Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and you want to look and feel your absolute best.
One key aspect of achieving that perfect bridal look is hiring a skilled and talented wedding hair and makeup artist. Scotland, with its stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is a popular destination for weddings. In this blog, we walk you through the process of finding and booking the ideal wedding hair and makeup artist for your Scottish wedding, including when to start your search.
The Importance of a Wedding Hair and Makeup Artist
Your wedding day is a time to shine, and professional wedding hair and makeup artists can help you achieve that flawless and radiant look. Here’s why hiring a skilled artist is crucial:
- Expertise. Professional artists have the experience and training to create a wedding look that complements your style, dress, and theme.
- Long-lasting Makeup. They use high-quality products and techniques that ensure your makeup stays fresh throughout the day and night.
- Stress Reduction. Having a makeup artist allows you to relax and enjoy the morning of your wedding without worrying about your look.
- Photography. A skilled artist knows how to make you look your best in photographs, enhancing your natural beauty.
When to Start Your Search
Once you have your wedding date set, it’s time to start your search for a wedding hair and makeup artist. Member Natasha advises to book as far in advance as possible as many Artists will book up a good year to 18 months in advance. Here’s a general timeline to follow:
- 12-18 Months Before. Begin your search early, especially if your wedding is during the peak season (typically late spring to early autumn in Scotland). This allows you to secure your preferred artist.
- 9-12 Months Before. Schedule consultations with potential artists. Discuss your vision, share inspiration photos, and review their portfolios.
- 6-9 Months Before. Once you’ve found the perfect artist, sign a contract and make a deposit to secure their services. Don’t forget to discuss any additional services you may need, such as bridal party makeup or hair.
- 3-6 Months Before. Plan and schedule a trial run for your hair and makeup. This will ensure you and your artist are on the same page regarding your desired look.
- 2-3 Months Before. Confirm all the details with your artist, including the wedding day schedule, location, and any changes to your vision.
- 1-2 Months Before. Finalise any last-minute changes or adjustments to your hair and makeup if any.
How to Find the Perfect Wedding Hair and Makeup Artist
Now that you know when to start your search, let’s explore how to find the ideal wedding hair and makeup artist in Scotland:
- Ask for Recommendations. Begin by asking friends, family, or recently married couples for recommendations. Personal referrals can be invaluable.
- Online Research. Bridal hair by Natasha recommends to use online resources like wedding directories such as Scottish Wedding Hair & Makeup Directory, forums, and social media platforms to find local wedding artists. Websites like The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Instagram are great places to start.
- Wedding Fairs and Expos. Attend wedding fairs and expos in Scotland to meet potential artists in person and see their work up close such as Braehead Wedding Exhibition.
- Local Bridal Magazines. Pick up bridal magazines specific to Scotland, as they often feature local wedding vendors and artists such as Tie The Knot Scotland.
- Check Reviews. Look for reviews and testimonials from past clients to gauge the artist’s professionalism and skill.
Questions to Ask Potential Artists
When you’ve narrowed down your list of potential wedding hair and makeup artists, it’s essential to speak to them to ensure they’re the right fit. Here are some questions to ask:
- Availability: Confirm that they are available on your wedding date.
- Portfolio: Ask to see their portfolio of past bridal work to ensure their style aligns with your vision. Bridal hair by Natasha recommends to narrow down a style you like.
- Experience: Inquire about their experience and relevant qualifications.
- Pricing: Get a detailed quote for their services, including any additional charges for travel or early morning start times.
- Reviews: Look for reviews from past Brides who can vouch for their professionalism and skill.
- Product Used: Discuss the brands of makeup and hair products they use to ensure they are of high quality and suitable for your skin and hair type. Is vegan or having a totally cruelty free kit important to you? If so, look for an Artist that offers this, member Makeup by Sarabel has a totally cruelty free kit.
Trial Run and Contract Signing
Before you decide on your chosen artist, schedule a trial run with your preferred wedding hair and makeup artist. During this session, you can:
- Test the Look: Ensure the artist can create the look you desire, and make any necessary adjustments. Speak up if you want something changed, an Artist would prefer you were honest with them and tell them at the time of any changes you might want.
- Discuss Details: Go over the wedding timeline, location, and any special requests.
- Sign the Contract: Once you’re satisfied, sign the contract and make the required deposit to secure the artist’s services on your wedding day. Often you will find an Artist will want a deposit before the trial in order to secure the date.
Final Preparations
As your wedding day approaches, here’s a checklist to ensure everything is in order:
- Confirm Details: Double-check all the details with your artist, including the schedule, location, and any changes to your desired look.
- Don’t try any new Products: Don’t try any new products in the run up to the wedding and especially not the night before. Don’t use any face masks you haven’t tried beforehand.
- Skincare Routine: Follow a skincare and haircare routine leading up to the wedding to ensure your skin and hair are in the best condition. Get into a good routine as early as possible.
- Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency beauty kit with essentials like lipstick, blotting paper, hairspray and hairpins for quick touch-ups.
Your Wedding Day
On the big day, trust your wedding hair and makeup artist to work their magic. Here are some tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:
- Arrival Time: Be ready for the artist’s arrival, and provide them with a calm and comfortable workspace. Ensure there is suitable space, a table, chairs, plug sockets and good natural lighting.
- Make sure your dresses have all been steamed BEFORE hair and makeup, or hire a Dressing Service who will take care of this so you don’t have to worry about ruining your hair and makeup. They will also help you get into your dress which can be stressful if there are a lot of buttons, so having a professional do this will make getting ready so much easier for you.
- Relax and Enjoy: Use this time to relax, have plenty of water and a good filling breakfast, get a music playlist and just enjoy the day. Make sure you have as much as possible sorted (getting the room ready for the photographer, setting the room up etc) the night before. Too often Brides have constant interruptions from people coming in and out of the room, asking questions about things that could have been sorted the night before. And if anyone in your bridal party is responsible for sorting things, make sure they are last to get hair and makeup done, as often they can get hot and bothered from running around and it spoils their hair and makeup.
