Post # 1
Member
86 posts
Worker bee
Wedding is June 19th and I have appointments scheduled, but I am starting to wonder if I really need to spend an additional $100 for a trial. I thought they were part of the day-of-price like the flower sample, menu tasting, etc. Wishful thinking I know…
I am not very picky about hair at all and don’t wear a ton of makeup regularly, so I really think whatever they do will be fine. I will stress ‘natural-looking’ makeup, but do I really need these appointments?
PS: We are paying for the wedding ourselves and things are getting tight at the end. I think I rather buy another honeymoon dress…
Post # 3
Member
1580 posts
Bumble bee
I think if you’ve seen enough pictures of their work and are comfortable in their abilities, you can skip the trial. $100 is a lot in my opinion.
Post # 4
Member
1854 posts
Buzzing bee
Well…
I had one at home, and glad I had it, because I did not like the style I chose, even if in theory, I have perfect hair for it. Turns out, even if it’s a hairstyle for thick hair, mine was too thick for it and it did not look as good as I wished.
Then I had another one at my destination, included in my price… She did not do exactly what I asked for; but I was cool about it – I’m sure glad that I had the trial though, because if I only realized on my wedding day that I would not be having what I asked for, it would have been unneeded stress… With the trial, I was prepared for it. My hair is the thing I liked the least about my whole look (incidentally, my husband LOVED it, what do you know!)
Sooooo… It’s ultimately up to you, but from my perspective, I wish I had done more than two – then again, my hair is very hard to figure out.
Post # 5
Member
4485 posts
Honey bee
Yes to make sure that you and the stylists are on the same page as far as your vision and their ability to deliver.
Post # 6
Member
97 posts
Worker bee
I had a quick 30 minute hair trial just to be sure that I liked the style with my hair flower and veil. She didn’t even really do much to it, just pin it back with a few curls here and there. And she didn’t even charge me for it since it was so quick! I would highly recommend a trial because the picture I brought with me was near impossible to do with my hair, and we had to come up with something similar, but was more manageable.
Maybe you could work out a deal with the salon and do a modified trial and see if they will cut the cost down?
Post # 7
Member
2865 posts
Sugar bee
Even if you trust their work you might want to see how your makeup and hair holds up during the day.
They could do a really fabulous style that looks great for about an hour – then falls flat. Or if you’re wearing it down it might not hold curl all day and maybe you’d be better having it up.
If you’re not the type to be disappointed then maybe you can skip it but I think if you’re going to spend the money to have your hair and makeup done – the last thing you want is to be disappointed with the result the day of your wedding.
Post # 8
Member
5976 posts
Bee Keeper
I think you definitely need the hair trial…only the makeup trial if you’re worried the makeup artist will do too much for you. The hair trial will ensure that your stylist will know exactly what you want on the day of your wedding.
Post # 9
Member
5496 posts
Bee Keeper
I would definately have the trials (especially the hair) to make sure you are happy and comfortable with the stylist. I can’t imagine personally waiting until the morning of the wedding to see how it turns out. I was confident the morning of my wedding when I got to the salon because I had already had the hair and makeup trials a month before. It was totally worth the money to me!
Post # 10
Member
3871 posts
Honey bee
Oh, wow a hair trial will cost you $100? Mine was included when I booked my appointment. I would say yes to a hair trial so that you can try out different styles but I would say no, if you have to pay $100 for the trial.
Do you think you could look at other salons that might include a hair trial?
Post # 11
Member
347 posts
Helper bee
Honestly, I would suggest going with at least the hair trial. I thought I knew 100% what I wanted my hair to look like, but after the trial, I realized it just didn’t work. I ended up paying for a second one, just because I wanted to feel comfortable on my wedding day. I say skip the makeup trial if anything. It’s easier to have them fix your makeup the day of than your hair.
Post # 12
Member
604 posts
Busy bee
I did a makeup trial because I never met the MUA before and had no idea what he’d be like. It was so worth it! His choices and style were excellent and I didn’t want to change a thing. He did a trial for Maid/Matron of Honor too. She has completely different skin type and coloring from mine, and I was glad to see he tailored her makeup to her instead of taking a one-size-fits all approach. Meeting him beforehand put me completely at ease.
I’m not doing a hair trial because a) my stylist is a friend who’s been doing my hair for close to 10 years, and b) my do is a simple curled mostly-down style that she didn’t feel a need to practice in advance. In this case, I enjoy the tiny element of surprise in not knowing exactly how it’ll look.
If you aren’t picky, like you say (I’m not either), you’re not doing anything super complicated (elaborate updo, extensions), and you feel pretty confident about the professionals you’ve chosen, I say it’s OK to skip it. Good luck!!!
Post # 13
Member
106 posts
Blushing bee
I’m not having a trial because I’m getting married in a different state and don’t plan to go back again until right before the wedding. Also, I didn’t want to spend the money people wanted for a trial either. I know it’s risky but I’m picking people based on pictures and phone conversations. Of course, I’ve had terrible luck so far and my wedding is 2 months away so LOL.
I think if I were getting married close to home, I would meet the person for a quick coffee to discuss what you want to do instead. I think personal interaction with the hair and makeup people are so important! I just spoke to one person who was available for my day but she talked so fast and was so frantic on the phone there was no way I could hire her! I don’t want that kind of energy around me on my day! I’m nervous enough already LOL!
Post # 14
Member
2820 posts
Sugar bee
My sister did my makeup and I was confident she knew what I wanted because she usually does my makeup when we’re together, she’s a little artist and really good at it. I had sent her some pictures of what I liked and she did a great job, so I guess she already knew what she was working with.
I didn’t do a hair trial but I also wasn’t afraid to say ‘me no likey’ when something started going on that I wasn’t a fan of. The hair dresser was really nice about it but I mean we were paying a ‘bridal’ price so I didn’t really have qualms about saying ‘I’d rather it . . . ‘. So, I think without a trial you have to have a really nice person and you can’t be afraid to say nope.
Post # 15
Member
2775 posts
Sugar bee
I am not very picky about hair at all and don’t wear a ton of makeup regularly, so I really think whatever they do will be fine.
In that case, I think you can safely skip it. I didn’t do a hair or makeup trial, either, for a few reasons. I got married in a different city and didn’t want to make an extra trip. All these extra little expenses were starting to add up and I just didn’t want to pay for it. And most importantly, like you, I wasn’t terribly picky about my hairstyle. I just wanted a simple half up/half down with a bit of volume up top and soft curls on the bottom (similar to those Carrie Underwood photos that have been posted 4,637 times on the ‘bee).
If it were free and convenient I’d probably have done it. If I wanted something elaborate or very specific, I’d definitely have done it. But as it was, I skipped it, and it turned out great.
Post # 16
Member
1423 posts
Bumble bee
I went without and the world didn’t end. Like you, I’m not picky, I was getting married hours three hours away, and didn’t want to spend the time and money on a trial. I just had the make-up artist tweak the blush (I didn’t like the pink and wanted neutral), and I had my hairstylist change my hair, she insisted putting my chignon on the side a la Princess Leia and I had to put my foot down and have her move it to the back where it belonged. Just don’t leave until you are happy, schedule yourself a bit of extra time in case you need to tweak things, and remember that you’re sure to look gorgeous because you’ll never be more excited and happy than you are on your wedding day — and that’s what makes a bride beautiful.