San Francisco Hairstylists Guide, San Francisco Wedding Guide Advice from OurWeddingDay.com

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San Francisco Hairstylists Guide

Finding the Right Stylist for Your Bay Area Wedding

San Francisco’s known for its Golden Gate, its crooked street, and some of the most scenic vistas on the planet. Since it’s also known for weather that could wreak havoc on the best head of hair, hiring a hairstylist might be the way to go. Whether you’re celebrating in Golden Gate Park or the Palace of Legion of Honor, you want your hair to take their hearts away. Read on for stylish tips.

A professional hairstylist makes sense if you’re trying a look that’s more complicated than usual, if your idea of styling your hair is adding conditioner, or if you think you’re going to be too busy or too nervous to style it on your big day. You can hire a hairstylist for yourself, or go all out and treat the girls. Venues frequently offer an on-site stylist, and women take advantage of this for convenience and budget reasons. Make sure that you compare prices, as freelancers are sometimes cheaper.

Start looking for your San Francisco hairstylist about 6 months’ prior to your wedding; earlier if you have the time. When searching, ask friends and relatives, as well as other vendors. If you’re invited to a wedding and love the bride’s hair, get a contact number. A great hairstylist should have 5 years’ experience, and you should ask for references and contact the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

Prices for hairstylists vary tremendously, depending on where in the Bay Area you live, and what you want. Expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $500 for you, and from $500 to $1,500 for the whole gang. Your hairstylist will spend about an hour on you, and 45 minutes on each bridesmaid. Many women hire a separate hairstylist for themselves, to have some alone time before the excitement begins. If it’s in your budget, book a hairstylist for the entire day, to keep your hair in tip-top shape.

When you’re ready to get serious about hair, visit the OurWeddingDay.com San Francisco bay Area Local Vendor Section for a list of top-rated hairstylists in the San Francisco area.

When selecting a stylist, ask to see as many photos as possible, and check out web sites for additional shots. Make sure you click with her personality; she’ll be a part of your wedding and it’s crucial she puts you at ease. Once you decide on a hairstylist, she’ll do a trial run, a must for your wedding day. Bring your colors, swatches, and any jewelry you plan to wear.

On the contract, make sure the hairstylist you interview is the same one who shows up on your wedding day, and go over all extras to make sure you’re not charged for something you didn’t request. You should have the name of any additional stylists, as well as substitutes in case of emergency. Stylists should be tipped 20%, provided the service is exceptional.

-David Toussaint