Welcome back, brides-to-be! I am SO SO excited for this week’s blog— I talked with THE Lauren Treat of Lauren Treats Hair about finding your perfect bridal hair stylist! Lauren’s down-to-earth, authentic style and creative, boho bridal hair creations has earned her a significant following in Arkansas and beyond! She talks about the importance of connecting with a stylist who shares your unique wedding day vision.

I found her answers so refreshing- I know you will too! Enjoy!

Q: What do you do currently? 

Hey there! I’m Lauren Treat! I’m a licensed cosmetologist in the state of Arkansas & professional wedding stylist. 

I enjoy creating bohemian braids; coiffed, modern hair designs; romantic, timeless up-styles; flowing, effortless looks — and everything in between! 

I  “listen” to your hair & incorporate your personal style/aura into your wedding look. I love customizing each hairstyle to the individual who is wearing the design.

Q: How did you get involved in working in the wedding industry? 

Many of my clients begged me to do their weddings — and I just wouldn’t, for at least a full year. Honestly, I didn’t have any experience or confidence in my abilities to create wedding hairstyles. I was scared. It seemed like a lot of pressure.

Slowly but surely, I agreed to a few weddings for clients that I knew well. Somewhere along the way… a light turned on. 

I realized I LOVED wedding styling & dove head first into the wedding industry. Wedding are FUN, brides are lovely to interact with — and the energy is indescribable! I found my niche.

2020 is my second year as a “professional wedding stylist.” I do roughly 3-6 weddings a month, depending on the month. This part of my career keeps me on the road. I am blessed to experience beautiful venues & towns across Arkansas on an almost-weekly basis and I get to meet many wonderful people. I love it so much. 

Q: What’s the most important thing a bride should consider when choosing her bridal hair stylist? 

Make sure that you trust your stylist and that you dig their work/vibes. 

Be honest with yourself. Does your style match theirs? Jump on social media & browse their page. Can you gather clues about their personality, based on what you see? Do you believe they’d be a good “fit” for your special day? Do you think your bridesmaids would enjoy their personality & talent, as well?

Wedding vendors should be chosen based on their talents — yes, of course. But don’t forget that you are spending your wedding day WITH your bridal hairstylist, makeup artist, photographer, coordinator etc. Sometimes I am on location at weddings for 5-7 hours! 

Choose someone that you naturally vibe-well with. Your bridal team might be with you all the way up until you walk down the aisle!

Q: What advice do you have for brides who are considering eloping? Does that influence the type of hair style they should consider? 

Not at all! I say — be true to YOU. Pinterest is great. Instagram is also a wonderful tool. But who are YOU & what do you love? Aside from whatever is currently trending. YOU should drive your decisions. 

I love when brides design their day authentically. Those are by far the best ceremonies; they are the most genuine celebrations.

Q: Are there other factors they should take into consideration, such as potential weather, time of year and location? 

Arkansas is hot & humid, much of the year. I’m not a magician. If your hair normally gets frizzy (or falls flat) in our springs & summers… okay and sometimes in the autumn, too… then this will still likely be a struggle for you, if you have an outdoor wedding. 

Updos tend to be the “safest bet” across the board. They leave only a small margin of error for weather to affect your style — which is great in our humid climate! 

If you’re having everything take place indoors (including your photos!) then weather isn’t that big of a factor. But if you’re going outside for ANY reason, be aware that your hair may respond to the environment the same way it normally does. 

Hair patterns & behavior are different for everyone. What works for you, might not work for your maid of honor. So get to know your hair really well & plan from there. 

Q: What tips do you have for brides who just aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to selecting their bridal hair stylist? 

Browse social media. Ask your regular hairstylist who she thinks is good in your area. Ask your friends. Start the conversation with whomever you know has been married recently.

There are many talented stylists in Arkansas — which is AWESOME! I frequently refer 5-7 stylists statewide, if I’m unable to take a wedding. These are  GREAT artists that I am fully confident in. 

And never hesitate to reach out to wedding stylists, directly. We LOVE this industry & we are here to serve you! Ask us anything.

I have folks calling, texting, emailing & DM’ing me all of the time! It’s so fun. Please don’t hesitate to start a conversation with me about what you hope to achieve for your wedding. And if I can’t help you personally — I will help you find someone who can!

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your work? 

I think the most rewarding part of this career may simply be the opportunity for REAL connection. 

This is one of the last industries that requires human touch. We are talking face to face, with each other. No screens involved. It’s completely personal, vulnerable & beautiful. 

It’s truly an honor to be part of my brides’ special days. I remember all of them. No two are alike. It’s a sacred, genuine moment. I’m grateful to experience the magic of it.

Q: Any other tips for brides who are planning their wedding for 2020 or 2021?

This is a undoubtedly a crazy time. I wish I had better direction… better answers. But I’m pretty much in the same boat that all of you are. I’m patiently waiting, praying & just seeing how the rest of this year goes.

I think collectively our society has recently learned that almost everything is unpredictable. Except… lasting love. 

Don’t let that get lost in the shuffle. 

Whether you’re getting married during a time of pandemic or prosperity — whether it’s a big, fancy wedding or small “socially distant” elopement —  just remember that this is about YOU & your partner. 

There will always be variables. Right now those variables seem especially heavy & unfair. But, your love is greater than even this current struggle. 

Keep that at the forefront of each decision you make & your day will be perfect. Be true to yourself and your special love, no matter what. 

Lauren Treat is a professional cosmetologist and bridal hair stylist and specialist. You can view her work and learn more about on her Instagram page here or on her Facebook page !