Do you do hair and makeup, or just one?

Both and that’s intentional. KElse Artistry offers fully unified bridal hair and makeup services, so your look is cohesive and your morning is streamlined. You work with one lead artist who holds your entire vision from the very first preview appointment through the final touch-up on your wedding day.

Do I need to book both hair and makeup, or can I book just one?

You’re welcome to book either service on its own — we offer standalone hair or standalone makeup for both the bride and bridal party. That said, most of our brides choose both, and for good reason: having one team manage your complete look means a cohesive aesthetic, a smoother morning, and one less vendor to coordinate. If you’re on the fence, we’re happy to talk through what makes sense for your day during the inquiry process.

What’s included in every service?

Every makeup application includes a personalized skin preparation, full-face makeup, and strip lashes. Every hair service includes a tailored hair preparation suited to your texture and style. Airbrush application is available as an option for all bridal services. Your artist will recommend the foundation technique that will photograph and wear best on your skin.

Do you offer airbrush makeup, and is it necessary?

Yes, airbrush is available as an option for all bridal services using the Temptu system, which is the industry standard for bridal application. Whether it’s the right choice for you depends on your skin type, wedding vision, and even the season. Your artist will walk you through the options at your preview appointment and recommend what will serve you best. Regardless of which technique is used, your makeup will be flawless and long-lasting.

Why is airbrush priced the same as traditional foundation?

Because what you’re investing in isn’t just products . It’s the expertise and artistry required to execute a flawless look on you. The technique your artist uses is determined by what will work best for your skin, not by price. We never want a bride or her party choosing a foundation method based on cost rather than what’s actually right for them.

What makeup and hair products do you use?

We work exclusively with professional and luxury brands tested for their longevity and performance. On the makeup side, that includes names like MAC, Tom Ford, Chanel, YSL, Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Face Atelier, and RCMA, among others. For hair, we reach for Kenra, Oribe, Morrocan Oil, Schwarzkopf Osis+ and similarly professional-grade products. For skincare preparation, we incorporate La Mer, Tatcha, and Rhode Beauty. Every product in our kit earns its place.

How long does each service take?

On your wedding day, bridal hair and makeup is typically 60–75 minutes. Each additional party member is 40–45 minutes. Bridal preview appointments are approximately 90 minutes (for each type of service) and are held at our studio in Michigan Ave. We build buffer time into every timeline so your morning runs without pressure.

Can you accommodate thin, fine, or short hair?

Absolutely. Depending on your chosen style and hair type, we may recommend extensions to achieve your desired look, which we’ll assess together at your preview. You’re welcome to provide your own clip-in extensions, or we can supply Luxy clip-ins at an additional cost.

Can I bring my own hair accessories?

Yes, we love incorporating personal pieces into your look. Bring them to your preview appointment so we can see how they work with your style before the wedding day. We also have a selection of accessories available upon request.

What is a bridal preview?

A bridal preview (also called a trial) is a dedicated appointment, typically 2–4 months before your wedding, where we recreate your full wedding day look. It’s your opportunity to refine your vision, confirm that all products work beautifully with your skin, and arrive on your wedding morning knowing exactly what to expect. The preview fee is billed separately and credited toward your final balance.

Is a preview required?

For most packages, a bridal preview is included and strongly recommended. It’s not just about seeing the look — it’s about ensuring the products, timing, and vision are all aligned before your wedding day. A well-executed preview means your morning runs on time and your look is exactly what you envisioned.

When should I book my preview?

We recommend scheduling your preview 2–4 months before your wedding. By this point, you’ll have a clearer picture of your dress, accessories, and overall aesthetic — which makes the preview far more productive. Booking too far in advance can mean your vision shifts before the wedding day.

Can I book a preview before signing a contract?

We’re not able to hold a preview date without a signed contract and retainer in place. Your preview is part of your overall booking — and we want to make sure your wedding date is secured before we build your timeline together.

Who will be working with me on my wedding day?

Every KElse Artistry experience is led by a senior artist from our team — professionals who share the same training standard, aesthetic, and commitment to a calm, beautifully executed wedding morning. Most of our brides work directly with Kristine, and all bookings are personally reviewed and overseen by her to ensure your experience reflects the KElse Artistry standard from preview through wedding day.

How do you choose the artists on your team?

Every artist who joins the KElse Artistry team is handpicked by Kristine based on their technical skill, professional experience, and alignment with our aesthetic and client experience standards. It’s not enough to be talented — our artists are also calm under pressure, reliable on a wedding day, and genuinely invested in every bride they work with. Before any artist represents KElse Artistry on a wedding, they’re vetted through Kristine’s personal review process to ensure the experience you receive is consistent, regardless of who is leading your morning.

Will the same artist who did my preview be there on my wedding day?

Kristine leads the majority of previews and wedding days, and we do our best to ensure the same lead artist carries through from preview to wedding day. For larger parties where supporting artists are needed, every team member is fully briefed on your look and timeline well in advance so your morning feels seamless regardless of party size.

How large is your team?

KElse Artistry is a boutique studio with a team of ten experienced artists in our roster — large enough to staff multiple weddings on the same day and accommodate parties of any size, while remaining intentionally small enough that every booking receives genuine, personalized attention. We’re not a factory. Every wedding we take on is one we’re fully committed to.

How far in advance should I book?

Most brides book 12–18 months out, especially for Saturday dates. If your wedding is sooner, reach out — we’ll let you know what’s available and work with your timeline.

How do I secure my date?

Your date is held with a signed contract and a non-refundable $500 retainer, which is applied toward your final balance. Dates are not held without both.

Do you accommodate large bridal parties?

Yes. Our packages accommodate parties of up to ten (bride + nine). For larger parties, we can bring on an additional supporting artist — reach out and we’ll build a proposal around your needs.

Do you do destination weddings?

Yes — we’ve had the privilege of traveling for a number of our brides. Destination wedding pricing depends on location and duration. Submit an inquiry and we’ll discuss the details.

Do you travel to venues?

Yes — we come to you. We service venues across the greater Chicago metro area, with travel fees tiered by distance from our Lakeview studio: $50 per artist for 0–10 miles, $75 per artist for 11–25 miles, $100 per artist for 26–40 miles, and $150 per artist for 41–60 miles. Beyond 60 miles, we’ll provide a custom quote. Tolls and parking are additional.

Do you have early morning availability?

Yes. Our standard start time is 6:30 AM. Earlier start times are available with an additional investment of $25 per artist per 30 minutes before 6:30 AM.

What are your holiday rates?

Events booked on major holidays — including Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day — carry an additional $150 investment.description

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal. Credit card payments are accepted with a 4% processing fee applied to your total.

Is gratuity included?

Gratuity is never expected and is not included in our pricing. It is always appreciated at your discretion.

What does it cost?

Bridal beauty experiences at Kelse Artistry start from $1,100. Weekend Saturdays require a minimum investment of $1,500; Fridays and Sundays from $1,200. Most brides invest between $1,800–$3,500 for their full wedding day experience. We’ll put together a detailed proposal once we understand your vision and party size.