Finding A Wedding Hairdresser: Tips For Your Big Day

how to find a hairdresser for wedding

Finding a hairdresser for your wedding can be a challenging task. While it may be tempting to rely solely on the internet, it's worth checking in with your current stylist first—they may be skilled in wedding hair and could offer a recommendation if not. You can also ask friends whose wedding hair you loved for referrals. When you have a list of potential stylists, it's important to look at their portfolios and client feedback to gauge their expertise and style. Once you've narrowed down your options, it's time to consider your budget. Most stylists price their work differently, so be sure to ask about pricing, travel requirements, and any specific products they require. Finally, book a hair trial to test if you've found a match for your vision and ensure your hairstyle will last throughout your big day.

Characteristics Values
Start looking As soon as you have a date, or as soon as the hairdressers' books open for your desired date
Where to look Your current stylist, bridal hair experts, referrals from friends, wedding fairs, wedding photographers, venue's Instagram, wedding Facebook groups, Google, Instagram, Wedding Wire, The Knot, Zola
What to look for Portfolio, client feedback, star ratings, reviews, pricing, travel requirements, references, kit and products, experience with different hair textures and lengths
Budgeting Wedding attire and beauty services should make up 5% of the total budget
Trials Book a trial a few weeks before to ensure you're both on the same page

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Ask your current stylist for recommendations

If you already have a trusted stylist, this is a great place to start your search for a wedding hairstylist. Chances are, they are skilled in doing wedding hair, too. If not, they will likely be able to recommend someone who is.

Your current stylist will likely be happy to make a referral, especially if you are honest and explain that you already had someone do your hair for another wedding and loved the style. You could even say that it was a gift from your bridesmaids and that they all asked you to book this particular stylist.

If you are happy with your regular cut and colour but are not so keen on your stylist's wedding styles, it is worth asking them if they can recommend any of their colleagues. They will understand that you want your hair to be perfect for your big day and will not take offence.

If your stylist is also a friend, it can be tricky to let them down gently. However, they will likely be professional about your decision and understand that you want to find the right person for the job.

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Research portfolios and reviews

Researching portfolios and reviews is an important step in finding a wedding hairdresser. It is a good idea to start by checking in with your current stylist—they may be skilled in doing wedding hair, too. If not, they can probably recommend a few colleagues who are. You can also contact stylists whose work you admire and ask for referrals if they don't do wedding hair themselves.

Once you have a list of potential wedding hairdressers, it's time to dive into their portfolios and reviews. Most professionals worth vetting will have their work proudly displayed on their websites or social media profiles, such as Instagram. A quick scroll through their social media can highlight if a particular stylist's vision and technique match your goals.

It is also beneficial to look at wedding beauty photos to get inspired and check out pros' portfolios to see what looks they specialize in. You can find these on their websites or social media, as well as on wedding vendor websites like The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Zola. Wedding photographers in your desired area may also tag other vendors in their photos, providing you with more options.

While looking at a wedding hairstylist's portfolio is essential for gauging their expertise, don't skip over client feedback. Check out star ratings and reviews from previous clients to get an inside scoop on their timeliness, attitude, and professionalism. This information can be found on vendor marketplace pages or through Google reviews.

After researching portfolios and reviews, you should have a good idea of which wedding hairdressers align with your vision and style. From there, you can start reaching out and booking hair trials to test if they're a match.

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Consider your budget

Wedding attire and beauty services should make up about five per cent of your total budget. The cost of professional hair services varies depending on the stylist's level of experience, the complexity of the hairstyle, and your location. You should budget at least $150 for your wedding hair, but this will depend on your specific circumstances.

If you have a list of stylists whose work you love but are unsure whom to choose, the best and easiest test is to ask yourself: does the price of their work fit your wedding budget? If the answer is no, stick to your budget and move on.

You can also contact your personal stylist or stylists whose work you admire. If they don't do wedding hair, they can probably recommend colleagues who do. You can also ask friends whose bridal hair you loved for their stylist's contact details.

If you have budget constraints, you can sort by lower/middle budget options on sites like Wedding Wire. You can also post on a county-wide wedding suppliers group on Facebook or a wedding Facebook group for the area where you're getting married.

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Book a trial

Once you have found a few hairstylists whose work you love, the next step is to book a trial. This is an important step as it will allow you to see if you are happy with the hairstyle and give you a chance to replace the stylist if you are not.

Firstly, you should ask the stylist any questions you have about their pricing, travel requirements and references. You should also ask to see their portfolio to get a better idea of their style and experience. If you are happy with what you see, you can then book your trial.

It is a good idea to book your trial a few weeks before the wedding, and to have a variation of photos that showcase the styles you like and dislike. This will help the stylist to understand your vision and ensure you are both on the same page.

On the day of the trial, pay attention to how you feel about the hairstyle. If you are not 100% sure, you can always book a follow-up trial or interview some other stylists. You should also test how the hair holds – if it is constantly falling, ask the stylist to make alterations so that it lasts throughout the day.

If you are happy with the trial, you can then discuss the logistics of having the stylist onsite for your wedding, including any travel requirements and product needs.

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Discuss products and travel requirements

When it comes to finding a wedding hairdresser, it's important to discuss products and travel requirements beforehand to ensure there are no unwanted surprises on the big day. Here are some key considerations:

Products

Ask your potential wedding hairdresser about the products they use and whether you need to provide anything specific. Most hairstylists for weddings will bring a kit with all the essentials, but some may require you to provide certain products, especially if you have a preference for using your own. Communicate your preferences clearly and be open to their professional suggestions.

Travel Requirements

Discuss whether the hairdresser is willing to travel to your wedding location or if you need to go to their salon. If they are open to travelling, confirm the details, including the date, time, and address. Also, ask about any additional travel fees that may apply, as these can vary depending on the distance and their individual policies. It's important to clarify these details to ensure their services fit within your budget and wedding day schedule.

On-Site Services

Find out if the hairdresser offers on-site services, which means they will come to your wedding venue or getting-ready location to provide their services. This can be extremely convenient, especially if you want to avoid the hassle of travelling to a salon on your big day. On-site services may also allow for last-minute touch-ups or style changes between the ceremony and reception.

Destination Weddings

If you're planning a destination wedding, consider the climate and choose a hairstyle that will withstand the weather conditions. For example, professional blowouts the day before the wedding can help seal in hair products and make the style last longer in hot and humid destinations. Extensions are also recommended to add volume, length, and hold to your hairstyle. Discuss these options with your hairdresser to ensure your hair looks flawless and lasts throughout the entire event.

Pre-Wedding Trials

Whether your wedding is local or a destination affair, it's highly recommended to schedule a hair trial a few weeks or months in advance. This will allow you to test out the hairstyle, see how it holds up, and make any necessary adjustments. It's also an opportunity to discuss the products used during the trial and ensure they align with your expectations and hair type.

Frequently asked questions

Start by checking in with your current stylist. If they don't do wedding hair, they can probably recommend a few colleagues who do. You can also contact stylists whose work you admire and ask for a consultation.

The best way to narrow down your options is to consider your budget. If a stylist is out of your price range, move on. You should also check out the stylist's portfolio to see if their vision and technique match your goals.

Book a hair trial to test if they're a match for your vision. It's important to do this a few weeks before the wedding so you have time to replace them if you don't like the way it's going.

If you aren't 100% sure about the hairstyle, book a follow-up trial appointment or interview a few more stylists. You should also test how the hair holds—if it's constantly falling, check in with the stylist so they can alter it to last throughout the day.

It's best to reach out as soon as you have a date, as some hairdressers book one and a half to two years in advance.

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