Committing to Hair and Makeup?

Mine only offers the trial after you put a deposit down on your wedding date, most I looked into were this way too.

If I don't know the client, they come in for a trial and pay 1/2 the total cost, then the rest the day if. If I know the client(they see me regularly) they pay the full amount the day of the wedding.

I have one that offers the first option (trial, then deposit) because she wants the bride to be 100% comfortable with what she does. You pay for the trial regardless, though.

Def doing a trial first! That's interesting @Ashley, I actually didn't encounter any like that. I wonder if that's area dependent

I am doing my trial next week and I was insistent that I do a trial first. The reason being that if I didn't like the trial and decided to just go with another vendor I won't lose on the deposit. Eta: spelling

Mine wait and do the trials a month or two before the wedding, so that they have fresh memories of what they will be doing. We booked and deposited based on photos from their websites/ Instagram of their work. In our area, the deposits were only $50 each to hold the date, so I suppose I could pay extra for an early trial if I got nervous, but both our hair and makeup folks do this full-time and have great reviews, so I'm not worried.

I totally expect to pay for the trial regardless.

Trial first would be the most ideal option.

In the same vein, did your bridesmaids also do a trial or did you judge based on the quality of your makeup?

I did a trial first (8 months before the wedding to secure the date), then deposit. I ended up changing my mind about what I wanted for makeup, so I did a second trial closer to the wedding for my own peace of mind (same MUA, just a different look). I only needed the one trial for hair, though.

Do a trial first!!! Especially for hair. My first trial was with someone who came highly recommended- however, our trial was terrible and I am so glad I ultimately decided to go with someone else! I did a trial with the second person before booking and then another trial closer to the wedding day when I had my veil, haircomb, extensions, etc.

Trial first it is. Thank you!

DO A TRIAL FIRST!! Please!! Your hair & makeup artists should charge you for the trial. If you are happy with the look, then you pay your deposit to hold the date. I only recommend doing it the other way if you're willing to risk having to scramble to find someone as a replacement last minute if you're not happy with your trial.