Your bridal trial

Photo - John Woodward Photography

So you’ve found your artist! To be fair, that’s the hard bit, unless you know exactly who you want! Now the fun starts!

Once you have confirmed your artist, booked , paid your booking fee to hold your wedding date, you have to get that trial in. So here are questions I am typically asked before my bridal trials and hopefully they can help you a little bit too!

How long before my wedding, should I have my trial?

I will always recommend a trial to take place between 3-6 months before your big day. At this point in your wedding planning process, you will have likely secured all of your suppliers, have a good idea of what your bridesmaids dresses will look like, suits, flowers, and overall feel of your wedding. This is also a great time because you can book your trial for a day you may be doing a dress fitting, enabling you to see the complete look together, or at least have both the dress and the final hair and makeup look, fresh in your mind!

Where does the trial take place?

I will always recommend trials at my studio, in the heart of Norwich. This will not only save you money but will also enable me to spend more time with you. My studio is lit and equipped to hold trials and I can ensure you have as much time with me as you need.

How long does a trial take?

This can vary, depending on whether you’re having a combined hair and makeup trial vs hair only or makeup only trial. If you are booked in for just a single hair or makeup service, I like to give 1.5 - 2 hours. For hair and makeup together, it will be 2- 2.5 hours.

Do I need to bring my own makeup?

No, you don’t need to bring your own makeup. I will have everything you need. However, if you have something very specific you want to use, such as a particular mascara or lipstick, then you are very welcome to bring that along.
I cater for all skin types and looks and always have everything you need for a trial and on your big day!

Do I need to bring anything else to my trial?

I will always recommend bringing looks on hair and makeup that you love, as well as looks you DON’T love. This gives me the information I need to work out what rough styles we can discuss and what I need to steer clear of!

Additionally, I like to see what you do for your own hair and makeup from day to day and on nights out. Having a few images saved of some events you have been to in the past, is a great idea. I also like you to attend the trial with your hair and makeup in your everyday style so I can see it in person! Don’t worry, I will take your makeup off before the trial starts.

If you have hair clips, veils, flowers, or extensions, you are more than welcome to bring them.

Photographs of your wedding dress would be great to see, along with bridesmaids’ dresses and flowers you’re thinking of. This gives me a good visual of your colour theme and colours you love.

Baring in mind that none of the above are essentials but they certainly won’t hurt and really help us gauge what your ideal look is.

What happens during the trial?

When you arrive for your trial, we need a bit of time to get to know each other. I love to sit down with you and have a coffee or tea and just discuss your plans for your big day. I like to give us 30 mins to chat about what your likes and dislikes are and just get to know each other. This is so important as we will be in each other’s lives for the next half year and I will be a big part of your morning!

I’ll have you pull out the mood boards on Pinterest or photos you’ve saved, of all of your looks you love and don’t love. I’ll talk about what you typically do with your hair and makeup and this gives me a chance to compare what you would like to what your everyday style is.

There is zero judgement in my questions, however, I will ask about the skincare you use, the products you love and if you wear foundation, full coverage, light coverage or no foundation at all. This carries through for all of your makeup products. The answers you give me will really allow me to build a picture of what your style and personality is, along with how we can take your inspiration photos you have provided and create a look that is your dream look, tailored to you.

Once we have gone through all of the notes and mood boards, I then begin with your hair. I like to start with hair because I feel makeup never feels finished and complete without the hair being styled. Depending on the style you are after, we will go through 1 - 3 styles, depending on the looks you wanted to try.

We then move on to your makeup. I will treat your makeup look, just as I would on the big day, starting with skin prep, after I have assessed your skin type. While your skincare settles into your skin, I start with the eyes and work my way back to your skin and finishing with lips. I love it when my bride is a part of the process, so I will often talk about what I am using, my techniques and also allowing you view of the makeup as we go along.

What if I don’t know what I want?

More often than not, my client isn’t quite sure what she wants, so I don’t expect you to have a clear vision of your final look. I will still ask you to look through Pinterest and often send my makeup boards on My Pinterest as well. Even if you NEVER wear makeup or do absolutely nothing with your hair, I will be able to guide you. Each client is different and my job is to create a look that is entirely bespoke and personal to you. My steps are no different whether you’re makeup obsessed or stick to the basics. I will guide, regardless. I have 12 years of experience, having worked with 100’s of brides and know what looks great on camera, in the sun, clouds, churches, bright halls and scorching beaches! I will give my input and will always guide you in a direction that will suit you.

What happens after my trial?

Well, by this point we are friends! I will stay in touch with you and recommend you do the same if you need anything at all! I will also send you a timeline breakdown of your morning for yourself and bridal party with breaks in-between. The timeline will include wiggle room and time to get your dresses on! I will then be in touch a couple of weeks leading up to your big day and then the week of your wedding to just touch base, say ‘hello!’ and a gentle reminder of when I will be arriving to prep you and your bridal party!

THEN YOU GET MARRIED!!!

Photo - Thyme Lane Photography - Venue - The Granary Estates