Scottish Wedding Hair & Makeup Directory May 2025 by Hania McIntyre

Mabie House Photoshoot

Styled photoshoot at Mabie House with Bridal Hair by Morgan and Hannah Bailiey

With Hannah Bailiey

Recap of Bekah Cran x Wedding

BRIDES ONE STOP ONLINE MAGAZINE FOR ALL THINGS BEAUTY HAIR AND MAKEUP

Welcome to the Scottish Wedding Hair & Makeup Directory Magazine

Welcome to the fourth edition of our online magazine. This edition features our fab styled shoot at Mabie House in Dumfries and Galloway, with members Hannah Bailey and Bridal Hair by Morgan on hair and makeup.

Rachel Spence shares her top 3 makeup products and we share our tips for choosing the right hairstyle for your wedding. We recap from the MUA Masterclass in Aberdeen with member Bekah Cran.

Hannah Bailey answers our members Q&A.

Warmest Regards Hania

ScottishWedding Hair&Makeup DirectoryOnline Magazine

Editor

Hania McIntyre

Co Editor

Sara Bonner - O Hara

Photographers

Bear & Butterfly Photography

Hannah Dalziel Films

Wildling Weddings

Pgarrios Photo

Sky Photography

Lauren Stirling Photography

About Our Staff

Hania McIntyre

Hania is a Wedding Makeup Artist in South West Scotland and Founder of the Scottish Wedding Hair & Makeup Directory.

Sara Bonner - O Hara

Sara is a cruelty free Hair & Makeup Artist based in Scotland’s central belt. Sara also offers nail and facial services.

www.scottishweddinghairandmakeupdirectory.co.uk

info@scottishweddinghairandmakeupdirectorycouk

@scottishweddingbeauty

MABIE HOUSE

Photography by Bear & Butterfly

Vintage Glam Vibes: Styled Shoot Mabie House

Located in Dumfries and Galloway, the beautiful Mabie House Hotel played host to our vintage glam styled shoot that blended modern elegance with vintage charm. Think of the Hollywood Stars of the golden age with oppulent Gold and red decor.

The Glam Team: Hair & Makeup

Members Hannah Bailey and Bridal Hair by Morgan created beautiful looks on model Mary Ann, to create the hollywood glam vibe opting for a deep lip and a modern sleek hair up.

The outfits added a contemporary twist to the shoot Isobel Florence's mini dress and sleek white suit brought a fresh, fun, and modern vibe, perfectly balancing the vintage elements of the event, offering a chic alternative for the modern bride

A Blend of Modern and Retro Elements

The vintage heart-shaped cake from Creative Cakes Dumfries was a showstopper, encapsulating the retro flair that added depth and character to the shoot. Its intricate design and nostalgic charm were a nod to the vintage and the disco balls just brought the fun and modern element to the day

Perfect Backdrops and Captivating Photography

The Red Room at Mabie House provided a stunning backdrop, its rich hues and classic decor setting the stage for a scene straightout of an old Hollywood Movie . The Garden Pavilion was set up by The Wedding Room, and offered another look to the shoot showcasing the large space for bigger wedding parties.

Bear & Butterfly Photography captured the essence of the day with her fun and bubbly personality and vision for elegance

Last-Minute Touches

No styled shoot is complete without the perfect floral arrangements, and Passion Flowers Dumfries delivered beautifully. Their last-minute contributions added the finishing touches, complementing the overall theme.

Our Styled Shoot at Mabie House offers inspiration for brides-to-be who are looking to infuse their special day with both contemporary flair and timeless elegance

Credits

Images - Bear & Butterfly

Makeup - Hannah Bailey

Hair - Bridal Hair by Morgan

Venue - Mabie House

Model - Maryann Grace

Dresses & Suit - Isobel Florence Bridal

Decor - The Wedding Room

Cake - Creative Cakes Dumfries

Videographer - Hannah Dalziel Films

Content Creator - Wedimedia

Q&A WITH SARAH FROM BEAR & BUTTERFLY

Could you share your journey in becoming a wedding photographer? What inspired you to specialise in weddings?

