Bridal FAQ
How do I book A & A Bridal Services:?
A wedding day is not considered booked until a retainer fee of 25% of your total services balance has been received and a contract signed. If you would like to secure your bridal services with A & A Bridal Hair and Makeup, please submit an inquiry via the contact page. The non-refundable retainer fee is required to hold and secure your wedding date and time slot. The retainer fee is deducted from your final balance. Bride and Bridal parties balances are due the Monday before the wedding date.
Are you able to accommodate large bridal parties?
Yes! We have a team of artists to accommodate large bridal parties. For bookings of 8+, additional artists may come depending on time allotted for beauty services. For larger bridal parties where 4 or more artists are needed, there will be additional artist fees and travel fees.
Do you have a minimum booking policy?
Yes.
All year - for on-location wedding services(either in Fresno or up to 1 hour from our location) there is a minimum booking of 4 people for each service. For on-location wedding services 1.5 hours or more away, there is a minimum booking of 6 people for each service.
Weddings in off season(July-August/December-February) with only 1 to 2 people needing services, are completed at our studio in Clovis, CA. You can also opt to pay a $50 travel fee per artist in Fresno/Clovis in off season for on location services that have less than 4 people needing services.
How long will it take to get everyone ready on the wedding day?
The Bride is allotted approximately 2 1/2 hrs total for makeup and hair services. Please allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for each service for Bridesmaids, Mothers and other Attendants.
My venue doesn’t open to get ready in until the late morning/early afternoon. Will this affect our getting ready time?
If your contracted services need to begin earlier than your venue allows entry for, you'll need to secure an alternate location for all hair and makeup services to be performed prior to your travel and arrival to the venue. If you wish to have our team pack up our kits, and transfer with you from your starting location to your venue, and set up again to continue services, then an additional $100 transfer fee per artist and any applicable travel fees will apply for each booked artist.
Is there a travel fee?
The travel fee for all bookings outside of Fresno, CA is based on mileage and time it takes to get there. Travel fees vary upon location and how many artists are needed.
Travel fee for weddings in Fresno/Clovis more than 15 minutes from our studio in Clovis is $25 per artist.
All other cities are charged travel fee based on mileage or time it takes to get there. Please submit inquiry for travel fee questions. Minimum services of 4-6 people required for on location services .
Parking fees, Park entrance fees, tolls and gratuities are not included. Any parking fees incurred will be an additional charge.
Why does it cost more for the bride?
We pride ourselves in our talent and expertise in the beauty field of bridal hair and makeup. You are ultimately paying for a luxury to be serviced at your location, we are traveling to you, carrying a lot of heavy equipment, along with our skill set and the time we do spend with you to look your best so you can relax on your wedding day. This also includes for the time it takes for communicating from inquiry to event date and time creating invoices, contracts, schedules, etc.
What brands of makeup do you use and how long will my makeup last?
We carry high end brands of makeup including Makeup Forever, MAC Cosmetics, Becca, Urban Decay, Benefit Cosmetics, Charlotte Tilbury and Natasha Denona. We have a variety of professional products to accommodate all skin types and skin tones.
We are constantly told by brides and bridal parties that their makeup lasted the ENTIRE night! We use quality products that have been proven to last through sweat and tears.
What is the difference between traditional makeup and airbrush makeup?
The difference between traditional and airbrush foundation lies in the application method and the finish they provide.
Traditional makeup is the use of liquid, cream or powder foundation, applied with either a makeup brush or sponge. Liquid and cream foundations offer a range of coverage, from sheer to full. Traditional foundations can provide different finishes such as matte, dewy, or satin, depending on the formula. The longevity and durability can vary, depending on the specific formulation. For instance, glowy foundation may require touch ups, where a matte foundation may not. We use quality foundations that are water resistant and will last all day.
Airbrush makeup is a process where foundation is put into an airbrush gun that sprays a fine mist of foundation onto the skin. It is atomized into tiny droplets, allowing for a lightweight and even application. We use Temptu professional airbrush makeup that is a semi-matte formula that delivers a natural, skin-like finish. It is transfer and water-resistant and has buildable, from sheer to medium, coverage. It has excellent staying power and can withstand heat, humidity, and tears.
