Elopement Hair and Makeup

Embarking on the journey of elopement ignites a sense of adventure and intimacy, transforming your wedding day into a personal reflection of love and commitment. Amidst the whirlwind of planning your perfect adventure, achieving your bridal look comes with choices.

This resource will serve as a comprehensive guide, into all the choices to make as you prepare your look for your adventure elopement. We will answer all the common questions our couples ask us and share our top tips and secrets as folks who have photographed almost 200 elopements.

We also asked one of our favorite adventure elopement hair and makeup artists to chime in with some of her input. Crystal of Wild Bride Backcountry strictly focuses on doing hair and makeup for brides saying ‘I Do’ out in the backcountry. Not only is Cyrstal very talented, professional and fun to be around, she also understands what most elopement brides ae looking for within their look. We love that she will come on the adventures with you too as a helping hand and for touchups! This inside look and advice will help you look and feel your best on your day!

How long does Hair and Make up take?

It’s crucial to have a realistic timeline to ensure everything flows smoothly on our big day, especially if we’re aiming for those dreamy sunrise photos by the mountain lake or a serene evening ceremony. Here’s a breakdown to help us map out the day perfectly:

Timeline for Hair and Makeup

Typically, in our experience hair and makeup artists have asked for 50-70 minutes each for hair and makeup. However, these times can vary depending on the complexity of the chosen styles.

If we’re planning a sunrise ceremony, it’s essential to start early. Brides can start with their hair and makeup artist anywhere from 12:30am-4am for a sunrise start. Always discuss the timeline with your hair stylist and makeup artist to ensure they have ample time to travel and set up without rushing.

In consideration with how we build our timelines, you want to make sure the artist knows exactly what time you need them to be 100% done. If you want hair and makeup photography coverage, we typically capture the final touches. So if we arrive at 2pm, we will typically ask the artist to be done 15 minutes after we arrive so we are only capture the end of the stying and start with other getting ready moments.

For a smooth and stress-free morning, consider the following tips:

• Set a detailed schedule: Having a clear plan for who needs to be where and when helps avoid any last-minute chaos. Be very clear with your artist on the time to be completed.
• Location logistics: Communicate about where you are getting ready. Eloping brides get ready in a variety of places. For example, a common glamping stay like Under Canvas, does not have any electricity. If you are staying in an Airbnb send the stay link to the hair and makeup artist so they can see what space they are working with.
• Buffer time: Always include extra time in our schedule for unexpected delays. A little buffer can help keep the morning relaxed and enjoyable. The honest reality is hair and make up can often run behind schedule.

Coordination with Other Vendors

It is important to communicate between your vendors so they can all work together smoothly ensuring a relaxing day and beautiful elopement gallery.

Often when booking your hair and makeup the artist will ask for a start time, but often when you book your other vendors there is not a timeline for your elopement day yet. The best thing to do is book the artist, tell them the location (if you do not know the address of your stay yet you can tell them the area) and if you know if your elopement will start at sunrise or mid-day.

As soon as we build a timeline you want to communicate the start time with your artist.

The other two vendors you may want to connect is your florist and hair and makeup artist. For example, a florist we work with in Moab, often creates hair pieces or will provide extra flowers for the bride’s hair. Crystal once sewed florals into a braid for one of our brides on a really windy day in Moab and they stayed the entire evening! It is important to connect these two vendors for communication in this situation to plan for the right amount of time for styling, but also so the artist can be prepared for how to put together your look.

Choosing Your Elopement Bridal Look

When you embark on the journey of choosing your dream look for an elopement, it’s crucial that the style reflects YOU. Whether we’re ascending a mountain at sunrise or exchanging vows on a secluded beach, our hair and makeup play a pivotal role in enhancing the experience and ensuring we look our best in every snapshot. You want to feel your prettiest and confident.

Inspiration Sources

Selecting the right hair and makeup style starts with understanding your daily style preferences. Are you inclined towards a natural, understated look, or do you prefer something more glamorous? You can gather inspiration from bridal magazines, Pinterest, and from following hair and makeup artist on Instagram. Watching Youtube or Tiktok can also be helping in getting help and inspiration for applying your own hair and makeup. Creating a mood board with images of hairstyles, makeup looks, and even hair accessories and lip colors that catch our eye helps in visualizing the final outcome.

