Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design
Are you wondering how to decide between hiring a hair and makeup artist to meet you at your hotel or home on your wedding day and taking your whole entourage to a salon? Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Answer the following questions will help guide you in the best direction for you!
1. How much time do you have?
Compare your schedule with your demand for services – salons can often handle more folks at once, but sometimes having someone come to you gives you the most flexibility and the ability to keep working on your look until the last minute.
2. How many people in your party will need services? What type of services does each person need?
On-site stylists are usually limited to the number of ladies they can complete with one or two people on site for a number of hours. If you have 12 bridesmaids, all of whom need to be ready by 1 PM, chances are you need to hire a salon (or two) to get everyone ready in time. Give your stylist an honest representation of the number of girls you have, and how many are having hair only, makeup only, or both. Also, keep in mind what kind of hair services are needed (does everyone need an elaborate updo?).
3. Will you need (and want to pay) someone to stay with you throughout the photos to touch up makeup and make hair repairs?
Obviously an on-site stylist would be the logical solution. Most salons aren’t going to send someone with you to the ceremony and reception to make sure your lip gloss is perfect in every photo. You can, technically, get an on-site stylist to do this, although it is usually enough to make sure you get a small sample packet of your colors to use for touch up yourself.
4. How much room is there on-site?
You may have lots of time built in to your schedule for on-site services, but what time does check-in at your hotel begin? Will your venue let you in early enough to get set up and get serious about styling?
5. What day are you getting married? What time?
Some salons are not open on Sundays – those are perfect days for off-site services. If you have a very early wedding you may also not have the option of a salon as you may not be able to find one that is open early enough.
Many times pricing will be similar (assuming you meet the on-site minimum) so take these other factors in to consideration when choosing your styling professional!
Shayna Walker owns Williamsburg Wedding Design. She publishes the annual Where to Wed bridal guide for Williamsburg, Yorktown, Providence Forge and Newport News. She is also a passionate speaker and educator and writes about business development for the wedding industry at Life in Weddings. Follow Shayna on Twitter at www.twitter.com/weddlady.
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