We normally like to decide if you are a good candidate for airbrush makeup in person. Not all skin types work well with certain formulas and we want to offer you the best coverage, desired look and staying power that compliments your skin.
What is a bridal hair and makeup preview?
A bridal hair or makeup preview, also known as a hair or makeup trial, is an appointment booked usually a couple months before the wedding date, where our bride-to-be meets with her scheduled hairstylist and/or makeup artist from our team to discuss and experiment with looks she has found inspired by photos online. It is an opportunity to preview the look and ensure that it aligns perfectly with the brides vision and preferences. Previews are normally for our brides-to-be that have already reserved their wedding date with us.
Is a Preview necessary?
The wedding day can be very busy when getting ready. For hair and makeup to run smoothly, bridal previews are highly recommended. We want you to be able to relax and enjoy your time getting ready for your big day, not worrying if the hair and makeup is going to turn out great or not! Sometimes you may think you want a specific color of eyeshadow or lipstick, style of makeup or hair for your wedding, but once you see it on your own skin tone and hair, have a change of heart. And that is completely ok! You may not know you don’t like something, until you actually try it! That doesn’t mean that it was not done correctly or badly, just that you now know that you don’t like that specific color or style on yourself. This is exactly what the preview is good for!
A hair and/or makeup preview is a special and essential part of your wedding preparations, providing you with an opportunity to collaborate with our skilled artists to design and perfect your dream wedding. It also gives you a chance to make sure you mesh well with your artists, as we will be spending a few hours with you and your bridal party on your big day.
At your preview, it will start with a detailed consultation with each artist. This initial conversation allows you to share your vision, inspirations, and any specific ideas you have for your wedding style. You can discuss your desired look, considering factors such as your wedding theme, dress style, and personal preferences. Our artists will listen attentively and provide expect guidance, taking into account your hair type, length, and texture; your features and skin type/texture.
By the end of the preview, you will have a finalized look that you can confidently wear on your wedding day. We will more than likely document the chosen style with photographs and notes, serving as a reference for recreating the look flawlessly on the day of your wedding. But don’t worry, if you end up changing your mind on certain aspects of the looks, we can absolutely make those changes the day of the wedding.
This service is optional and normally for brides only, but occasionally for mother of the brides also. Please allow up to 3 hours for previews with hair and makeup, or around 1.5 hours for hair only or makeup only. If getting vintage waves and/or adding in clip in extensions, allow an extra hour for hair, as both take more time and skill.
How far in advance should I book a preview?
We suggest booking your preview one to three months before your wedding. A&A Artists are generally booked 4-12 months in advance, so we suggest securing your wedding date as soon as possible. Most brides secure their wedding date well before their preview to ensure their wedding date is held. One to three months before your wedding day allows the artists to see your current hair and skin, so they can let you know if the hairstyle you request will work with your hair and/or suggest any advice for your skin care needs. Previews can be held before the bride has paid the booking fee and secured wedding date, however there is no guarantee that the wedding date will still be available if you do not secure it before booking a preview.
Should I book my preview for my engagement photos or bridal shower?
We do not suggest doing your wedding hair and makeup preview on the day of your engagement photoshoot. The preview is to try out the full wedding look, so that on the day of the wedding, everything runs a lot smoother and you know what to expect. It is a time to discuss what you like and do not like, make suggestions based on your hair and skin, and test out the desired look. Engagement photo hair and makeup is generally more relaxed and a bit more like you look on a regular basis. You don't want the exact same makeup in both sets of photos do you? We do suggest planning your preview on a day you have somewhere to go, like when you have your dress fitting, a night out with the girls, or even your bridal shower.
Where and what days do you offer previews?
Previews are held at our private studio in Clovis, CA. We offer preview sessions on week days. If you live out of town and only available on weekend days, we can accommodate on some Sundays.