The booking process, in order
Booking a wedding makeup artist usually follows a four-step path:
- Research and shortlist 3–5 artists whose portfolios match your vision
- Reach out for availability on your specific date
- Have a brief consultation (email, phone, or in person) with the top 1–2
- Sign the contract and pay the booking fee to lock the date
For peak-season Saturday weddings in New Brunswick (June through September), this process should start 9–12 months out. For off-season or weekday weddings, 4–6 months is enough.
The five non-negotiables when vetting
1. Credentialing
In New Brunswick, the Cosmetology Association of New Brunswick (CANB) is the provincial regulatory body. Artists licensed by CANB — and especially those who hold instructor or educator status — have demonstrated their work meets a teachable, repeatable standard. Amanda Phillips is a CANB-licensed instructor. Verify credentials before booking; CANB maintains a public registry.
2. Portfolio depth
Look for variety in the portfolio: different skin tones, hair colours, eye shapes, and bridal moods. A portfolio of only one type of bride means the artist either specialises narrowly or hasn't worked broadly. Ideally you want to see 30+ different brides.
3. Contract clarity
Any artist with an established practice will provide a contract that spells out: the booking fee, cancellation tiers, travel fees, day-of total, late fees, and liability. Read it before signing. If there's no contract, that's information.
4. Response time
A reply within 2 business days during peak season is normal. A week of silence is a sign. The artist's responsiveness during booking is a preview of how she'll handle wedding-week communication.
5. Trial honesty
An ethical artist tells you whether you need a trial based on your situation — not whether the trial would be more revenue. If an artist hard-sells a trial without asking about your circumstances first, take note.
Where to start your search
For Fredericton and New Brunswick brides, the most useful sources are:
- Instagram. Search hashtags like #frederictonwedding, #nbwedding, #atlanticcanadawedding. Most working bridal MUAs maintain active portfolios on Instagram.
- Your photographer. Wedding photographers see makeup work close-up daily. Ask yours who they'd recommend.
- Your venue. Many venues maintain preferred-vendor lists curated from real client experiences.
- The CANB registry. The provincial licensing body lists registered cosmetologists.
- Reviews on Google and WeddingWire. Cross-reference with portfolio quality.
The consultation conversation
Before booking, have a brief conversation. By email is fine. By phone is better. Questions worth asking:
- What's your availability for [date]?
- What's included in the bridal application?
- How does travel work to [venue]?
- What's your cancellation policy?
- Do you recommend a trial for me, given [my situation]?
- What's your typical wedding-morning timeline?
- What products do you use for skin like mine?
The full list lives in the questions to ask guide.
Reading red flags
Watch for:
- No contract. Working professionals all have one.
- Verbal-only pricing. Everything should be in writing.
- Pressure to book immediately. Especially without seeing pricing or contract.
- Portfolio that's all one type of look. Suggests narrow ability.
- Heavy filtering in portfolio photos. Look for raw, in-the-moment work alongside polished shots.
- Vague answers to specific questions. Professionalism includes giving direct answers.
See the red flags guide for the deeper version.
The booking fee and what it secures
A booking fee (typically $75–$150 in NB) is standard. It does two things:
- Holds the date exclusively for you
- Compensates the artist for the lost opportunity to book another bride if you later cancel
It is almost always non-refundable. That's not a red flag — it's industry standard. The Amanda Phillips Makeup booking fee is $100, paid online via Stripe when the contract is signed.
What "the booking" actually is
The booking is officially locked when three things happen:
- The contract is signed (digitally, on the booking form)
- The booking fee is paid (online)
- The artist confirms receipt
Until then, the date is open. An informal "I'm interested in August 14" email is not a booking. Many brides find out the hard way that their dream artist took another booking while they were "thinking about it."
What happens after booking
Once the contract and fee are in place:
- The artist sends a welcome email with what to expect
- Trial appointment (if booking one) is scheduled
- You receive a quiet 3–4 month run-up until wedding-month, when communication picks up
- Final timeline and details confirmed 2 weeks out
- Brief check-in 48 hours before the day
- Wedding-day execution
- Balance paid in cash on arrival
"The booking process should feel calm. If it feels chaotic — slow replies, vague pricing, no contract — that's data about how the wedding morning will feel."
The short version
Credentialed, deep portfolio, clear contract, responsive, honest about trials. Book 9–12 months out. Sign the contract and pay the fee — that's what "booked" means. Then breathe out.