A Guide to Perfecting Your Wedding Kiss for Romantic Photos

The Importance of Proper Kiss Grooming for Your Wedding Day

Your wedding day kiss is one of the most anticipated and photographed moments. After months of stress and planning, sealing your marriage with a kiss allows you to get lost in the moment and each other. But no one wants to look back at their photos and cringe at their sloppy kiss! Proper kiss grooming ensures you look absolutely perfect in all your wedding photos.

Exfoliate Lips

Chapped, flaky lips are an unappealing kiss culprit. The week before your wedding, exfoliate your lips daily with a lip scrub to slough off dead skin. This reveals smooth, soft skin and sets the foundation for a perfect kiss. Look for a lip exfoliator with ingredients like sugar, honey, or coconut oil to gently buff away dryness. Focus on exfoliating the center of your lips, where dead skin builds up. Rinse with water and apply lip balm after scrubbing.

Hydrate Lips

Hydration is key for a supple, flawless kiss. In the months leading up to your wedding, apply lip balm religiously to hydrate your pout. Opt for balms with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, vitamins C and E, and natural oils. Drink plenty of water and use a humidifier at night to prevent your lips from drying out. Avoid licking your lips, which evaporates moisture. The night before and day of your wedding, layer a thick lip mask over your balm to deeply condition your lips overnight.

Exfoliate and Moisturize Skin

Kissable skin begins with your regular skincare regimen. Maintain a routine that gently sloughs away dead, dull cells and keeps skin hydrated. Use a face wash, scrub, or mask with glycolic or lactic acid 2-3 times per week to refine skin texture. Follow with a rich moisturizer daily, focusing on any dry areas prone to flaking, like around the nose and mouth. On your wedding day, avoid powdery mattifying products that can cling to dry patches. Prep skin with a hydrating serum and facial oil for a dewy glow.

Prep with Lip Primer

After prepping bare lips, use lip primer before applying your wedding lip color. Lip primer fills in fine lines and smooths texture, creating the perfect canvas for your lipstick. Primers containing hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or vitamin E condition while smoothing. Some primers are clear while others neutralize undertones and correct discoloration. Apply primer all over your lips, then blot with a tissue. Follow with your chosen lip color for flawless, fade-resistant coverage.

Line and Define Lips

Lip liner helps create full, defined lips for a polished wedding day pout. Use a liner that matches your natural lip tone and apply along the edge of your lips. Then fill in your entire lip with liner, using light strokes to blend. Choose a lipstick formula with lasting power, preferably liquid lipstick or a creamy matte lipstick. Apply lipstick over liner, blotting and reapplying for opaque coverage. Make sure to bring your lip products for touch ups after eating, drinking, or kissing throughout your wedding day.

Avoid Lip Plumping Products

It may be tempting to try temporally plumping your lips before your wedding. But steer clear of lip plumping balms, oils, glosses, and other products. Lip plumpers commonly use ingredients like cinnamon, capsaicin, peppermint, or ginger that irritate the lips, causing swelling. This can lead to stinging, redness, and peeling lips. The plumping effect is minimal and temporary anyway. Focus on healthy, exfoliated lips enhanced with lip primers and liners instead for naturally smooth and full lips.

Watch What You Eat and Drink

What you consume in the days before your wedding also impacts your kiss. Greasy, salty foods can cause puffiness or dryness. Stick to a diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains for hydration and an enviable glow. Limit sodium, refined sugar, and alcohol, which is very dehydrating. Drink lots of purified water as well. Right before your ceremony, avoid sticky or oily foods that can transfer onto your lips and teeth. Touch up your lip color after eating or drinking.

How to Perfectly Execute Your Wedding Kiss

With properly primed and prepped lips, it's time for the big kiss! Here are some tips to look absolutely flawless in your wedding photos and videos when sealing your marriage with a kiss:

Time it Right

Don't rush in too quickly or awkwardly hesitate. Listen closely to the cue from your officiant so you know exactly when to lean in. Often, the officiant will say something like "You may now kiss the bride/groom." Wait for those magic words! Moving in too early can make for an awkward moment.

Coordinate Head Angles

Agree ahead of time on how to position your heads so your noses don't collide. Often one person will tilt their head one way, the other person the other way. Or simply tilt your heads in the same direction. Gently pressing foreheads together helps guide your lips together. Place hands delicately on each other's necks, arms, or hips for an intimate touch.

Mind the Height Difference

If there is a major difference in heights, the taller person will need to lean down while the shorter person stays upright. Avoid straining your necks too much or bending over unnaturally. The taller person can stand on a low step stool if needed. Or opt for a dipping kiss - the taller person dips their partner slightly backwards for a movie-worthy kiss.

Start Soft and Slow

Rather than immediately lip locking, begin your kiss softly. Gently touch lips together at first, increasing pressure gradually. Lingering and slowly building your kiss creates more romantic, tender photos rather than hungrily mashing your faces together. Close your eyes and savor the moment.

Watch the Dipping

If going for a dipping-style kiss, mind your balance and spacing. The dipper should have a sturdy stance in a lunge position with one foot ahead of the other. Bend from your knees to support your partner's weight, keeping your chest upright. Dip slowly and Communicator communicate so your partner knows what you are doing. Do not dip too abruptly or deeply.

Lock Lips

Once your lips make contact, lock lips and hold your pose a few seconds. Allow your photographer to snap some straight-on shots before pulling away. Wrapping your arms tightly around each other brings your bodies closer. Avoid opening your mouth too wide or using tongue - keep it tasteful and appropriate for your wedding photos that will hang on walls or in albums!

Smile and Celebrate

After your ceremonial first kiss, pull back and smile brightly at each other. Soak up the applause from your loved ones. Wave at your guests and walk down the aisle elated, hand-in-hand. Share more sweet kisses at your reception in front of your friends and family.

Troubleshooting Kiss Bloopers

Smudged Lipstick

Avoid blotting after lipstick application, as this removes product. Blot before applying lipstick instead. Apply concealer around lip edges using a small brush to correct smudges. Bring your lip color for quick touch ups.

Wandering Eyes

Keep your eyes closed during the kiss to avoid looking around awkwardly. Stay focused on each other's lips. Briefly open your eyes after the kiss to gaze adoringly at each other.

Colliding Noses

If your noses bump, simply adjust the angle of your head and try again. No need to get embarrassed - laugh it off and go in for a better aligned kiss.

Pitching Too Far Forward

Maintain good posture during the kiss by keeping your neck and back straight. Lean in from your upper body rather than pitching your entire body forward. Distribute weight evenly instead of coming off your heels.

Excessive Dipping

Take care not to dip your partner dangerously low, past the point of control. Descend slowly, stay balanced, and communicate with your partner. They can place their hands on your shoulders too. Keep your dip graceful and elegant.

Relish Your Romantic Wedding Kiss

With proper planning and preparation, your wedding kiss will be sheer perfection. Follow these grooming, positioning, and technique tips for a timeless kiss to cherish forever. The most important thing is to lose yourself in the tender moment with your new spouse, celebrating your love and new marriage.

FAQs

How long should my wedding kiss last?

Aim for 2-4 seconds for your ceremonial first kiss. Lingering too long beyond 5 seconds can feel uncomfortable or awkward. Keep it sweet and tender!

What do I do if my lips are very chapped before my wedding?

Start an intensive lip exfoliation and hydration regimen ASAP. Gently buff lips with a lip scrub 2-3 times daily and apply a thick lip mask before bed. Drink lots of water and