This is part 2 to updo blues
A checklist to help you with weddings
1. Do a run through on bride’s hair a solid week before the special day.
I’m not talking about a quick run through, I’m talking wash and dry the hair, use product – put some effort into your work- let them see WHAT you can do. Ask her to bring a picture of the dress, ask questions about her colors, theme, and time of the wedding. Evening appointments and early morning weddings can have two different looks. Let them see appointments can consume a better part of 45min to an hour per person.
I don’t think it’s fair to the bride when you don’t give them your best effort. Show them you are aware of their special day and you’ll make certain the day will go off without a hitch, starting with their hair!
2. Make certain you both have ALL the information you will need for that day.
If you are going to be IN salon, then make sure dates and times are triple checked. Are you traveling to the wedding for the bride or the complete bridal party? Make sure there’s a written itinerary so there’s no room for an absent hairdresser or a mix up in where everyone is. I’m talking about a map and phone numbers of key players so if someone gets lost there’s less confusion. I have been to places Google, navigation and cell phone are nonexistent. Scary shit!
3. If you are providing an IN salon Wedding hair bash, provide orange juice – bagels- strawberries- champagne – chips- dip- fruit. Make sure girls are getting something light in their stomachs for the busy day ahead. You hairdressers are being paid enough it’s a small effort that is appreciated by the wedding party.
4. Allow 45 min to an hour for each girl in the wedding party.
I am a VERY fast updo gal – however, if I can, I like to avoid the mass rush. The bride is ultimately my whole world of worry; however, last minute people do get thrown in. Make sure you hairdressers let the wedding party know IF you touch them it WILL cost. I don’t care if it is a half updo.
*I cannot stress enough how many times I go to weddings and a girl who is in the wedding party does not think she needs to pay for her hair because SHE can do it just fine.*
I call a bullshit flag!
I tell the Brides, “This is your day, you are paying a lot of money to get a group of photographers, cinematographer to commemorate the day, don’t let friend Betty show up with no effort hair. If they agree to be in the wedding party – let them know they will need to be able to provide for the hairdresser.
5. If you are traveling states away for your bride, make sure they are paying travel and hotel expenses outside of hair costs.
*Make triple sure they put you into a Good hotel. No Motel 6 shit! I’m so serious about this. If I have driven four hours plus, get me to a room where I can get a good night’s rest and feel safe.*
6. Make sure you keep your equipment with you at ALL times- make out a checklist of equipment you’ll need and have a backup if something goes on the fritz.
Rubber bands
Hairpins black & blonde
Blow dryer
Flat iron
Curling iron 1 and 2
Brushes
Setting spray
Holding spray
Hair clips
Shears
Comb, rat tail comb & teasing comb – hair pick
Travel Hair dryer
Rollers
Capes
Hair caps
Hair extensions
7. Make sure each girl has a button up shirt – there’s always one in the bunch who screws this up.
8. Make a list of what you expect of the Bridesmaids.
Have an idea of what they would like done.
9. I prefer the Bride has a quiet room where I can do her hair. It is very hard to concentrate when children are running around – girls are asking the Bride stupid worrisome questions she could not possibly know unless she got up or had to call someone. I seriously advise you tell the Bride you expect a room where it is just you and her for a calm fun time.
10. Hairdressers keep your cool when things speed up and they usually do. It’s hard to accommodate everyone on such a busy day/evening, and more so for the bride, everyone has their own timeline and agenda, make sure the other key players are working WITH you instead of against you. If the photographers are running behind don’t let them stress you out just keep moving along as best as you can. Everything gets done in time, it always does. My advice remain calm, bite your lip and keep moving.
11. Make sure you keep a list of anyone’s hair you have done. Extras get thrown in the mix, keep up with them.
12. Make sure you know HOW to do Updos! When you accept a wedding invite, Don’t EVER try and wing it on a wedding day!
Wedding days can be a ball, and you want it to be for both parties involved. I don’t think clients understand what all is involved with doing the particulars we do, and I really don’t dwell on the issue, what I do dwell on is professionalism.
You got THIS!
Author Heather Lea Salon owner and owner of BookPressed.
Wedding days can be a ball, and you want it to be for both parties involved. I don’t think clients understand what all is involved with doing the particulars we do, and I really don’t dwell on the issue, what I do dwell on is professionalism. So when you see a photographer move a Brides hair to the side – step back and look at everyone and say, “My God I feel like I’ve been doing your hair.”
Be Professional 😡
Try not to swing – just saying.
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