Wedding Hive Podcast
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Wedding Hive Podcast
054 - How To Choose Wedding Hair That Feels Like You
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We sit down with AZ luxury hairstylist Lydia Love All to get honest about what makes bridal hair last all day and what quietly falls apart by the first round of hugs. We break down booking timelines, extensions, prep rules, and the mindset shift that helps you pick a look you’ll love in photos and remember loving in real life.
• why updos feel more versatile and creative than downstyles
• the difference between everyday hair and long-wear bridal hair
• how a hairstylist shapes the vibe of the wedding morning
• what a chaotic timeline change teaches about trusting vendors
• when to book your bridal hairstylist and why nine months is tight
• how to vet a stylist beyond Instagram photos using video and consistency
• when hair extensions help most and when they are optional
• hair prep that works including wash timing and skipping heavy conditioner
• trends that photograph well but demand realistic expectations
• how to choose comfort over trends so you feel like yourself
• what holds up in heat and weather plus when touch-ups matter
• what wedding hair pricing covers behind the scenes
• the worst hair emergency story and why workspace rules exist
If you guys are looking for Lydia, her Instagram is LidLoveHair.
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Updos, Buns, And Current Favorites
SPEAKER_00Hey Queens, welcome back to another episode of the Wedding High podcast. Today we are joined by Lydia Love All, and she is an AZ luxury hairstylist. And today we're gonna be talking all things hair when it comes to brides. So welcome. Welcome. We're so happy to have you here. I know. We last minute brought it together, but I'm so glad that we could because your stuff is just stunning. So I'm excited to literally get into everything.
SPEAKER_03Yes, your work is absolutely amazing online. I could just like scroll through and just dream. I know all of your all of your work.
SPEAKER_00Literally.
SPEAKER_02Right.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I'm like, I know we just got married like two years ago, but like maybe I could, you know, do a little revamp or something. Exactly. I'm down for it. So um we always like to start our guests off with a little yes or no or this or that. Obviously, you're you know, do bridal hairstyles. Do you prefer doing an updo or like a hair down style?
SPEAKER_02If I have to pick, I would definitely say an updo.
SPEAKER_00Okay.
SPEAKER_02I just feel like there's like more room to be creative and kind of a little more versatile. Yeah. I feel like they've gotten like sexy.
SPEAKER_00Like there's been like so many things.
SPEAKER_02The like undone, like the Pamela Anderson updose. Yes. You're like done. Yeah. Just I don't know, something about it not being like perfectly polished in every hair in place. It's just I love that.
SPEAKER_00I feel like I love like the French twists, right? Okay. I'm like, is that proper hair verbiage? I feel like those are so pretty and just like effortless.
SPEAKER_02I feel like half up, half downs will always be the most popular. Oh, for sure. When somebody asks for an updo, I'm excited.
SPEAKER_00But I feel like I've seen a lot of like slick back buttons too. Yes. I feel like it's used to always be like feeling like on myself love slip backs.
SPEAKER_02Yes. When someone else asks for one, I'm like, you're like, let's slay on me. Yes.
SPEAKER_00You're like, we will get into it, baby.
SPEAKER_03That's what you had.
SPEAKER_00I did have a bun. Yeah. I had um a bun. I did have like my front pieces out, but I did an updo too. And it was so funny because I didn't have hair as long as you, but like pretty long. And everyone was like, You're long, your hair is so long and like pretty. Like, you don't want it down. And I'm like, I just know my hair. Yeah. It's like it was September. I was like, it could be warm. And like, I know, you know, I hired a professional, but I was like, I just my hair, I have finer hair. So I was like, I feel like it's just gonna get tangled. And I was like, no, I have a strapless, I want like my hair up. So and I'm glad I listened to what I wanted instead of what other people said. I think that's the most important. Yeah, yeah. Just go with your gut. Yeah, and you know yourself too, I feel like.
SPEAKER_03So cool.
From Dental Office To Bridal Hair
SPEAKER_03Um, so I would love to know what got you into the wedding and event hairstyling. And did you ever work in a salon? Do you currently work in a salon? Like, no. Tell us all about it.
SPEAKER_02I never worked in a salon. I actually was working full-time in the dental industry. I did all like front office management, training, finances, all of that. Loved it. It was very like appease the type A side of my personality. Um, always did hair as like a creative outlet um for friends, for friends' weddings. Um, and I loved doing it. I mean, if you ask my parents growing up, I was always like the last one ready because I was taking the most time. And that was when it was like braids were a thing, the boho, everything. And I loved that, especially with longer, like kind of textured hair. That was my favorite thing to do. Um, but I worked full-time in the dental industry at so now this would be like seven years ago. I had my first daughter, and I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, and I had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home mom. So I quit my job. And after about six months, I was a little bit bored. I like felt so fulfilled as a mom. I didn't want to go back to a job, but I'm like, I feel I'm feeling a little crazy. Like, I need something for me. And so through Instagram, I had a bridal team reach out to me and was like, hey, we love your work. You want to join the team? And so I kind of just took the jump and was sure they send me a list of dates and I could pick what worked with my schedule. My mom can watch my daughter some days. My husband was home to watch her the other day, so I didn't have to worry about childcare. And so that got my foot in the door. And I loved it so much. I'm like, even though I was passionate about the dental industry and loved what I did, this is just like it's the creative, it's a creative outlet. I love that I get to be a part of like such a special momentous occasion for people and be with grown-ups for a couple hours. Yeah, like I'm gonna do it. And do something that I really love to do. Um, but yeah, that's how how it kind of got started and how I made that jump from like the medical industry to doing something so creative instead was yeah, that little gap in between at home. And I I love it. I don't think I would go back because I love this so much. Right. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00That is awesome. I know, I agree with that. That's such a cool story. Yeah, with like um me doing wedding content creation, it's so like fun to just be a part of someone's like most special day and then just be there and make them feel beautiful. And you know, it's something that's like so special. So I love that. Um, okay.
