I have to gripe about something real quick. It’s just a stupid little email from a potential hair and makeup artist, but it seriously annoyed the crap out of me and I find myself thinking about it more than I should. This one vendor says she can’t do my hair and makeup trial before the start of the new year. She specifically said she cannot be flexible in booking my consultation. Really? Granted, she is being nice enough to offer to book me before the 1st of the year (even though it’s a huge exception), but she it appears that she is flat-out refusing to do my hair and makeup trial before the normal five-six weeks before the wedding. I mean, what if I were a January bride like Lyre or Gloves? Would she make an exception then, or are winter brides forced to have their trial mere days before their wedding?
This vendor’s email was just so annoying! She said things like,
“I understand you’re out-of-state,” but clearly she doesn’t understand. Christmas is going to be my time in Minnesota to get shit done, and flying back and forth in January and February is something I’m trying to limit because of weather and other wedding related tasks that will have to wait until then. I’ve talked about it before, but being in an LDR with my wedding means my schedule might be a bit different from other brides. For example, I have a bridal shower coming up in MN in October, yes that’s a tad on the early side, but it’s the best month for my North Dakota family to get to Minnesota to help host it. Then, I have my Hen Do (bachelorette party) in November—pretty early again, but that’s when Mr. Sword’s AMAZING friends are flying him back to Glasgow for his Stag Do and I wanted to do mine the same weekend so I could host all of my out-of-town girls at our apt. My Chicago shower will be in February to round out the festivities.
Plus, I’m nervous about using extensions for the first time, and I’d really like to have time (like more than a few weeks) to change my plans if I don’t like the way they turn out, but if I’m only in town for that trial and then the wedding, how would I have a second go at it?
I understand I’m booking things a bit ahead of the curve, but it helps me to stay calm (and Lord knows my friends and family prefer me to stay calm!!), and the comical thing is I am still in the researching part of the process. But this artist doesn’t seem to have any desire to try to convince me that she’ll be a great vendor, so I’m going to keep moving. Unfortunately, the other company I was seriously considering has similar timelines and strict rules about when the trial should take place as well, and since my event is so far in the future, they wouldn’t even quote me a price! Although, maybe that’s normal in the hair/makeup biz.
After hearing Mrs.Coyote’s hair and makeup nightmare, I’m even more certain that I want to go with someone I like and trust. I’ve sent out another inquiry so I will keep you all posted on how that goes. Clearly I’m in the thick of wedding planning because my panties got in a twist over one small email, but as someone who’s had years of bad skin, my wedding day makeup is very important to me.
I always pay for professional makeup when possible, like when I get my theatre headshots taken:
Sorry for the rant, hive, but thanks for listening, I feel so much better! Anyone else struggling with booking things in the early part of the year?
I completely understand, Miss Sword! I’m planning my wedding from 12 hours away and it’s a whirlwind tour of vendor meetings anytime I can schedule a visit. People thought I was crazy for booking a caterer a year ago but now a year’s past and there is no other chance I would have gotten to go back for that. Getting things done ahead of time does help to keep me calm, too. I think you should definitely keep looking for another hair/makeup person, that kind of attitude isn’t acceptable. I found vendors who wanted my business so they’re working with my schedule- you can do it, too!
Sounds like someone who doesn’t take their business seriously. I decided to do a trial run with my makeup artist for my engagement photos. That was in June 2012 and my wedding isn’t until May 2013. After the photos came back and I really liked what I saw, I booked her. Most people say the earlier the better.
I don’t understand why she can’t do a trial this year, when you’re in town? What’s the difference? It’s not as if your hair is going to dramatically change between now and the wedding is it?
You have every right to be annoyed, it is just bizarre to me that a vendor would put such restrictions on booking and trials. I would hold out until you can find someone that values your business!
I am using my personal hair lady that I have used for 10 years and she recommended a makeup artist to me. I feel like any “company” is going to try to enforce too many guidelines and rules. Maybe you could ask for rec’s for someone that follows their own set of “rules”.
This definitely sounds like a bad vendor to me. I was in a similar predicament, I wanted to book my hair trial 3 months out since my fiance and I live so far away. They pretty well told me I was an idiot, didn’t know what I was doing, but ended up booking it anyways. The trial went terribly so I actually ended up dumping that vendor and found a new one who is amazing! Best of luck to you! I hope everything works out 
Keep moving on is a smart choice in my opinion. So strange that they wouldn’t be flexible to gain your business. You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get a vendor to take your business. Keep searching and calling for someone that really WANTS your money!
