If you've been wondering what getting your hair and makeup done is like for your dreamy destination wedding, especially for a beach or humid environment, we've got you covered. In an exclusive conversation with Chelsea Marinelli, the owner and head stylist at Prep Hair, we've put together all the insights and tips you need to make sure your experience is amazing and your style is as breathtaking as the destination you've chosen for your special day. Read along to find out Chelsea’s secrets to achieving the perfect look for your magical destination wedding!

How do I choose what to do with my hair and makeup for my destination wedding?

Chelsea, how does the destination influence the wedding look, and what tips do you have for matching the style to the atmosphere?

Absolutely, the destination plays a significant role. For beach weddings, think about breezy updos or loose waves. For more formal venues, consider elegant up-do styles. Matching the vibe is key!

How can you weather-proof your style in different climates?

Great question! For hot and humid destinations, professional blowouts a day before work wonders. It seals in hair products and makes the wedding day hair last longer. Also, extensions are a must – they not only add volume or length, but they help hold the curl and make the style last 10 times longer. Whether it’s an updo or a downstyle, we recommend extensions to all of our brides whether you're in Mexico or Canada! They make the look so much more elevated as well.

As for Makeup, whatever you do, do not get a sunburn. That makeup will not stay on your face. The heat from being burnt just melts the makeup off and there’s nothing a Makeup Artist can do about it. 100% make sure you get a trial when you’re dealing with hot humid weather… This will help let you in the Makeup Artist know which products your face works best with.

Planning and Preparation

How far in advance should couples book for their hair and makeup destination weddings?
For brides, a year in advance is ideal. We have a large team, but November is our busiest month, so plan ahead, especially for that time.

For a full timeline of when you should hire your vendors, including hair and makeup, download our Destination Wedding Timeline Checklist.

Do you offer consultations or trials prior to the wedding?

Absolutely! We recommend trials 2-3 months prior or when they’re down for a site visit. If they’re not able to come before the wedding then we recommend a FaceTime consultation with our team to make sure they are going to be looking at inspiration for their hair type and for us to be able to achieve the look. Or if they need extensions, we can tell them on the call. 

If they can’t come down for a trial we recommend they do a rehearsal or welcome dinner styling session, and use that as a trial so they can get to know the stylist before the big day. 

Hiring the Right Professionals

What sets Prep Hair apart from other salons in the area?

I believe it's our team's training and my background as both a hairstylist and makeup artist. They were already hair stylist to begin with or makeup artists I just sort of enhanced what they knew and gave them new techniques and things that I brought from North America like extensions, coloring, and cutting. 

Plus, 90% of our staff is from Mexico, with the rest from South America and one from Italy. 

How does Prep help brides on their wedding day?

We actually help them from the very first email. We have an amazing team of wedding coordinators who ensure everything is perfected, organized, and tailored to each client. Our lead wedding coordinator will do the reservations, the contracts, and the scheduling. She will also make sure to collect all the inspirational photos and review them with the stylists. Our team then makes sure that the style is going to work with their hair and skin type.  And if they aren’t then we make sure to let the client know well in advance. 

We also have FaceTime calls with the clients before the trial so that they can feel comfortable with us, you know putting a face to the name, versus having a back and forth with emails. We feel that this really helps create that relationship and trust between the client and the styling team.

Our stylists are the kindest, happiest, loveliest girls and guys and that is a huge deal for us. I feel that talent can always be learned and taught, but when it comes to personality and interacting with our clients - it’s the attitude that matters. We want to make sure that our clients are surrounded by a great environment on the day. 

We feel that having great communication prior and on the day is what helps reduce some of the stressors the couple may have, so we do everything we can to make it as seamless as possible. A great advantage is that all of our stylists speak both English and Spanish. 

Destination Wedding Beauty Routines

Do you have any beauty routines brides should consider leading up to their destination weddings?

I would suggest that for hair, you get a trim (not a full cut) and refresh your color or get highlights two months before - that will make sure your hair is in perfect condition for the big day. If you have virgin hair, know that your hair will not last as long as if it were processed hair.If you’re considering getting a few low lights or highlights or even a toner, it’s a good idea. 

Processed or colored hair holds curls and styles way better than virgin hair when it comes to hot humid weather. If your hair is really dry, make sure you’re doing lots of moisture/repair masks beforehand.

My tip for prepping your skiing for make-up would be to make sure you take care of your skin many months before the wedding. Start getting monthly facials and implementing a nighttime skin regime. You should also consider using a moisturizing mask that also tightens and brightens. 

A few weeks leading up to the wedding you want to make sure you’re drinking at least 4 gallons of water a day as well as getting lots of rest (as much as you can). And if it’s something you’ve done before then Botox if need be. I would suggest this 3 to 4 weeks before the big day. And don’t forget to take your vitamins and eat a healthy diet.

Things to Consider When Having Makeup Professionally Done

What should couples consider when having makeup professionally done for a destination wedding?
Bring inspirational photos and lots of visual references to describe the look you want. Definitely also bring a few photos from your Makeup Artist Instagram as well - you’re booking them for a reason so you should look on their account for inspiration too. 

Schedule a trial run before the event to test and make any adjustments. Communicate your preferences and concerns, and never hesitate to provide feedback. Also make sure you consider lighting the makeup area, allowing enough time for make-up applications (taking into consideration hair styling and getting dressed), and a touch-up kit for any necessary fixes. 

Lastly don’t forget to wear clothing that can be easily removed without smudging the makeup.

When starting to consider your planning for your dreamy destination wedding, let Prep Hair be your guiding star when it comes to your hair and makeup. Chelsea's expertise, combined with a team committed to creating beautiful moments, will make sure your destination wedding hair and makeup are as magical as the love you're celebrating.

Ready to discover other amazing suppliers you can work with to make your destination wedding beauty dreams come true? Send an inquiry to work with us today!

Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.