Got Engaged Over the Holidays? Here’s Why Your Wedding Hair & Makeup Artist Should Be One of the First Calls You Make?

The Holiday Season: Engagement Season ❤️💍

The holidays aren’t just about twinkling lights and family gatherings—they’re also prime engagement season. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Valentine’s Day, more couples get engaged during this window than almost any other time of year.

So if you’re suddenly staring at your left hand, admiring that new ring—congratulations! Once the “We’re engaged!” calls and ring selfies are out of the way, it’s time to shift from surprise mode to planning mode.

And that’s where timing becomes everything.

You Said “Yes” — Now What Comes First?

Most newly engaged couples are told:

“Book your venue and photographer first.”

That’s great advice—but here’s what often gets missed:

Your hair and makeup artist is just as critical as your venue and photographer.

• Your venue sets the scene

• Your photographer captures the memories

• Your hair and makeup complete the vision of how you want to feel and look that day

Because the holiday season triggers a surge of engagements, it also creates a rush of brides all trying to book:

• The same most popular wedding dates

• The same top venues

• The same in-demand hair and makeup artists

If you wait until a few months before your wedding to start looking for hair and makeup, you may find that your dream artist has been fully booked for months.

Why Booking Your Hair & Makeup Artist Early Matters

1. Prime Dates Go Fast

Saturdays in peak wedding months (spring and fall) are snapped up quickly—often by brides who got engaged the previous holiday season. When you book your artist early, you’re more likely to secure your ideal date and start time, especially if you have a larger bridal party.

2. You’ll Have Time for a Trial Run

A bridal hair and makeup trial is essential. It lets you:

• Test out different hairstyles and lip colors

• See how your look photographs

• Make adjustments so there are no surprises on the big day

Booking early ensures there’s time for a calm, relaxed trial instead of trying to squeeze it in last minute.

3. You Can Coordinate With Your Timeline & Vendors

Your stylist and makeup artist are usually with you at the very beginning of your wedding day. Booking early allows us to:

• Coordinate timing with your photographer’s arrival

• Make sure everyone (bride, bridesmaids, moms, attendants) is ready when they need to be

• Build a realistic beauty schedule so no one feels rushed

4. You Get First Choice—Not “Who’s Still Available”

When you plan ahead, you’re choosing based on:

• Style

• Portfolio

• Experience

• Personality and vibe

When you wait too long, you’re choosing from “who’s left,” not “who’s best.”

What to Look For in a Wedding Hair & Makeup Artist

As you start your search, here’s what I recommend considering:

• Experience with bridal & editorial workWeddings are emotional, high-stakes days—and cameras are everywhere. An artist who’s worked both behind the chair and behind the scenes on photo shoots understands how hair and makeup read in real life and on camera.

• Portfolio that matches your visionSoft glam, timeless, boho, classic, dramatic, clean beauty—what are you drawn to? Make sure the work you see matches how you want to look and feel.

• Comfort and connectionYour hair and makeup artist is with you in some of your most intimate, emotional pre-wedding moments. You should feel relaxed, heard, and taken care of.

• Ability to handle your entire partyIf you have bridesmaids, moms, or other special guests getting services, make sure your artist can accommodate the group, either solo or with a team.

Holiday Engagement to Wedding Day: A Simple Beauty Timeline

Use this as a general guide once you get engaged:

Right after engagement (0–2 months):

• Celebrate, share the news, enjoy the moment

• Start exploring your venue options

• Begin collecting hair and makeup inspiration (Pinterest, Instagram, saved photos)

2–4 months after engagement:

• Book your venue and photographer

• Book your wedding hair and makeup artist

• Schedule a bridal hair and makeup trial date

3–6 months before the wedding:

• Have your trial

• Finalize your beauty look and services for the bridal party

• Discuss timing, location (on-site vs in-salon), and schedule for the wedding day

1–2 months before the wedding:

• Confirm final headcount (who’s getting hair and/or makeup)

• Lock in the beauty timeline with your artist and planner/photographer

Why Brides Love Booking With Ric Kent Hair and Makeup Artist

At Ric Kent Hair and Makeup Artist in Albuquerque, I specialize in:

• Bridal hair and makeup

• Editorial and special occasion glam

• Looks that are both timeless in person and flawless on camera

• Available in Studio and On-Location

With over 25 years of experience in hair, color, styling, and makeup—plus extensive work with photographers and on shoots—I understand how to create bridal looks that last through:

• Walking down the aisle

• Happy tears

• Hugs, dancing, and long receptions

• Flash photography and video

You’re not just booking “hair and makeup.” You’re booking peace of mind that you’ll feel like yourself—just elevated, polished, and camera-ready from first look to last dance.

Ready to Start Planning Your Bridal Look?

If you just got engaged this holiday season and you’re starting to lock in your dream team, this is your sign:

Once you have the ring and a date in mind, it’s time to book your hair and makeup artist.

📍 Serving brides in Albuquerque and surrounding areas

📲 Call or text Ric Kent Hair and Makeup Artist at 505-615-0206 to inquire about wedding availability, schedule a bridal trial, or start planning your custom bridal beauty experience.

You bring the ring and the vision—I’ll help you bring the look to life. 💍✨