I agree- you should keep looking. I recently had my hair and makeup trial with someone I got bad vibes from over the phone. I tried to shrug off her bad attitude by saying maybe she was just having a bad day. After meeting her in person and having a trial- I’m pretty sure every day is a bad day for her. That’s not the type of person you want to be around to start off your wedding day. Now I’m talking to another stylist and it’s like night and day. She’s friendly and seems genuinely interested in making things perfect for my wedding day. Trust your gut and find someone else
She sounds like she doesn’t know how to make money. Find another vendor who does enjoy making money.
My hairdresser did say she likes to do the trial as close to the wedding as possible because she finds that doing it further out people tend to second-guess themselves and change their minds (probably looking at more pictures, etc). So I understand the reasoning, but having a hard-and-fast rule about it seems silly. Like the florist I called that absolutely refused to even talk to me about floral arrangements unless I had bridesmaid dresses picked. Since they need to match apparently? Explaining that my dresses are going to be navy and the flowers will be yellow did not sway her. I went elsewhere.
I am not trying to down play your feelings or the fact your vendor should try better to accommodate you, but you will likely look back at this and other things and wonder why you stressed so much over a trial. If it is such a source of stress, maybe you should find a new vendor who can accommodate you better or even take a slight break from wedding planning – it should be fun and exciting.
Personally, I did have some difficult times planning. My vendors were thousands of miles away from me, hours away from my family. My hair trial was 2 days prior and it was fine. Take a deep breath, it will all work out – it really does.
Yep, it sounds like you made the right decision by walking away from this vendor. I don’t think it’s fair or good business to have strict rules like this because, as you point out, so many brides don’t fit into that particular mold! While it may not be super convenient for them to do your trial early, as the paying customer, they should be at least trying to accommodate you. Good luck finding someone who’s willing to work with you and will do a great job!
Sword, I have to tell you- I didn’t have any problems like that. Is she serious that she’ll only do the trial in the calendar year that your wedding is being held? Thats a) incredibly arbitrary and b) complete nonsense. I did my makeup trial six months before my wedding {in June} just so I could narrow things down and move on to something else. I’ll do my hair trial in October, a full three months before my wedding.
I say, if a vendor makes up crazy restrictions like this, she clearly doesn’t want your business, and I’m sure that someone else will. Good like
If you’re having trouble with a vendor so soon in the process you’re probably lucky to be rid of them. If she can’t accommodate your schedule restrictions now just imagine what could happen later should something not go 100% accoridng to plan. It sounds like this vendor is just not the best choice for an out of town bride, and I’m sure there are lots of other options that will be a much better fit.
ugh this just makes me mad… ive been getting that from every direction.. including my mother telling me “you have a whole year, dont worry about that stuff yet.” well guess what.. had to move my wedding back an other year because i had so many things that needed to get done… she even started to call me a bridezilla just to push my buttons… btw im am so far from a bridezilla, for the most part im laid back, and im doing everything on my own so i dont have to “bother” any of my wedding party or hear them complain… but i am the kind of person that doesnt like being rushed so i want everything done ahead of time.. anyway my point is dont let them bring you down.. there is going to be a vendor that wants YOUR business and will work with your tight schedule.. you are the bride, so you are the one they should work around.. end of story
Oh sweetie, this is so annoying! I know they have timelines, but can’t they make an exception? not everyone can work with their timelines.
I get annoyedby “famous” make up artist ’cause they act like you should be begging them to work with you, there’s plenty talented people, I don’t have to beg no one.
I hope you find someone fantastic that’s willing to work with you.
Ugh! How frustrating!
I think that vendors all have different timelines, and the thing that annoys me the most is when people aren’t upfront!
I hope you find someone awesome, who will work with you in exactly the way you deserve!
Pass! It is soooo very different to plan for a distance and if she doesn’t get it now she never will. You will find an awesomesauce pro that will make you feel gorgeous and calm!
Mrs. Sword, Chicago Age and Occupation: 28, Nanny/Actress Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Software Engineer Engagement Date: February 19, 2012 Wedding Date: March 2013 Venue: Embassy Suites Bloomington West in Bloomington, MN About Me: I am a true girly-girl originally from the great state of Minnesota and my fiancé hails from the beautiful country of Scotland. We met and fell in love in our favorite city, Chicago, and are having a blast blending our cultures for "A Highland Fairy Tale" wedding! We are truly a case of opposites attract in that he’s a world traveling introvert and I’m a social butterfly who is never too far from home. We both love hanging out with family and friends, fine dining, and laughing at ourselves. He drinks a lot of beer and I talk too much. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
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