How to Book Hair and Makeup Artists for Your Destination Wedding

Cultivating a finely tuned team of hair and makeup artists is no small undertaking. You've likely already assembled your dream team of glam-enablers nearby, but what if your wedding is taking place far from home? Shouldn't these tried-and-true gurus be the ones making you look your absolute best on the big day? After all, there’s a true camaraderie with someone who pulls the hair from your upper lip.

These are common concerns for brides opting for destination weddings, says Rachel Birthistle, an expert planner at The Lake Como Wedding Planner. “Using someone new can be stressful, and brides often fly in their own teams,” she says. “Many women are used to having individual artists for other services, such as brows, eyelashes, nails, spray tans as well as hair and makeup.”

But does the added cost of transporting them (and sacrificing on the wedding budget) outweigh the arduous task of trudging back and forth from trials until you find new hair and makeup artists. This feat is hard enough at home, let alone in a far-flung locale. So leave the worrying to the pros. We've got the lowdown on establishing your personal glam squad for far-flung weddings.

Below, get eight expert-sourced tips for booking hair and makeup artists when you're having a destination wedding.

1. Book Beauty After Booking the Venue

“If the venue is a hotel, it’s recommended to use the spa and salon staff as they are exposed to the wedding coordinators more and allow for a smooth wedding day,” says Ryan Gilmore, Hilton Orlando's former director of spa and fitness. If not, do your research. Birthistle adds: “Establish in advance what services are readily available and which to consider flying in.”

2. Ask for Advice

Wedding planners usually have referrals for hair and makeup, but if you’re looking for local recommendations, don’t be afraid to consult with the concierge at your venue. Andeen Rose, owner of Las Vegas-based ADD Hair & Make Up, recommends booking your glam squad three months before your big day. Most of the talented teams book up quickly, and you don’t want to be left scrambling right before the wedding.

3. Don’t Forgo the Trial

Ask beauty pros for their travel schedule to see if they can meet up if they are traveling stateside—or if you can fly to meet them. Also, set up a phone call to ensure you communicate well, especially if you aren’t fluid in each other’s language. “You need to determine if the personalities are ones you want in your space on your biggest day,” says Birthistle.

Maria Barboza Rodriguez, an event manager at Los Suenos Marriott in Costa Rica, suggests the option of arriving three days in advance to do a trial before the big day. She also reminds brides to consider the weather on their wedding day. For instance, a humid locale can wreak havoc on a very voluminous look—something you might not realize during a trial done inside with the AC on.

If you are lucky enough to pencil in two hair consultations, Gilmore recommends using the first to meet with the stylist to craft a plan you’re happy with. The second consultation would then act as a dress rehearsal, complete with accessories you plan on wearing at the wedding.

4. Put in the Prep Work

Stylist Sasha Schwartz suggests looking for realistic inspiration photos of models (or real brides) who have similar hair texture and color to yours. That way you can get a better idea of how a style will look on the important day.

You can also consider the unique (but still helpful) option of a trial via FaceTime. Send photos via video chat so the artist can familiarize herself with your hair, face, nails, etc., and then ask her to do a trial on a model with similar skin tone or hair texture to re-create the looks you want.

Once you decide on a style, start growing out your hair six months before the wedding, scheduling regular trims, and avoiding any major changes three months before the big day. Also, it doesn't hurt to bring along a set of extensions to add length or volume in case the salon or stylist doesn’t have an extra set.

5. Book Pre-Flight Treatments

The week before you fly, book a conditioning treatment with a trim and blow-dry. “This will focus on tidying up dry and wispy ends in your style that can become a frizz magnet,” Rose explains. “Also, make sure your color is refreshed at least seven to 10 days before you leave.” She also recommends getting an exfoliating facial two weeks before the wedding date to allow acne and blemishes to surface and disappear. And if you have a skin condition or use specialty makeup, be sure to pack that as well.

6. Go Natural

“For a beach ceremony, we recommend hair either up or pulled back; that way brides and bridesmaids will look stunning in photos and don't have to worry about the ocean breeze blowing strands of hair in their faces,” says Martina Mairhofer, a wedding expert at Sandos Hotels & Resorts. “For makeup, we recommend going for natural looks as the warm and humid tropical climate can take its toll quickly on heavy makeup. Airbrush makeup is a very popular solution to ensure a longer-lasting radiant look.”

7. Don’t Skimp on Sunscreen

“Couples usually arrive a few days prior to the wedding at the resorts and might not be used to the tropical sun, which is why we recommend plenty of sunscreen—especially during those first days to avoid sunburns,” Mairhofer says. “While it will look great to have a sun-kissed tan in the wedding pictures, keep in mind that the sun is very strong and can easily be underestimated.”

8. Be Prepared for the Unexpected

For day-of emergencies (like a last-minute zit), Birthistle suggests organizing a “little black book” of local pros to contact if something arises (pun not intended). Browse client reviews and confirm they are available on or around your wedding date.