Trial FAQs
WHAT IS A BRIDAL TRIAL? IS IT REQUIRED?
A bridal trial is a pre-wedding consultation and beauty session where you have the opportunity to collaborate with our talented hairstylists and makeup artists to create your dream bridal look. While we believe that doing a trial will elevate your wedding day experience, a trial is not required to work with our team.
WHY SHOULD I BOOK A TRIAL?
Customization and Collaboration: A bridal trial is a collaborative process where we combine our professional expertise with your personal style, ensuring that every aspect of your hair and makeup is tailored to your ideas, preferences, and inspirations.
Testing and Adjustments: During the trial, you have the freedom to experiment and explore different hairstyles, makeup looks and techniques to find the perfect balance that enhances your natural beauty and aligns with your desired bridal look. It's a valuable opportunity to make any adjustments and fine-tune the details before your wedding day.
Visualizing Your Bridal Vision: Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and you deserve to feel confident and radiant. A bridal trial allows you to see a preview of your complete bridal look to ensure that the hairstyle and makeup align with your expectations providing peace of mind and allowing you to fully embrace your bridal look.
Building Trust and Confidence: A bridal trial serves as a foundation for building trust and confidence between you and our team. It's an opportunity to establish rapport and ensure that we understand your preferences and desired outcome. You can relax knowing that you are in expert hands.
Streamlined Wedding Day Execution: One of the greatest benefits of a bridal trial is the efficiency it brings to your wedding day. By finalizing your look beforehand, we can create a detailed schedule, allowing for a seamless and stress-free glamming experience ensuring that you are ready to walk down the aisle on time and with confidence.
HOW LONG DOES A TRIAL LAST?
Our hair and makeup trials typically last around 1.5 hours and we allow up to 2 hours (1 hour hair, 1 hour makeup). If you would like to add on additional time to test several different hairstyles or makeup looks, the fee is $90 per additional hour.
AM I GUARANTEED TO HAVE THE SAME GLAM GURU FOR MY TRIAL, BRIDAL PORTRAITS AND WEDDING DAY?
Once you've officially executed a contract with us, we make every effort to ensure you have the same artist for all appointments. The primary exception to this practice pertains to our co-owners, Jordan and Reilly, who require a Premium Lock-In rate for exclusive reservation on your wedding date. In the event that you have undergone a trial with Jordan or Reilly and another party seeks to book them for the same date, you have the option to secure their services first by paying the lock-in rate. If you choose not to proceed with the Premium Lock-In rate, an alternative lead stylist from our team will be assigned for your wedding day.
WHERE WILL MY BRIDAL TRIAL TAKE PLACE?
Unless otherwise noted, your bridal trial will take place at our studio in Dallas, TX (75214). The address and specific details will be sent via email after booking.
HOW AND WHEN DO I SCHEDULE MY TRIAL?
We will send an email to schedule your Bridal Trial Session and Bridal Portraits (if you are doing those) roughly 90 days before your wedding date. This email is set to automatically send and it will provide a booking link to schedule online. We recommend waiting until you have your dress and also know the vibe that you are wanting for your wedding before booking your trial. If you need to schedule your trial or bridals before this email sends, please shoot an email to us at amy@grandslamglam.com.
*HELPFUL HINT* - When booking bridal portraits, we understand that you are trying to coordinate with several vendors as well as your own schedule. We give bridal portraits appointments priority and do our absolute best to work around your schedule, however, if you can send us 2-3 dates that work for your portraits that is normally the best way to guarantee that we can accommodate your appointment and make sure you are paired with your head glam guru.
HOW SHOULD I ARRIVE TO MY TRIAL?
Please fill out your trial questionnaire as it gives us lots of important information that is vital to having a successful trial! Arrive at your trial with clean, dry hair and a fresh face. This will give your stylist a blank canvas to work with. Also, consider wearing a top in a similar color to your wedding dress to get a better idea of how the overall look will come together. If you're planning on wearing extensions or hair accessories, please bring those with you to your trial.
WHY CAN’T I DO A “BRIDAL TRIAL” FOR MY BRIDAL PORTRAITS?
