Yellowknife (Feb 19/03) - If stylists could have their way, brides, as well as their parties of bridesmaids, would just sit back and let the beauty specialists take over.

Michelle Charlebois, an esthetician, and Sean Drygeese, a hairstylist, who both work at Joie de Vivre in Yellowknife, know all about stressed out brides. They have plenty of tips, but above all they highly recommend booking ahead.

"Right now you can get an appointment in a week," Charlebois says. "Come summer, I would say a month ahead, to guarantee."

A wedding day is all about pictures. If you want a facial before the big day to put your best face forward, get one a month in advance, Charlebois suggests.

"To let your skin relax," she says. "And you never know. You might have an allergic reaction."

If you don't normally wear makeup, you should. "At least a base," says Charlebois. "Please the camera, then please yourself."

On the big day, all eyes will be on the bride. But what will be on the bride's eyes?

Don't be swayed by the bridesmaid's colours, Charlebois warns.

"Go with whatever looks good on you."

Drygeese suggests brides should visit the salon before their actual appointment to talk to their stylist about ideas. Bring your veil or head piece. Feel free to bring a camera, too, and document styles you try, Drygeese says.

Brides are notoriously hard to please, and on edge for many reasons. Charlebois, who admits she's getting married in a few months, and will probably feel the same way, says the best thing for a bride to do is treat herself.

"Get a massage a few days before the wedding. Get a body wrap, like an aromatherapy salt glo to exfoliate the skin," Charlebois says. "Get your eyebrows done a month before, make sure you like the shape, then come in and get them touched up."

Drygeese is a huge fan of trimmings to get rid of split ends. He also says if you're getting hair coloured or highlighted book ahead.

"Get it done a week before. That way the colour is fresher looking," he says.

Booking ahead also means you can get the stylist you want, and maybe even get time to do things like eat before the big day sweeps you away.

"It's very relaxing," Charlebois says of all the services her salon offers.

But, she says, "you definitely do not want a massage the day of the wedding. You're going to be like a wet noodle, and you won't be wanting to walk down that aisle."