Are you a Bride to be?

Congratulations on your engagement! It's such a lovely time enjoying the build up to a wedding but it can sometimes be a little overwhelming. So I thought I would write a series of bridal blogs guiding you through the process of choosing what you want your hair and makeup to look like on your big day.

The first most important question is, do you need a hairstylist and/or makeup artist? Maybe a friend has offered to do your makeup or your hairdresser has offered to do your hair at their salon?

Only you can decide this, and elements such as the wedding location and budget will obviously be a consideration. I had a huge dilemma when I got married as to whether to just get my hair done, as I was more than capable of applying makeup. In the end I opted to get both my hair and makeup done, as I decided I wanted to sit back and relax on the day and also offer this to my Mum and bridesmaids as a treat for them too, and I didn't really want to be doing much on the morning of my wedding except sipping Champagne and taking it all in!

Secondly you need to find the right service for you and your budget. Most brides prefer makeup artists and hairstylists to come to their 'getting ready' venue which is an amazing experience for the whole bridal party to enjoy prior to the wedding. However, some may find this option a little over their budget. What you need to remember is that by employing a professional freelance hair and makeup specialist, you are paying for their time (which includes travelling to your venue), knowledge, experience, high end products, insurance and talents. My hair and makeup kit is worth thousands and I regularly invest in new makeup products to ensure my brides feel the most fabulous on their big day.

Next you need to find the right person or persons. This can be tricky. My advice would be to do a search on Google and try and opt for those appearing on the first page. Another tip is to check if those suppliers have won any awards, are preferred suppliers at local wedding venues, have been published in any magazines, and most importantly look at their work, and see if you like their style! All reputable freelance makeup artists and hair stylists will have a website, so look through their portfolio. Also start to follow them on social media (Facebook or Instagram are usually the ones that artists upload recent work to). Often you may find someone and love their work, only to discover they are already booked. Most artists get booked a long way in advance, so try and secure your date as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Finally you need to check that the person you like, is your kind of person! We are all different, with different personalities, experience and strengths. My advice would be to have a consultation where you can get a feel for the person and make sure that you feel they are someone you want to be part of your special day. Most makeup artists and hairstylists offer a free consultation, where you can discuss your wedding theme, style of dress, and ideas you may already have with regards to hair and makeup (you can start a mood board in Pinterest or rip some images out of magazines to show them images you like). If you are happy they are right for you, it's standard practice to then pay a deposit to secure and hold your wedding date.

Next you must invest in a trial. This is so important for both you (to make sure you are happy) but also for the artist so that they know exactly what products to use on your big day, and what hairstyle to create. It's also a great experience and an opportunity for you to get to know them further, trials range in price but are generally between £50 - £100.

Prior to the big day, you will confirm timings which will vary depending on whether you are going into a salon or the artists are coming to you. But always insist on a schedule that allows enough time at the end for you to get into your dress and have pre-departure photos, again experienced artists will always provide this.

So your homework for this week is to secure your chosen hairstylist and makeup artist.! Next week's Blog will talk you through wedding preparation for both your skin and hair, but if you have any specific questions you would like me to answer, please do let me know.

Lipstick and Lashes,

Nikki

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