The Bridal Studio & Spa - Kimberly Richard

d instead just vent to your friends like a normal person. But after receiving an email asking me to review the “pampering of makeup services” Kim provided for me, I knew I had to say something.  I hired Kim for hair services for my wedding. Hair. Not “pampering of makeup services.” Hair. I feel the need to repeat that because in every email I got from Kim from the day I hired her until two days before my wedding she referenced makeup services. Each time, I had to reply, “Hair. You mean hair services” Her response was always something like, “Oh yeah! It’s been so busy. It’s hard to keep it all straight.” Comforting. But I was a stressed bride with bigger fish to fry, and I couldn’t spend too much time wondering whether Kim was playing some kind of ongoing joke. It had to be a joke, right? One woman couldn’t possibly make the same typo that many times. In her final email two days before the wedding she mentioned she’d need someone to bring in her supplies from the car, as she doesn’t carry her own. Sure, Kim. I’ll assign someone the important job of carrying your curling iron across the parking lot. I’m against giving my bridesmaids jobs on the day, but if that’s the hill you’re going to die on, fine. She confirmed she’d arrive at 8:30 a.m. for a 9:00 start. The real review starts here, and I’d like to issue a trigger warning for all brides: Those wedding nightmares we all have? They can happen. Proceed at your own risk. It’s the morning of my wedding. I’m organizing bins for my coordinator, making coffee, and finishing a quick prayer to the weather gods when I realize it’s 9:00. Kim hasn’t arrived. I check my phone: no emails, no calls, no texts. I call her. No answer. I call again. Still no answer. The spiral begins. What if something happened? What if she’s not coming? Who’s going to do my bridesmaids’ hair? My mom’s hair? I can barely operate a straightener! That’s why I hired someone! It’s 9:15. With no solution, I keep calling. She answers. A groggy “Hello” echoes on the other end. The kind of half asleep voice that tells you those are the first words she’s spoken all day. I’d woken her up. I’m frozen as she says, “This never happens!” K, Kim. When can you be here? “Oh, and you’re all the way in Chatham? That’s far.” My wedding is where my wedding is, Kim. “Okay, I have to take my dogs out, stop for gas, and I have to get coffee…” Kim. These are inside thoughts. Just tell me when you can be here. “I’ll be there in an hour.” 1.5 hours later, Kim arrives. Now 2.5 hours late. It wouldn’t be fair to judge her actual work that day. She was late, and the bride woke her up. Not exactly the best setup for stellar results. 3 out of 4 people asked for their hair to be redone. Though for all I know, that’s just a regular Tuesday for her. She spent most of her time talking about how far my venue was and how she didn’t get enough time with her dogs that morning as if my wedding had somehow wronged her. The rating I gave her was generous. I’m not here to tank anyone’s business on The Knot or Google or wherever hairstylists live online but let’s just say I did not have a great experience with Kim. Her team is disorganized, communication is frustrating, and professionalism seems optional. I can’t speak to her “makeup pampering”, but her hair services are, at best, fine.

ge service during our photos and helped keep the day moving smoothly leading up to our ceremony. Biggest thank you to the entire team. Highly, highly recommend! 

reviews on this site and they were spot on and we had fabulous hair and makeup. All in the bridal party were happy with their final "look." Thank you to this dynamic team.

I had the best experience and wouldn't change a thing!