1. Always do a trial to convey what you like.
2. Get a contract or something in writing from the professional that they are booked for your date. Many will require a deposit.
3. Ask what back up that professional has in case of an unforeseen emergency that enables them to not do your wedding last minute.
4. Consider scheduling hair and makeup for upcoming wedding related plans: engagement photos, bridal shower, or rehearsal dinner.

Come with 1 or 2 people who will give you an honest opinion about how you look. Be careful to come with the “critic” or the person who desires to “play the makeup artist”, because they can make you more confused. You have to feel like the most beautiful version of YOU and YOU have to be comfortable with the makeup look.

Wear a neutral solid color top for trial.

This can sometimes be tricky. You may say natural, but want false individual lashes at the same time. Bring magazine tear outs of looks you like AND looks you don’t like. Bring products you like, and, most helpful, apply your own makeup like you would for going out. It’s the best way for me to take what you do and improve upon it.

Everyone does this at the end of the trial, but I think it’s more of a novelty than helpful. You really can’t see the makeup, it’s not a professional photo, and you are not seeing the makeup with the rest of the finished look: bridal hair and in the dress.

More often than not, your wedding day also becomes an important big reveal for others like MOB, MOG and siblings. If a trial will make others who are having makeup done more comfortable, than by all means do it, but it’s not a must for the makeup artist. I come on location with a makeup kit prepared for all.

No! If you are comfortable with how you looked at the trial, then you are good to go. I always tell my brides that I will tweak the makeup, if need be, based on my notes when we do the makeup that day. On the day, I am seeing you in the dress, with hair and in the setting of the venue, and I can fine tune if the look needs more color, definition, etc. However, if you are still unsure after a trial, then definitely do a second. Most artists are happy to do a second retrial complimentary or at a discounted price. A talented makeup artist can do any look, and sometimes were simply misguided by your translation of what you think you like.

It is always good to have something in writing from the person doing your makeup that confirms date, timing of service, and fees. When hiring an artist several months in advance, ask about what they do as a backup situation if they are unable to fulfill their contracted service- is your deposit refundable? Book with a reputable person. The best recommendation is always by word of mouth. Using a makeup artist that has done people you know or recommended by your vendors is always a better choice than going with an unknown.

If you have the opportunity to do a trial on site prior to your destination wedding, that will always be best. Another option is to have a makeup lesson before your destination wedding. We do a makeup look with step by step directions that you can recreate yourself or give to an artist on site. This enables the look you are comfortable with to be easily recreated and takes a lot of the guesswork out of the process. If the budget allows, then consider bringing your makeup artist with you. Traveling to the destination is an option with most makeup artists. Be prepared to provide travel arrangements/associated expenses in addition to service fee. There is often a 2 day minimum fee, depending on destination.

Ideally, hair or your lace wigs should go before makeup. If hair is being set in rollers, then use that downtime to start the makeup while hair is set and off the face. You want to keep the process going, otherwise you will run short on time.

The mother of the bride should go first. As it gets close to ready time, she’s going to be pulled in different directions with questions from the venue, family members, and the bride. The bride should go second, so that you can enjoy the process and allow yourself plenty of time to do so. After your makeup is finished, go back to hair for a final touch up before stepping into your gown. You can always have lipstick applied after the veil is placed. Then make your big reveal!

It’s nice to include the MOG (mother of groom) if she is willing to be flexible around the timing you need for your service. If not, or if there are other family members needing to be done, then recommend they book their own artist so everyone can be done at their desired time.

If you provide hair and makeup for your attendants, then hire additional artists for them to be taken care of separately. One artist should only being doing a maximum of 5 people. A more economical option is to book them appointments at a salon or store and have them put their dresses on with you. If you leave the beauty routine in their own hands, then consider hiring your makeup artist to stay an extra hour to do touch ups on the already made-up wedding party.

The makeup should, and will, last through the night. However, you will need to periodically touch up your lips. If the budget allows, then keeping your artist until after the ceremony allows for picture perfect makeup throughout photos, before you walk down the aisle, and the final touch up when your veil is removed and dress is bustled.

You will need your lip product for reapplication, a powder or blotting papers to reduce excess shine, blush, and breath mints. Keep some q-tips handy to smooth out settled in makeup around the eyes.

If the artist is self employed, then additional compensation is not expected. If you contract an artist from a salon or outside company, then a gratuity is appreciated (15-20%).