Salon Wedding Secrets: Making Your Big Day Better

Planning a wedding can be stressful, and salon appointments are an important part of the process. Many brides opt for salon weddings to save costs, but this can also add to the stress of the day. This article will explore ways to make salon weddings better, from efficient scheduling to creating a relaxing atmosphere, and offer tips for salon owners to optimise the salon experience for brides and their parties.

Offer special packages for brides and grooms

Offering special packages for brides and grooms is a great way to stand out from the competition, attract more customers, and improve your salon's credibility. Here are some ideas to create attractive and comprehensive packages:

Customizable Packages

Allowing customization gives couples the freedom to choose services that align with their interests, personalities, and requirements. For example, VLCC offers pre-bridal and pre-grooming packages that can be tailored to meet individual needs. Services can range from simple and natural to extravagant and indulgent.

Group Discounts

Group bookings are common for weddings, so offering discounts for these bookings is an attractive incentive. This could include a discount for the couple, their wedding party, or even a larger group of guests. Play Salon, for instance, offers group make-up packages for up to 10 guests.

Complimentary Extras

Adding complimentary extras, such as a glass of champagne or a small gift, can make the couple and their party feel special. These bonuses can be offered for group bookings or as a standard inclusion with any wedding package.

Grooming Packages

Don't forget about the groom! Grooms may also want to look their best on their wedding day, so offering specific packages for grooms is a great idea. This could include haircuts, styling, massages, hand treatments, and more. Play Salon, for instance, offers grooming and wellness packages for grooms, ensuring they look their photogenic best.

Destination Wedding Services

If your salon has the capacity, consider offering destination wedding services. This involves providing hair and makeup services at an off-site location, such as a hotel or outdoor venue. This is especially convenient for couples getting married away from your salon's location.

Pre-Wedding Trials

Some couples may want to test out their wedding hair and makeup looks before the big day. Offering trial runs or consultations can help ease their worries and ensure they are happy with the final result. This could be included in a package or offered as an optional extra.

Remember to promote your special packages through social media, collaborations with wedding professionals, and online scheduling software to reach your target audience effectively.

Create a bridal beauty countdown

6 months to go

Start looking for a hair and makeup artist. Book a trial appointment to see what works for you and what doesn't. It's also a good idea to stop any current brow treatments to give your eyebrows time to grow, so you can evaluate what you want to change.

5 months to go

Start using coconut oil as a deep conditioner to strengthen your hair. You can also begin regular exfoliation to speed up cell turnover and allow the body to produce moisture-bearing properties.

3 months to go

Begin regular therapeutic treatments on your hands to ensure they are smooth and polished for the big day. Exfoliation will also help brighten the skin by gently lifting away spots and discolouration.

1 month to go

Now is not the time to experiment with new products or services. Stick to what you know and be gentle with your skin. If you are prone to breakouts, avoid dairy products.

1 week to go

Get your final haircut and colour, and any brow shaping, done a week before the wedding. This will ensure your hair looks and feels healthy without any drastic changes, and your skin has time to recover if it is prone to redness.

1 day to go

Do a full-body scrub to give your skin a little extra love before the wedding. Work on your lips too, gently exfoliating and following with a hydrating balm to seal in moisture.

The big day

If you wake up with a blemish, dab it with rubbing alcohol throughout the day to shrink it. If you are having a summer wedding, remember to use sunscreen under your makeup and go for a lightweight foundation.

Other tips for salon weddings

• Offer group discounts for manicures, pedicures, or massages to motivate bridal parties to book together.
• Offer complimentary drinks or small gifts to make the bridal party feel special.
• Provide snacks, drinks, and magazines to make the wait more enjoyable.
• Use social media to reach your target audience and promote offers and discounts.
• Collaborate with wedding planners and caterers to promote wedding packages.
• Make sure your salon is easy to find and book online.
• After the wedding, remind clients about other services to motivate them to return.

Prepare for last-minute changes

Last-minute changes are inevitable, and preparing for them can help ensure your salon wedding goes smoothly. Here are some tips to help you navigate unexpected situations:

Be Flexible and Have a Backup Plan:

Understand that things may not always go according to plan and be prepared to adapt. For example, if your original venue is no longer available, be open to exploring alternative options. This may include researching other venues that can accommodate your guest list and date or considering a different day or time for your wedding.

Communicate and Act Promptly:

Effective communication is key when dealing with last-minute changes. Inform your salon wedding team, including stylists, makeup artists, and any other vendors, about the changes as soon as possible. This will allow them to adjust their schedules and services accordingly. Additionally, if you need to make adjustments to your guest list or seating arrangements, inform your salon wedding coordinator or a trusted member of your bridal party to help manage the details without overwhelming the bride.