Communicating with Your Hair and Makeup Artist

Once you’ve gathered your inspiration, it’s vital to effectively communicate your vision to the hair and makeup artist. During trials or consultations, discussing what you like and dislike about certain looks helps the artist tailor their approach. If specific details, such as winged eyeliner or a particular lip color, catch our eye, we should mention these preferences. It is also important to share with the artist more about your elopement day. Knowing if you are going to be hiking, climbing or camping overnight for your day will help them in making choices on perfecting your look.

Should You Do a Hair and Makeup Trial?

Conducting a trial run is highly recommended usually for brides, but typically for an elopement bride you are traveling quite far for your day. Trials allow you to experiment with different looks and make adjustments without the pressure of the wedding day looming over us. Ideally, artist schedule a trial about 2-3 months prior to the elopement, but there are cases where our brides have gotten to do their trial when they have arrived for their trip. If you are not able to do trial communicating early on with your artist is ideal to help learn enough about you and your vision to be the best prepared.

Pros and Cons: Professional vs. DIY

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Hair and Makeup Artist

Artist are trained specifically in the best products, methods and can get your hair and makeup done for sure on the big day. They know how different products interact with light and how they photograph.

Moreover, a professional artist uses high-quality products that enhance durability, ensuring our look remains flawless throughout the day—through tears, hugs, and even a bit sweat. The peace of mind that comes with not having to worry about your makeup smudging or hair unraveling is priceless. Additionally, having a professional means we can relax and enjoy the morning of our elopement. Imagine sipping champagne while someone expertly transforms you into the best version of yourselves—it’s an indulgence that adds to the magic of the day.

Working with an elopement specific hair and make up artist

As a photographer that specializes in elopements, I will always tell you it is important to work with vendors familiar with elopements at the very least. Sure, you are getting married and that is the constant, but overall adventure elopements are wildly different than a tradional wedding day/experience.

Here is what Crystal says….

“Sturdiness is not a word that sounds pretty in the context of bridal styling which is why we’ve spent a lot of time balancing sturdy with airy and beautiful so that our styles can hold up through any conditions involved in an adventure elopement. Our makeup is meant to hold up to sweating, hiking, emotions and potential rain. We have also tailored our aesthetic to cater to our target audience; outdoor loving, natural, easy going couples. We want you to feel like the most beautiful version of yourself, but still have all your features in your photos. We define it as “enhanced natural, or Mountian Makeup”, but we’ve spent years working with this genre of photographer to really see how we can enhance their work.

We work primarily with out of state brides, so the first meeting is our video consultation. These typically go about 30-45 minutes where we rally dig into the details of what the bride’s vision of the day looks like.  We collect about 3-5 inspiration photos for both hair and makeup and one photo of them from head to toe in their dress or attire so we can begin to design from the head down rather than just shoulders up. This way the entire look is cohesive and proportional. 

The morning of the elopement starts about 2 hours before the photographer arrives (which for sunrise elopements can be anywhere from 1am to 4am). Our only expectation of the bride is that they are upright and in our chair. The decisions and designing have already been made, they can be downing coffee, rewriting vows or drifting back to sleep. For brides choosing our adventure bride package, we then join them out on their adventure. From behind the photographer we are making sure they look amazing in every shot, but we are also keeping tabs on their comfort at all times. We are the Mary Poppins, MacGyver, Snack Sherpa of the day. Included in the Adventure Bride package are all day touch ups and a second look if desired.”

Working with artist that are used to not having trials, that understand the conditions you will be getting married in and what hair styles will hold up to that is so vaulable. Less thought about, is also working with someone used to going into remote areas. You do not want to have to worry about your artist getting lost because they aren’t used to being without cell service or because they didn’t wake up for their early start time. You want a professional, you can trust.

