Venue: check. Dream dress: check. Kickass bridal party: check. Here comes the hard part: finding the right beauty vendors to make sure your look is as polished and well put together as the rest of your wedding.

So where do you start when it comes down to choosing hair, makeup and nails for your big day? Follow our guide to getting your best look for the biggest day of your adult life. 

Step 1: Confirm the wedding date, location and number of participants 

Determine your budget and begin your search. 

Step 2: Research your options

When choosing any vendor for your wedding, especially your beauty vendors, google them first. Even if a person or company was referred by a friend, go directly to the Internet and check out their website as well as online reviews. Sites like The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Martha Stewart Weddings are great resources for finding reviews and endorsements for potential vendors. 

After you’ve done your homework and decided on your top choices, fill out the contact form on the website and time the response. Please note: A good hair and makeup company will respond to your email and/or telephone inquiry within 24 to 48 hours of receiving it.

Step 3: Set up a consultation

Next comes the consultation and trial, which is more important than most brides think. This is your chance to meet each beauty team individually and ask questions to make sure they’re the right fit for you and your bridal party. 

Note: Whether the consultation is in studio or on location, take a good look at their pro kit. Ask yourself: Does it look full of products that’ll cover a wide range of skin types and tones? Is their pro kit neat, clean, and organized? If not let this be a red flag.

Pressed eye shadows, powders and pigments are notorious for harboring bacteria, so if it doesn’t clean think again before allowing them to do your makeup. Did they listen to your needs and wants for your look? The job of the vendor is to take all your wants and tailor a look that’s perfect for you.

Step 4: Confirm your booking immediately once you’ve found your artist

Now that you’ve found your perfect glam squad, all is well in the land of wedding planning. When booking your day, be sure to sweat the small details and lock in a signed contract. This should include a date and timeframe the vendors will be with you, cost of services, and refund policy (if applicable). Make sure the vendor you met with at your consultation will be the same one providing services on the actual wedding day as well.