If you’re planning a wedding in Ireland, then you likely already know the name Sara Kennedy. Through wedding directory ‘The Aisle’, her podcast, her I Do School panels (shown below) and various work across the industry, she’s become one of the most trusted voices for modern Irish brides.
I’ve worked with Sara across multiple photoshoots, awards nights, the RDS Wedding Show, and her I Do panel, and every time I’m reminded of why she’s so respected. She advocates for brides, asking the questions they want answered, and she brings out the best in the suppliers she works with.
So when she invited me onto her podcast to talk about bridal beauty alongside other industry experts Pamela Matthews, Hayley Coleman, and Patrycja Rusiecka, I knew the conversation would be one brides needed to hear. We covered the kind of practical questions that make all the difference when you’re preparing for one of the biggest days of your life, including topics I’m asked about all the time as a bridal hair and makeup artist.
Below is a quick snapshot of just a few things we discussed (without giving too much away!), as you can listen to the rest here.
1. Research your makeup artist properly (Instagram is your best tool)
When you’re researching MUAs, have a deep dive through their Instagram. It acts as a portfolio and a place where you can see their work, their style, and how they adapt across different faces/ages/skin textures. And if you don’t see looks that feel aligned with what you want, that’s totally fine, it just means you need to communicate what you’re looking for to them.
2. Communication is everything
Your trial, whether it be in person or online, should feel like an open conversation. So be sure to talk about what you like and also what you don’t like. And if you’re unsure, I always suggest bringing a photo of yourself when you feel your best (usually a Saturday night selfie), as it’s the quickest way for your artist to understand your style and build a look for you from there.
3. Bring inspiration photos
The best reference images you can bring are from your artist’s own work. It lets you point to realistic examples and say things like, “I love the eye makeup here,” or “I really like the softness of this glam” and you know your artist will be confident in recreating this for you.
4. Wear something light or white to your trial
Such a simple detail, but it makes a big difference. Seeing your makeup against a light or neutral top gives a far more accurate preview of how everything will look with your dress.
Bridal beauty can feel overwhelming but conversations like this are exactly why I love working with people like Sara. She asks the questions brides want the answers to, and together we get to share the kind of bridal beauty advice that can make a huge difference. So if you’re a bride to be, I hope this gives you a little more clarity and confidence in your search for your perfect wedding hair and makeup artist.
And if you’d like to dive deeper, the full episode is live and packed with even more insights from some of Ireland’s leading bridal beauty experts. Listen to it here.
Meet myself and Sara Kennedy from The Aisle this January 2026 at Ireland’s Largest Wedding Show, where I’ll be back on the expert Panel sharing all my bridal glam insights.
Grab your tickets here: wed.ie
Or email me to be added to my VIP Guest List
I’m also so honoured to be trusted and recommended by Sara Kennedy – it’s truly wonderful to have my work recognised by such a respected voice in the wedding industry.
Check out my profile here: Keira Smyth Hair & Make Up on The Aisle
