The average Australian wedding costs around $36,000. Everything costs money and the brides would have already spent a lot of money before they are ready to think hair and makeup.
Venue, photographer, dress to name a few. I am guessing that if you are reading this blog, that you are fully aware of ALL the things that requires you to spend money.
So why should a bride spend money on yet another thing?
In my opinion, hair and makeup trial for a wedding isn’t just about testing out the look but it is about testing out the person that you will be spending a good chunk of your wedding day getting ready with (yes, I am not exaggerating in that I have spent 10hrs with some bridal parties). So I don’t think it is a bad idea to get along with the artist.
It is like a blind date, meeting your hair and makeup artist for the first time. Your hair is freshly washed the night before, eyebrows plucked and groomed. And for the makeup artist, we make sure that we look presentable, knocking on the door nervously waiting for the door to open.
All jokes aside, you (and the makeup artist) need to check each other out and make sure that we get along. Obviously you liked their work enough to have booked or enquired the artist after stalking them on their social media. However, is the dynamic between you amazing enough to get you through the gruelling ‘biggest day of your life’? (No pressure really)
Just the same that you wouldn’t go straight into a dinner date with who you swiped right on tinder, you probably wouldn’t go straight into wedding day makeup without doing a ‘coffee or drinks date’ first, or in our case, ‘a trial’.
Will it be ok if I don't do a hair and makeup trial?
If your budget is tight and you don’t have time to fit a trial in, the good news is that it is perfectly fine. About 30% of my bridal clients opt for no trial before the big day. If this is your path, then I would suggest at least a 10 min phone conversation and a lot more email correspondence with your artist.
Face to face interaction is always valuable and recommended to get to know each other better before the big day. The trust and rapport that you build together will make the wedding day much more enjoyable and relaxing. The artist will get a good idea of what to bring in their kit, have a clear idea of how long it will take to complete the bride’s hair and/or makeup.
The trial also allows for instructions and advice catered to the individual bride. The type of skin care/hair care that I recommend leading up to the day that is just for you, trialling a look that you are unsure about as well as confirming the things that you do like. Understanding how each other likes to work, what their personality is like and their preference in the chat level, level of familiarity, and to test out the longevity of the look to ensure the products and methods were the perfect choice.
In Conclusion
So to answer the question quite simply.. I would highly recommend for brides to do a hair and makeup trial if the budget allows for it, to make the getting ready part of wedding day as enjoyable and chilled as possible. However, it is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer.
I, as the hair and makeup artist treat all weddings the same, whether it is bridal party of 1 or 5, a bride who did or didn’t do a trial, a 19 year old bride or a 70 year old bride. All brides are special, beautiful and individual! I get teary every wedding I do.
So, make sure you enjoy the ride (and what a ride it is!!) and don’t sweat the small stuff. I am so excited for you brides!