Q: Should I pay extra to have the makeup artist and hair dresser meet me at my ceremony site?

If this is something you can readily afford, I would definitely splurge on having the makeup artist and hairdresser meet you at the ceremony site, if that’s where your pre-ceremony pictures are to be taken. Doing it at the site – even if the rest of your party has theirs done elsewhere – will save you much time and stress. You don’t have to travel to an extra place, and even if the hairdresser is a little late, you’re on site, so the time delay won’t be compounded with travel time delays. Make sure you know how long getting your makeup will take and how long your hair will take so you can budget your time appropriately.

The crucial thing to remember about theses vendors is to make sure, no matter what they say, you do at least one trial run several weeks before the wedding. Make sure you wear a shirt about the same color as your wedding gown - and remember, you want these people to make you a more *beautiful* you, not a *different* you.

The best way to find a trustworthy makeup artist is to ask recently married friends for suggestions of people they loved (or hated, so you know who to avoid). Another way to find a makeup artist is to go to a Sephora's or a department store makeup counter, tell them you’re looking for a makeup artist for your wedding and see if they'll do a free “trial” makeover for you. It’s a good idea to tell them in advance that this is for a wedding in case they won’t do weddings and because makeup for a wedding could be very different from makeup for a night out on the town. Also, I'd find out in advance how many of your bridesmaids and relatives would be interested in getting their makeup professionally done since the price will likely come down per person the more people you have.