My journey into being a wedding photographer started when my son was a few months old. We had taken him to a newborn photographer and did not have a great experience which led to my husband convincing me I could take his newborn photographs I then fell in love with newborn photography.

I began travelling to other people’s homes to photograph their newborns with my car loaded up with a whole load of props, baskets and blankets.

Before I knew it someone asked me to photograph their wedding and I jumped st the chance and never looked back I’ve since photographed hundreds of weddings over a 8 year period.

Do you photograph weddings only?

I now only specialise in wedding photography after photographing newborns for 7 years along with photographing weddings. Having my own family pushed me to devote my time to only one avenue of photography.

What is your photography style, and how would you describe it? Can you adapt your style to suit different couples’ preferences?

I would describe my wedding photography style as romantic, raw, emotional and colourful. I can absolutely adapt to suit couples - some couples are looking for a more directional posed style of photographs, others would like more candidly photographed in the moment I love a mixture of both

How do you collaborate with other vendors, such as hair and makeup artists, on the wedding day?

I absolutely love working with other suppliers from all backgrounds including videographers, make up, hair stylists - we are all there to work together, supporting each other and helping each other where we can.

What is your post-production process like? How long does it typically take to deliver the final photos?

Following a wedding within 48hrs (usually) I deliver 50-100 sneak peak images for the couple to enjoy whilst awaiting their final gallery. This is usually within 8-12 weeks.

What advice do you have for couples choosing a wedding photographer? What questions should they ask?

The best question to ask when choosing a wedding photographer is - do the hairs on your arms stand up when you see their work? Does it set your soul on fire ? If the answer is no then they are not the one for you

How do you ensure your work remains unique and personalised for each couple?

Every single couple is so important to me and I love knowing their whole story from beginning to end - this helps me tailor their Photography experience to them ensuring they walk away having the most wonderful memories for a lifetime.

MEET ISOBEL FLORENCE

BRIDAL

Julie from Isobel Florence Bridal shares her story and how Isobel Florence Bridal came about. Located in Dalbeattie in Dumfries and Galloway.

From Nurse to Award-Winning Bridal Shop Owner

In 1988, when I walked into bridal shops as a bride-to-be, I was often treated poorly because my budget was limited This experience planted a seed in my mind. I promised myself that if I ever left nursing, I would open a bridal salon that welcomed everyone, regardless of their budget or body type.

Previous Work

For many years, I worked as a clinical nurse specialist in the Ophthalmology department at DGRI However, in 2010, I made the decision to leave my career to care for my parents.

My father lost his battle with cancer in 2013, and my mother passed away the following year in 2014

The Birth of a Boutique

In 2015, I took the plunge and opened a small boutique specialising in second-hand wedding dresses. The shop quickly flourished, and within a year, I expanded to a larger space to accommodate both new and second-hand gowns.

The new dresses became so popular that I eventually phased out the second-hand selection altogether

Over the next five years, my shop has earned the title of Best Bridal Shop in the South of Scotland three times.

Expansion and Challenges

Customer demand led me to explore adding mother-of-the-bride dresses to my collection. However, limited space prompted me to search for a larger venue. In 2021, I found the perfect spot across the road a vacant Spar shop The renovation process was challenging, especially in the post-COVID era when tradesmen were scarce Thankfully, my husband King, and a family

friend, Scouse, helped transform the space into the beautiful boutique it is today

A Curated Collection

Our boutique proudly features collections from renowned designers such as Randy Fenoli, Stella York, Patricia Barclay, Rachel Allen, Hillary Morgan, and Emma Bridals We are waiting for the arrival of Herve Paris designs in the coming months. The outfits used in the Mabie House styled shoot were by Stella York, and the White suit came from Poirier, who are mostly known for their accessories

A Personalised Experience

Our shop is dedicated to providing a private and personalised experience. We serve one bride at a time, offering exclusive access to our bridal lounge for her entourage and a private fitting room for her comfort.