Prioritize and Stay Organised:

When facing last-minute changes, prioritize the most important tasks and stay organised. Create a new timeline or checklist that incorporates the changes. For example, if you need to adjust your hair and makeup schedule, consider the individual needs and responsibilities of your bridal party. Schedule the most responsible bridesmaids earlier, and accommodate any external factors, such as the availability of babysitters or the desire of the mother of the bride to assist with pre-ceremony tasks.

Manage Expectations:

Understand that last-minute changes may cause delays or impact the overall flow of your salon wedding. Communicate any timeline adjustments to your bridal party and vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page. If possible, build some flexibility into your schedule to allow for unexpected delays.

Focus on a Positive Experience:

While last-minute changes can be stressful, remember that your salon wedding is a celebration. Focus on creating a positive and enjoyable experience for yourself, your partner, and your guests. This may include providing refreshments, creating a relaxing atmosphere, or simply reminding yourself to take a few deep breaths and enjoy the moment.

Preparing for last-minute changes can help you navigate unexpected situations calmly and effectively, ensuring that your salon wedding is a memorable and joyful occasion.

Build a strong wedding portfolio

Building a strong wedding portfolio can be challenging, especially when starting without an established portfolio. Here are some tips to help you build a robust wedding portfolio:

Styled Shoots:

Styled shoots are an excellent way to build your portfolio and showcase your vision. Collaborate with other local wedding vendors to create a fake wedding that reflects the types of weddings you want to attract. This gives you creative control and valuable connections with other vendors. Just ensure that the photos look authentic so that potential clients can envision their day through your lens.

Start Small:

Consider starting with intimate weddings or offering to be a second photographer. Smaller-scale events provide a more comfortable environment to hone your skills, capture genuine moments, and build a solid foundation for your portfolio. As a second photographer, you can gain experience and build a portfolio while assisting the main photographer. However, ensure you have permission to use the images in your portfolio.

Build Connections:

Networking is crucial in the wedding industry. Connect with local vendors, venues, and models through styled shoots or second-shooting opportunities. These connections can lead to future referrals and recommendations. Offer to photograph their products or services for free, and don't forget to credit each other when sharing images on social media.

Practice with Friends and Family:

Ask your friends, family, or colleagues to model for you. Offer a free couple shoot in exchange for using the images in your portfolio. This is a great way to build your portfolio cheaply and gain experience. You may even know a couple who are willing to dress up in their wedding outfits for a photoshoot.

Portfolio Building Workshops:

Consider attending portfolio-building workshops, which are similar to styled shoots but without the planning hassle. These workshops provide different looks and couples, giving you a variety of images. They are usually hosted by established photographers who offer guidance and tips for shooting weddings.

Curate Your Portfolio:

When building your portfolio, be selective and tell a strong story about your work. Determine your specialty, whether it's a specific type of wedding, a particular aesthetic, or a certain emotion you want to convey. Consistency in your portfolio will help potential clients understand your brand and envision the transformation you can provide for them.

Network with other wedding vendors

Networking with other wedding vendors is a great way to make friends in an industry that can often feel isolating. It can also be beneficial for your business, as it allows you to build a network of referrals and relationships, which are your best marketing tools. Here are some tips for networking with other wedding vendors:

• Join local business owner groups or local Facebook groups for vendors. These groups provide an opportunity to meet other local business owners and learn about the services they offer. Make sure to interact with other members and get to know them.
• Host or co-host a styled shoot. This is a perfect way to meet other vendors, gain photos to showcase your work, and reach a larger audience on social media. You will typically have one wedding vendor representing each aspect of a wedding day, such as photography, venue, hair and makeup, and florals. All of the vendors will then be able to use the photos for their marketing purposes and tag each other on social media.
• Attend bridal fairs or wedding industry trade shows. These events allow you to meet other wedding vendors and potential clients. Spend some time visiting other vendor booths, handing out your information, and getting to know the other vendors.
• Share your photo gallery with the vendors who participated in a wedding, unless your clients have requested otherwise. This helps out the vendors by giving them access to professional photos of their work, and it also gets your photos out to a wider audience.
• Connect with other vendors on Instagram. If you admire someone's aesthetic, let them know! You may even be able to collaborate on a future project. Engage with their content by sharing likes and comments, or sending them a direct message.
• Keep in touch with vendors you meet at weddings. You never know when you may need their services or when they may need yours. Consider sharing photos with local vendors after wedding days, especially if you're a photographer.
• Host your own meetup for wedding vendors. This could be an informal cocktail hour or a more formal business meeting. The idea is to create an opportunity for vendors to get to know each other better outside of the wedding day.
• Establish yourself as an expert in your field by starting a blog. Write opinion pieces that are helpful to couples looking for an expert, such as "How to choose the right photographer for your intimate wedding" or "Why you should hire a second photographer." This will build trust with potential clients and establish you as a trusted source of information in the wedding industry.

Frequently asked questions