Top Questions to Ask Your Wedding Hair & Makeup Artist

Booking your bridal hair and makeup artist is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning – it’s the moment you start visualising how you’ll look and feel on your big day. But to ensure everything goes smoothly, it’s important to ask the right questions before securing your stylist. Though a little tip - check their website for FAQ's they might have a lot of your answers there already.

Here are the top questions every client should ask their wedding hair and makeup artist – plus why they matter.

1. Are You Available on My Wedding Date?

Before diving into any details, make sure your artist is available on your chosen date and location. Popular bridal stylists often get booked up a year in advance, especially for summer weddings. Note we can't take your enquiry further without a date, even a quote may change depending on the day of the week etc, so please do understand if we're not able to confirm prices without a date set.

2. Do You Offer Both Hair and Makeup Services?

Some professionals specialise in one or the other, while others (like us!) offer both. Hiring a single artist for both services can simplify the morning schedule and ensure a cohesive overall look, if timings allow. It's really important to consider this when booking too.

3. Do You Provide a Trial Run / preview – and When Should I Book It?

A bridal trial/ preview is essential to test styles, tweak your look, and make sure you feel 100% confident. Ask when they recommend booking your trial and what to bring along – photos, accessories, or even your dress if possible. Note you're trialling the look and not the artist.

4. What Products Do You Use – and Are They Suitable for My Skin Type or Hair Texture?

If you have allergies, sensitive skin, or specific product preferences (cruelty-free, vegan, etc), it’s important to chat about products upfront. A good artist will be happy to tailor their kit to your needs. Within my team I can guide you to the people that suit your requirements, noting that everyone will carry differing products.

5. Can You Accommodate My Bridal Party Too?

Find out how many people your artist can style on the morning of the wedding and whether they bring a second stylist if needed. This will help you plan your morning schedule and ensure everyone looks and feels their best. Remember this is exactly what I (Emily) am here for. It's my job to work out how best to make the morning run whilst also taking into account your budget. I do this day in day out.

6. How Long Will Hair & Makeup Take on the Day?

Timing is everything on your wedding morning. Ask for a rough breakdown of how long your look will take, and how much time should be allowed for bridesmaids or mums. This helps your photographer, venue, and planner keep the day running smoothly. Most of the team work to 1 hour for the bride and 45 mins for everyone else, but this can change after a trial.

7. What Happens if You’re Ill or Have an Emergency?

It’s not a fun thought, but it’s smart to ask. A reliable artist will have a backup plan or network of trusted professionals to step in if something unexpected happens. We have the obvious initial option of asking another team member to step in (sometimes two if it means one can do the early part and another the later part), but I also have an extensive list of people I can call on in an emergency. I've not let anyone down yet, 1500+ weddings and counting!

8. Will You Travel to My Venue – and What Are the Costs?

Most bridal stylists are mobile and travel to you, but it’s good to confirm. Ask about travel charges, parking requirements, and whether accommodation is needed for early starts or remote venues. - Note every member of my team is mobile for the wedding unless expressed otherwise, but trials are sometimes held at their home salons.

9. How Do I Secure My Booking – and What’s Your Payment Policy?

Clarify the deposit/ booking fee required to secure your date, the remaining balance due, and the cancellation policy. Getting everything in writing gives you peace of mind. Most reputable suppliers will provide this information at the same time as quoting.

10. Do You Have a Portfolio or Testimonials I Can See?

Looking at real bride photos or reviews gives you confidence in their experience and style. Bonus points if they’ve worked at your venue or with similar hair/skin types to yours!

Asking the right questions not only helps you find the perfect bridal hair and makeup artist – it also ensures you feel calm, confident, and cared for in the lead-up to your big day.

If you’re planning your wedding near Bristol, Bath, Somerset, The Cotswolds or Wiltshire, I’d love to chat about how we can bring your dream bridal look to life. Feel free to get in touch for availability or a free discovery call.

Thanks for reading

Emily xxx