Hair That Holds Plus Morning Energy
SPEAKER_00What's something people don't realize about being a bridal hairstylist?
SPEAKER_02Oh, I like this one. Um, I would say there's two things. The first one that comes to mind is bridal hair is very different than just like photo shoot hair, everyday hair. Like we're creating a long-lasting sculpture. Like it it we want it to look soft and touchable. You know, I always have brides that are like, oh, I want these like simple, like soft, but touchable waves. I'm like, okay, but you can't touch them. Like these have to stay all day. These are, you know, don't be so I always ask questions to make sure I set them up for success. Um, but yeah, it's it's a different type of uh prep and um styling than just an everyday look. Um, and then the second thing is I feel like bridal hairstylists or really any artist can go into it thinking like the focus is the art, the hair, the makeup, whatever it is. And I'm like, you're also showing up and you're in this bride's very personal bubble. Usually it's like as the timeline is getting tighter and tighter and they're feeling very emotional. And I'm like, you have to also present yourself in a way that you can like help calm their nerves and like you're creating an experience on top of just the hair. And I think that's important when you're picking a hairstylist, is like on social media picking somebody that you kind of feel like will align with your personality and the vibe you're going with for your wedding day. And then yeah, as as the artist, like keep that in mind, like you're creating their morning experience that is really memorable. Um and you don't want to skip over that just because you're creating beautiful hair, you know.
SPEAKER_00I know I just saw a TikTok about that, just saying, like um, hair and makeup artists, you know, are uh not overlooked, but like people don't realize like you are the first people to see them the day of their wedding.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, and you're absolutely setting the mood for the rest of the day. Yeah, the vibe for the whole day. Absolutely.
SPEAKER_00I think that's so true. Yeah. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Do you remember? I think we had a guest on and she was a bride, and she said the only downfall of her day was that one of her like hair and makeup got into like a tiff about who was doing what person was. Maid of honor had to walk out and go, I need both of you to go outside and figure this out. It is not a good thing. Good for the making, good for the room. The vibes I do remember, yeah. You're you're saying this, and I'm going, wait a second. I'm like, wait, this is a good thing.
SPEAKER_02Totally, and I've had it happen frequently where like if I send my schedule first, you know, based on what the information the bride has sent me, and I sent her the schedule, and then weeks later, she's like, the makeup artist wants this. And I'm like, okay, like maybe give her my information and I can we can figure it out separately because I hate to make again back to experience. I don't want the bride to be the middleman, like trying to figure out stressed out, like especially it's dependent on what kind of hairstyle. I'm like, okay, well, we've already done your preview. You're you know, you're worried about your curls holding or whatever little particulars. And so yeah, I always like to be flexible. I think that's the most important. Be flexible, yeah, work well with the other vendors because we're wanting to create a great experience for the bride. Yes. And yeah, if you're having it out, and oh, she's gonna be stressed her whole wedding. Oh my gosh, you're like, okay, or leading up to the wedding day. I'm like, that also is equally as important. Yeah, definitely filling out the vibes and stuff like that.
SPEAKER_03Um, so on that topic, what has been your most memorable or chaotic wedding morning?
SPEAKER_02Whoo! This is actually very recent for me. I funny enough, a wedding that you and I were on together. Oh, I don't know, I out of preference, I schedule one bride usually. I'm like, I just feel like I can be more creative and just like really focus my energy. It was like the most requested day of the year. So I knew both of the brides timelines, and so I booked two brides, and I had the rest, I had another artist assisting me to do the bridesmaids. Everything was communicated to the brides in advance. They knew this, like six months in advance. So I was like, just so everything's laid out, it goes really smoothly. Like a week before the wedding, one of the brides was so anxious, wanted to flip the timeline around, and I was like, What are we gonna do? Yeah. And being a people pleaser, I was like, all I want to do is just say yes, we can do whatever you want. But I'm like, there are limitations that we've talked about, you know, and making sure that both timelines go really smoothly and that I give you as much time as you need. But she wanted to get her hair done at like 8 a.m. instead of getting it done in the afternoon closer to her finished time. And I'm like, I mean, I want to do whatever you want, but if you need that, you know, I said I could have my second artist provide you with another preview and we can maybe so we did she did like three previews, was happy at the end, ended up sticking with the original timeline that we talked about. And everything went great and she looked gorgeous. But I'm like, the sleep that I lost leading up to that, because I'm like, I want her to be happy. I don't want her to be stressed about this. Yeah. But you know, I'm like, timelines very important. We know how timelines go. And I'm like, I don't want you having a downstyle at 8 a.m. and your ceremony is not till 4 p.m. You're like, baby. I'm gonna be so bored. Yeah, yeah, and I never send out a detailed timeline six months in advance because too many things changed. But at that point, I was like, this is exactly what your timeline would look like, and then here's what I would recommend. So then she had gotten back to me. I was like, I talked to my wedding coordinator, and you're right. I'm like, I promise I'm not making this stuff. I'm doing this. It's gonna go smoothly. We're gonna be on time. I'm like, you everything's gonna go smoothly, but you have to trust that your wedding vendors know what they're talking about. So yeah, after that, I was like, I don't love doing two brides.
