Bride Bea Gonzales has recently penned a blog on her personal social media account narrating her struggles with mental health, her surgeries during childhood and her recent struggles coping with the pandemic.  Emotionally not easy.

I did her makeup and hair earlier this year sort of her Bridal trial if you will.  Her mom is a client of mine and we met during the 25th wedding anniversary celebration, which Bea organized for her parents.  She struck me as a sweet, polite and smart young woman and she still is, but beneath the smiles there is always a story.

I never knew about her struggles since she was 14 years old, the many surgeries and her diagnosed bi polar disorder.  She overcame them through the best support system she ever had, her parents, family and friends to get through her trials.  Her Mom Jo was instrumental in her healing like most mothers do, Moms help their children no matter the circumstances.

Here is our chat together:

1. Please tell me a bit about yourself. What do you do for a living, what are your hobbies, passions?

I’m Bea Gonzales-Marañon, an artist, writer, storyteller, and mental health advocate… who works in tech. It’s not your usual combination, but it’s been a fun experience shaking up the software industry with all sorts of out-of-the-box ideas.

2. What inspired the choice of your bridal makeup look, and how does it complement your overall wedding style?

I’ve been a client of Acie for years and at this point, I don’t even need to show her my pegs! For our wedding, my husband and I actually decided not to give most of our suppliers any pegs and gave them creative freedom. The result? Suppliers that really gave it their all. 

3. How did you like the outcome of our time together, for your special day?

As usual, I had fun working with Acie! We had a morning wedding, so prep time started at roughly 2:30 AM. That didn’t stop us from playing 90s music and working on q quirky reel, though. Acie was super game to take part in my shenanigans. 

4. What’s one special memory you have of your wedding that you love? Could you share that photo with us?

Exchanging our vows in private. It was such an intimate moment of pure love for each other. 

5). What was a good beauty moment for you during the wedding day itself?  

Having my photos taken in a forest-like area, as if I was in Taylor Swift’s Folklore era. The sun hit my face and gown just right to make the photos look ethereal… even if they were just taken in a vacant spot by the parking lot. 

6)  Favourite beauty product, application used during your wedding and why?

THE PREP. Every cold thing Acie put on my face felt so good and was much-needed after only a few hours of sleep. It was a nice, thoughtful step that I’ve noticed really sets her apart from other makeup artists I’ve worked with. 

7)  Any bridal tips you want to share for future brides planning their wedding? 

TRUST YOUR SUPPLIERS. There will always be setbacks and imperfections, and that’s totally okay! Trust me, when you treat your suppliers as friends and give them your full trust, they will do their best. Aim to be a Bridechilla, not a Bridezilla! 

Also, focus on your husband and yourself. When the couple feels the love, the guests feel the love. 

8)  What is one thing you could change during your wedding preparation?

Have the wedding a tiny bit later in the morning. More sleep is always a plus!

9)  Any beauty rituals you did or received that you want to share?

I went to my dermatologist (Aivee Clinic) 1 month, 2 weeks, and 1 week before the wedding. I had them analyze my skin and prepare a regimen that would keep my skin glowing ’til the event. 

10)  Favourite photo of you during the wedding and why.

Probably our couple photo in the Taylor Swift Folklore forest. It looked really magical and professional! Another would be our photo right after our private vows. We were both still teary-eyed, taking in each other’s words. 

11) Can you share any beauty rituals or skincare routines you followed in the weeks leading up to your wedding for that extra bridal glow?

I kept my skincare routine simple: Double cleanse, moisturize like there’s no tomorrow, add some anti-acne cream just in case, and drink lots of water.

12) What role did your makeup artist play in helping you feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day?

She enhanced my features, rather than make me look like a totally different person. She also made sure everything was water-proof and would remain intact until the end of the event. I didn’t even have to try to hold back my tears! I could let myself feel all the feels and take in every magical moment of the day. 

Bea’s journey was the courage to embrace vulnerability. She shattered the stigma surrounding mental health by openly sharing her struggles, breaking the silence that often surrounds these issues. She also inspired others to seek help without shame or fear.

“ Why aim for perfection, when you can instead aim to serve as an inspiration?”  Well said Brava Bea!

Photo :  Chissai for TeamPatdy
Gown:  Rolan Dysangco Cubillas
Makeup:  Acie Fores
Hair:  Susan Basaysay
Event Planner:  Kalila Events