We were lucky to catch up with Maddie Lamarre recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maddie , appreciate you joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

Working as a wedding vendor is so much fun, but you do need to know how to adapt to any and all unforeseen circumstances that may arise. One of my most eventful wedding days happened this year (spring 2024). The bride was absolutely wonderful! We had the best time during the getting ready process creating some beautiful hair and makeup. Her photographer wasn’t going to be taking any photos during the getting ready portion so I offered to take a few photos for the bride on my personal camera. Nothing crazy, just a few photos of her and the bridesmaids in their getting ready PJs. After The bridal party finished getting dressed, I said goodbye to everyone as they headed off to the ceremony location. I had just finished loading up my car when I get a call from the Maid of Honor telling me that their photographer isn’t coming and they were wondering if I could come take a few photos for them. I of course said yes! So I rushed over to the ceremony spot and I captured bridal party photos as well as family photos for this couple. A gentle reminder that I am in no way a professional photographer, but on such a special day I had to do whatever I could for this couple. After I completed family photos they heard from the photographer that a replacement photographer was supposed to be on the way to photograph the ceremony and reception, so I headed home. Long story short no photographers ever showed up for this couple on their special day. The only photos this couple has from their wedding day are the ones I took on my camera and any photos guests took on their phones. While it was an unfortunate situation for the couple, I am so glad I was able to help them during such a stressful moment and provide a little bit of support. It’s also a great example of the lengths I’m willing to go to in order for my brides to have the best day ever!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began my beauty industry career in 2018 working in the Chicago Suburbs. I have always had a passion for special event styling so I knew I wanted to be a wedding hair and makeup artist as soon as I finished cosmetology school. I spent the first few years of my career working in a traditional salon during the week and doing wedding work on the weekends. In 2021 I decided to go back to school to receive my cosmetology educators license. With a new found passion for education I spent my time teaching during the week while still building my wedding business on the weekends. My husband and I decided to relocate to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at the beginning of 2023 and since then my bridal hair and makeup business has thrived!

I decided to focus solely on working wedding days once we moved since the wedding season in the Carolina’s is all year long. I have had the pleasure of being a part of some really magical wedding days across the Carolina Coast. I now spend my time traveling between North and South Carolina for wedding days with my main service areas being Wilmington, NC , Myrtle Beach, SC , and Charleston, SC. If I’m not working a wedding day, I offer photoshoot hair and makeup services and I teach bridal hair and makeup classes to salons and bridal teams.

One thing I pride myself on is creating a stress free experience for my brides from their first inquiry to the wedding day. I offer open communication throughout their planning process so that they can feel confident that all their concerns are being addressed. As of right now I only book one wedding a day so that I can offer my full time and attention to the bride and bridal party. I always offer small touch up kits and will stay until everyone is dressed so that I can ensure they are picture perfect before stepping out to the ceremony. I am currently working on building up a team of bridal hair and makeup artists, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for my business!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reliability and effective communication has helped build a good reputation with other artists and potential clients within my industry. If I say I’m going to be there, I will be there 30 minutes early. I never take longer than 48-72 hours to respond to fellow artists or brides. Weddings take a lot of planning and I try to get answers to my brides as soon as possible so that they can move forward with their planning and communication with their other vendors. If a fellow stylist needs help or advice, I am always willing to offer whatever I can to help them. I believe building relationships and collaborating with my peers in the industry is much more beneficial than feeding into competition.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I am still building my audience on social media, but my biggest piece of advice is to be yourself! Your social media should be an authentic representation of what your potential clients can expect when working with you. Take the time to take eye catching content, and post consistently. I noticed a huge increase in followers and engagement once I started showing myself and what the process of working with me is like.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://maddstylebridal.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/madd_style

Image Credits

Angel Made Photography
The Photo Makery
JZ Studio Photo
Windy City Productions
HI Shutter
Essence Weddings
Sarah Elaine Photo