SPEAKER_00You're like, I think we're just gonna skip that.
SPEAKER_02We're just gonna not do it again. I've done it a few times, but I never love it. I'm like, I love to just show up and be like, you have me for the whole day, whatever. I'm just here to yeah.
SPEAKER_03So how many weddings do you typically do a month?
SPEAKER_02Um, I it depends on the time of year. During peak season, I would say probably eight, yeah, at least two a week. Um, and then it kind of tapers off to one a week. And then over the summertime, there's a couple months where we're just doing previews and kind of correspondence. Yeah. Um, which is really nice. Being a stay-at-home mom, it's have those months that are off and slower. Yeah. So we're like just coming to the end. I know. It's coming up quick. And I'm like, I can take a breath.
SPEAKER_00Right. I feel like I can relax by the pool. Saturdays, what are those? What do we do on Saturdays? Right. But um, yeah. You're like, I'm booked and busy. Um, okay.
Booking Timelines And Vetting Stylists
SPEAKER_00So speaking of brides and booking, when should brides realistically book out their hairstylist for a wedding day?
SPEAKER_02That's also an excellent question. I think if you really have your heart set on a specific hairstylist, I mean at least a year, I would say for sure. Um, nine months, I feel like is the most common, but by six months, your options are pretty limited. Yeah. Yeah. So you kind of just get what you get. Um, you know, if that's for weekend weddings. If you have a weekday wedding, you're gonna have a lot more flexibility. But yeah, I mean, if you can already have somebody picked out a year in advance and be in touch with them, that is ideal. Um as a vendor, I'm like, you really have to have your life planned out because you're booking a year in advance. I know. But um, yeah.
SPEAKER_00A year I hate that, but I'm like, if you can't I feel like that's normal, and at least in my opinion, like when I was planning my wedding and I took two years, like, I mean, I was booking stuff like a year, year and a half. Like, I'm just like, I'd rather know I have stuff set than be like waiting six months, and then I'm like, oh crap, I don't like. I mean, this is your wedding day, so don't want to miss out on vendors. Totally.
SPEAKER_02And and from what I've heard, venues are booking like 18 months to two years in advance. So I'm like, you already have a lot of stuff lined up before you even get to hair and makeup. Yeah. Um so true. Yeah, but I think nine months it should be like, don't go past that. Yeah. Minimum, bare minimum. Bare minimum nine months.
SPEAKER_03Bare minimum. Um, what should somebody look for when choosing a stylist beyond Instagram photos?
SPEAKER_02I think it's really important to look for videos as well, because I I see it so much where the photos can be doctored and um, not the AI. I feel like that's been an issue though, is a lot of like AI. I like saw an artist do it before my eyes where they just like pew and they do great work, but they threw it into face too, and it just like gives it that view, and then I'm like, you didn't even need to do that. Like, that was great content. You could have just put up, you know, honest work. But um, photos, I mean videos, I think are really important. And also looking for an artist that is like has a lane. Maybe an artist that can do everything isn't always the best.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Um, that is a little tricky because again, if you're booking a year in advance, a year in advance, what you think you want might kind of change down the road once you're scheduling your preview and your wedding day. But yeah, I I think picking whether it's a fine someone who specializes in in fine hair or in updos or in glam waves, if if you have your heart set on that, look for somebody who specializes in that. Um yeah, and then someone who posts consistently. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Because social media is everything. It just is everything. That's how people find you.
SPEAKER_02And it's just work. It shows, I think, also that your work is consistent, not that just like, oh, I had one really great hair that I posted a couple months ago. Like, okay, like, are we performing weekly? Are we looking at it? Yeah, are you doing one wedding a month every six months? Like an occasional bride that's hair is like picture perfect, yeah. Like has the perfect bride that has like no floor. Correct, correct. Like, you want to know that your artist is showing up and delivering every single wedding. Oh, for sure.
SPEAKER_00That was your question, right?
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Um, extensions. When are they necessary versus optional, in your opinion? Yeah.
