Makeup and hair artist want booking confirmation and deposit before trial

Lady_K

Is it normal to have to book and confirm a makeup artist/hairdresser without having a trial?

My daughter had arranged by email to have a trial for both hair and makeup with the same person via email after finding her website. She is genuine but the lady has sent an email back saying she cant have the trial unless she fills out the online booking form to commit to the date and pay a non refundable deposit and then have to pay all expenses and more if she cancels at any time after that.
To me it just does not seem right to expect anyone to book such a personal service for an important thing as a wedding day with someone you have never met and have not had a trial with. If the trial results turn out not as she had hoped she would be stuck and who wants any kind of upset or extra pressure for thier wedding day.

floss2

For my make-up, I had to pay a small fee for my trial, which was then knocked off the cost on the day. She pencilled me into her diary when I arranged the trial, and confirmed the date with me when I booked it after she'd finished.

For my hair, I had my trial at my usual hairdressers, by the girl who does wedding hair, when I went about 2 weeks before the wedding. It cost me the same as a long-hair blow-dry, as it probably will anywhere at the very least.

If your daughter doesn't want to pay to try things out, does she know anyone who could do it for her so she knows what suits her? Or can she speak to friends or family to find someone recommended?

Also, she will need to arrange things well in advance, as the best people usually get booked up & may only do 1 or maybe 2 weddings on the same day.

Lady_K

She has no problem with paying for the trials at all but this makeup/hairstylist wanted her to fully book the whole thing for the whole wedding party Bride, Bridesmaids and all, ahead of any trials at a minimum of £300 per booking so she would not be able to decide not to go ahead if the trials didnt go very well.

She is thinking of doing her own makeup now although she really didnt want to on her wedding day but we will keep looking.

floss2

Lady_K wrote: »

She has no problem with paying for the trials at all but this makeup/hairstylist wanted her to fully book the whole thing for the whole wedding party Bride, Bridesmaids and all, ahead of any trials at a minimum of £300 per booking so she would not be able to decide not to go ahead if the trials didnt go very well.

She is thinking of doing her own makeup now although she really didnt want to on her wedding day but we will keep looking.

Ah, that puts a different light on it!

Pre booking for £300 without any cancellation reduction is a bit much....maybe she should shop around for recommendations?

Lady_K

floss2 wrote: »

Ah, that puts a different light on it!

Pre booking for £300 without any cancellation reduction is a bit much....maybe she should shop around for recommendations?

Thanks, Yes thats what she is doing now. Weddings are far more difficult to arrange with more expense involved now than they used to be years ago.

floss2

Lady_K wrote: »

Thanks, Yes thats what she is doing now. Weddings are far more difficult to arrange with more expense involved now than they used to be years ago.

Tell me about it, although my second one in 2010 cost far more and was much less stressy than my first way back in 1984!!

Whereabouts is your daughter, in case anyone can recommend a makeup artist or hairdresser?

Lady_K

Nottingham or anywhere near there as they will usually travel a certain distance.

Thanks