Average Cost of Hair and Makeup

Elopement bridal hair and makeup can cost more than your average bridal hair and makeup. This includes a variety of services from basic styling and makeup application to more intricate designs that may require premium products – but with elopements, there are a lot more considerations. Based on the costs our past brides have told us, we average the cost of elopement hair and make up to be between $600-1200.

Crystal says…

“While certainly more expensive than going into the salon, and a bit more expensive per person for a single bride/no attendants than HMUA’s that travel to you for a traditional wedding, the traditional traveling HMUA has a base price to show up on location. However, while we are generally only working on one person, we offer an all day assistance package while you are adventuring. “

It’s also crucial to factor in potential extra costs that might not be immediately obvious. Remember, some beauty professionals might charge an extra fee for early morning start times or for extending their hours beyond the usual. Other things to consider for cost for hair and makeup artist is their travel. Depending how remote your elopement location is they may need to configure over night accomodations.

Lastly, we shouldn’t forget about gratuities. It’s customary to tip our beauty professionals, typically between 15% and 20% of the total service cost. Some contracts might include gratuities, so it’s a good idea to review these details beforehand to avoid any surprises.

By understanding these costs and planning accordingly, can ensure you achieve the look you want without any surpises during planning.

How to Hire a Hair and Makeup Artist

We strongly recommend only hiring vendors with a trusted reputation. As we mentioned earlier, it is very important to at least consider hair and makeup artist that work with elopement brides. Do not be afriad to ask for recommendations from your photographer, personally, we provide our clients a list of trusted vendors for the area they are eloping in. Once you have found a few options to contact read their reviews, look at their work on social media. Make sure they sound like a good fit to you!

Be sure to reach out to them and communciate what you are thinking look wise, where your elopement is, date and a “estimated” time. Do not give a specific time until you have your timeline to avoid confusion. Be clear you are not sure on start and finish time until you are.

Depending on the area and season artist can book out quickly. We recommend reaching out arond the 4-6 month range, but once you know your date and location you can get started in seeing who is available.

Deciding to Do Your Own Hair and Makeup

On the flip side, opting for DIY elopement hair and makeup has its own charm and advantages, particularly for anyone who cherish control and personal touch. Doing our own makeup allows for you to essentially have a trial since you can practice your own look. You can experiment with styles that truly represent your style.

Doing your own look can also be significantly cost-effective, which is a considerable an advantage. However, it’s important to consider you skill level and stress tolerance. If the idea of doing your own hairn and makeup feels daunting, it might detract from the overall joy of the day. For those of us confident in our beauty skills, it’s crucial to practice the look several times to ensure everything goes smoothly on the big day.

In conclusion, whether you choose to hire a professional or embrace the DIY route for your elopement hair and makeup, both options offer unique benefits that cater to different preferences and needs. The key is to choose what feels right for you. There is not a right or wrong way to do it as 50% of our brides do their own and 50% hike a professional.

How to do your own elopement hair and make up

If you decide to do your hair and make up yourself, or decide for a guest to do it for you, be sure to practice! A lot of our brides do not wear makeup in their daily life or if they do it is minimal. Keep in mind for photos you want it a little heavier then your everyday wear. Do your research into a look you like then start playing! Research which products will be best for your skin, longevity and for being photographed (Key here: being photographed in natural light).

1. Preparation is Key: Begin your beauty routine months in advance. Establish a skincare regimen that includes hydration and sun protection, especially if you’re planning an outdoor elopement. On the day, start with a hydrating moisturizer and a primer to create a smooth canvas for your makeup.
2. Practice Makes Perfect: Conduct several trial runs of your hair and makeup. This not only helps in perfecting your look but also gives you an idea of how long the process will take, ensuring you’re not rushed on the big day. Remember to practice with any accessories like veils or hairpieces.
3. Applying Foundation and Concealer: Use a foundation that provides enough coverage but still feels light on the skin. Apply concealer under the eyes and on any blemishes. Blend well to avoid any harsh lines or color discrepancies.
4. Eye Makeup and False Lashes: Enhance your eyes with neutral or dramatic shades depending on your ceremony’s style and time. False lashes can significantly boost your look, making your eyes pop in photos. Practice applying these beforehand to ensure a smooth application on the day. This also helps with feeling comfortable in the lashes!
5. Lip Color and Blush: Choose a lip color that complements your overall makeup and adds a touch of elegance. Apply blush to bring a healthy glow to your cheeks, blending upwards towards the temples.
6. Setting Your Look: Finally, set your makeup with a light dusting of setting powder and a spritz of setting spray. This will help your makeup stay in place throughout the day.
7. Hairstyling: Depending on your preference and the elopement location, choose a hairstyle that will hold well and complement the natural elements. If you’re in a windy location, consider an updo or a style that can gracefully handle the wind.
8. Take a photo in natural light of your look to make sure you can get an accurate visual of the work you have done!