SPEAKER_02I think they are such a great option. A lot of artists, I feel like, push them really hard. Some of them rent them out, which I think is awesome. But I usually only like push for them if somebody wants a downstyle, especially like a loose wave, and they're admittedly like my hair doesn't hold curl. Like, okay, well, let's we're gonna need a little assist on that one. Um yeah, or if they just have extremely, you know, fine, thin hair. And I'm like, hey, let's talk about some options. It doesn't have to be a lot, it doesn't have to be a a full set, but though that's usually when I talk about it, is when they want like a long-lasting loose curl. Then like extensions do go a long way in holding kind of just helping hold that curl in for you and and doing some of the work. Um yeah, so I'm not a bridal hairstylist who pushes it for every bride. I'm like, I I really am flexible. I think there are so many tools and ways to prep the hair that we don't always need it. But depending on the style they request, I'm like, look, again, setting expectations is everything, which I feel like bride and I feel like we run into the most with moms of the bride, where I'm like, if you're not asking the right questions and setting the right expectations, you're setting yourself up for failure. Yeah. Um, which that's where the extensions come in. Like, hey, if we don't get them, because I know it's an extra expense you might not want to take on, this is how it's gonna look for you. It's gonna be a little different. But if you're willing to take on that extra expense, hey, we can make this, we can replicate this exact look. Because most of those Instagram pictures have extensions.
SPEAKER_00So how do you go into like obviously you are you doing the bride if you do like a bridesmaid's? Are you also communicating with them, or is it kind of just day of and you're like trial reeling with them really quick of like what's best?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, for bridesmaids, I don't usually have too much information beforehand. I have considered adding into my agreement, hey, if somebody has exceptionally thick or unusually long hair, please just let me know in advance because I'd love to give them an extra 15 minutes. Yeah. I've only had that happen a few times and it usually always averages out and it's fine. Um, but yeah, I usually don't know in advance again, unless they have a really tight timeline. Like I know a lot of time for Catholic ceremonies or um like the mass is earlier in the morning. So I'm like, if you don't want to start at 4 a.m., hey, let's talk about what are your bridesmaids' expectations so I have an exact idea of how much time I need per person.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_02And so I've done that a few times, but usually no. Bridesmaids, sight unseen. I show up, tell me what you want, we'll make it happen. And you still slay it. So sometimes that's when it's the most fun because you really gotta like just think on your feet. All the creative juices get flowing and figure out how to, you know, take their inspiration and their hair type and make it one. Make the perfect baby. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00A beautiful hair baby.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
Prep Rules, Trends, And Weather Proofing
SPEAKER_03How should brights prep their hair the night before or even the morning of?
SPEAKER_02Ooh, um, I usually recommend, I actually send them this information beforehand. Wash within 24 hours. Ideally, before 24 hours, between 24 hours and 12 hours, it like gives the hair time to fully dry, be ready, especially with fine hair. I have fine hair and I'm like, if I wash and blow dry and go straight to the chair, my hair is not going to quality. It doesn't, yeah. It's gonna fall flat. Um, and then skipping conditioner and masks, it really is like heavy on the hair. And one one skip is not gonna hurt your hair. Um, but it just helps us really build volume and fullness, and we have we have all the products. I'm like, people who think like dirty hair is better, please, please, please, please I'm begging! I begged up on my knees, please wash your hair. I'm like, nobody wants to touch dirty hair. Yeah, like no.
SPEAKER_00It's like when you go to the hair salon and like girls like show up with like five-day old hair. It's like, how do you think the product's gonna soak up your hair? Like, it's not gonna, there's no way it's gonna turn out to work.
SPEAKER_02And I don't know if that's like an old myth. Yeah, because they didn't used to have like texturizing products and stuff. I'm like, we will replicate that like 2026. Yeah, like all babies. We don't need any of that in up in here. Okay, you're like, we need nice clean. Please wash your hair, but if you could do it like between the 24 and 12 hour window.
SPEAKER_00Okay, perfect.
SPEAKER_02Perfect.
SPEAKER_00You're like chef's kiss.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, thank you so much.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, um, okay, what trends look amazing in photos, but don't hold up on the big day.
SPEAKER_02I think glam waves are beautiful. I think a lot of brides don't realize that they are like a sculpture. And so if they are a fidgeter, it's not gonna last. It's gonna get frizzy, it's gonna need touch-ups. And so anytime a bride asks me for glam waves, I always have that little chat with them. Like, do you touch your hair? Do you move it back and forward? And you know, how are you normally? I am a hair fidgeter. This is a rare day that I have my hair down because I'm just touching it all the time and it's not gonna work. It's gonna ruin this like perfect sculpture that we've created. And so, again, back to like setting expectations and letting them know the reality of like it looks great in this info photo you have, and it can look great like that all day if you don't touch it, if people aren't like hugging and wrapping their arms around your hair.
SPEAKER_00You can even drop it low on the dance floor if you have those. Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_02And I've had a bride who was like, I'm gonna get crazy on the dance floor. I need a hairstyle that's gonna last through everything. And I was like, glam like glam waves are not for you. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Because you're like, it's not gonna happen.
SPEAKER_02It's not gonna happen. Or, you know, if you're okay with them looking a little like tussled by the end of the day, okay, great. But again, back to setting expectations. As long as they know that when they make their decision, then everything's out. Yeah, they know. I mean, I can't tell you how many bridesmaids I have sitting in my chair that are like, oh, I just want these simple waves.
