Frequently Asked Questions

Bridal previews are extremely important and worth having even if you are set on a particular idea for your wedding day. They provide the opportunity to try the look you have in mind and ensure that you feel comfortable with what you’ve chosen. Sometimes a look you have seen on Pinterest or Instagram just doesn’t translate well when created on your own hair. Perhaps that lip colour doesn’t quite work for your complexion, or maybe that smoky eye just feels too heavy in reality. We can discuss the look you want and make adjustments and tweaks so that it works for YOU.

Your bridal preview will probably be the first opportunity for you to meet your stylist and means you will have a familiar face there on the wedding day itself, not just someone you have only read about online. Having the chance to get to know each other means you will feel completely comfortable and relaxed on the big day! It also gives me a chance to get to know your hair and skin type and how best to achieve the look you’re aiming for.

Trialling your hair and makeup allows you to see how your skin and/or hair reacts with the products used and gives you a chance to provide feedback so that any necessary adjustments can be made for the wedding day. Using photographs and notes, I record the methods and products used so I can easily replicate the look on the wedding morning.

I recommend having your preview appointment 3-6 months prior to the day of your wedding. It is best not to leave it until the last minute as the sooner you have your trial, the sooner you can put your mind at ease that your vision for hair and makeup will work and you know you’ll look and feel great on your big day! Having a preview several months before the wedding date also allows you to book in for a haircut or colouring appointment and to order any hair accessories or hair extensions, if necessary.

I will do my best to work around your schedule, but understandably my weekends are busy with weddings and I therefore keep trial bookings to Monday–Thursday between 10:00am-5:00pm. I advise having your preview during daylight hours so that you have a clear view of what your hair and makeup will look like on the wedding day. Weekend and evening trial bookings are not available, please bear this in mind when booking your trial date with me.

Bridal previews take place at Alice’s home in Streatham SW16. Alternatively, Alice can travel to your home or choice of venue (a £50 surcharge and travel may apply).

Once you have secured your booking with me I will send over a Bridal Information Pack to help you prepare for the trial and wedding day. A good rule of thumb is to arrive with clean and dry hair and a cleansed, makeup-free face. It's helpful to wear a top of a similar colour and neckline to your wedding dress and to bring any accessories you might be wearing. I am happy to answer any questions you have prior to the bridal preview so that you know what to expect.

We will talk through your ideas for hair and makeup and I will make suggestions based on my professional experience. I will ask you to complete a pre-trial questionnaire and to send me images of the hair and makeup style you’d like prior to the preview appointment so I have a clear understanding of your vision for your bridal look.

Taking on board your inspiration images and having spoken to you in more depth about your desired look, I will create a hair and/or makeup tailored to your preferences.

Once we’ve created your bridal look and you’re completely happy with everything, I will record all the products used, take photographs, and make notes so that your bespoke wedding hair and makeup look can be replicated with ease on the day of your wedding.

Each preview appointment is different, but you should allow up to 3 hours for a hair and makeup trial or up to 2 hours for a hair only or makeup only trial. I will work with you, fine-tuning the hair and makeup until you are completely happy with your overall look.

I will ask you to pinpoint a particular hair and makeup style you like or a couple of favourites before your appointment. Too many options can get confusing and lead to an unsuccessful trial, as you might leave feeling undecided on the style that’s right for you. This is why I ask every bride to research inspiration prior to a trial and really think about the style they would like for their wedding day.

Hair can also be difficult to maintain if it is over-styled and can start to look messy and untidy when it has been put up and taken down several times and overloaded with product. Similarly, skin can get irritated and dry if makeup is applied and removed several times.

If you wish to try several hair and makeup styles, I suggest booking a second trial.

Your preview appointment is an intimate opportunity for us to collaborate closely on creating your perfect bridal look, and to get to know each other! To maintain focus and ensure personalised attention, it's best to keep previews one-on-one.

However, if you'd like to bring someone along for support, I recommend limiting this to just one guest. While a second opinion can offer valuable feedback, too many voices can become overwhelming, and it's important that the trial remains centred on you.

Bridal party trials are not essential, but it can still be useful in some cases. If someone is unsure about how they want their hair and/or makeup on the day and want to try something out prior to the wedding day, then they're welcome to book a trial. There isn’t much time on the wedding morning to experiment with styles, so if someone is unsure about what they want, having a trial beforehand can be a way of avoiding any disappointment or stress on the wedding day. Bridal Party trials can be useful if you plan for everyone to have matching hair or makeup, as it offers the opportunity to see if a particular style will work for everyone.