By taking control of your elopement hair and makeup, you not only tailor your appearance to your personal preferences but also enjoy the intimacy and authenticity of preparing yourself for such a significant moment in your life.

Pro Tip: No matter if you are doing your own hair and makeup or if you are working with an artist wear a button down or overalls, something that you can easily take on and off without messing up the hair and makeup.

Pre-Elopement Care

Embarking on the journey toward our elopement day, you must give our hair and skin the tender love and care they deserve to ensure you look absolutely radiant. Let’s dive into some essential pre-elopement care tips that will set the foundation for a stunning appearance.

Daily Skin Care

Your skin care routine should start long before the elopement day. Regular facials, ideally starting six months prior, are crucial as they help resurface and smooth the complexion.

It’s also vital to manage your expectations; understanding that your skin will always have texture helps in creating a realistic and effective skin care plan. Avoid introducing new products or treatments in the weeks leading up to the wedding to prevent any adverse reactions. Instead, focus on hydration and soothing ingredients that calm the skin, providing the perfect canvas for our wedding day makeup.

Daily skin care also means making sure you are not getting too much sun, you do not want sun burnt going into your elopement day.

Prepping Your Hair for Your Wedding Day

When it comes to hair, the groundwork we lay before the event can make a significant difference. Washing our hair the day before, not the day of, ensures it has the right texture and volume needed for any style. If you want to change your hair for your elopement, say a new color or cut, be sure to do it well in advance to be able to make changes if you are not happy with the change.

Bridal Look Concerns

As you approach our elopement day, it’s natural to worry about the unexpected. However, with some foresight and preparation, we can handle any last-minute hiccups gracefully. Here, we’ll explore common problems that might arise and how to swiftly manage them, ensuring our day remains as perfect as planned.

Common Problems and Fixes

One of the most daunting issues is the potential no-show or underperformance of vendors. To mitigate this, always choose reputable vendors with many positive reviews and clear contracts. If a vendor fails to show, don’t panic and see if there is anyone that can help you or start doig your own hair and makeup – ask a guest to hop in, reach out to your elopement photographer, look up other stylist in the area.

Emergency and Touch up Kit Essentials

To ensure you are prepared for any situation, you can create an emergency kit sailored to our specific needs. Some artist will gift you at touch up kit, but not all so be prepared. Essentials include:

• Makeup Touch-Ups: Pack items like blotting papers, lipstick, and concealer. Consider asking our makeup artist to provide small samples of the makeup used for easy touch-ups. Tissues are great to have or a bandanna for tears and sweat.
• Hair Fixes: Include a mini hairspray, bobby pins, and a portable styling tool. Personally I think it is great to also always carry a hairtie in case it gets windy and you want to put your hair up on the hike down or espically if any rappelling is involved in your elopement day.
• Fashion Fixes: Stock up on safety pins, a mini sewing kit, de-wrinkle spray and fashion tape to handle any dress emergencies.
• Health and Comfort: Include items like band-aids, pain relievers, and antacids. A mini deodorant and breath mints will also ensure we stay fresh throughout the event.
• Miscellaneous Must-Haves: Always have a portable phone charger, snacks like granola bars for quick energy boosts, and water to stay hydrated.

By packing these essentials, you ensure after any adventure you can still look great. With a well-prepared emergency kit, you can focus on the beauty and excitement of the moments.

How long will hair and make up last on my adventure elopement?

