Yes! You Need A Wedding Hair and Makeup Trial & Here's Why - By Ashleigh Stewart

As we slow down after the busy wedding season, I am reflecting on what have been some of the best parts of my job so far this year. The connections made with the brides we worked with have been really special. These women put faith in us, and they that our team would deliver excellence when it came to their wedding day beauty needs. I would have to admit that this has been the most precious, and priceless part of my job as an artist.

The connection we make with our brides begins during the initial stages of communication and consultation, when rapport and trust is established. But trust and rapport is not enough to get the job done. The bride has to be certain you can deliver the look she desires, all the while feeling safe, comfortable and relaxed in your presence. She needs to rest assured in complete faith that you will be there for her, ready to make her look and feel her absolute best on her special day. As an artist, it's not something to be taken lightly.

While these connections between artist and bride are established during consultation and communication, they are merged, molded and solidified during the bridal hair and makeup trial. This is one reason why spending this time together is so important. The trial is an emotionally important time where artist and bride seal the deal, tie the knot, and create confidence and certainty between both parties....heck in some of cases, lovely friendships have been born here!

As I sit now, in the process of answering inquiries and sending out quotes for our 2024 brides, I wanted to take the time to write how at The A-List Beauty, we believe that the hair and makeup trial is one of the most important aspects of wedding day planning. It is a key part of our bridal beauty services.

There are vast differences to how a wedding day booking could go with or without a trial. We have had some really successful wedding days with brides who haven't had a trial, as well as others that were more challenging. It all comes down to having the time needed to out any creases that could come up when creating the brides desired style.

When we have not had the chance to set into motion a tried and tested beauty action plan, it is certainly more challenging to troubleshoot skincare, makeup or hair styling challenges when we have no idea what we are up against. It can be especially harder on the day-of when the pressure is on, stakes are higher, stress is at peak levels and heightened emotions are at play.

There is no way around it, trials are important, and because of that I firmly advise against cutting it out of your wedding budget, just to save you a few dollars. In the end it will save you when it comes to having an artist you love sharing your precious wedding morning with you, as well as less stress, peace of mind, certainty and ease when it comes to how you look on your wedding day....and if that is not important to a bride, then I don't know what is!

Below are some of the commonly asked questions we receive at The A-List Beauty regarding bridal hair and makeup trials.

What is a hair and makeup trial?

A trial is a studio appointment commonly reserved for the bride to try her chosen hair and makeup style in preparation for her wedding. While the appointment is usually reserved for the bride, we have had occasions where other bridal party members have wanted a trial too.

Why is the trial important?

The trial is important because it allows the bride time to try out her hair and makeup choices, as well as experiment with different options. The appointment also helps the artist know what the brides beauty vision is, as well as provide time to problem solve, and come up with any adjustments, improvements or suggestions when necessary. It also a very important time to establishes trust and rapport between artist and bride.

Why do artists seem to insist on bridal trials?

The trial is crucial for artists as we always strive for excellence when executing a look. We always have our brides best interests at heart, and truly want them to feel confident knowing that her beauty and satisfaction is our priority. We always work hard to make sure our brides look and feel beautiful on their wedding day, while making the day run as stress free as it possible. The trial is a fundamental part of helping us helps us accomplish these goals.

Can I book bridal makeup without a trial? At The A-List Beauty the bridal hair and makeup trial is not just a recommendation, it is a necessity. The trial is an essential part of our bridal beauty services and is included in your bridal services quote. We want our brides to experience the trial to ensure they are 100% confident on the day of their wedding. We want to eliminate any stressors on the day of, and ensure there are no last minute surprises, shocks or disappointments when it comes to their hair and makeup.

Isn't the trial an unnecessary expense that could be avoided?

Aside from all the many reasons discussed above, there are other ways that a trial can be a beneficial part of wedding planning. To make the most of the trial appointment, there are several interesting and fun ways that brides can incorporate the trial day look into other bridal events. For example, I have had several brides book their trial on the day of their engagement shoot, their wedding shower, or bachelorette party. It is a perfect way to get the most out of the time and money spent on the trial, as well as wowing guests with a glimpse of what the bridal look will be.

When should a trial be booked? It is a good idea to book your trial a few months in advance so you are sure to lock-down your makeup artist ahead of time. If you do not have the luxury of time and are dealing with a lot of last minute planning, you can still book a trial in the weeks, or even days leading up to the event. We will always work to accommodate your trial, however, we recommend allowing yourself plenty of time to fully decide on your look. What if I have a trial, then choose a new look? If you decided upon a new look after having a trial with our artists, we can certainly work to accommodate your request and will advise upon booking a second trial appointment. Keep in mind some styles require extra styling, preparation and tools to create the look. In some cases we may not have the advantage of time to make as many adjustments as needed if the look is not exactly as you envisioned without a second trial.

Where will my trial be? Our hair and makeup trials typically happen by appointment at our studio in Vancouver. However, if you need an artist to come to you for your trial, we can accommodate your request. An additional travel fee may be added to your bill. Is a trial included with a bridal hair and/or makeup package? Yes, a hair and/or makeup trial is always included as part of your bridal hair and makeup quote.

Is there anything else I need to know? If you have any questions about our bridal hair and makeup trials, our bridal services or our exclusive product line, please be sure to contact us for a complimentary beauty consultation ahead of time to get the ball rolling. We are looking forward to hearing from you, and are especially looking forward to being a special part of your special day.

Ashleigh