There's a question I get asked often. It gets phrased in different ways, but the idea is always the same and it goes something like this; "Whats the craziest thing that has ever happened in your line of work?"
September is the time of the year that I reflect back on the current wedding season and determine the changes I want to make in my business to improve and fine tune practices, so I feel that it is fitting that I try out something a little different in this month's blog. Today, I am sharing with you all the interesting little details that people usually want to know as well as the things I like would like people to know about. I hope you enjoy it!
Let's Start with Questions from Other People.
Q. What's the craziest thing that has ever happened?
A. I consider it a blessing that I don't have any catastrophes to tell you about! I think we owe it to reality tv that there's an expectation of major drama that wedding pros must deal with. Given that I want to candidly answer this question, I'd have to say it's a tie between the time a Bride realized that she forgot her gown at home (about a mile away) when we were an hour into getting ready, and the time that a Bride was about two hours late arriving to the getting ready location. In both cases, things worked out, major crises were averted, and our ladies made it to their ceremonies on time and fully dressed!
Q. Do you get a lot of Bridezillas?
A. I've definitely never had a Bridezilla. In fact, a couple of the artists who work on my team have recently told me that they love how fun our Brides are! I consider that a big win!
Q. Isn't it really stressful working with wedding parties?
A. Actually, I don't think so! Since I manage the whole experience from the first inquiry to the big day, I am able to make sure we head into the wedding day with a set plan of how everything is going to work out (right down to making sure that there's enough time to get dressed and take photos without having to rush out the door). Add to that the fact that we get to work with people on the happiest days of their lives, everyone is generally in an excellent mood!
Q. Do you ever have a Bride who asks for something that's impossible?
A. Occasionally, I will have a client select an inspiration photo of a woman who looks a lot different than them. This is totally normal because it easy to be drawn to a photo of a woman who has the exact kind of hair that we wish we had. It's my job as the professional to point out that the style will translate a bit differently for them and explain what they can expect. (Sometimes getting extensions, a cut, or highlights will do the trick). Ultimately, I aim to underpromise and over-deliver.
I know this isn't the direction someone expects me to go when they ask this question; but the closest thing to an impossible request is when someone asks me to provide hair styling and makeup for 7 people in a 2 hour timeframe.
My best advice for other Wedding Hair and Makeup Artists is this;
Always look good. When you select this line of work, you are agreeing to be a part of highly photographed events ALL THE TIME. No Bride deserves to have her professional photos showcase a stylist in a sweatshirt with no makeup on placing her veil. I cringe at the thought! Plus, when you look good, you put your clients at ease because they know that they can trust you with their image.
In closing, my best tip for Brides is this;
Please consider using a Wedding Planner, and if you don't want help with the general planning, I guarantee that you will still find immense value in a Day of Coordinator! Strictly from my point of view (as someone who is only with the Bride the first few hours of the day), I get to see the challenges come up that would be quickly resolved- or never happen in the first place with a coordinator. The biggest one is managing the flow of the entire day and making sure that enough time is allowed for you and your party to transition from one "activity" to the next.
Sadly, I have seen some things that were planned and paid for get cut out as the day progressed when there was not a professional to create the itinerary.
Your planner will allow you to live in the moment and enjoy your special day and in my opinion, that would be priceless. If you are still on the fence, you have nothing to lose in scheduling a consultation/phone call and allowing a professional to tell you what they can do for you!
Happy Wedding Planning,
Ann
