Brides - When to Book your Makeup Artist

There is so much to do when planning a wedding. There are so many details to think of and manage. Planning a wedding is a major task and it is usually a new and overwhelming experience.  In the beginning, the planning is managed through check lists:  pick a date...check, book a venue...check, book a caterer...check, etc.  But, the closer you get to the 'big day,' the issue becomes timing.  Knowing how to schedule all of those fabulous details, vendors, services, and celebrations on that 'big day' is a big deal.

There are many tools available to today's Brides that help with planning, but I frequently receive phone calls and emails from Brides frantically trying to find a Makeup Artist at the last minute, so here are some tips on when to book your wedding day Makeup Artist.

1.  Book your Makeup Artist at the same time as your Photographer. 

Your Makeup Artist is AS important as your Photographer because most likely YOU are going to be in the majority of the pictures and you will want to look your best.  Not only will the pictures be forever, so will your makeup in those pictures.  I would suggest booking your Hairstylist at this time as well.

2.  Schedule your Makeup (and Hair) trial runs on the same day as your Engagement photos.  

This will give you the opportunity to see exactly how everything photographs and make any necessary adjustments with your Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist ahead of time.  

3.  Show your engagement photos to your Makeup Artist.  

Makeup Artists are Artists and they are usually the most critical of their 'art'.  Seeing the pictures will usually inspire new ideas or validate their previous color choices.

4.  For the wedding day, allow yourself at least 1 to 1.5 hours for just YOUR makeup. 

Not only is this the only time that day you will be able to close your eyes and relax, but unfortunately your phone will be ringing off the hook, Aunt Sally will need directions to the church, your Sister will have forgotten her shoes, the caterer won't be able to find the vendor entrance, etc., and this ALWAYS cuts into your time.  Even if you have hired a Coordinator, there will be a million last minute details and texts to deal with.

5.  Work with your Makeup Artist to put together a schedule for the day.

Create time slots, assign them to specific people, and email the schedule to your bridal party ahead of time. With everything that is going on on a wedding day morning, especially with larger bridal parties, there should be a "butt in the chair" at all times; this goes for Makeup and Hair.   

6.  Consider WHERE you are planning to get ready.

If you are planning on having your Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist come to your location, work out the schedule so they can work with/around each other.  Ask both service providers for a reasonable time frame for each person in the bridal party, and help them coordinate a plan before hand.  If you are planning to get your hair done at a salon, make sure there is room for your Makeup Artist and that the salon is on-board with a non-staff Artist working on the premises.

*One last tiny bit of advice.

Unless you are the only one in need of Beauty Services on your wedding day, please always hire a separate Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist.  For bridal parties larger than 2 people (including you) there just isn't time for one person to do everything, and do it exceptionally.  There is a much better chance of your expectations being met if you hire one person to specialize in each technique.