How To Choose Your Wedding Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist
What to consider and the things to remember when booking your professional bridal makeup artist and hairstylist for your wedding day
You’re engaged – congrats!! Now you’re starting to gather your ideas and wedding inspirations or perhaps you’re well into the swing of wedding planning already, eeek!!
Most people have never planned a wedding before, and may only ever do it once (we hope!) It is crazy to think about really; to plan such a huge event when most of us are not professional event planners and may have little to no experience with this!
WHAT YOU NEED TO CONSIDER IN THE EARLY STAGES OF WEDDING PLANNING
“I don’t know where to begin! What should I do first?”
One important thing to remember when you begin planning for your wedding day is to book your suppliers and book them early! What’s that saying? “The early bird gets the worm”! So, once your wedding date is set and your venue is booked, start to contact wedding suppliers to confirm their availability and lock them in. Sure, there are many, many wedding photographers, florists, makeup artists and hair stylists out there, but perhaps the ones you have your eye on might not be available for your wedding day, especially if it falls on a peak date! We all prefer to have choice when it comes to booking or purchasing anything and we like to know we are getting the best, right? It is better to secure your suppliers sooner rather than later, so you don’t have to settle for what is left later on.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST
“What do I need to consider when choosing my makeup artist and hairstylist?”
Many people have never had professional hair and makeup before, or perhaps on just one occasion when they were a bridesmaid at their mate’s wedding several years ago, so it is tricky to know what to look for when choosing and booking a professional for your big day.
As a bridal makeup artist and hair stylist who has been working in the wedding industry for several years now, I have some useful tips and pointers to consider when booking your hair and makeup artist:
Plan ahead. If you are getting married on a peak date, I would recommend booking your hair and makeup artist at least 6-12 months before your big day, to avoid disappointment. For off-peak dates (such as weekdays or in January/February), a minimum of 3 months is advised. As with most wedding suppliers, bridal makeup artists and hair stylists receive multiple enquiries for peak dates, and those who enquire early will be securing those dates!
Choose wisely. When choosing your makeup artist and/or hairstylist, make sure you do your research by checking out their portfolios and reading their reviews – even better if you get a personal recommendation from a friend or family member who has worked with an artist before!
What to look out for. Has the artist got a website? Do they have a varied and extensive portfolio, including real brides? Is their information, pricing, and booking process clear and transparent? Have they got genuine reviews, such as Google reviews and online testimonials? Do they have Terms and Conditions? These are all things to check for to ensure you are working with someone who is professional and trustworthy.
Cost. I hear you asking “How much does wedding hair and makeup cost?” Well, there is no standard price to wedding hair and makeup services. This will depend on the stylist, location, level of experience, and what they offer. However, it is good to remember that you usually get what you pay for! Check the prices of wedding hair and makeup artists near you to get an idea of the standard rate in your area.
Choose local. This may not always be possible, as your favourite artist might not live around the corner! But it is something to consider when booking your makeup artist or hairstylist, as they will charge for travel (and perhaps accommodation depending on the distance!) You will most likely have a trial before your wedding day, so it is best that your chosen stylist is not too far away, to avoid hefty travel charges. It is worth noting that the artist should always mention and quote for travel upfront, rather than adding this on later!
Don’t delay. If you find a makeup artist or hairstylist who seems like you’re kind of vibe, reach out to them and check they are available on your wedding date. There is nothing worse than scrolling through someone’s portfolio and getting excited only to find out that they are not available on your big day! Once you have found someone who is right for you, make sure you don’t hesitate in contacting them. Once you have established that they are free on your wedding day, make sure to secure your date so you don’t miss out.
Wedding planning is a lot, and can be pretty overwhelming, but I hope this post has provided some useful tips and points to consider when it comes to booking your wedding hair and makeup. You can always find answers to some common questions in my FAQ section or get in touch with me if you need any help or information!
