What you need to know before booking hair and makeup for Indian Destination Wedding

Have you booked your destination wedding location? If yes, go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief. After all, the tough part is over. But don’t relax for too long. While the most difficult task is taken care of, you still need to book your other vendors like the decorator, caterer, florist and wedding planner. For brides, one of the most important vendors for their wedding is their hair and makeup artist. After all, every bride wants to look stunning on her BIG day! 





But, just like several other things that are done differently for a destination wedding, you need to consider the following few things before booking your hair and makeup expert for your destination wedding weekend. Take notes, ladies!

Local versus someone you know

You don’t want to take a chance on someone you have never heard of for your big wedding weekend. If you play safe in all aspects of your life, it is likely that you will choose a hair and makeup artist whose work you are familiar with. Not just someone who has experience dressing American brides, but someone who can perfect the Indian bridal look like no other.

But, if you want to give a twist to your traditional Indian look, hiring a local artist won’t be so bad. You can always take the assistance of your hotel concierge as he/she is likely to know the best local makeup artists that have been booked by previous wedding couples. Whatever you decide, make sure you place complete trust in your makeup artist as having doubts at the end moment will hamper his/her style.

Trials are essential

We cannot stress enough on the importance of getting your hair and makeup trial done before your BIG weekend. It is important to finalize your look so you know what to expect on your wedding day. If you’re hiring a local artist, fly down to your wedding location 2-3 days before your wedding weekend and do a dress rehearsal complete with accessories you plan on wearing at the wedding. Gather a bank of pictures of beautiful Indian brides whose hairstyle or makeup look you want to replicate. This will give your artist a better idea of what you want especially if the artist doesn’t have experience with Indian brides. If you’ve chosen a beach location for your destination wedding, pick a hairstyle that is simple and does not have a lot of volume, as the humidity will change your hairdo in a just a couple of hours.

Package deals

Compared to other weddings Indian destination weddings are an elaborate affair. In addition to having a wedding ceremony and reception, we also have events like the cocktail, sangeet, mehendi and haldi. Since you’re the bride, you will want to dress up well for each ceremony, even if you want to keep your look simple for the smaller events like the mehendi and haldi. You will need to get a package deal from your makeup artist as you will need to get dressed up for a greater number of events than what your artist is otherwise used to offering.

What’s more? If your makeup artist will be dressing the ladies from your immediate family like your sisters and mother, you will have to ask him/her to get a team along. This will substantially add to your cost as in addition to paying their artist fees, you will also have to take care of their travel and accommodation costs.

Do your research

Indian brides tend to wear a lot of heavy makeup and jewellery on their wedding day. While there is no denying the fact that they look absolutely radiant, you need to understand that you’re going to have an Indian destination wedding and not a local wedding. Before you finalize your hair and makeup artist, be sure of what you want. Our advice to all Indian brides having a destination wedding is to keep it natural. For a beach ceremony, it is best to have your hair pulled back in a simple hairdo so you don't have to worry about the ocean breeze blowing strands of hair in your face. Heavy makeup is a strict no-no if you’re tying the knot in a warm and humid tropical climate. If you’re set about what you want, you will have an easier time conveying your thoughts to the makeup artist.

Does you artist know how to drape – Indian style?

Be it sarees or lehengas, Indian wedding apparel involves a lot of draping. Some brides like it in Gujarati style, while some others like to take the dupatta over their head like a traditional Indian bride. Whatever your requirement may be, it is best to clear it with your artist and ask them up front if they will be able to do it. Even if they say that they will, don’t simply take their word on it. Request them for a trial draping session before you finalize your makeup and hair artists. It is smart to err on the side of caution instead of leaving important things like this for the last minute.

If you’re having an outdoor wedding, remember that less is more. While you’re at it, make sure you carry enough sunscreen and a makeup kit of your own with your best products just to be on the safe side.