Your trial is a rehearsal for one of the most photographed mornings of your life. Here's how to make it count.
Why a trial matters
I highly recommend a trial for every bride. It's where we:
- Perfect your look together, so there's no guesswork on your wedding morning.
- Test longevity: you get to see how your hair and makeup hold up over the rest of your day.
- Check it on camera, so you know it photographs the way you want.
- Get to know each other, so your wedding morning feels calm and familiar instead of stressful.
It's also where we have the honest conversations, like what makeup can and can't do for your skin, and which hairstyles will hold best with your hair type and venue.
When to schedule it
Many brides schedule their trial on the same day as their engagement photos or a dress fitting, so they get to enjoy the look and see it with their dress or on camera. In fact, my engagement hair and makeup can double as your bridal trial.
It's best to have your dress chosen before your trial, so we can plan your hair and makeup around your neckline and overall style.
What to bring
- Inspiration photos: a few looks you love, and a few you don't. Both help.
- A photo of your dress, especially the neckline and back.
- Your accessories: veil, hairpiece, earrings or anything else you plan to wear in your hair or near your face.
- Your color palette or wedding style: romantic, mountain, modern, boho or classic.
- Any skin concerns or allergies, so I can choose the right products for you.
How to prepare
- Wear a button-up or zip-up top, so you can change without pulling anything over your hair and makeup.
- Arrive with dry hair and a clean face. If you're not sure whether to wash your hair that day or the day before, just ask. It depends on your hair type and the style we're doing.
- Plan to keep the look on for a few hours afterward so you can see how it wears.
During and after your trial
- Speak up. This is your time to adjust anything: softer, bolder, more volume, less shimmer. Your feedback is what makes the final look perfect.
- Take photos in natural light, indoors and with your phone's flash. Wedding photos happen in all three.
- Notice how you feel a few hours later. Is anything uncomfortable? Did anything fade? Tell me, and we'll fix it for the wedding.
Sadie WoodLicensed cosmetologist and former esthetician specializing in bridal natural glam. Based in Thornton, serving Denver, the Colorado mountains and destination weddings nationwide.