A few weeks ago, I had the absolute honour of being flown to France to be adestination wedding hair and makeup artist. I was flown to a venue named La Vue just outside of Bordeaux.To be the destination wedding hair and makeup artist for two incredibly beautiful people.
Being asked to travel abroad to do wedding hair and makeup will never stop feeling surreal to me. To be trusted with something so personal, and to have clients love your work enough to fly you to another country, is something I will always feel incredibly grateful for.
Privacy First, Always
I’ve been asked not to share images of the couple’s faces due to the nature of their jobs. What I can share, however, is the incredible venue, the atmosphere, and just how special the whole experience was. La Vue is now firmly on my personal dream-venue list.
How They Found Me
The brides (I’m going to give them names, because “the brides” doesn’t quite do them justice – let’s call them Sam and Emma) found me on Instagram after reaching out to a few other artists.
They live in Kent and asked whether I would travel to them for a hair and makeup trial, and then fly to Bordeaux for their wedding day.
Short answer: yes, absolutely (bags mentally packed immediately).
The Trial: One of the Biggest Benefits of Booking a UK-Based Destination Artist
One of the biggest advantages of booking a destination wedding hair and makeup artist based in your home country is the ability to have a proper trial, without time pressure.
Because Sam and Emma were UK-based, we were able to do their trials in advance. And if we’d needed to tweak anything, we could have easily booked a second trial. Luckily for all of us, we nailed both looks the first time.
Two Trials, One Day, One Room
Sam and Emma wanted completely different hair and makeup styles, each reflecting their individual personalities. The challenge?
They were both having their trials in the same room, and everything needed to stay a surprise.
We worked carefully to keep each look under wraps, while also making sure both styles would:
Feel authentic to them
Work beautifully together
Hold up in 35-degree French summer heat
Good news: the hair and makeup didn’t move all weekend.
The only thing that didn’t survive was my legs – mosquitoes absolutely adore me, and apparently alerted their friends that there was a party happening on my left calf.
Why Flying Your Hair and Makeup Artist Can Reduce Stress
Booking local suppliers abroad can absolutely work – but it can sometimes come with added stress, especially if there’s a language barrier or no opportunity for a trial until the day before (or even the day of) the wedding.
For many couples, flying out a trusted artist they already know and feel comfortable with is worth the extra cost for peace of mind alone.
The Wedding Day at La Vue, France
On the wedding morning, there were ten people to get ready at La Vue, which meant bringing my wonderful assistant, Faye, along with me. (No extra fee for an assistant – just the additional flight seat. I adore her, but not that much.)
We flew out the day before and stayed nearby in preparation for a relaxed 9am start. Everyone needed to be ready by 3pm for the 4pm ceremony, so timing and organisation were key.
Wedding Morning Prep
Because I was doing hair and makeup for both brides, having an assistant was essential. Faye stayed with one side of the bridal party to handle touch-ups, while I moved between both brides to ensure everything stayed fresh and flawless.
Sam opted for a very natural makeup look with a loose half-up hairstyle, perfectly complementing her fair features and blonde hair.
Emma chose a slightly bolder makeup look with a metallic bronze smoky eye, paired with an elegant updo and soft tendrils.
Their looks were different, but they complemented each other beautifully – effortlessly reflecting how well matched they are.
Hair and Makeup for Hot Climates
When it comes to weddings abroad, product choice is everything.
A destination wedding hair and makeup artist needs to know how to adapt techniques and products for heat, humidity, and long days.
Using long-wearing, breathable, and climate-appropriate products ensures hair and makeup stay exactly where they should – from ceremony to evening celebrations.
The Evening
Sam and Emma even invited us to stay for the evening reception (and the pool party the next day – not bad at all). It was such a joy to work alongside the incredible team at La Vue, including photographer Anneli Marinovich, videographer Kathleen, and DJ Justin.
Thank you so much, Sam and Emma, for trusting me, welcoming us so warmly, and letting us be part of something so special.
Evie x
Updated 18.12.2025
1 response to “French Wedding Hair And Makeup Artist – Bordeaux”