How To Become A Successful Wedding Hairstylist

Becoming a successful wedding hair stylist is beyond fulfilling! But diving into the world of bridal hair styling can feel overwhelming, even for the most confident hairstylists. You might wonder, "Where do I even start?" or "How do I switch from my regular salon job to doing only bridal hair?" To make it big in this field, most importantly, you need to be highly talented and detail oriented when it comes to styling hair.

As a wedding hair stylist, you get to play a small part of the bride's big day, marking the start of her new life with her partner. It's a huge deal! That's why it's essential for bridal hairstylists to keep their cool, especially if or when things get a little hectic on a wedding day. Your job is to make the bride feel and look amazing. Staying calm, organized, and efficient creates the most relaxed vibe that makes her day even more special! 

So, let's get down to the nitty gritty! We've pulled together some tips to help you become a top-notch wedding hairstylist. Plus, we've included some advice for both new and experienced stylists that are thinking about focusing on bridal hair.

Characteristics of Successful Bridal Hairstylists 

Successful wedding hairstylists recognize the importance of keeping up with the latest trends, techniques, and products in this field! They dedicate time and energy year round to attending workshops, conferences, and seminars to refine their skills and broaden their knowledge. By continually learning and adapting, they can offer an extensive range of styles to meet the diverse preferences of their brides and bridal parties! 

Effective communication skills are essential in order for a wedding hair stylist to excel. They possess the ability to actively listen to every bride's wishes, comprehending her vision and expectations. Skilled stylists ask relevant questions, provide professional advice, and maintain clear and open communication throughout the entire process. By building trust and rapport, they ensure a positive experience for their clients, leading to happy brides and glowing recommendations! 

Weddings are bustling events with numerous activities and incredibly tight schedules. Highly successful wedding hair stylists must excel in organization and planning. They meticulously arrange appointments, allowing sufficient time for consultations, trials, and the wedding day itself! They also consider the number of bridesmaids and family members requiring hairstyling, ensuring everyone is counted for without sacrificing quality or causing unnecessary stress!

Lastly, attention to detail is absolutely key for every wedding hair stylist. They possess a keen eye for detail, closely considering the bride's facial features, dress style, and overall wedding theme! By carefully evaluating these factors, they create hairstyles that perfectly compliment the bride's vision and enhance her natural beauty. From the precise placement of each pin to the selection of accessories, successful stylists ensure that no detail is overlooked! 

How Do I Become a Full or Part Time Bridal Hairstylist?

If you are looking to transition your focus from salon work to bridal styling doesn't happen overnight, it's a gradual process! We suggest starting by evaluating your desires, needs, and future aspirations. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Are you aiming to become a full-time bridal stylist?

Do you prefer working in the salon on weekdays and catering to weddings on weekends?

Where do you envision yourself in five years?

If you're eyeing a shift to full-time bridal styling, you'll need to adjust your salon schedule accordingly and take gradual steps. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are peak wedding days, especially during peak wedding season, so being available for on-site work during those times is essential. By scheduling salon clients on weekdays and reserving weekends for weddings, you'll gradually build up your bridal clientele! It takes time for your bridal bookings to grow, as brides typically book services months in advance. The more available you are, the faster your bridal calendar will fill up. So be patient and keep pushing forward!

If you are looking to build a balance between salon work and on-site bridal work, that’s absolutely an option as well! We just recommend that you keep in mind when peak wedding season runs, which is March - June and again from September - November, and keep your weekends open during that time! 

Tips and Advice For New Hairstylists

If you're in Cosmetology School or recently graduated, we highly recommend you practice constantly and always capture photos of your work! Documenting your hairstyles not only builds your portfolio for social media and lookbooks but also helps you spot areas to improve. Since wedding day hairstyles are heavily photographed, flawless work is an absolute must! By taking photos every time you style hair, you'll see improvement over time, making your work more refined and picture-perfect.

Continuing education is just as vital! Stay updated on the latest trends and techniques by attending in-person or online classes with renowned hair stylists. In person classes are always great for hands-on learning and personalized guidance. While attending in person courses once a year is fabulous, what about the time in between? Instagram is a fantastic resource for hairstylists, offering tons of tutorials from fellow artists. Never stop learning and honing your skills to stay at the absolute top of your game!

How Do I Become a Successful Bridal Hairstylist? 

Becoming a highly successful wedding hair stylist requires a unique combination of skills, habits, and qualities. From ongoing education and effective communication to meticulous planning and attention to detail, these professionals demonstrate a complete commitment to excellence! The most skilled and sought after wedding hair stylists consistently deliver outstanding results, making a memorable impact on every brides' special day!

If you're ready to secure your date with our team of highly experienced and heavily requested professional hair stylists, click the link here! We're looking forward to your big day!

For hair stylists seeking to join a fantastic team of professional hair and makeup artists, we'd love to connect with you! Updos For I Dos is a premier on-site bridal wedding hair and makeup company based on the East Coast. Please complete our application form here, and we'll be in touch to begin this exciting journey together. We're excited to work with you!

Cover Photo Credit: Sarah Murray Photography