Professional Hair & Makeup: Because you are going to have your wedding pictures forever. How do you want to see yourself?
My teammates and I went to a bridal show in DC to promote our Hair & Makeup Company. We met a bride there who told us, "I have already spent $25,000 on the venue, and food. I don't think I can spend $139 on Makeup and another $99-$139 for Hair. Would you guys be able to give me a discount? I have found artists & stylists in Sephora who usually charge like $75."
This is not the first time we heard this spiel, but it was the first time we heard such a big gap for how a bride budgeted her vendors. This became more common as we progressed as a company.
Of course we understood the concern with budget. But we did find it to be ludicrous on how less brides budgeted for their look. With current weddings in DMV averaging between $35,000 to $45,000, brides started to complain about paying even .5% of that on their look. Especially when the pictures, and the bride's look, are the only souvenirs that brides truly ever get to keep.
I never thought that our makeup or hair services, that were both UNDER $150, would be such a hard sell in the DMV area. I finally understood that brides have not given value to this segment of their wedding, because makeup artists and hair stylists have never been truly honest with them. So if the question is, "Am I being charged too much for my hair and makeup services?", the honest answer is, "NO". Here are the reasons why:
1) Reliability: "Reliable beauty companies pay someone to stay on-call for EVERY wedding"
2) Product: "Pro MUA should have Professional grade products, recycled every 6 months"
5) Storefront: "Why have a storefront when artists & stylists commute to you on the day of?"
This is not the first time we heard this spiel, but it was the first time we heard such a big gap for how a bride budgeted her vendors. This became more common as we progressed as a company.
Of course we understood the concern with budget. But we did find it to be ludicrous on how less brides budgeted for their look. With current weddings in DMV averaging between $35,000 to $45,000, brides started to complain about paying even .5% of that on their look. Especially when the pictures, and the bride's look, are the only souvenirs that brides truly ever get to keep.
I never thought that our makeup or hair services, that were both UNDER $150, would be such a hard sell in the DMV area. I finally understood that brides have not given value to this segment of their wedding, because makeup artists and hair stylists have never been truly honest with them. So if the question is, "Am I being charged too much for my hair and makeup services?", the honest answer is, "NO". Here are the reasons why:
1) Reliability: "Reliable beauty companies pay someone to stay on-call for EVERY wedding"
- Freelance or independent artists do not have a back up. No matter how reliable a person is, accidents CAN happen, so can family emergencies. And it can happen on YOUR big day. If you have a freelance artist, ask them, "Do you have someone you pay to stay on call during the days you have events? And is that person comparable in skill level as you are?"
2) Product: "Pro MUA should have Professional grade products, recycled every 6 months"
- Cheap artist = Cheap old expired makeup (makeup DOES expire). Ask them what's in their kit.
3) Sanitation: "A reputable beauty organization consistently holds sanitary classes & training"
- Do not use an artist if you cannot be certain they cleaned the eyeliner brush properly after their last client (YUCK).
- "Many Venues/Hotels require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) for any vendor who enters. Even if the Hotel/Venue does not requirements, avoid being responsible for makeup smudges on the wall/floor/carpet or accidental injuries or infections from hot iron or unsanitary items.
- Depending on the state, it is illegal to commute for beauty services without being sponsored by a salon with a physical location. Most states require that you have a properly LICENSED store.
- Licensed storefront = Validity. Licenses require time & effort. It is unlikely that a store will risk losing their license due to unethical activities (ie: sanitation). Besides, do you really want to walk into someone's "in home studio" in the basement, when you never met them before.
- Because: bridal shows and advertising on wedding sites cost money & showcases valid reviews. If someone does not care enough about their business to invest time or money in marketing, it is likely because of their full time, or "real" job. If the work they do with you is something they do on the side, your questions & concerns will also be on the side. And if there is a work emergency on the Saturday of your wedding, it is difficult to choose your weekend gig over your full time priority.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON OF THEM ALL:
7) "People spend a lot of money on food and venue. Unfortunately the venue & food will be enjoyed & forgotten. But the pictures you will have for the rest of your life. So be the pickiest about what you will have to see forever: your photography and your look: dress, hair, makeup & a great pair of shoes!!"
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