The hair and makeup service for bridal portraits focuses on creating a polished and photo-ready look that translates beautifully on camera. Your head glam guru will ensure that the chosen hairstyle and makeup look photograph well and highlight your best features. With the camera lens in mind, our team pays meticulous attention to every detail for your bridal portraits! We ensure that the makeup is well-blended and the hair is perfectly styled. A bridal trial, on the other hand, is focused on experimentation, customization, and fine-tuning. The trial provides a dedicated space for you to discuss your preferences, share inspiration photos, and communicate your desired wedding day look to your hair and makeup artist. It's a chance for your glam guru to understand your personal style, assess your features, and offer expert advice.The trial allows you to experiment with various hairstyles, makeup looks, and techniques. Oftentimes, brides leave their trial with one soft golden glam eye and a smokey eye. While this collaborative space allows us to try out different styles, modify them based on your feedback, and ultimately arrive at the perfect combination that enhances your natural beauty and aligns with your wedding vibe, this makeup is often no what we would consider "picture perfect" or camera ready.
BOOKING FAQS
WHAT IF A BRIDESMAID/FAMILY MEMBER DECIDES THE WEEK OR DAY OF THE WEDDING THAT THEY NO LONGER WANT TO HAVE THEIR BEAUTY SERVICE(S) DONE?
Once a contract is finalized we are unable to accommodate any cancellations. This policy extends to the wedding day, and in the face of unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to cancel services on the day of the event. In such situations, we recommend considering having a mother, a grandma, a friend, an aunt, a cousin, or even a flower girl to step in to take that service. Please note that refunds for the service will not be issued, so it becomes your responsibility to arrange for a replacement or the service will, unfortunately, go unused. If the service cannot be used- our team can use that time to do additional touch ups.
HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO PAY TO CONTRACT WITH GRAND SLAM GLAM FOR MY WEDDING DAY?
We require a 20% non-refundable retainer fee + a signed contract to officially book our services and get on our calendar.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
1- ONLINE via PayPal- To pay your outstanding amount online, simply click the "Pay Invoice" button located in the upper right corner of your invoice. This link will lead you directly to PayPal's payment platform. It's important to be aware that opting for this method (for either the first installment or subsequent payments) entails taking responsibility for the associated PayPal fees. PayPal applies a merchant fee to cover transaction costs, amounting to 3.49% of the transaction value plus an additional $0.49 per transaction. We include this fee as a line item on the final invoice. Alternatively, if you decide to use a different payment approach for ALL your payments, you have the option to entirely waive this fee (or request its removal from your invoice along with deactivating the online payments option) when settling your final invoice.
*please note if you paid your retainer fee via PayPal and then choose to pay your final balance via Venmo, cash or check, you will still be responsible for covering the PayPal fee associated with that first payment. (Ex. you paid your retainer fee of $450 on PayPal and then pay your remaining final balance of $1000 on Venmo. You are responsible for covering $16.78 (the merchant fee associated with the $450 retainer payment).
2- Venmo - Should you choose to make your payment(s) through Venmo, please transfer the funds as a "friend" with your name and wedding date in the notes to the account @Jordan-Bawcom.
*Should you choose to include the payment protection option when sending your payment, please be mindful that Venmo has initiated merchant fees as part of their policy. Consequently, if you opt for this choice, the full payment amount will not reach us. To proceed with the Venmo merchant option, you will need to factor in this fee (1.9% plus an additional $0.10) and include it in your final invoice payment.
3- Check- You can mail a check (for the retainer fee or final balance (minus PayPal fees if no PayPal payments were made).
4- Cash- We are happy to take cash money!
WILL I GET A LEAD STYLIST?
Every one of our weddings is assigned their own lead stylist, or as we like to call them head glam guru. These leads aren't just incredibly gifted artists and stylists; they're also wizards at making sure your big day goes off without a hitch. Whether it's dealing with late-arriving bridesmaids, fitting in extra services, or managing those last-minute touch-ups, our leads are there to ensure everything runs like clockwork and our team delivers flawlessly.
Your lead stylist will be your go-to person on your wedding day, ensuring you have a friendly face and expert hand guiding you through. Most of the time if you have signed a wedding contract with us and schedules align, you'll have the chance to trial with your lead and bond with them early on, making sure you feel completely at ease and confident before you walk down the aisle.
Please note that Jordan and Reilly are NOT the only lead stylists on our team. Please do not assume that you will get to work with them exclusively by booking our team.
HOW DOES STAFFING WORK?
When you book with us, we'll ask you to fill out a little get-to-know-you form. This is where you can spill the beans about what makes you tick, what you love, and how you envision your wedding day glam. It's like giving us a sneak peek into your personality so we can tailor an experience that's just right for you.
Based on what you share, we'll carefully select your lead stylist (your personal head glam guru) and, if needed, the rest of your dream team. It's all about making sure we match you with the perfect fit for your big day! We have an amazing glam fam of 27+ stylists, each one a true artist in their own right! Most of our stylists have been in the beauty game for years, making bridal dreams come true at hundreds of weddings.