Crystal answers this commonly asked question:

“The hair side of elopement styling has its unique strategies. We encourage our clients to work within the framework of their natural hair texture to achieve lasting styles and looks that feel authentic on them. Hair that is not beaten into submission will withstand the elements so much better than hair that is altered with heavy products and lots of heat styling. We also approach our foundations with very hearty techniques. Foundations created with elastics and braids are so much more structurally sound than a wispy texture that is loosely pinned. Can we still achieve these airy, effortless styles? Yes, but will they withstand miles of hiking? Also, yes

The makeup we use for elopements has been literally field tested for long wear adventures as well. We’ve done the homework through sweat, rain, sun and snacking! When we get to the mountain top, the goal is to have very little that actually needs touching up, even though that’s our job when we get out there. Typically the specific areas I’m working on are blotting off shine, sometimes doing a little blend of the eyeshadow (often one of the mot overlooked but very oily areas of the face) and adding gloss on top of the long wear lip color now that its set.”

Check out the photo below, this bride got her hair and makeup done, but after the first look they decided to get into the waterfalls for some fun! While we were worried how this would effect her make up, she came out basically only needing a lip touch up! That is how good the products are the professionals are using, espcially, if they know your plans for your elopement day and can do your make up accordingly.

FAQs

1. Is it advisable to hire a professional for makeup and hairstyling for an elopement?
Yes, we recommend hiring a professional hairstylist and makeup artist for your elopement or micro wedding if you are not 100% confident in doing your own.

2. What is the appropriate amount to tip for bridal hair and makeup services?
Typically, you should tip between 15% to 20% of the total service cost. For example, if your hair and makeup services amount to $500, a 15% tip would be $75, while a 20% tip would be $100. If the service provided was exceptional, considering a higher tip might be appropriate.

4. Who should cover the cost of hair and makeup for guests?
Some elopements have guests which may include mothers, sisters or best friends. Some brides choose to cover the cost of their guests to also have their hair and make up done as a thank you for attending the special day. Truly, this is up to you and your guests if they need hair and make up done and who covers it. Just have an honest conversation together about it!

5. Will it be hard to find a makeup artist for my elopement?

Likely, no. We provide all of our couples with recommendations for other vendors as apart of our packages. Typically, in popular elopement regions the make up artist are quite used to early am start times and traveling to Airbnbs or even remote camping areas to do styling.

6. Should I get a spray tan before my elopement?

As a photographer, I can tell you that some spray tans can leave your skin looking more orange in edits and visibly unlike what your natural skin may look like. Crystal answer this question for us to help give some pointers if you do want to have a spray tan:

“My advise here are a couple easy guidelines, 

Be specific. Instead of slathering self tanner all over your face “willy nilly” consider taking a fluffy foundation brush and small blender brush to tap then blend the self tanning foam into the areas of the face where you would normally contour. I would specifically choose a purple based self tanner if this is a technique you would like to try.

Go easy, do less. I understand we all feel like we glow in the dark in early season, but your best look is really the one where you look and feel the most like yourself

Take a picture with your fiancé. The biggest problem the photographers face seems to be less that you are orange but more that you don’t match in tone with your partner (tone=think on a scale of blue to orange, not dark to light). Photos can be adjusted for warmth and coolness, but not as a spot treatment. So you just want to make sure you don’t go so far that the two of you look like you’re from different planets.

Blend! I love a foaming self tanner applied with the mitt. I love it because the application goes on super blended and the mitt covers your hands so it’s not immediately obvious when someone looks at your fingernails that you’ve used self tanner. 

Go Purple! I’ve also found a few brands (St Tropez, Be Tan etc) that make purple based self tanner, which I highly recommend if you have found yourself feeling orange from self tanners in the past. Game Changer!”

Elopement Hair and Makeup Artist whose work is featured in this resource:

• Wild Bride BackCountry | Colorado + Moab
• Sedona Beauty Team | Sedona
• Skagit Bridal Hair and Makeup | North Cascades / Mt Baker
• Jireh Artistry | Yosemite National Park
• Pacific Brides | WA State
• Glammed by Victoria | Seattle