[Libby]

Regardless if your ceremony is big or small, did you splurge on having your hair and make up done by a professional? Did you already know what you wanted or just presented yourself as a blank canvas and let them bring you to life on your special day?

(I know its more common for the women to have this done but I do know of men who had it done as well. They wanted the perfect hair and goatee/stache/beard, tamed eyebrows and make up to look like they're not wearing any to prevent any shiny faced photos)

Pro's / Cons of hiring a professional vs doing my own make up? (besides cost obviously)

 

[pollypurebred39]

Oh boy Libby, I wish I could show you my wedding photos of my professional updo. :ack: If I had it to do over, I'd have a trial run with stylist before I had her do it on the wedding day. I spent my wedding night in the shower crying and pulling bobby pins out of my hair. My hair was shellacked and teased to within an inch of it's life, it took forever to wash out and I lost a lot of hair, took months to grow back and get rid of the scarecrow look.

So I say if you go with a stylist, get a trial run first.

 

[imagine]

I did my own.

Beautifully put up. I practiced a few times to get it just right

 

[mauimagic]

I did my hair and a friend did my make up.

 

[greekislandgirl]

When we eloped at the courthouse I did my own. For the big one next year I'm planning to do my own hair and makeup again. I have short hair so there's not that much you can do with it anyway. DH is planning to have a professional barber shave (straight razor I think it's called). But we're getting married in the evening and not doing photos so it's not such a big deal to me.

 

[moasmom]

I did my own, too, for lots of reasons, but the two biggest were: saving money; and I wanted to look like *me.*

Now, obviously a good stylist can achieve that (a trial run would help, I'm sure!), but it just wasn't something I was interested in dealing with or worrying about.

Kara

 

[FrabjousDay]

I had my hair done at the salon the morning of the wedding. I'd gone in earlier with pictures for a consult and trial run. To me it was well worth the expense. While I can do my own updos, I wanted to make sure that it looked flawless and held securely through the entire day. Your hair has to hold up to a long day and lots of hugging.

My husband-to-be was on his own in the grooming department.

 

[frugalwarrior2]

Did my own.

 

[Precious26]

I hired a professional for my hair and make-up and I also had the trial run for both services. I told them both to have fun, they both did an amazing job. I think it's important to look your best on the big day.

 

[krbshappy71]

Mine was wash & go and I don't wear makeup. I love my wedding pictures! Don't regret it a bit.

 

[MissSeetonFan]

My cousin who is a beautician did it for me. Looked really nice. Her gift.

 

[frugalfriend]

I had mine done by the girl who cut my hair at the time. I had a picture of what I wanted and went in for a trial run and she ended up only talking about what we were going to do and not actually doing it. I wasn't very happy with how it turned out. I easily could have done what she did myself. It looked nice, but not all that different or special, and did not look like the picture. My wedding morning was misty and the curl started to fall out and my mom ended up curling it again with a curling iron in the bridal room.

 

[TigerGirl1226]

I went in with a pic for my bridal portraits and she did a great job. She did almost the same 'do for the wedding day. I liked it better in the bridals, but it wasn't a huge difference.

I'd say it's worth the money. I am not one who can do more than a simple style with my hair.

 

[Palooka]

I did my hair and makeup both times.

 

[beks37]

The first time I had my hair done by a professional and makeup was done by a friend. This time I am going to have a professional do my hair and she does makeup too. I could do my own makeup, but my hair...if I want it to look any good, then someone else needs to do it.

 

[frugalfoster]

It's funny to hear the reactions to this question....my advice is this.... Only have it professionally done by the person who usually does your hair anyways....I have been asked by a resort in town to be available to do their wedding hair....I'D RATHER HAVE A ROOT CANAL!!!! lol... I only do the wedding hair on long standing clients because there is a personal connection involved and I want them to look as beautiful as they want themselves to look...it's just different when there's a connection.

And Palooka....of course you did your own hair and makeup.... LOL

 

[Libby]

Well I've committed to doing it myself b/c I want to look like me but I am determined to look like a pro did it :lol: I have bought all fresh new make up, watching videos all over the net and surfing different sites for tips and style ideas. Initially I did this to save money however its going to cost more then a pro coming to do it for me HOWEVER I will know how to do this on my own going forward which is a skill thats priceless - well to me plus I will have the tools/make up for touch ups as well.

Worst case scenario: I have a few local make up artists that will travel saved in my bookmarks

Now onto the hair - long or short? Straight or curly/wavy? Up or down? Too many decisions still :dis:

 

[nodmicks]

I did my own since I'm a stylist I always recommend a trail run on the hair and makeup before the big day.

 

[flashyMcGee]

I'll do my own. Everytime we go out my friend straightens my mop and she's a bridesmaid...a win for me because she knows how I like it styled and a win for my wallet.

 

[craftypam]

I did mine on my own because I also wanted to look like "me". I also did my own make up and hardly ever wear it and I would do the same thing again.