Thinking of adding a special touch to your day?
If you're interested, you might just be able to book one of our co-founders, Jordan and Reilly, for an extra special experience. They're available at a premium rate, but trust us, they're worth it! Shoot us an email at amy@grandslamglam.com to inquire about locking in Jordan or Reilly. *Service minimums may apply.
Scheduling FAQs
WHAT DOES THE ENTIRE PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
After officially booking, here are some of the milestones and due dates you can expect from us. If for some reason these don’t work for you, please email us and we will do our best to accommodate your preferences.
Roughly 13 weeks out- Appointment Booking Email to set up Trial(s) and any other appointments
10- 12 weeks out - Final Details Questionnaire is sent to bride
8 weeks out Final Details Questionnaire is Due
Once this questionnaire is filled out and submitted, no further changes will be permitted to the service counts. Any services appended to the questionnaire, regardless of whether they were included in the original accepted quote, will be regarded as booked and cannot be altered or removed. Furthermore, if the service count you provide below is lower than the originally quoted services, please be aware that according to our contract, we cannot eliminate any services from your original accepted quote. In the event that someone in your wedding party initially booked services included in your accepted quote but no longer requires them, you have the option to assign these services to another wedding party member or guest. For instance, if a bridesmaid initially booked hair services but has withdrawn, we can seamlessly transfer this service to another family member (such as an aunt, cousin, mother, grandmother, etc.).
If you have reserved services that you no longer require or desire, we are not obligated to include them on the Game Day schedule. However, you are still responsible for the associated fees.
Failure to complete and submit this questionnaire at least 8 weeks before your event date will result in us assuming that your final service count remains the same as your accepted quote. Additionally, we will assume that you and your group need to be prepared 3 hours before your ceremony. Please note that these final details may or may not be subject to change if you opt not to submit this questionnaire by its due date.
3- 6 weeks out Final Game Day + Game Day Contract + Final Invoice Sent
Once the final game day contract is signed, any additional changes to your schedule will be subject to a $50 fee.
*Any brides booking within 3 months or less will be on a consolidated timeline.
HOW DO SERVICES WORK ON MY WEDDING DAY? WHEN WILL WE NEED TO START?
Before your wedding day, we'll request all crucial timing details through a questionnaire. Based on that information, we'll craft a personalized schedule for your beauty services on the big day, aptly named the "Game Day Schedule." This schedule is designed to align with your unique wedding timeline, ensuring that each contracted service is allocated a dedicated time slot and we have ample time for touch ups before our team leaves. When it comes to the Game Day Schedule you truly can trust us- we have been doing this for 8+ years and 1000+ weddings — we strive for you to have a seamless and stress-free experience!
WHAT IS A GAME DAY SCHEDULE?
We take great pride in completing all services on time (and quite often EARLY!) and that is largely due to our Game Day Schedule. This schedule provides a well-structured plan that allows for ample time for our team to work our magic while ensuring you look and feel absolutely stunning! Each service is allocated 30-45 minutes, based on each of our talented stylists' personal preferences. We've also thoughtfully incorporated a ‘final touch-up time’ at the end of the schedule. This strategic buffer grants us a cushion to address any last-minute adjustments, ensuring that every detail is flawless before you step into the spotlight.
SHOULD I ASSIGN NAMES TO THE DESIGNATED TIMES FOR EACH BEAUTY SERVICE ON THE GAME DAY SCHEDULE?
To enhance your wedding day experience and ensure a smooth day, we recommend assigning names for each service. You can print your Game Day Schedule and write names in the designated spots and give this to us the morning of your wedding. This way when it's time for each service, our team can simply call out the assigned name, making the process seamless and efficient. No need for generic announcements like "I am ready for another hair client." Let's personalize your experience for a stress-free and enjoyable day!
WHAT IS THE TEAM MEETING TIME ON MY GAME DAY SCHEDULE?
The team meeting time on your Game Day schedule is purely for our team's internal reference. It indicates the time our team plans to arrive at the venue/prep location to gather in the parking lot, strategize, and hold a brief team meeting. This designated time also serves as a cushion in case of any unforeseen circumstances on the morning of your event, such as car trouble or navigation issues. The extra time ensures we have ample opportunity to troubleshoot, so you can rest assured that our team will not enter the prep location until the scheduled arrival time specified on your schedule.