SPEAKER_01And I'm like, Yeah, simple.
SPEAKER_02You're like, actually, I don't think we should do the thing. Like, I need an hour and a half for that. Yeah. We're gonna make some, and then again, I usually just have that little chat with them. Like, okay, it's gonna be a little bit more relaxed than that. They're gonna kind of separate during the day. Are you okay with that? Great. And then, you know, they're usually happy, but okay.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I love that. Uh, what trends are you loving right now?
SPEAKER_02Oh, the half-ups, the sleek half up to is just it is really popular. The sleek and then the like waves. Yeah, and then just I don't know, a variation of whether it's like a twist that crisscrosses in the back, or right now they're like twisted and pinned on the side. But when it's just sleek in the front, and I love that we're kind of moving into like micro face framing pieces instead of these like thick, voluminous pieces that were really trendy for a while. Oh, I love like the micro hair pieces, but yeah, and I feel like they tend to go hand in hand with that like sleek half-up do. Yeah. Oh, I love that. I can do it over and over. You're like, I'm obsessed. Yeah, let's do it again. Let's do it.
SPEAKER_00I know I feel like that looks good too, with like depending on like the dress that they have too. Oh, yeah. Um, or like even like a veil moment. I feel like when it's sleeked back and they have the veil and it's just like yeah, it's so totally and I think it just looks really elegant.
SPEAKER_02Something about it, like pulled at the pulled back at the ears, but like the hair is kind of around your neck, and then like a really sleek collarbone. I'm like, ugh, it just looks like so beautiful.
SPEAKER_00So do you ever have brides like ask you, hey, this is my style of wedding dress? What hairstyle should I do? Yeah, I did recently actually.
SPEAKER_02A bride who opted to skip her preview because she's from out of state, so she didn't have time to do a preview. Yeah. So she's like, here is like pictures of my hair, here are pictures of my wedding dress, here are a couple options. Thinking about what do you think? I was like, I love that you're like fault. Yeah. And so we did. And we both were in agreement on like, yes, this is the right hairstyle. It was her first pick. It was my first pick. Like, absolutely. And shocker, it was a sleek half up to because I just thought it would look great. It's really romantic. Yeah. It is really obsessed. Really feminine, but just like really polished. I love that. Like in between. You said, ooh. Yeah. So great.
SPEAKER_00Um, what is the biggest mistakes brides um make with their hair, or maybe picking their hairstyle? What do you think?
SPEAKER_02I think picking a hairstyle that's trendy but a little bit out of their comfort zone. You know, I feel like, especially with social media, trends drive so many of the wedding decisions. Like in 10 years, you're gonna be outdated anyways. So just pick something that like you are comfortable with. Um especially if I have a bright show me a sleek half up due. And I'm like, how do you normally wear your hair? Do you wear it up? And if they're like, no, I usually have it down, you know, like you might feel really bald with me wearing the hair. And I might think you look great. Yeah. And everyone else is gonna think you look great, great. But if you don't feel great, that's what you remember. I always tell people, like, they don't remember how they look, they remember how they feel. Yeah. And sure, you're we want to look picture perfect in photos, but if you don't feel yourself, that's what you're gonna remember forever. Um, and I always have people in my chair, like, oh, I just remembered this from my wedding day, or I didn't like my wedding here. I just felt like like you remember that feeling of not feeling your best. So pick what you're comfortable in. Um, that's my most common question for moms too, when they are in the chair and like setting up the expectations or talking about what are you used to doing with your hair? And maybe we can find a middle of the road. If they want that sleek appearance, let's talk about maybe a nice face streaming piece or something we can kind of modify. Or um, but yeah, I think that's the biggest mistake is trying to go with a trend that's maybe a little bit out of their comfort zone.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02And then I've had brides where they do it at the preview and then they realize on the wedding day, hey, can we pivot? Because I realize that. Yeah, it didn't feel like me. And I'm like, absolutely, absolutely we can pivot. And that's what I think a preview is for is yeah, really like honing in on what feels like yourself, but also feels a little elevated in bridal.
SPEAKER_03So um, what styles actually last through heat, wind, and weather?
SPEAKER_02I mean, I am an updo girly, so I'll always draw if you're worried about your hair holding up, I'm gonna say, hey, let's talk about an updo. Um, if you want your hair down, half up, half down, I think that's why it's the most popular, is because it's gonna look styled all day, even if your curls start to relax or yeah, if there's rain. I had a um a wedding in the fall that had rain, and I was that we had to talk about that. I'm like, hey, I can't make promises that will hold up, but it's gonna go a lot further if we have a nice styled half-up portion, even if your curls, you know, kind of look relaxed or whatever. So for that reason, a ha a good half-up half down is great. Extensions are great for that reason, also. I always kind of weave that into the conversation, especially in Arizona. I had a bride recently. She's got an end of May wedding, like May 30th, and she's doing a half up, half down. She said she her hair doesn't hold curl well, but she wants relaxed curls. So at the preview, we talked about do you want me to build in a little extra volume just to see how you feel with that? I'm like, I don't want to be the Debbie Downer, but May 30th, it's gonna be hot, girl. Yeah. Outside, it's gonna be toasty. Yeah, you're gonna be melting. And and heat is one thing, but when you have like the sun beating down on your hair, it reheats your hair, which is like using a hot tool all over again. And it's just kind of, you know, we're gonna lose a little of that volume fullness. It will still last, you're still gonna look great. But yeah, uh updo, if you're really worried, a half up, half down is a great kind of middle of the road.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Um, do you think it's worth paying for a stylist to stay for touch-ups?
