Alex’s effortlessly radiant bridal look at Butley Priory

Oct 30

4 min read

Butley Priory is one of my favourite luxury wedding venues in Suffolk, so I’m always excited when I have a bride getting ready there. Alex had brought together such a brilliant team of suppliers, and every detail was considered.

Black-and-white photo of a smiling woman in a white robe having makeup brushed on. Luxury wedding makeup in Suffolk by Emily Chantal.

After the intense heat we’d had over the summer, the slightly milder early autumn weather was very welcome. It was still warm enough to enjoy being outside and, crucially for a wedding day in the English countryside, it stayed dry!

Butley Priory: A historic, luxury Suffolk wedding venue

Hidden away in the Suffolk countryside, close to the coast, Butley Priory has such a distinctive atmosphere. It feels grand and historic, but also peaceful and private.

More than 700 years old, the building was once the gatehouse of an Augustinian monastery, and its history is visible everywhere you look.

Because Butley Priory is only available for a limited number of weddings each year, it feels very exclusive celebrating here. For Alex and Charlie, it provided the perfect backdrop.

Bride and five bridesmaids in black dresses smile with white bouquets outside Butley Priory. Luxury wedding makeup in Suffolk by Emily Chantal.

Alex's fresh, natural bridal makeup look

When we discussed Alex’s bridal makeup, the priority was for her to still feel like herself.

We went for fresh, natural skin with a soft bronzed finish. It was polished enough to photograph beautifully, while still feeling natural in person. I used Haus Labs Foundation to create an even, natural-looking base, alongside a cream blush to bring warmth and freshness back into the skin.

Bride in a strapless white gown and pearls stands indoors at a wedding reception, smiling softly with seated guests behind her. Luxury wedding makeup in Suffolk by Emily Chantal.

Alex had also chosen to have a lash lift rather than wear false lashes. I loved that decision for her. Bridal makeup does not have to follow a particular formula, and false lashes certainly aren’t essential. The best bridal look is one that's authentic to the person wearing it.

The finished makeup was soft, glowing and refined, with enough definition around the eyes to work beautifully both in photographs and throughout the evening.

Get Alex's bridal makeup look

Makeup Forever Lip Liner
Dior Highlight Palette
Westman Atelier Petal Cream Blush Stick
Rodial Banana Lowlighter
Haus Labs Foundation
Patrick Ta Major Dimension Palette Medium
By Ellie Brow Gel
Dior Addict Lip Glow

Click on the product images above to purchase them.

Once Alex had her hair, makeup, dress, veil and accessories on together, she saw herself properly as a bride for the first time. “I look unreal," she said! Exactly what every bride deserves to feel.

Bride in white robe sits as makeup artist Emily Chantal applies makeup in a bright stairway room, with beauty tools and calm prep mood. Luxury wedding makeup in Suffolk by Emily Chantal.

Why finding the right bridal makeup and hair team is important

Alex had made the decision quite late in the process to change her hairstylist, moving from her usual salon hairdresser to a dedicated bridal hair specialist.

It turned out to be a very good decision.

Cutting and colouring hair and creating bridal styles are very different disciplines. Wedding hair needs to look beautiful from every angle, work with veils and accessories, photograph well and, importantly, survive hours of hugs, dancing and celebration.

Alex’s hair stayed in place all night, and that's the reason I always recommend choosing suppliers who regularly work on weddings. There are so many little details involved in getting someone ready for such an important day, and experience really does matter.

Black-and-white photo. Bride wipes tears with tissue beside groom in tux at a decorated outdoor wedding table under a tent. Luxury bridal makeup in Suffolk by Emily Chantal.

Making bridal makeup last from morning until midnight

One of the biggest differences between everyday makeup and professionally applied wedding makeup is longevity.

Your wedding makeup needs to cope with more than a normal day. There may be happy tears, warm rooms or weather, outdoor photographs, Champagne, kisses, hugs, speeches and several hours on the dance floor, all while still looking beautiful up close and on camera.

As a professional wedding makeup artist, I prepare the skin carefully and choose products and application techniques according to the bride’s preferences, skin type, the season, and the finish we want to achieve.

For Alex, that meant creating lightweight layers rather than relying on heavy coverage. Cream and powder products were balanced carefully so that her complexion remained fresh while still having the staying power required for the whole celebration.

Professional bridal makeup should never feel like a mask. The aim is to make sure you feel comfortable and confident when you first walk down the aisle, and still feel that way when the dancing starts hours later.

Wedding room with two men in black tuxedos smiling as bride enters holding white bouquet; soft cream decor and curtains. Luxury bridal makeup in Suffolk by Emily Chantal.

A first look before the ceremony

Before heading downstairs, Alex had a first look with her bridal party. I always love these moments. After spending the morning getting ready together, suddenly seeing the bride completely dressed can very quickly bring you back to the present.

Alex then joined Charlie for their ceremony in Butley Priory’s Great Hall. Filled with natural light and framed by that incredible vaulted ceiling, it is such a striking space for a wedding ceremony.

Black-and-white photo. Bride laughs during wedding vows as a man reads from a paper, with guests seated in the background. Luxury bridal makeup in Suffolk by Emily Chantal.

Afterwards, everyone moved into a beautiful sailcloth marquee for the wedding breakfast and speeches. Against the historic surroundings of the Priory, the marquee was so relaxed and elegant within the early autumn setting.

Later that evening, everyone returned to the Great Hall – although the atmosphere was a lot less serene by then! Alex and Charlie spent the evening dancing with their guests to end their special day.

Bride and groom kiss while dancing at a lively indoor wedding reception, guests cheering in the background. Natural bridal makeup by Emily Chantal.

Luxury wedding makeup in Suffolk and beyond

As a bridal makeup artist, I will take the time to understand how you normally wear your makeup, what makes you feel confident and how you want to see yourself when you look back at your wedding photographs years from now.

I provide wedding makeup throughout Suffolk, East Anglia and across the UK, and I’m always happy to travel for weddings further afield for an additional travel fee.

If you are planning your own Suffolk wedding (whether at Butley Priory or another beautiful venue) and are looking for natural, polished bridal makeup, I’d love to help you.