I want to say at the outset that my hair and makeup looked great for my wedding day - my stylist was talented, hardworking, and sweet, and I think she did the best she could, so I ...don't have complaints about this aspect of the service.
However, the result is not the only aspect of hiring a beauty team for a wedding. I had some scheduling and communication issues with The Beauty Agency that I would not overlook if I had to complete this process over again. Scheduling my trial required follow-up emails after I had not received a response for 10+ days, then they sent someone the next day, but I did not get many details and I was not asked to send inspo photos or a Pinterest board. I did not realize how many stylists were contracted out to work with the company and wrongly assumed I'd be working with the person I initially emailed. I hired the company about 11 months before my wedding and had just hired a planner, so there were many details in my event contract that I had not locked into place yet, including the get-ready location. I had planned for 8 services - hair and makeup for 4 adults. My aunt (one of the four) had Alzheimer's and, the month before my wedding, our family settled with the very sad reality that she was in no condition to attend my wedding. She suffered a stroke the week before my wedding and passed away the week after my wedding. When I let the company know a month in advance that I only had need for 6 services for this reason, they essentially said too bad and would still charge me for 8 services, even though it did not change the number of stylists sent (1 person). I understand that 90 days was the final timing mark, but I was losing a very close family member to a degenerative disease, and we hoped until the last minute that she could attend. I think that showed a lack of understanding and compassion.
Since I was paying for 8 services, I had a friend step in to have her hair and makeup done in my aunt's stead. Our services took so long that she did not have time to get her hair done, only her makeup. So, ultimately I paid for 8 services and only had 7 services completed. Our services ended up feeling a bit rushed due to our timeline. I was nervous when I was told that 8 services would be fine for 1 person within the timeframe we needed. We asked in advance if 1 person was enough for 8 services, including hairstyles for 4 women with very thick, long hair. We were told it would not be a problem.
On the morning of the wedding, my stylist was sent to the wrong hotel, which, luckily, was very nearby the correct location. The company never confirmed the location of our get-ready space, which feels like a big oversight. Once again, 11 months in advance, I did not know which hotel I was going to use and wrote "Likely going to be XXX" in my contract. Instead of firming up those details or following up to confirm, they sent my stylist to the wrong location. My planner had even emailed the company with our timeline, which had the correct hotel/address. My planner was also not given the phone number of our stylist and was forced to try to get in contact with her over Instagram.
Honestly, I felt bad for my stylist in this process. The company did not do her justice by failing to be an effective communicative link between us. Even though I felt lovely on my wedding day and confident in the services I received, I ultimately would not hire The Beauty Agency again, and wish I had stuck to my planner's suggested vendors.