SPEAKER_02I think this always comes back to your hair type and your hair, the style you choose. If you're choosing a glam wave and you want it to look picture perfect all night, or whenever you're getting your you know, bride and groom photos, or whatever, whatever those timelines look like, um, it's very specific to that. I also have a bride coming up this fall and she has like a traditional ceremony and then a Hindu ceremony. Uh two different, but she's having two ceremonies in the day. So she has an outfit change, and so she opted for me to stay for touch ups, which I think is really great. Cause I'm like, if you're in and out of your dress, yeah, um, she is considering a hair change, but I'm like, really, for touch-ups, you're gonna have photos of both ceremonies and you want to look great for both. Um, yeah, if if weather is a concern, that's a great time to consider having someone retaining your hairstylist or makeup artists for or I've seen like obviously I feel like it's not well, it's I don't feel like it's a trend, but there's the brides who like have long hair and then cut it short.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I've seen that. That terrifies me.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I'm like, why this feels you're like I'm scared. Maybe do the reverse, like put in long extensions and then take them out, or do not maybe okay. This I think get the chop, then wear long extensions so nobody knows you did. Yeah, and then take the extensions out, and then that way it's not. I mean, I feel like anybody who's done that probably gets like a quickie haircut and then goes and gets like maybe a detailed cut later, but I don't know. That just sends me.
SPEAKER_00I'm like, that I've I've seen it a few times and I'm like uh that kind of I mean, some people are like that type B. They don't like rides and they're just like and I'm like, I would crash out.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, but I love that for you. Yeah, that feels crazy. And then I'm like, I'm assuming you have a very limited window. Yeah, I don't know. That just that yeah.
SPEAKER_00I do like that when I see like there's been a few brides I've seen that have like all the hair down and then like reception happens and it's like in a pony. Oh, I love that. I think that is so fun. Yeah, I'm like, I think it's a cool screen.
SPEAKER_02Which again, yeah, is another great option if you're like doing glam waves and they're you know, you want to get on the dance floor or something. Hey, let's switch it into a fun updo or a fun pony or something. Yeah. Um, yeah, I think I think that's really fun. Yeah, yeah. And then they usually like pair it with like a dress change too. It's like iconic.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, it's like pop off. Um, what is something you wish brides would stop doing?
SPEAKER_02Fidgeting with their hair. Mostly, yeah. Stop touching your hair. Stop touching it. It's one day, just don't touch it. Yeah, and and I feel like I can say that because I am a hair fidgeter. So I'm like, I know it's hard, but just keep your hands in your lap. Don't touch it. Um, yeah. Keep a drink in your hand at all times. And being a people pleaser, I know it's really hard to communicate changes that you want or like say you're unhappy with something, but I'm like, that's what I'm here for. You're literally paying me to like make sure you love it. And you're not gonna hurt my feelings if like you want less hair in the front. Because I see that all the time, too. I'll see the pictures, and I'm like, oh, they didn't like their face framing pieces. Like, why didn't they just tell me that? I would have made sure they're styled properly instead of like an ugly bobby pin showing or something. Yeah, you're like, oh, that's what I'm here for, is to like make sure it's picture perfect. Um, a lot of times that's on us as I feel like artists, making sure we ask questions in a way that's like they feel like they can share. I don't love this. And don't just skim over that like end console. Like, do you love it? You do. Okay, great, goodbye. Get it somebody else, you know. Yeah. Um, but yeah, don't touch your hair. Please let us know if you don't like something. We will make sure you love it before you get out of the chair.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I know. I feel like a lot of brides have issues with that, like on wedding days. And it's like no one likes like confrontation, but it's like, again, you're paying for the service. If you're in your hair, yeah, if you want something fixed, like just speak up. It's okay, it's your day. Yeah, and that's what we're here for.
SPEAKER_02Again, as artists, it's back on us. Make sure that the bride or the client feels really at ease and like comfortable to share that. Um, and that you really give them like a moment to consider. I usually tell them, like, take the mirror to the bathroom, go take a look, and I let them go by themselves. Yeah. So they don't feel like on edge, and then like, and then come back and we can chat about it. Or if you want, I'll check back in with you towards the end where we have a touch-up window and like really like sit in it and get a feel for it, but make sure that they know that's what I'm here for. Like, I'm here to make sure you're comfortable.
SPEAKER_00So true. Um, okay,
Textures, Pricing Realities, And Value
SPEAKER_00next question. How do you handle different hairstyles and textures?
SPEAKER_02I really think that kind of just comes down to experience and like having worked with different styles and knowing what each need to achieve the desired look. Um, again, back to expectations. Expectations, I think, are everything. Having that chat, like, hey, you have this kind of hair type, and for the style you want, here's where it's gonna be a little different or whatever. We don't have extensions or blah, blah, blah. Um, it also comes to just having my kit absolutely packed out with anything that could possibly be needed. Yeah. And every time I think, I need a downsize. No, you don't. You need a bigger bag.
