Bridal Business: Use This Timeline For Better Scheduling
Bridal Business: Use This Timeline For Better Scheduling
Bridal season can be a busy (and lucrative) time for a stylist, but it can also be a little stressful. When should clients refresh their color? Order accessories? Get extensions? Nailing down the right timeline can help boost your business and your book! We reached out to some of our Updo Queens on the BTC Team for their best timeline tips to make this bridal season a breeze. Scroll down for all the scheduling know-how!
1-2 Years: Set The Date
Since most wedding venues allow booking up to two years in advance, advise clients to do the same. Whitney Burkhart (@wb_upstyles) a bridal stylist in Lancaster, PA suggests clients should not procrastinate booking their hair appointment, especially if the bride has a preference for her hairstylist. Since most regular clients are booked every 6-8 weeks, new bridal clients will need to secure their spot well in advance.
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3 Months: Setting Expectations
Schedule a trial with the bride about three months prior to the wedding. Rhode Island based updo artist Alexandra Wilson (@alexandralee1016) believes this is a great time to discuss all of the wedding day details. Talk to the client about location (inside or outside), expectations and anything extra, a second look perhaps? Also, have them bring in any inspo pics they might have. Stylist and Educator Amanda Diedrach (@blohaute) suggests keeping receipts. “Always take photos and notes from your bridal trial appointments,” she explains. This way there is a recorded idea of what the bride has in mind.
Did You Know: According to The Knot, brides in 2018 spent an average of $123 for their wedding day do. So be sure to talk price during the first trial appointment. This way, stylists can be sure their services are considered in the wedding budget and can have style ideas that are appropriate.
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6-8 Weeks: Purchase Necessities… Like Accessories
Floral accents and romantic hair accessories are the perfect way to add a little something extra to an upstyle. SoCal bridal stylist Alisha Jared (@alishajaredhairartistry) has her brides come in 6-8 weeks prior to their big day to make sure there is enough time to order anything specific the bride may want. Having a trial closer to the wedding date gives the bride less of a chance to change her mind on a style, Alisha emphasizes, because some WILL try.
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2 Weeks: Freshen Up
Chicago-based bridal stylist Annette Waligora (@annette_updo_artist) likes her client to schedule a fresh cut and color two weeks before their wedding day appointment. This ensures the integrity of their hair will be about the same at the time of their wedding. If a bride wants to have extensions (beaded, sew-in or tapes), two weeks is also a good time for that as well. If a client wants clip in extensions just for the day, Annette will bring them in two weeks to color match and incorporate the application the day of the wedding appointment.
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Wedding Day: Team Work Makes The Dream Work
For the bride’s big day, Columbus based bridal hair specialist Sarah Wittaker (@sarahwhair) likes to connect with the wedding planner. Since they have their eyes on all of the wedding day details, it’s really helpful when setting up your timeline. If there isn’t a wedding planner, talk with the photographer about when they need the bride to be ready and schedule accordingly.
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