Finding The Right Artist For Your Wedding Day
So, you're engaged and planning a wedding. You've hired most of your vendors, but you need to find an artist to handle beauty services for the wedding day. I know, it can be a little overwhelming. Social media is inundated with people promoting themselves as makeup artists, and basically everyone knows someone who can do your hair and makeup for your wedding day. So, how do you find an artist that is right for you? I've put together a few tips to help you in finding the right artist for your wedding day.
Photo: Blueflash Photography
Ask Your Vendors For Referrals
Your vendors most likely have a few trusted professionals that they've worked with in the past and would love to recommend. A vendor referral is golden because, honestly, vendors don't recommend just anybody. We will recommend people who we've worked with and have seen the quality of their work, how they deal with clients, and who have a trusted work ethic. We also want to work with other vendors who are easy to work with and those who share a similar style or aesthetic to our own. Your vendors can really be a great resource if you're looking to fill in missing vendor gaps for the wedding, so be sure to ask if they know of a great hair and makeup artist that they can recommend.
Ask Past Brides
If you know someone who recently got married and you loved how their hair and makeup looked, ask who they used. Past brides who had a great experience with their vendors love to share who they worked with. Aside from vendor referrals, referrals from past clients are also golden because past clients actually had the experience of paying to work with a vendor. They will gladly let you know if the vendor was worth the money and how their service was. Past brides can also share a variety of vendors that they may have considered booking, but didn't for whatever reason. Past brides have skin in the game, so their referrals and recommendations should definitely be considered.
Read Reviews
Reviews are where you can get recommendations from hundreds of brides that you don't even know. Brides will review their vendors regarding quality of the work, how easy it was to work with a vendor, timeliness, pricing, etc. Reviews will tell you everything you need to know. Check out your perspective hair and makeup vendor's website for testimonials. You can also find reviews on websites like Google, The Knot, or WeddingWire.
Check Out Websites
Everyone has an Instagram where they promote their bridal beauty services, but be sure to look for a website as well. Anyone can create an Instagram, but professionals have a website. We have a virtual home outside of social media where you can find out more information about us and our services, and where you can formally inquire about working with us. Instagram is great because it allows us to showcase our work and engage with potential clients and other vendors, but, a professional will also have a website. Do a google search for bridal hair and makeup in your area, or if you see someone on social media who's work you like, be sure to check their bio for a website as well.
Check Out Local #Hashtags
Social media certainly does have its place in the wedding planning process. If you've asked for referrals from vendors and past brides, done google search for local bridal hair and makeup artists, read reviews and are still looking for an artist, then hop on over to Instagram and see if you can find an artist by searching local hashtags. If you find an artist who's work resonates with you, check their bio to see if they have a website that you can inquire through, otherwise, send a DM and get more information from them.
Schedule A Trial
Sometimes, you just don't know if an artist is the right artist for you until you get the chance to work with them. Scheduling a trial with an artist gives you a chance to connect with them on a personal level, and it also gives you a chance to experience their work and service. Some brides schedule multiple trials with multiple artists, however, I recommend trials with no more than 2 or 3 tops. Use vendor referrals, referrals from past brides, reviews and testimonials, and websites to help narrow down your top choices, and then reach out and schedule a trial.
Secure Your Wedding Date
Once you've found an artist that you love, make sure that you book them for your wedding right away! For most artists, having a trial does not automatically secure your wedding date. Just like with your other vendors, you'll need to secure your bridal hair and makeup artist with a contract and retainer. Good vendors book up quickly, and hair and makeup artists are no different. If you find someone you want to work with for the wedding day, and they're available for your wedding date, book them and budget for them! A good professional is worth the money, and will ultimately make your wedding day easy and relaxing for you.
These tips are pretty simple! I know that for some reason, our minds typically shift towards social media when we are looking for something we want, but the value of a good referral or review really is underrated. Google searches also are really helpful, and searching hashtags can also be beneficial. Be sure that before you book your artist, you feel confident that they are someone you want to start your wedding day with, and that you'd like to work with them in the time leading up to your wedding day. If you're unsure about whether or not an artist is really someone you'd want to work with on your wedding day, here is a blog that I wrote about what to look for in a bridal hair and makeup artist.
I hope this helps you in finding the right bridal beauty professional for your special day! Let me know what other tips you've used to find a great bridal hair and makeup artist in the comments!
xo,
Melissa