One of the biggest misconceptions people have about make-up is that if you are getting married, you should apply the stuff with a trowel. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Wedding make-up should turn you into the best possible version of you, not the Page 3 version.

If you're opting for a make-up artist, go to a few counters and see what they can do. Many offer à la carte wedding services, but I'd recommend going bespoke, which basically means striking up a conversation with a few make-up artists and discovering which ones work on a freelance basis, which is pretty much all of them. Once you've established this, ask each of them to do your make-up and if you like the result - and you like them, too - make a booking for a trial run. Avoid anyone who refuses, makes you pay for it, or tries to tell you that wedding make-up is "all about the photographs".

But whether you're having someone do your make-up for you, or are doing your own (and why not, if you're confident about it?), "This is not the moment to try anything experimental or novel," says Bobbi Brown. "Nor is it a time to experiment with the make-up look of the moment. Do your make-up as if you were going to a black-tie event."

"The absolute key is to have a waterproof mascara to combat the heat and the inevitable tears," says Ruby Hammer. "Skin in good condition needs only a light base, such as a tinted moisturiser, then it's all about applying concealer in the right places - ie, inner and outer corners of eyes, around nose and chin to remove any redness or blemishes. Then follow with a light dusting of powder. If your skin needs more coverage, use a good light-reflecting foundation. Blotting sheets are better than reapplying powder to avoid that caked look."

Brown advises avoiding frosted make-up - "it tends to crease easily and is too reflective for photographs". And finally, have one great lipstick (or gloss) to carry with you. It's the easiest thing to reapply, and with that and the blotting sheets, you won't need to bother with anything else.