CAN I GET MY HAIR + MAKEUP DONE IN 2 LOCATIONS ON MY WEDDING DAY? (EX: START AT HOTEL AND MOVE TO VENUE)
The short answer is yes… but we HIGHLY advise choosing a single location for all of the hair and makeup services on your wedding day. Our priority is to provide a seamless glamming experience for all of our clients. Although there may be special scenarios when a change of venue is necessary, we highly recommend completing all glam in one location when possible. Moving from one location to another takes time. To switch locations in the middle of services means our team has to sanitize their tools, pack up their kit, re-load them in their car, drive to a new location, and fully set up their kit again. This takes roughly an hour and that doesn’t include travel time. So while it may seem like a good option logistically, for our team it is very difficult. Please note that if you choose to have our team move in the middle of your glam services you will be invoiced for the time it takes them to pack their kit, move and set up their kit again. This will be a minimum of $150 per artist. You will also be charged for their travel time and fees.
WHAT IF MY VENUE DOESN’T ALLOW ACCESS THE BRIDAL SUITE UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY?
If your wedding venue does not offer early access to the bridal suite, providing sufficient time to comfortably complete all services with a buffer in the schedule, we suggest exploring alternative preparation locations such as a home, hotel, or AirBNB. By opting for an alternate space, you and your squad can ensure a stress-free experience, arriving at the venue fully ready to go. Additionally, some venues may offer the option to purchase extra hours in the morning, granting you early access to the bridal suite. Don't hesitate to inquire about this possibility with your venue to optimize your pre-wedding preparations.
WHAT IF I AM DEAD SET ON DOING ALL BEAUTY SERVICES IN MY VENUE’S BRIDAL SUITE BUT I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS UNTIL LATER IN THE AFTERNOON- WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?
If you have your heart set on getting ready in your venue's bridal suite, we can accommodate by adding extra artists to ensure a smooth timeline. However, please keep in mind that adding artists to a tight schedule means their service counts will be lower than usual. To appropriately compensate our team, there will be an additional charge of $250 per stylist (as opposed to the regular $150 fee). This fee will help meet their wedding rate minimums. Please note that these fees will be added at our discretion and we will distribute the services as we see fit on the Game Day to ensure the best possible flow for your big day. For example, if you have 2 artists with 5 services and 1 artist with 4, the $250 fee will still apply to each artist.
*as a note - the $250 additional stylist fee generally applies in situations where there are more than 5 services and less than 3.5 hours of service time.
IF WE NEED TO DO A REHEARSAL/WANT TO HAVE A BRIDAL BRUNCH THE MORNING OF THE WEDDING, HOW DOES THAT WORK WITH HAIR AND MAKEUP SERVICES?
If you plan to have a rehearsal or bridal brunch on the morning of your wedding, please understand that our hair and makeup team will not be able to pause all services during this time. Should you need to suspend all services during your rehearsal or brunch, a charge of $150 per artist per hour will apply. We value your time and aim to provide exceptional service while respecting the commitments of our talented artists. We appreciate your understanding regarding this policy. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to assist you in any way we can to make your wedding day truly special.
WHEN SHOULD MY BRIDAL PARTY ARRIVE ON MY WEDDING DAY?
Our Game Day schedule ensures an optimized experience with designated times for each hair and makeup service. We kindly request the cooperation of all those receiving services to arrive at the getting ready location early. Early arrival is crucial for a smooth day, as it allows us to adapt effortlessly, ensuring everyone looks and feels extraordinary. Note that the schedule indicates the exact time we need you in our chair, ready to be pampered—not the arrival time at the prep location. Your proactive involvement allows us to work our best and create true wedding morning magic!
PRO TIP: Our years of expertise have revealed that wedding days run exceptionally smoothly when all (or at least MOST) of the bridal party arrives early at the getting ready location. Why is this the secret to a stress-free day? Because some services take less time than expected, while others, like a bridesmaid with luscious locks, may require a bit more attention. By having the majority of the bridal party present from the start, we can adapt and accommodate effortlessly. This early gathering also cultivates a warm and supportive atmosphere, where your squad can bond, laugh, and share cherished memories as you embark on your journey to the aisle. We want your morning to be nothing short of magical!
WHAT IF ONE OF MY BRIDESMAIDS DIDN’T INITALLY SIGN UP FOR SERVICES BUT WANTS TO ADD-ON A SERVICE ON THE WEDDING DAY?
This is a common occurrence for us almost every weekend! In 90% of cases, we can accommodate add-on requests without any issue. Our first priority is ensuring that all clients with contracted glam services are taken care of. While we always strive to accommodate last-minute requests, we cannot guarantee the availability of add-on services on the wedding day. If we can fulfill the request, we will send an invoice for the service(s) directly to the client or the bride. For logistical reasons, we are unable to accept Venmo or cash directly from the add-on client on the wedding day.