We were awarded the Best Bridal Shop in Scotland last year. It’s been an incredible journey from my days in nursing to fulfilling my dream of creating a welcoming haven for brides of all backgrounds and budgets

MUA MAKEUP MASTERCLASS Aberdeen

MASTERCLASS WITH BEKAH CRAN

After the success of the MUA Masterclass in Glasgow, the second one in Aberdeen was a sell out Bekah Cran taught a modern bridal makeup look for Brides looking for that little bit extra.

By Hania McIntyre

Held at the Sandman in Aberdeen, the event was a great success Here are some of the highlights

Back for a sell out Masterclass in Aberdeen, Bekah created a soft glam Bridal Makeup look on her beautiful model Rhianna Bekah shared her top tips and techniques for creating this look as well as her favourite products that she reaches for again and again.

With another fab goodie bag filled with premium products, as well as delicious food and drinks provided by Sandman Aberdeen and tasty cakes from Yen Thomson Cakes

The event was in collaboration with the Scottish Wedding Hair and Makeup Directory, a platform dedicated to connecting brides-to-be and makeup enthusiasts with the best professionals in the industry.

We are working on a few more Masterclasses including a hands on class where Artists can bring along a model and work on them with the help of Bekah. We are looking to bringing the classes to Edinburgh so watch this space to keep up with the latest news and updates from us.

Thank you to Sandman Aberdeen, Yen Thomson Cakes and Thoughts and Crosses

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in the wedding hair and makeup industry?

I am a mum of 3 and a dog living in Edinburgh and I get to travel around Scotland doing my dream job! Having spent many years working different jobs, mainly in retail, I could never decide what I wanted to be when I ‘grew up’. I only knew i wanted to do something creative or practical. Over the years alongside working I gained qualifications in various beauty treatments, hair styling and hair extensions I eventually joined FakeBake in the beauty-at-home parties side of the business and rose up to be a manager until they decided to close that side and I was back to square one.

One of my best friends had worked with me at FakeBake and went on to study makeup and go into bridal One day she asked if I could help her at a wedding doing the hair and although nervous and unsure I hesitantly agreed It was here that I finally knew what I wanted to be! I started doing more weddings with her and went on to also get my makeup qualification at GlamCandy in Edinburgh.

I have worked alongside other artists over the years building up my portfolio and business and am happy to say things are going well I have bookings already for 2027 and not only do I love what I do, but I still get to work alongside my best friend and my other best friend (also a qualified bridal hair stylist) has now joined us when required for larger bridal parties!

How many years have you been working as a wedding hair and makeup artist?

That first wedding was 7 years ago now! And I still pinch myself sometimes thinking I can’t believe I get to do something I love so much as my job!

Can you describe the range of services you offer to brides and bridal parties?

The main services I offer are Bridal and Bridal party hairstyling and makeup, lashes and touch-up services. I frequently pitch in doing up corsets or buttons on wedding dresses, placing veils and any fascinators being worn, down to drying off bouquets so as not to get water stains on the dresses…little things like that I have picked up over the years from all the weddings I have been lucky to be part of, but are often the things no-one thinks of!

Along side these things I am also fully qualified in various methods of hair extensions, nails, lash lifts and tints, brows and tanning so although I stepped away from those to concentrate on the Hair and Makeup they are still something I could offer if a bride requested! I also offer trials for the bride and anyone else in the bridal party that would like one.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Inspiration comes from anything really, it can be a style of hair or makeup that the bride loves which we then adapt to suit the brides hair and features, the colour they have chosen for their bridesmaids or even their bouquet! Most brides these days have a good idea of what they like and usually have pictures to guide me towards their dream look.

Can you walk us through your typical process when working with a bride from the initial consultation to the wedding day?

