Your wedding day is one of the most incredible days of your life! And who would want to look and feel fabulous on their wedding day? We thought it was the perfect time to talk with one of our favorite Rhode Island makeup and hair stylists, Keri from Pro Radiance Artistry today. She’s going to be sharing her top tips to find the perfect stylist for your wedding day! Keri will be sharing her 5 key points of what to look for in a stylist for your wedding day, why a style trial is important, and so much more! Let’s dive in!
Meet Keri!
I’ve been working in the industry since 2006, when I got my first job in 2006 at the Mac makeup counter in New Jersey, while I was going to college. I fell in love with makeup then! It never felt like I was working because I just loved it so much. So, in 2011, I got my Esthetics license. And then in 2013, I opened Pro Radiance Artistry. I always knew I was going to open a business – even when I was a kid, I was trying to do just that. Now, I love working with so many people on their special events and days!
What are some things our couples need to consider when hiring a stylist for their wedding?
The first thing, and probably most important, is whether or not you vibe with the artist. Your wedding day is a very special day and you want your styling team to help you feel relaxed, confident, and comfortable! Next, make sure they’re prompt. On a wedding day especially, timing is everything. They need to do their work in a timely manner so you’re ready in a timely manner! Don’t forget, experience is important. So many things can go wrong on a wedding day (let’s be real!) and you want someone who’s going to handle it with confidence and care.
I also think it’s important to find a stylist who is understanding and flexible. This isn’t an industry where ego matters. Taking care of your client and giving them the look they want is the most important thing. Finally, just remember that you get what you pay for. Sometimes it’s nice to find a “cheaper” vendor, but be aware, there’s likely a reason they’re that inexpensive.
You mentioned as one of your 5 key points to consider when looking for the perfect stylist to make sure you vibe with your stylist. What are some steps a bride can take to make sure they do?
Consultations with your stylists are important! Get on a phone or video call before you book. Also, when you do your style trial, make sure that your stylist is listening. You want someone who is going to pay attention to what you really want!
You told us that timing is everything. What about timing for a stylist is so important?
My claim to fame is that I run a very tight ship on wedding days! Once you know when your bride needs to be ready, the stylist needs to make sure that they arrive on time and do their job. This is a huge deal! If you run behind, the whole timeline for the day gets off schedule and no one wants that.
Another tip you mentioned was making sure you find someone who checks their ego at the door. How can our couples go about figuring this one out?
Beauty on a wedding day really comes down to the bride. From the start, this whole experience is about her. When I have brides come in for trials, I really want them to tell me how they like (or don’t like!) something. I want to make my clients happy. Sometimes it feels like people in our industry don’t accept creative criticism well, and they really need to be able to. It’s not about you. It’s about your client. So when you’re looking for a stylist, just look for someone who’s going to have that kind of attitude. You want them to be good at what they do, yes. But they need to be willing to help you figure out and achieve that look you’ve been dreaming of. That’s what really matters!
You mentioned that “you get what you pay for.” So, what’s the average cost for a stylist?
Obviously the costs vary but these days, if you get both hair and makeup for the bride, it’s about $300. If you do both for a bridesmaid, it’s $180. Most of what we do is onsite services, so there’s also often travel fees and a minimum for those services. On a side note, I feel like a lot of the bridesmaids pay for themselves. Occasionally, we see couples gifting their attendees with hair and makeup but it’s not always the case.
When should you book a stylist for your wedding day and when do you book your trial?
Honestly, stylists are usually one of the last vendors booked for a wedding day. People fail to realize we do book a year out. It’s unlikely we’ll have openings 2 or 3 months, sometimes even 6 months in advance. So, honestly the earlier, the better. Once you book your stylist, I recommend doing your trail about 2-3 months before your wedding. You can always come back for a second one if you think you need it or something changes with your wedding day look!
Do you have a beauty regimen you recommend leading up to a wedding day?
Start a monthly facial regimen at least 6-8 months prior to the wedding. Consider booking a spray tan 1-2 days prior to your event and schedule your trial well in advance. Finally, don’t forget about your groomsmen! Groomsmen can also have hair and/or makeup services on their wedding day.
Wrap Up Question
What are some key points that couples should be asking makeup artist and hair stylist when they are inquiring to make sure they are working with a professional company to ensure that their wedding day is a perfect event?
Definitely book a trial with the stylist and make sure you’re happy with the look they’ve created for you!
Ask if your stylists have timelines they can show you so you can understand their schedule and know that you’d be ready in time for the rest of the day.
Find out their communication process so you know what to expect during wedding planning!
Links Mentioned in the Episode
You can find Pro Radiance Artistry: Website | Instagram | Facebook
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