SPEAKER_00The more product, the better.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, hot tools. I have like a thermal round brush. So I'm like, I never use this, and I need to take it out.
SPEAKER_00And it's like the one time you take it out, you get it. I almost took it out.
SPEAKER_02And then I showed up that day, needed it, and I was like, forget it. I need a bigger bag. Yeah, but just coming prepared. Um, and yeah, the experience of like knowing those different hair types. For sure. I have had somebody, a few people ask me, like, hey, do you work with um like mixed hair type or like you know, somebody asked it, like, black hair? Have you ever done that? I'm like, I can do it. But kind of back to making sure you book somebody that does your like is in a lane. I'm like, you want someone who like specializes in that kind of hair. Sure, I could do it. And I do bridesmaids like that, but I'm like, a bride wants someone who specializes in it. For sure. Um so sure, book with me. I'd love to do it. But but experience and maybe just finding someone that is yeah. So again, I've done it, but probably book with somebody who has more experience in that niche. Yeah, you know, 100%. If you're wanting a certain ex if you have certain expectations. Um but yeah, experience and just working with all the hair types and practicing. I will just be like, hey, sometimes I'll be like, hey, you have like a certain hair type, like a friend. Oh whatever, I just want to like try this hairstyle or you know, practicing on like the mannequin or whatever. I'm like, you really just have to like get your hands in there and do hands-on because beauty school really doesn't train bridal hair, they're training cuts and colors and like a little quickie updo, but I'm like, it's not the same thing, but yeah, it's you gotta get your hands in there and really just hands-on. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Um, what does pricing usually include that people don't think about?
SPEAKER_02Um I I feel like it's more common now for them to know that like travel fees are in there. I try, I've tried to create like a bridal package where it's like everything that you could need for a standard wedding day is just in this bridal package. But early starts, I think, are something that sometimes kind of blindside the bride. When again, back to like if they have an early morning mass or something, I'm like, you're like, so you're making wake up at 3 a.m. So it's gonna cost you. Right. I in the nicest way possible. Yeah, I feel like it's maybe an unpopular opinion because people are like, oh, you're a wedding vendor, you should be able to start early. And I'm like, I'm not talking like a 6 a.m. 6 a.m. I think that's normal, yeah. Totally fine, totally fine. Yeah, we're that's what our window looks like. Like, but if I have to be at your location at 5 a.m., I'm getting up at 345. And I'm like, that means I have child care is like something you have to take into consideration. I'm like, I gotta get a babysitter who's willing to be at my house, you know, to watch. Work at 4 a.m. Yeah, you know, and sure, you know, they have another parent at home who's with them until yeah 6 a.m. or whatever. But I'm like, still now I'm paying a babysitter special hours. So yeah, I usually just so you know, you can either pay for a second stylist to come and we can kind of shorten that getting ready widow, or you're looking at a fee for special hours.
SPEAKER_00I mean, I think that's fair. And I think that's something a lot of us have as vendors have talked about, is just like, you know, couples being like, well, why is this so much? Why is this this? And it's like, it's not just the hours you see us working. There's so much more that goes like behind we have to like we're all human, we all have to pay for gas. We have, you know, like people have vendors have kids, you have to pay for child care. Like, it's not just the service that you're getting, it's so much more, yeah that goes on in behind the scenes and yeah, to like orchestrate a really smooth running day to make your day look better.
SPEAKER_02And I'm like, if you think about it, any other job where you're working like a second shift, I'm like, you're getting paid time and a half. Yeah. Because you're working, you know, at four extra or whatever. Or you're working a weekend, you're getting paid time and a half because you're working a weekend, and that is all we do is work weekends. We reserve our Saturdays for a year in advance, and that means I'm missing my friends' baby showers and their bridal showers and other special events that, you know, they're not booking those a year in advance. Yeah. So, you know, we really are carving out a special spot for you to make sure we're available, whether we're sick or our kids are sick or whatever. And that's why there's sometimes those little extra fees, or I prefer to just build them in so it doesn't feel like you're getting nickel and dimed for every little thing. But um, yeah, that's why we have to consider all of that, not just oh, the hour and a half you're in my chair. Yeah, it's a long, it's a lot of elements that we're taking into consideration. Yeah, put in that work, okay?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, we are. Um, what's your worst hair emergency you've had to fix? Okay, this one still gives me anxiety. You said I still have nightmares about it.