When I receive an enquiry I aim to respond as quickly as possible, we will discuss any requirements and I can then send a personalised quote, with details of how to book, and a rough timeline of when we would aim to book in a trial if she would like one. If she decides we are a good fit then I will send over an invoice for the deposit amount and the contract for her to sign, once both these are received that date is booked in the diary! If a bride is keen to have a trial before booking then I can accommodate that however due to a large number of enquiries I cannot hold dates until the deposit and contract have been received.

I ensure my brides understand this fully before going ahead with this option though it is very rare that my brides request this anyway! Around 6-8 weeks before the wedding day I will get in touch with the bride to look at organising their trial, at this time I will set up a WhatsApp group and make them an admin

I encourage them to add anyone else having hair and/or makeup done and they can all post their inspo pics in there. It also means should anyone have any questions they can ask directly instead of having to go through the bride. On the morning of the wedding I will arrive nice and early and get set up before we get going

I will make sure everyone is happy with their looks but I will usually not apply lipsticks until everyone is otherwise ready, this way no-one is worried about smudging it if eating and drinking whilst waiting around!

Once everyone is dressed we will apply lipsticks and check for any touchups needed and then get packed up. If a bride requires me to stay for touchups after the ceremony and before photos then this is absolutely something I can do!

Do you have any memorable experiences or success stories you’d like to share?

I think all weddings are memorable in their own ways. I’ve had happy tears from brides when they’ve seen their hair and makeup finished and a bridesmaid once who sat staring at herself in the mirror she kept repeating ‘I can’t believe it’s me, I’m beautiful’…moments like those are always memorable! I’ve worked with a lot of women who are really nervous either because they’ve never had it done or maybe had a bad experience before and the feeling when they truly love how they look and you can see their confidence grow the moment they look in the mirror is hard to beat!

What advice do you have for brides who are in the process of choosing their wedding hair and makeup artist?

Start looking early, a lot of good Bridal hairstylists and makeup artists get booked up months/sometimes years in advance, I currently have bookings coming in for 2026 and some for 2027! I would also advice against basing your decision purely on price, obviously I wouldn’t suggest crippling yourself financially but your stylist is with you all morning on the most important day of your life.

You need somebody you can trust to make you look gorgeous (you will be looking at those photos for years to come) but they also need to be the right fit for you and your wedding party! If you love their work, and you believe you and your bridal party will be comfortable and relaxed with them then you will not regret the decision to book them! I have never heard anyone talk about regretting the amount spent on their stylist but I have heard people regretting not going for who they really wanted because of price!

Do you have a favourite wedding location in Scotland where you’ve worked?

Working in Scotland, I get to travel to some truly stunning venues! From the castles and country house hotels to places like Edinburgh zoo…they all have something special about them. One particular venue I love, specifically for an Autumn wedding, is Carlowrie Castle coming up the driveway and seeing the castle covered in red ivy makes me catch my breath every time!

What do you love most about working in the wedding industry in Scotland?

I think apart from the beautiful venues and scenery we have here, I love the variety of brides we have…we not only have our ‘home-grown’ brides but also a lot coming from far and wide to get married here. It’s always lovely to hear their different stories, why they chose Scotland/ their venue and how they met their partner etc.

We also have so many amazing wedding vendors here and being in the industry you start to get to know each other, whether through weddings or wedding fairs…it’s always nice to see familiar faces!

How can brides get in touch with you to learn more about your services or to book a consultation?

I always encourage brides to go to my website www.hannahbaileymua.com where I have information, pictures, pricing and our enquiry form, email at info@hannahbaileymua.com or message me through The Scottish Wedding Hair & Makeup Directory!

I can be found on Instagram and Facebook where you can pop me a message or dm but I am a self-confessed nightmare when it comes to social media! Im usually so busy that instead of updating socials during a quiet time I’m more likely to grab a coffee and a biscuit and sit down!

https://hannahbaileymuacom

https://www.facebook.com/hannahmell.mua

https://wwwinstagramcom/hannahbaileymua/

TOP 3 BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

Have you ever wondered what beauty products Professional Hair and Makeup Artists love? What’s in their own personal makeup bag or hair kit?

