A wedding hair stylist is a professionally trained hair stylist with specialized knowledge of formally styling hair for weddings. He or she typically works mostly with the bride, but may also perform services for other members of a wedding. Styling hair for weddings is generally a longer, more in-depth process than basic styling and may require multiple practice sessions.
Wedding stylists may work at salons or own their own businesses. Many stylists specialize in wedding hair, but will also style hair for other formal events. They may also offer other services, including makeup application and manicures.
The process of styling hair for a wedding often begins with a consultation between the stylist and bride prior to the wedding day. The stylist may request the bride to bring a picture of her wedding dress and anything she may be wearing on her head, such as a veil, headpiece or decorative hair adornments. The bride may express her ideas on how she wants her hair styled or ask for the stylist’s professional opinion.
The wedding hair stylist may examine a variety of factors, such as the bride’s age, face shape, and hair texture, to determine what hair style may be most flattering. He or she may also take into account the time of day the wedding will take place to determine how formal the hair style should be. Once the stylist offers his or her personalized suggestions, the bride may select multiple styles for the stylist to demonstrate. A wedding hair stylist will typically do each hair style to see if the bride likes how it looks, then take a photograph to ensure the style doesn’t look different in photographs. If the hair style is complex or time consuming, the stylist may record how long it takes to do so he or she can allot enough styling time on the day of the wedding.
On the day of the wedding, the stylist may travel to meet the bride at a specified location or the bride may go to the stylist’s salon. One of the main job duties of a wedding hair stylist is to style the bride’s hair on the wedding day and ensure the style will last throughout the entire event. He or she will typically have knowledge on the different methods of making a hair style stay put, such as using specialized hair products.
If a bride is wearing a veil or other head adornment, the stylist will help position it so it doesn’t interfere with the bride’s hair style. He or she may also explain how to easily take down the hair style after the event, especially if a lot of pins or hair products were used. Although the majority of the time and effort is spent on the bride, a wedding hair stylist may also offer to style the hair of any other members of the wedding.
Some wedding hair stylists may offer to stay at the event and accompany the bride to any photography sessions. He or she will touch up the hair style if it comes loose throughout the wedding. A bride may also pay the stylist to perform a second hair style for any celebration following the wedding.
