Anyone doing their own hair and make up? Any tips/regrets?

That’s super disappointing that they’ve made changes to your booking last minute! You’d expect them to be a bit more flexible and making sure the new lady can attend your trial, especially as they’re the ones who have had to changed the booking.
Do you have anyone in your bridal party or any family members who are good at fishtail braids or braids in general? Perhaps they’d be willing to help instead of you having to do it yourself on the day? And it means they can practice on your hair beforehand as well.

I had the same happen to me. I'd had my trial with one stylist but then she had to cancel all her appointments on my wedding day. The salon moved me to another stylist but I had to pay for another trial. It worked out in the end because I much preferred my 2nd trial hair.

Were they going to come to your venue or were you travelling to them? If you are not adverse travelling to them, then have you looked for other salons in the area? A lot of places will have people who do event hair so you could send them your inspiration photos and see if they have someone who could do it.
I did my own make up and was happy that I did. I felt more comfortable practicing that and knew I could create what I wanted. I'm not that great with my hair though so had less confidence that I would be able to get it right on the day so I wanted a professional for that.

That’s so disappointing, make sure your venue also know if they’re recommending a supplier that acts in this way.


I’m doing my own makeup, but getting a professional for hair. Could you compromise and do your own makeup in order to have more budget for someone to do your hair?
For makeup it’s probably cost me more to do it myself, but with my allergies the peace of mind is worth it to not have hives on the day. It’s been hours of research on everything from primers and setting powders, to face tones, shapes and perfecting the eye makeup. Luckily my Mum is also quite into her photography as the other thing is your face looks different on a selfie on your phone than a high end DSLR, so it’s also making sure my face photographs properly, in my case it’s meant getting a cc cream for under my eyes and using more bronzer than I’m used to, as I usually have a more natural look, but my natural look can look pale in bright sunshine on a high res camera 😂

That's so disappointing. Would you alter your style if you do it yourself? Just thinking that if it's a style you feel confident tackling on your own, then surely a professional should also be able to manage it, even if not quite as easily as the original stylist would have done?

Some advice from my hair stylist is if possible try and have a professional there, unless you can be super strict with timings. My hair stylist works with my MUA to sort schedule and timings for the morning to ensure everyone is ready on time. They have 6 of us to get through by 11.30am so the timings are important. She told me of weddings where people have done their own make-up and it puts them behind because there isn't the same structure as when a professional does it. My hair stylist is also scheduling in when bridesmaids need to get in dresses etc, so its all very organised to keep us on track.

I would say that if you are going to do your own, either you or a bridesmaid needs to be strict on timing and making sure people are ready when they are supposed to be. Also you need to test out whatever you plan to do, to make sure it lasts the day. I had my hair trial last week and there is no way I could replicate what she did. I wouldn't know where to start with all the products she used to get it to last all day.

Most MUAs and Hair Stylists charge travelling fee, but if they are local to the venue, its usually small. I think mine are each charging £25 travel cost.

This is all so helpful - thanks everyone!!!

In a bit of good news, the new person has said she will move around availablity to be there for my trial, so I'm going to give her a go and see what I think - it's at the end of the month so if I hate it then I still do have some time to research alternatives.

I'm not very confident doing either hair or make up myself... I'm a wash n rough blowdry and go kind of girl usually!! And my make up ever lasts all day which is something I've just never been able to crack. So I do think I'd find myself really stressing trying to teach myself or compromising quite dramatically on the look I'd want, so it's feeling like a last resort option.