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On this week’s episode of 52 'Til I Do, we’re diving into how to find the right hair and makeup artist for your wedding: someone who not only understands your vision but knows how to bring it to life on the big day. We’re breaking down what to look for when searching for your HAMU artist, from communication style and portfolio variety to experience with your hair type or skin tone. We’ll also cover when to book, how to prepare for your trial, and key red and green flags to watch for during the process—so you can feel confident in your choices.
If you’re following our Marriage Planning guide, hair, makeup, and grooming all fall under the same category on the budget tracker and usually account for about 2-3% of your total budget. Of course, this can look very different for everyone—some people might spend nothing at all in this category, while others may choose to spend significantly more.
There’s no right or wrong answer! It’s completely up to you and your partner. This is a personal preference. If you’d like to treat your wedding party to hair and makeup as a gift, or require matching styles for everyone, you’d typically cover the cost. However, keep in mind that there’s no correct or incorrect way to go about this.
Ask the artist! Some hair and makeup artists prefer everyone to pay ahead of time, while others prefer payment on the day of the event. Just check with them to be sure. Sometimes, one person will pay for everyone, and others will reimburse them later—but if that’s you (the marrier), don’t volunteer! Let one of your VIPs handle that responsibility instead so you can focus on enjoying your day without the extra logistics.
These are the major beauty companies with tons of employees and years of experience. They often offer a wide variety of services and a large range of artists, which can make it easy to find something that fits your style. The downside? You don’t always know exactly who will be doing your hair or makeup. You might see inspiration photos on their website from one artist, but on your big day, a different artist—trained in another specialty—may work with you.
This is the opposite approach. With a small business, you’ll know exactly who you’re working with and what to expect on your big day. There’s a personal touch and consistency that bigger companies can’t always offer. The trade-off is that small businesses often don’t have as many services or backup artists, so scheduling other services or making last-minute changes can be a little trickier.
Most companies offer a trial or test run of their services before the big day, and we cannot recommend taking advantage of these enough! Doing a trial lets you see exactly what you’re getting, try out different looks, and make adjustments ahead of time so there are no surprises.
Getting ready in a salon can be super convenient, especially if everyone is paying separately. The process tends to be faster since the artists are used to working in that environment, and you don’t have to worry about travel fees. The downside? Salons often don’t have much space for friends or family to hang out, and you have little control over the environment—you can’t always choose who is in the space while you’re getting ready.
You don’t have to get ready in a salon. Your childhood home, a rented space, or a hotel suite can also work beautifully. The biggest advantage is control—you know exactly who will be there and when, and you don’t have to travel, which reduces stress for you and your party. The trade-offs are that lighting can sometimes be tricky, and artists don’t have the same equipment or setup they’d have in a salon, which can affect photos. That said, many hotel suites and personal spaces can be absolutely gorgeous and make for amazing photos if you plan ahead!
Working with a team that does both hair and makeup can be really convenient. These artists often know each other well and have a sort of “choreography” down—they understand each other’s timelines and how they work together. This can make getting ready faster and smoother, and sometimes even save you money since it’s bundled together.
The main downside of booking separate hair and makeup artists is that they might not know each other, which can lead to confusion or a less seamless experience while everyone gets ready. The upside is that each artist is specialized in their craft, so you know exactly what to expect for your hair and your makeup. This can give you peace of mind that your look will be executed perfectly.
We absolutely love this idea! Doing your own hair and makeup can be a great option, especially if you’re particular about your look and want to feel 100% confident on your big day. It gives you complete control over your style and ensures you get exactly what you envision.
That said, we’ve noticed that many people choose a DIY approach to save money, but it can sometimes have the opposite effect. Buying new products, testing out different techniques, and trying to perfect your look can quickly add up (both in time and cost). Plus, doing your own hair and makeup can be stressful on a day when you really want to relax and enjoy yourself. If you do decide to go the DIY route, consider practicing ahead of time and creating a checklist of products and tools so you’re prepared and can keep it fun instead of overwhelming.
Your wedding hair and makeup should make you feel confident, not overwhelmed. Whether you go with a salon, no makeup, a small business, a full team, or DIY, planning ahead and doing a trial is key. Focus on what makes you comfortable, communicate clearly with your artists, and enjoy the process. When you feel good, it shows in every photo and every moment of your big day.
For more tips and tricks, tune into the full episode of 52 ‘Til I Do on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Have more hair and makeup related questions? Send us a message at hello@marryment.com or get in touch on our social media—we love helping couples navigate this part of wedding planning!
Photo Credit to JNA Visuals
Marryment proudly serves couples all across Chicago and the surrounding Chicago Suburbs including popular areas such as Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Naperville, Evanston, Joliet, Oak Park, Skokie, Barrington, Downers Grove and Northbrook, to name a few. We also love destination weddings. We'd love to be a part of your wedding day! Schedule your free planning call with us today.
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