The Journal.
Practical, honest writing on bridal prep, wedding-morning beauty, and the details that help your day flow.
Bridal beauty · Real weddings · Favorites
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Recently published
When to Book Wedding Hair and Makeup: A Month-by-Month Guide
Aug 6, 2026 · Maureen Ella
Florida Wedding Hair and Makeup: How to Plan for Heat and Humidity
Aug 6, 2026 · Maureen Ella
How to Choose a Bridal Hairstylist Whose Work Complements Your Wedding Style
Jul 22, 2026 · Maureen Ella
What to Expect at Your Bridal Hair and Makeup Preview
Jul 20, 2026 · Maureen Ella
The archive
All stories
Browse every guide, favorite, and real-wedding story, or choose a collection below.
29 posts · 4 collections
Oct 29, 2023
Business Mentorship
Pinterest for Bridal Beauty Artists: Getting Found Where Brides Plan
Brides plan their wedding look on Pinterest long before they inquire. Here's how to set up your profile, boards, and pin descriptions so your work is what they find.
Oct 29, 2023
Business Mentorship
Instagram for Bridal Beauty Artists: A Portfolio That Books Weddings
Instagram is more than an online portfolio — it's where brides decide whether they trust you with their wedding morning. A practical guide for bridal hair and makeup artists.
Oct 28, 2023
Business Mentorship
Website Basics for Bridal Beauty Artists: What Actually Books Brides
Whatever platform you build on, the fundamentals are the same: a clear services page, a gallery that sells, an easy inquiry form, and a site that works on the phone in a bride's hand.
Sep 6, 2023
Business Mentorship
Where It All Began: From Painting My Lola's Nails to The Parlor
The story behind the business: painting my Lola's nails as a little girl in the Philippines, the long road through beauty school and a nursing detour, and what the journey taught me.
Aug 14, 2023
Business Mentorship
From Salon Chair to Salon Suite: My Path to Working for Myself
From salon employee to independent contractor to booth renter to private salon suite owner — the stages of my journey and what each one taught me about running a bridal beauty business.
Aug 2, 2023
Business Mentorship
Why I Use HoneyBook in My Bridal Beauty Business
The admin side of a bridal beauty business can swallow your week. Here's my honest experience with HoneyBook — what it handles for me and how to think about whether a CRM fits your business.
