The Ultimate Guide to finding your perfect Bridal Makeup Artist!
Tis the season for engagements! You got the pretty ring and you're swimming in love and glowing with excitement in anticipation of your life to come! Once you have taken the time to just enjoy being engaged (which I firmly believe should happen) you get to starting looking around wedding vendors for the big day! Of course the most important (100% biased over here) vendor to book is your makeup artist!
And then it hits you like a ton of bricks. WHERE in the WORLD do you even start? There are SO MANY artist's to choose from!
This post is all about how to chip away the crowd to find your perfect makeup artist, with the least amount of stress possible.
TIP. I know the bridal magazines say to book your makeup artist somewhere between the 2-4 month out window. THEY LIE. In this area 6-8 months out is much safer, and if you want someone in high demand, even earlier.
My assistant Sydney doing some final touch ups!
1. Ask your friends! Chances are, someone you know has recently gotten married and loved their artist. Bonus points if you've been in a wedding and also enjoyed working with the artist!
2. Ask other vendors! If you have matched up with a vendor who you adore personally and stylistically, they should be able to get you a couple names of artists they appreciate working with. Photographers will go for artists who will cut down on their editing time and planners will go for artists who keep the timeline intact. On top of that, they have usually met the artist in person and can make an educated guess on if you will work well together. It's a really good sign when multiple vendors have the same person on their list!
3. Google it. This one may take a little more sifting, but typically a true pro has their site put together well. Take the time to look through the photos and read the information provided, then if you think the two of you would be a good pair, reach out!
4. Social Media. I find everything on Facebook and Instagram. Use hashtags like #(location)makeupartist and check out the geotags (or business pages) from your wedding venue to find other weddings with a similar style as you. Chances are they will also have a makeup artist who matches up with you! Put those stalking skills to good use!
TIP. It's always amazing when brides take the time to read a little bit about the artist, whether it just be the bio or going over to their blog, this is a great way to get a feel for the person without leaving your chair. It's also a good place to see just how much experience they have. Licensed? Years experience? Reviews? A website is basically a really pretty resume.
If you want to see what they have been up to lately, head on over to their Instagram, maybe check out their story! Much of the time we put together a pretty website with our favorite images and then leave it. All the fun stuff happens on social media and blogs.
Once you have found a few options, you can move on to the next step! Reaching out!
1. Are you available for my date? (If that date is already booked, ask for a recommendation! We know people ;) )
2. What are your rates?
3. Do you travel? If yes, what are your travel fees?
4. Any other questions you have, but only after you've read the FAQ page ;)
When you are feeling reassured about your choice, book! This usually means a contract and deposit to hold your date. Be concerned if they don't have those set up for you, they are there to protect both parties.
What about a trial??
Most artists will not do a free trial before booking the wedding. Usually you will pay an additional fee, or the artist will have a way of carrying it over to your package should you decide to book.
Did I miss anything? If you have any other questions I would love to hear them and see if I can help!
~Elizabeth
