Where to do hair and makeup

If you want getting ready photos, I would have the hair stylist and MUA come to the venue. If it's not something you really care about, I'd save the money and go to the studio instead.

I would assume your hair stylist would load you up with hairspray and your MUA would do the same with setting spray, so it should stay all day. I would just make a little emergency kit in case something happens.

I enjoy the getting ready process so much more when they come to you. It is way less stressful and way more relaxing. It is worth the money to me!

I started researching the hair / makeup thing because I thought it would be less stressful. But get quotes on "wedding hair and make up" and suddenly the cost is exponential. Then I was told during a consult I should plan on 2 1/2 - 3 hours for this session.

As one who is planning on a sunrise wedding, 3 hours would mean a 4 am start and an additional $200 because it's a holiday weekend and after "normal" hours. Making my hair and makeup now cost $400 plus. Needless to say I've opted to do my own. But I was already doubting it because in reality, I don't like how people do my hair and makeup.

Now I'll ask is there anyone in your group that does know how to do hair and makeup? Someone who's makeup you admire regularly? If so, I'd ask them if they would consider helping you. Same thing with hair.

Start with dirty / clean hair.. meaning use hairspray to dirty the clean hair which will make styling easier. Make sure to use make up primer and setting spray to hold your make up in place. Whether you go professional or on your own, note that you will probably have to do "touch-ups" either way.

It depends on what you want. I’m getting my hair and makeup done at a hotel then going to the venue to put my dress on for a few photos. I don’t particularly care if I get shots of me getting my hair and makeup done.

I think it all depends on what you want. I hired someone to come to us. Our venue had a room we could rent for $200. They ended up letting us rent it for free as a special. I wanted pretty getting ready photos so I thought they would look better in a bridal suite than a salon. I also wanted privacy which you might not get if a salon has other customers coming in. It was also easier on my girls as our venue was a hotel which is where most of them were staying so they didn't have to worry about when to leave or where to go as our wedding was in a town that none of us lived in.

For me, YES. Our venue had a large bridal suite so I was able to be there when vendors showed up, see the reception space decorated before everyone arrived, etc. We had lunch there, I wasn't rushed to get the venue, and it worked out super well.