Wedding Prep at a Salon or Glam Squad on site

katordz

Hi, folks -

I am debating whether to bring my entourage at a salon to get hair and make up done or just have a glam squad at the hotel we are getting ready in.  The operative factor may be price and logistics.  Can you give me some thoughts on that? 

I'll be getting married in Center City Philadelphia in mid-October.

Thanks!

brielleinlove

A few questions before I can give you any advice:

1. By "entourage," do you mean your bodyguard and publicist (as traditional definition would have it) or do you mean your bridesmaids and other VIPs?

2. Are you forcing your bridesmaids and other female VIPs to get their hair and makeup done, or is it something you are offering them as an option and letting them decide? (I'm not a fan of making people get professional salon services for weddings to begin with - I don't mind having my hair done, but I HATE having my makeup done.  I know what looks good on me and I like being able to have some control over how I look.)

3. If you are forcing your bridesmaids and other VIPs to get their hair and makeup done, are you paying for it?  If you are going to give them that little freedom over how they look, you should pay for it.

HobokensFury

Look around. It would up being 1/2 price for us to go to the salon that was 10 blocks away then having someone come to us.

Jager1219

Yea, it totally depends.  For us, it was the same price to go somewhere vs. having someone come to us.  The only thing that cost more for having someone come to us was a small travel fee.  But I found it to be worth it since rather than getting into cars to go to the salon, having the photog meet us there for photos, then go back to the hotel to get ready....

jenzlovin09

Congrats on the upcoming nupts! 

I am the Owner of Beauty Couture Inc (an on-location company in South Florida) and just got married as well. I can say that it is TOTALLY up to you! Remember you are the most important detail that day. If you are looking to get a massage that day and a mani/pedi than a spa-salon might be a good fit. If you are wanting to sleep in and have a professional artist pamper you than I highly suggest an on-location. The main difference is that an on-location companyspecializes in bridal hair and make-up and a salon does not. It might not make a heap of difference with simpler hair styles; with make-up, the best artist (proficient in bridal) do not work in salons/spas/make-up counters. The biggest problem I see is that brides research their photographers, florist, venue and leave hair and make-up for last. I can tell you that if you are unhappy with the way you look and don't feel beautiful and confident than all the other elements fall short. Hair and make-up is such an important element to your feeling that day. Please meet and research the spas and vendors you are looking to trust with your look

Good Luck!!!

Jennette

katordz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_wedding-prep-at-a-salon-or-glam-squad-on-site?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:3d69f11b-02c0-4240-b461-611a7e6114e0Post:f6dc2bfd-5616-4ac7-94d7-f086d566813a">Re: Wedding Prep at a Salon or Glam Squad on site</a>:
[QUOTE]Look around. It would up being 1/2 price for us to go to the salon that was 10 blocks away then having someone come to us.
Posted by HobokenBride2012[/QUOTE]



Thanks HonokenBride! That is kind of what I was hoping. We are within walking distance of several hair salons in downtown Philadelphia so I would hope that the prices for walk-in salons are much more affordable.

katordz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_wedding-prep-at-a-salon-or-glam-squad-on-site?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:3d69f11b-02c0-4240-b461-611a7e6114e0Post:e3506c0c-15e2-4e98-8c17-1ba60cc8c693">Re: Wedding Prep at a Salon or Glam Squad on site</a>:
[QUOTE]Yea, it totally depends.  For us, it was the same price to go somewhere vs. having someone come to us.  The only thing that cost more for having someone come to us was a small travel fee.  But I found it to be worth it since rather than getting into cars to go to the salon, having the photog meet us there for photos, then go back to the hotel to get ready....
Posted by Jager1219[/QUOTE]



Thanks Jäger1219.. It's surprising that they don't have much of a price difference. I guess it would have to depend on the vendor.

katordz

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_wedding-prep-at-a-salon-or-glam-squad-on-site?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:3d69f11b-02c0-4240-b461-611a7e6114e0Post:992b30a4-18ee-4a06-b899-904c8a62c4a9">Re: Wedding Prep at a Salon or Glam Squad on site</a>:
[QUOTE]Congrats on the upcoming nupts!  I am the Owner of Beauty Couture Inc (an on-location company in South Florida) and just got married as well. I can say that it is TOTALLY up to you! Remember you are the most important detail that day. If you are looking to get a massage that day and a mani/pedi than a spa-salon might be a good fit. If you are wanting to sleep in and have a professional artist pamper you than I highly suggest an on-location. The main difference is that an on-location companyspecializes in bridal hair and make-up and a salon does not. It might not make a heap of difference with simpler hair styles; with make-up, the best artist (proficient in bridal) do not work in salons/spas/make-up counters. The biggest problem I see is that brides research their photographers, florist, venue and leave hair and make-up for last. I can tell you that if you are unhappy with the way you look and don't feel beautiful and confident than all the other elements fall short. Hair and make-up is such an important element to your feeling that day. Please meet and research the spas and vendors you are looking to trust with your look :) Good Luck!!! Jennette
Posted by jenzlovin09[/QUOTE]


Thanks Jeannette! Lots of research for me to do it sounds like. You certainly gave me things to think about.

HobokensFury

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_wedding-prep-at-a-salon-or-glam-squad-on-site?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:3d69f11b-02c0-4240-b461-611a7e6114e0Post:f95a0115-d314-4be6-9568-040407624bb3">Re: Wedding Prep at a Salon or Glam Squad on site</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Wedding Prep at a Salon or Glam Squad on site : Thanks HonokenBride! That is kind of what I was hoping. We are within walking distance of several hair salons in downtown Philadelphia so I would hope that the prices for walk-in salons are much more affordable.
Posted by katordz[/QUOTE]

Philly is just like NYC. Salons everywhere are competing for your business. You'll find a good deal. I paid $120 for har and makeup and my girls paid $80.  The cheapest I found for an on location person was $250 for me and $150 for the girls. It seemed silly to spend the extra money when we could walk to the salon.  Also the salon has more room and there is no mess to clean up!

Jager1219

Hoboken is right with pricing.  In CT, for me it will be $200 for both hair & make-up.  For the girls, it's $80 for hair & $75 for make-up.  But there's not many salons by our venue, so the salons actually charge just about the same.  The savings would be minimal if at all.  Some actually charged more, but that's because it's an Elizabeth Arden salon.  Look around and if you live in the area and love your current hairstylist - ask him/her for recommendations.

[Deleted User]

For us it was cheaper & easier to go to the salon. Easier because I booked it well enough in advance that they were able to have 6 stylist available at the same time to do all our hair. I was the only one that opted for makeup. It allowed us to get up & get ready a little later because had we done it at the church or a hotel, we would have probably had to start on hair at 7am to allow for the updo's some people opted for. So instead, we were in and out of the salon in a little of an hour total. So there was no stress on, omg are you going to have time to do so & so's hair because someone else took a little longer.