Planning a destination wedding can feel a little overwhelming at first. You’ve booked the venue – amazing.
Date? Sorted.
Someone to marry? Hopefully also sorted.
The next step is booking your suppliers, including your destination wedding hair and makeup artist – and this is often where couples pause and wonder what the right decision actually is.
The truth? There isn’t one single right answer. But there are a few things worth considering.
Local Artist or Someone You Fly Out?
When you’re getting married abroad, one of the first decisions is whether to book a hair and makeup artist who’s local to the venue or fly someone out from home.
Booking locally can work beautifully – especially if your venue has strong recommendations and you’re comfortable with the idea of:
Potential language differences
A trial happening a day or two before the wedding
Less familiarity before the big day
Flying someone out from your home country offers a different kind of reassurance:
Easier communication
The option of a trial well in advance
Continuity and familiarity
Someone who already understands your style and expectations
Neither option is better or worse – it’s entirely personal. The key is choosing what will make you feel the most relaxed.
Understanding the Costs
Destination weddings naturally involve extra costs, and it’s important to understand why.
If you’re flying out a destination wedding makeup artist, you’ll usually need to factor in:
Flights
Accommodation
Local transport
Arrival the day before (early wedding mornings require it)
For remote or rural venues, transport is especially important. As long as I arrive safely and on time, I’m happy – but it’s something that needs planning.
I always say this gently but honestly: with suppliers, you often get what you pay for. Your hair, makeup, and photos are the things that last long after the day itself – they’re worth investing in.
Choosing the Right Photographer
Photographers for destination weddings, like makeup artists, often book far in advance, so it’s worth starting early.
When choosing a photographer:
Look closely at their portfolio
Notice the light, mood, and emotion in their work
Decide whether you prefer natural, documentary-style images or something more editorial
And most importantly — speak to them.
They’ll be with you all day. A quick video call can tell you everything you need to know about whether you’ll work well together.
Floristry & Styling
For practical reasons, florists are usually best sourced locally. They’ll understand what’s available seasonally, how flowers behave in the climate, and what works best with the venue.
Music & Atmosphere
Live music or a DJ can completely change the energy of your wedding. Most bands now have online videos, playlists, and sample sets – use them.
If possible, see them perform live or ask for recent wedding footage. Many bands will also let you choose a few meaningful songs, which can make the day feel incredibly personal.
Hair and Makeup for Destination Weddings
Here’s where I am biased – but for good reason.
Destination weddings require experience. Different climates, lighting, humidity, heat, wind – all of it matters. Your makeup needs to last, and your hair needs to work with the environment, not against it.
When choosing your destination wedding hair and makeup artist, look for:
A clear, consistent style
Experience in different climates
Calm energy (this matters more than you think)
Someone who listens
I’ve worked across the UK and internationally, I’m comfortable working without a trial when needed, and I tailor every look to the location, weather, and you. If you’d like to see some of my destination weddings, you can explore them here.
Destination weddings should feel exciting, not stressful. The right suppliers will make everything feel lighter, calmer, and more enjoyable – even when plans change or the weather doesn’t behave.
A little aside from me: I speak French pretty well, my Spanish is solid, and English… well, learning other languages has made me question my own grammar daily.
If you’re planning a destination wedding and want a hair and makeup artist who understands travel, climate, and natural, timeless beauty – I’d love to chat.
Evie x
Updated 15.12.20205