SPEAKER_02I still have nightmares about this. And I get a little like twitchy when they start getting close to my table where I have like my stuff set up. They had us, they cleared like the dining room table for us to get everybody ready. Great, we had a great space. As everybody starts eating breakfast and getting their drinks and everything, somebody put their Starbucks cup close to my hot tools. And I didn't know until I am curling, and now it's the bride in the chair. When I tell you, I had I thought I was gonna die. Her hair is on the curling iron. I had no idea that this plastic cup had touched my curling iron. And you know, normally the curling iron glides right out of the curl and then I prep it or whatever, cool it however I need to. And this curling iron is not gliding out. I'm like, what the heck is happening? And now it's on a hot iron, and I'm like panicking, like, okay, so I don't even remember how I got it off, but I immediately realized there's plastic on my curling iron. And the bride is chatting with somebody, and I'm like, you're like, I'm calm, be calm, be calm. Fortunately, the hair came off the curling iron. The plastic came off the curling iron. The plastic came out of the hair because there was also plastic now in the hair. And I'm like, okay, when we get a little bit crazy about we need a cleared space, we need a certain amount of space, and like if I say, like, hey, can we move your food and your drinks to the other side of the table? There is a reason why. I'm so stressed out right now. I'd be like, like, it could have been a bridesmaid and it could have been way less. I mean, it still would have picked up if I'm like, this is the bride in my chair, and this is her hair. But did she ever find out? No, no, we fixed it. There was no issue that came right out. So you're like, everyone came with your damp cups. Yeah, like clear the tip.
SPEAKER_00Um, but yeah, I feel like that's pretty anything hot tool.
SPEAKER_02I hope that remains the worst story I ever have to tell. Well, your opening exists. Nothing worse will ever happen. And it ended fine. Yep. No damage was done, but yeah, I stress it. So now, yeah, I see people like getting close into my space. I've had kids running around. Oh, god. And I'm like, I have kids. I don't mind kids in my workspace, but I'm like, these are hot tools, and if they trip on it and like burn themselves, you're like, that's I'm gonna feel terrible, but it's on you.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_00So okay.
Emergencies, Mom Hair, And Final Advice
SPEAKER_03Yep. Um, any tips for moms or guests who don't want to look overdone?
SPEAKER_02Ooh, this is great. I it doesn't come up often, but sometimes, especially at a preview, a bride will tell me, like, oh, my mom's never got her hair done. She's been going to the same person for 40 years. And I'm like, girl, don't force her. Like, just tell her go to your guy and get your special little bob or whatever. You don't have to sit in my chair. I'm not gonna be upset. Um, I think that's the main thing is like setting expectations as a bridal hairstylist. Ask the right questions. Ask and for moms specifically, I always ask them one for an inspo picture, but then show me a picture of yourself. I've never seen you before, and your hair is blow-dried out of the shower. I have no idea what you do with like your little fringe in the front or what I have no idea. And this info picture you pulled off of Pinterest does not communicate what you're imagining I'm going to create in your head. So I usually will ask them, and if it's like a like fuzzy cell phone picture, I don't care. It gives me more information than we started with. Um, yeah, uh, I think that's the biggest thing. We can always do less. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_02I'm like, what I need to know is if you want more. Like, and I have had moms in the chair that, like, I like big hair. I had one mom say that, like, I want Texas big hair. And we did that. And she's like, it's too much. I'm like, I'm sorry, you use like some very specific words here. Yeah, exactly. And we took extra time to get volume. Literally. And she's like, it feels like it's pageant hair. I'm like, you literally said you want pageant Texas, big hair. Um, but yeah, so we can always do less. And I always tell them that I'm like, if it's too much volume, if it's too much curl, easy. I can take that out, no problem. It's when you didn't relay you want really more. You know, you want traumatic hair and we didn't build it in. And I'm like, You're like, oh, well, now we yeah. You said that's not gonna happen. Yeah, so but uh again, I expectations are it's everything. You're like, I'm the right question, just ask some extra questions, and and I think get on the same page, you know, because make the day flow easier. Yeah, it just makes the day go smooth.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, um, okay, if you could give one piece of advice to every bride, what would it be?
SPEAKER_02Yeah, trust your vendors that they know what they're talking about. And do what makes you feel like yourself. I think, especially as an artist, it's easy to like want to get bigger and better and like more glamorous hairstyles. But I'm like, there's nothing wrong with a bride having just a slightly elevated outlook. Um one of my brides literally, her info picture was her everyday hair, and she's like, I just wanted a little bit more than this to feel a little bit more bridal. That's okay. It doesn't have to like be competing for the most popular hairstyle on social media. You want to look like yourself. And we, you know, we you and I were talking about hairstyles for our own wedding days. Looking back at my wedding photos, I'm like, it's not like the trendiest hairstyle. It's not necessarily, I'd probably do it a little different now. Yeah. I'm like, but I liked it and I felt like myself. And I don't look back and regret it either. I'm like, I loved it. I felt good, I felt like myself. Yeah, and I feel like in the end, that's what's the most important because if you pick it based on the trend, it's gonna be outdated eventually, and you'll be like, I what was I thinking? Yeah, you know, but yeah, do you what makes you happy? What makes you happy? Yeah, best life queen. That's right. Forget the trends. I I love them for inspiration, but like if you don't want to do it, don't do it.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, do what you like. Uh-huh. I totally agree. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03That's everything I have.
SPEAKER_00That's everything I have. That was so fun. It flies by so quick every time. I agree. I know. Well, thank you so much for coming on. If you guys are looking for Lydia, her Instagram is LidLoveHair. So L Y D L O V A and then hair. So thank you so much for coming on, and we'll see you guys in the next one. Bye.