray tans, and Melli’s advice that I was to afraid to be drawn in on. Melli also talks about make-up brands, how to reduce shine in your photos but still keep that sparkle and warmth plus loads more in this 28 minute interview.
Melli and her team service the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley but the information in this interview can be applied to wherever you are having your wedding and for whom ever wants terrific wedding photography.
You can listen to the interview directly from the player below or you can download and listen on your phone or mp3 player later. If you’d rather read the transcript, that’s also available by clicking here.
Download and listen later by right clicking here and choosing “save as”Â
If you’re looking for more wedding advice and tips to guarantee you have the best wedding day possible, click on the ‘wedding advice’ tab at the top of the page for lots more articles, interviews, hints and tips.

One of Melli’s “Face Charts” that form the foundation of your wedding appointment
As a side note: I thought it was pretty cool when waiting to speak to Melli for our chat, she was busily packing her kit to head down to the annual Logie Awards, taking calls from celebrities and getting ready for a massive weekend of make-up, champagne and partying. Let’s hope she adds a few photos to her website from the awards!
1 Comment