When it comes to your wedding day, you’ll want it to be a relaxing comfortable experience. Choosing the right company for your wedding day is essential. Finding an artist who is amazing at what they do is great but you’ll definitely want to consider a professional that you have a good vibe with and is able create a custom look that you’ll feel comfortable wearing. Makeup and hair sets the mood… literally! Makeup can make you feel romantic, flirty, sultry, like a diva, clean and polished and more! Getting ready is half of the fun! You should have a look that fits your wedding theme and personal tastes.
I’ve included 10 important questions to confirm during your search for professional bridal hair and makeup services that are essential for a dreamy turnout!
1. Do you provide virtual consultations?
Take the travel out and be in the comfort of your home or on a work lunch break! A quick 15 minute virtual meeting can be extremely helpful for not only saving you time but the chance to meet more vendors to narrow down the lists.
Technical skill is important but you need to have a good connection. If you feel uneasy about how you both communicate virtually, chances are you’re going to feel uncomfortable interacting on the wedding day.
2. What brand of makeup do you use?
Each artist has their own professional makeup kit of the best items they feel comfortable working with. It’s important to understand that professionals work with studio grade products that photograph well and last long. Although this is a plus, you want to be aware of any products that you may have good or bad experiences with or have a sensitivity to. Addressing any allergies and reactions to latex, particular colors, or ingredients could save you from an unwanted outcome.
3. Are you comfortable performing services on different ethnicities?
We may have friends and family from different backgrounds and ethnicities. If you have a diverse bridal party you’ll want to be certain you see clients of different types displayed in your professional’s portfolio. It may seem like an obvious perception that all makeup artists and hairstylists are adequately trained on different skin tones and hair types but it takes more training and investment in products to be able to be provide services to a wide variety of people.
Verify the comfort level of the artists and if they’ve had professional bookings with a diverse clientele. Needless to say, there are some unfortunate segregations in the beauty industry. The last thing you’ll want is an unhappy person that photographs badly or worse– left upset because she didn’t receive proper treatment.
4. Are you comfortable with mature skin?
Our mothers, aunts, and grandmothers deserve special treatment! Mature skin and hair must be handled with care and expert evaluation. It is a common assumption that if a company displays great work, they can perform on older clients as well. Even if their style is natural, careful attention must be used to prepare mature skin for a professional finish, truly understand their level of comfort and provide results that withstand premature makeup degradation.
5. Are you comfortable with big parties?
Having a Texas sized wedding means you need a more than one artist to complete everyone’s beauty services. It’s vital to understand that time goes more quickly than expected on wedding days. If you have more than 5 total services, having more than one person completed at a time will ensure great time management. I would steer clear of professionals that overpromise high number of services. Although YouTube may make it seem very quick and easy to create a beautiful bridal finish, you should plan for a professional makeup or hair service to take at least 45 minutes to 1 hour each so that necessary consultations are provided for each participant and proper sanitation is followed. Each client has different skin needs and different hair types which may affect timing. A schedule of services should be ideal to obtain so there is clarity on when each person is expected to be in the chair. It’s better to have more time than feel rushed for such an important occasion!
6. Is a trial included?
Having a trial is an amazing experience you’ll appreciate! This is a common offering in many bridal packages but you’ll want to confirm if it is included, additional or required to reserve. If you are quoted for only the wedding day services, chances are a discounted trial is offered separately. This is a fun way that will allow you to experience what’s to be expected beforehand. Generally, you’ll want to narrow down your favorite styles first. Your artist should analyze what certain techniques would be most suitable and determine what is inline with your level of comfort. All to often professionally styled studio makeup is done more heavy-handedly than the average client expects. Your features and skin need to photograph professionally under the scrutiny of a magnifying camera lens with high-definition clarity. You can think of it as a costume for the camera.
7. Are there additional expenses?
Dealing with many vendors is proven to be a stressful task to handle. Don’t worry, you’ve got this!! Each vendor prices their packages differently and should be upfront about what exactly is included in the base rate. If you don’t see it listed, ask to clarify if it is included. Receiving a brochure about the company and a price list will be the way easiest to understand what is included and what’s additional. Since every client has a unique budget, you must evaluate what is necessary and what is excessive to your needs. To better accommodate brides of different budgets, typically vendors will have a base rate and have the option to add selections that may better fit different needs. Some details you should consider is the location of your wedding venue and it’s distance from the vendor to evaluate travel fees, upgrades to different types of makeup techniques, whether you should have dry hair or if blow drying is additional, if you’ll need installation of hair extensions or a wig, adding cultural accessories, and if you need the vendor to stay after additional hours when they’ve completed their tasks for touch ups. If you need additional services, be sure you go over your needs to prevent any unexpected charges or day of surprises. Adding additional services may modify your time schedule and labor of the vendor. It’s important to be upfront with all you may need so everything runs smoothly and is scheduled properly.
8. Do you require a contract or deposit?
When you are planning a grand occasion with a large amount of money to be invested, it would be smart to make sure there is contractual agreement on what you will receive. The majority of vendors in the wedding industry find it mutually beneficial to solidify reservations. The last thing you’ll want is a vendor to drop out and not refund your payments. Without a legal document you’ll have no proof of the agreement!
Contracts and deposits from a vendor’s standpoint are equally important. They receive inquiries from multiple couples with your same date and time. To be able to offer fair and guaranteed time slots, reservations typically require a deposit and contract to block the schedule. The deposit amount may range from 25%-50% depending on the season and demand of the vendors schedule.
If you have your heart set on a particular vendor but worry about the deposit, reach out to see if any payment plans are available. The company may be able to offer you a custom payment plan if you are truly interested in reserving their services!
9. How far in advance should I book wedding hair and makeup services?
The average timeline for planning a wedding is typically 12-14 months. If you’re set on using a particular vendor, you should look at reserve them at your soonest convenience. The sweet spot for having reserved your beauty team is 3-6 months before the wedding day. If your wedding is sooner than that, it definitely doesn’t hurt to ask if a vendor is available! During this time, you’ll have the chance to narrow down your look, complete your trial and solidify your wedding schedule of services. You can comfortably make decisions on how you’ll look without feeling rushed or added pressure.
10. Is gratuity included?
It’s your choice! Your bridal team works hard to ensure everyone looks the part! Early start times, working long hours standing up or bent over, and the pressure of perfection for each person is no easy task! It’s a good idea to read your contract to see if gratuity is included in the rate or not. Although generally not required, the standard service gratuity is 15%-20% of the fee. Your hair and makeup artists are responsible for a large percentage of the finished results in photos. Showing you’re thankful by leaving gratuity is the best way to show your appreciation!
Faces by Fiona is a Dallas based bridal and special event beauty company. To inquire more about our professional hair and makeup services, please click the link below: