Pros/Cons: Booking Hair & MU together or separately? Advice please.

Dont you have a hair dresser you normally go to? if so i d use her or him as they alredy know your hair.

I have a differnt person for hair and makeup. They will both come to me and we will rotate people between the two.

I only looked for vendors that provided both. I originally was planning to travel to the salon and it wasn't possible to make two stops the morning of. I ended up finding a company that would travel to me and offered both and I'm glad I did. It meant one contract, one stop for a trial, etc. Just less to think about overall.

For the second part of your question, I made sure to read a lot of reviews and visit the vendors' personal sites. Once I decided on a traveling team, I had to make sure their minimum was low enough, we could afford their prices, and I liked their portfolios. I booked a trial with the best bet and ended up going with them.

I found a vendor that employs both hair and MUAs. I thought it would be easier to just book with one company, one less vendor to coordinate with. Plus I liked their work for both hair and makeup. If you find one that has both and you like their work and you can afford them, I would say go with one vendor. I am about a month and a half out and right now that is my biggest stressor, getting all the vendors to coordinate. I totally see now why people hire wedding planners lol.

ETA: For the second part of your question, I got a recommendation for my hair and makeup people from my photographer. I don't think it is a bad idea for a starting off point, at least to give you ideas of who to research from vendors you already have and like. Many of them run in the same circles and can give you a different perspective than a bride that used them once in a review. I then visited all of the websites of the ones I was considering and viewed the artists' portfolios. If they do not have a good amount of work to show you, then I would be wary. Also as Rebecca said, reviews are important, but take into account their style from their portfolios. I was also recommended another vendor and they had great reviews. But when I looked at their portfolios I did not like their work. It didn't look classy or natural, it looked like stage makeup. Some people may like the more dramatic, but I don't normally wear makeup, so I wanted something more low key.

I wanted to use my stylist, but she won't be around that day so she recommended someone. That someone has a page listed with all of her "preferred" MUA. I might be using a friend of a friend though, if she's available

I think if I didn't have the connections I would look for companies that do both, that way there's less to think about, and less people to coordinate with.

@Kathryn - thanks for the feedback! I actually don't have a hair dresser (woe is me). I never really get my hair cut or styled (only trimmed 1-2x a year) and usually go to a different person each time.

Thank you @ Rebecca! All very good points.

Thank you Pinguino & Chantel! There is one vendor that I really wanted that does both, but unfortunately they are all booked for my date. After reading some of these comments Im thinking it might be easier to try to find another place that does everything together. Thanks ladies!

I think that would depend on how many ladies are in your party.. If you only have more than 4, I would think time would become an issue and it would be better to have 2 separate vendors. I only have 2 BM and will be using the same lady for both hair and makeup.

I wanted someone that did both because sometimes it's a little bit cheaper. I'm having my hair and make up trial today so I'll see if I actually hire her. I found her on thumbtack.com

I wouldn't trust anyone who said they specialize in make up and hair, unless their really high end, and even then.... I'm sure their competent in both, but I know my hair stylist doesn't know how to use airbrush foundation properly, and I know that my make up artist has no idea how to do an updo.

All good points again. I have 5 bridesmaids--but I doubt they will all use the same vendor(s) that I use. A think a couple would do their own hair and makeup.

@m that was something I was worried about. I definitely want to find a good price for hair/makeup but to me it is worth spending more if they are excellent in their skill (i.e. focus on either hair OR makeup).

I guess I will just have to schedule some meetings and look at some photos of their work. Thanks again to you all!

When choosing, you have to have an idea if your bridal party will also be getting their hair/makeup done. Remember MUA needs at least 45 minutes per person for makeup alone so if you get one person who does both and you have three people that won't work but if it's just you getting your hair and makeup done then you can try to find someone who does both.

I'm using a traveling company that provides both, but it's not one person doing both hair & makeup--it's a hairstylist and a makeup artist from the one company. The hairstylist is the company owner, I believe, and the makeup artist works for her. I only wanted to deal with coordinating one vendor for hair/makeup, and this company offered the best package price for what I wanted (I'm also paying for my bridesmaids and MOB/MOG).

That said, when I was a BM in a friend's wedding, we had one person do both, and she did a fantastic job on both hair and makeup. So people with both talents are definitely out there.