Bridal Trials 101: Everything you need to know about your pre-wedding bridal trial consultation!

Written by: Gracie Gillis

When it comes to your wedding day, every detail counts – especially your hair and makeup. Imagine spending a good chunk of your wedding budget on photos and videos when you don’t like the way you look in them. Whether your vibe is a sleek, classy look or a more natural, boho style, your bridal glam should feel as flawless and unforgettable as the rest of your celebration. Most brides don’t realize that achieving your perfect look takes more than just picking out a style from Pinterest. It takes planning, preparation, and collaboration with your beauty experts. Enter the Bridal Trial: a crucial step in ensuring that your wedding day hair and makeup are nothing short of perfection. Read our blog for more details on the WHAT, WHEN, and WHY’s of bridal trials.

Why You Need a Bridal Trial

Booking a bridal trial isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-do for several important reasons. Here are five key benefits of scheduling a bridal beauty test run:

1. You Get to Know Your Beauty Team

Your wedding day is an intimate and emotional occasion, and your hair and makeup artists will be right there with you in the hours leading up to your walk down the aisle. A trial gives you the chance to build rapport and ensure you feel comfortable with your glam team. It's also an opportunity to understand their artistic style and how they approach creating your look and bringing your dream to life.

2. You Know What to Expect on the Big Day

A bridal trial gives you a preview of how your wedding day look will come together. You may have a clear vision of your bridal beauty, or you might be unsure about which style works best for you. Trying out different looks during your trial allows you to find the one that makes you feel your most beautiful, comfortable, and confident. Plus, it’s a great way to avoid any last-minute surprises!

3. You Can Customize Your Look for Your Skin & Hair Type

Every bride’s skin and hair are different, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't always work. During your trial, your artist will assess your specific skin tone, hair type, and texture to recommend the best products and techniques, as well as treatments leading up to the big day that will enhance your look. This allows you to make adjustments and ensure the makeup and hairstyle will stay flawless for hours, whether you have sensitive skin, curly hair, or other specific needs.

4. You Can Gauge Time Requirements for Your Wedding Day

A wedding day timeline is often packed, and timing is critical. Your trial gives your beauty experts the chance to assess how long it will take to achieve your look. If the style you’ve chosen requires extra time, you’ll know in advance so your artist can plan accordingly on the wedding day. One less thing to worry about is always a plus!

5. You Will Achieve Better Results on Your Wedding Day

With the trial completed, your beauty team will have a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t. The outcome? Your wedding day look will be even more polished and flawless because your artist will already know exactly what techniques to use and which products perform best on your skin and hair. It’s the difference between looking beautiful and looking picture perfect!

What to Expect

The bridal trial allows you to test out your desired hair and makeup before the big day. Here’s what you can expect:

• Timeframe: Beauty Marked trials typically last about 1.5 hours. This gives your artist plenty of time to discuss your vision, try different looks, and fine-tune the details. We also recommend scheduling this 1.5 - 3 months before your wedding date!

• Consultation: Included in the 1.5 hours is time to chat with your artist about your wedding style and vision. Whether you’ve already got a solid look in mind or are still figuring things out, this is the time to share your ideas and inspo photos.

• Hair & Makeup Demo: Your artist will put together a demo look using your inspiration pictures so you can see exactly how your wedding day style will come together. This is your chance to make sure everything looks and feels right before the actual day.

What to Bring

To make sure your trial is as effective as possible, here are a few things you should bring:

• Inspo Pics: Whether it’s a mood board, Pinterest board, or a few specific photos, bring visual inspiration for your hair and makeup look. Keep in mind: choose images that reflect your natural features as closely as possible, and avoid heavily edited photos that may not show realistic results.

• Hair Accessories and Extensions: If you’re planning on incorporating hair accessories, extensions, or any specific jewelry on the big day, be sure to bring them along. Your artist needs to see how everything works together to achieve your dream look.

• Wedding Dress Neckline: Obviously you don’t want to wear your wedding dress to your trial, but we recommend wearing a top with a similar neckline to your wedding dress. If you can wear something in a similar color, even better! This helps your artist get a better sense of how your hair and makeup will work with your dress and overall wedding aesthetic.

Who to Bring

While this is ultimately your big day, it's helpful to have someone by your side during the trial. But who should you bring along?

• Bring One Trusted Person: Ideally, bring a friend or family member who knows you well and understands your personal style and vision for your wedding day. This should be someone who will provide helpful feedback, not overwhelm you with too many opinions.

• Leave Your Fiancé at Home: While it’s tempting to have your fiancé there to get their opinion, bridal trials are best experienced without the pressure of their reactions. This is your moment to focus on your look and make sure it aligns with your vision, not theirs.

Tips for a Successful Bridal Trial

To get the most out of your bridal trial, keep these tips in mind:

• Communicate Clearly: Make sure to tell your artist exactly what you love (and don’t love!!) about the look they create. Our number one priority is making you feel your best on your special day, so if something doesn’t feel right, be honest so they can tweak it.

• Let Your Artist Take Photos: A great way to assess how your hair and makeup will appear in photos is to have your artist snap a few shots during the trial. This helps them fine-tune your look to ensure it photographs beautifully on your big day.

• Take Notes: Your artist will document the products and techniques used during your trial, but be sure to take note of these details too! Also, pay attention to who your look wears throughout the day. Do you notice any oily or dry areas? Is your hair falling flat in certain areas? Are the lashes bothering you? Let your artist know any concerns you have so that your makeup lasts all through the night on your wedding day!

A bridal trial is your chance to try out your wedding day look without the stress of the big day looming over you. It’s a critical step in the planning process that ensures you feel comfortable, confident, and ready to shine when it matters most. By investing the time in a trial, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your hair and makeup will be picture-perfect and tailored to your unique features. Ready to book your bridal trial? Click here to get on our schedule before spots fill up!