Choosing the right professionals for your wedding is a personal decision and tends to lean on far more than just their portfolios alone. On a wedding day you spend so much time with your vendors, so having a connection with them makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable. We want you to have a chance to get to know your vendors a little better before you make that tough decision on who to choose. We reached out to our wedding professionals on your behalf so you can become better acquainted with them.

Meet Leah - A Georgian Bay Make up Artist

Leah is a professional make-up artist, originally based in Barbados and now in Collingwood, Ontario. She is a plant enthusiast and loves anything to do with the aerial arts including pole fitness and aerial hoop. Specializing in bridal, Leah is best known for enhancing her clients’ beauty with natural looking make-up that lasts all night. She has this incredible ability to put her clients at ease with her calm and friendly nature which, if you aren’t used to having your make-up done professionally, makes the whole experience a dream.

You can find Leah’s website here: www.makeupbylee.com
Make friends with her on social media: @muabylee

Left: Corynn Fowler Photography Right: Maranda Elysse Photography — Left: Corynn Fowler Photography
Right: Maranda Elysse Photography

What's a wedding trend you would like to see?

I can't say there's one specific trend I'd like to see and tend to like seeing each of my brides individual visions and styles as everyone has their own unique aspects and ideas. I think elopements are very special and can be done in such a nice way, something that I think we'll be seeing more of.

What is your wind down ritual after a wedding day?

I unwind on the drive home especially if it's a long drive. I'll grab some grub and when I get home I'll pour myself a glass of rose and just sit, usually on the porch or wherever the sun is. After standing for hours on end it always feels good to just sit and stretch out. After taking some time to myself, I'll then start unpacking & cleaning everything in my kit so it's all ready for the next one.

If we were to come into your office, what would we see? (be honest)

My office isn't really a typical office, I don't like being in a closed off room so to be honest, our dining table is my office, where you'll find me surrounded by plants & files scattered with lots of light coming in. I consider myself pretty organized but it's definitely my organized chaos that only makes sense to me and I'm ok with that.

What would your theme song be?

Rise Up - Andra Day, it always gives me the goosies.

What is your current obsession?

Reading a lot of history-inspired books.

What is your current favourite local business in Georgian Bay?

I can't say I have a favourite as there are many, many businesses that I love in Georgian Bay. It's a community of so much talent making this area very special to me and I feel very lucky to be a part of it.

Left: Evelyn Barkey Photography Right: Danielle Arnold Photography — Left: Evelyn Barkey Photography
Right: Danielle Arnold Photography

What is the best present you have ever received? Why?

My husband and I like to play paddle ball and one year he made me a set of paddle rackets with our names on them, very special & sentimental.

Tell us about a creative piece you worked on that you're extremely proud of.

I love doing styled shoots and letting the creativity take over but I can't say there's one shoot that I prefer to others. I love being able to work with some incredible talent and vendors and seeing the end results always get me super excited & makes me proud.

Favourite ice cream flavour?

Peanut butter chocolate fudge - yummmmm

What is your superhero power?

If I was a superhero I would be able to be in two places at once.

What is something strange or interesting people would never know just by looking at you?

I have the memory of an elephant.

Tell us about your all time favourite wedding

Oh there are so many favourite moments and weddings I've had the opportunity to be a part of. I love witnessing some of the most special moments... this past summer I had a wedding where the grandfather arrived to see the bride and the looks on both their faces were just pure love and I could see how important it was for the bride & for him to be there for each other, a part of it... I definitely got choked up. On a more light note, I also had a bride who was not only a beauty inside & out, but had the most beautiful, unexpected dress with every colour imaginable in it (greens, oranges, creams, reds & more) and I just LOVED that.

What was the biggest blooper you've ever experienced at a wedding?

Years ago, I arrived on location to do makeup for a destination bride who had a recent botox job done which unfortunately didn't go as planned and I had to try to do what I could to fix it with makeup…

Favourite snack on a wedding day?

Grapes

What is the most common compliment you get from your couples after working with you?

I usually get that they loved their makeup and how well it lasted throughout the night and then they really appreciated me going above & beyond whether it was to do with makeup or not.

Who would win in a fight - Taco or Pizza?

Pizza

Pineapple on pizza - OMG Yes or EW?

omg YES

The Office - British or American?

I’m actually not into either.

What is currently inspiring you?

I feel like music has been inspiring me a lot and also just the love that I see in people around me.

What creative project are you working on right now?

At the moment, it's not as creative as I'd like, it's more of a to-do list for my businesses. I'm looking forward to when I can get back into being in someone's face doing makeup and being creative in that way.