Our monthly feature shares the top 3 beauty items they reach for every single time, and not just for their professional makeup kit, but personal use

Member Rachel Spence, a Bridal Hair and Makeup Artist based in Edinburgh shares her top 3 beauty products in her bag

1.Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Plumpgasm

2.Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

3.Weleda Skin Food

H O W T O C H O O S E T H E R I G H T

A S O Y O U R W E D D I N G

Planning your wedding day in the stunning landscapes of Scotland is an exciting time and choosing the perfect hair and makeup style is essential to making that dream a reality.

With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to select the right look that complements your Scottish wedding Here are 13 tips tailored for brides saying "I do" in Scotland, helping you find the perfect wedding hairstyle.

Whether you are getting married in the Highlands or at a Castle, we have you covered.

1. Embrace Your Hair Type

Scotland's weather can be unpredictable, so it's important to choose a hairstyle that complements your natural hair type Whether your locks are curly or straight, opting for a style that works with your natural texture will ensure it holds up throughout the day.

2. Familiar vs. New Styles

Consider whether you want to stick with a style similar to your everyday look or try something new and adventurous Remember, your wedding photos will be cherished for years to come, so select a style that makes you feel confident and beautiful.

3. Accessorise

Incorporate accessories such as veils, cute pins or flowers. Real fresh flowers are a lovely touch to any hairstyle

4. Weather Considerations

A Scottish wedding can mean anything from a castle ceremony to an elopement on the hills around Glencoe Consider the weather and location when choosing your hairstyle. A messy boho bun might withstand the Highland winds better than loose curls.

5. Venue and Theme

Your wedding's theme and venue can guide your hair and makeup choices A formal estate wedding may call for an elegant updo, while a rustic barn celebration might inspire a more relaxed, bohemian look.

6. Dress Complementation

Your hairstyle should enhance your wedding dress, not overshadow it. Consider the neckline and details of your gown when deciding on the perfect hairdo If your dress has a beautiful back line then consider a hair up to show off the back details.

Hair by Gemma Black Hair

Image Lauren Stirling Photography

7. Day-of Events

Think about the activities planned for your wedding day. If a windswept photo shoot on the cliffs is on the agenda, ensure your hairstyle is secure and can withstand the elements

8. Time Management

Balance your time wisely on your wedding day. Choose a hairstyle that aligns with your schedule, allowing you to enjoy every moment stress-free.

9. Timeline Realism

Be realistic about the time you have to grow or change your hair. Extensions can be a lifesaver if you're dreaming of long waves and your wedding day is fast approaching and often hairstylists will recommend extensions for certain looks that can’t be achieved without them

10. Gather Opinions

Create a mood board of your favourite hair ideas. Share it with trusted friends and family to gather opinions and ensure you're on the right track. Avoid Pinterest and look at Artists portfolio to see realistic styles.

11. Up or Down?

Determine whether you want to wear your hair up, down, or a combination of both. This decision can set the tone for the rest of your styling choices.

12. Importance of a Trial

Schedule a trial to see how everything comes together Bring along photos of your dress, and any accessories, and consider wearing the style for a day to test comfort and durability. It’s often a good idea to organise your trial on a day you have something planned like your hen do.

13. Bridesmaids' Coordination

Coordinate your hairstyle with your bridesmaids or choose a contrasting look Consistency can create a cohesive bridal party aesthetic, while contrast can highlight your unique style.

With these tailored tips, we hope you find the perfect hairstyle for your Scottish wedding. The breathtaking landscapes and rich traditions of Scotland offer a stunning backdrop for your special day

Withlotsofexcitingthings comingthisyear,wecan’t waittosharethemwithyou. Fromanewwebsitelaunch andallourStyledShootsand MakeupMasterclasses,don’t missthenextissue.

Ifyouhaveanythingyou wouldliketoseeorforusto featurepleasedoreachout.

Editor’s Note