What to Know When Booking Your 2026 Bridal Hair & Makeup Team in the Tri-Cities

We’re only halfway through the 2025 bridal season - and the 2026 inquiries have already started rolling in. If you’re newly engaged and thinking, “Is it too early to book hair and makeup?” The answer is no. In fact, booking your bridal beauty team early is one of the best ways to ensure a smooth, stress-free wedding morning.

At OnTrend Hair & Makeup, we believe beauty should feel calm, organized, and personal. With limited spots each season and a small curated team, we’re sharing what every 2026 bride should know before booking her glam crew - especially if you're planning a wedding in the Tri-Cities (St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia) or beyond.

The Ideal Booking Timeline for 2026 Brides

When it comes to bridal beauty, earlier really is better. We recommend booking 12–16 months out - especially if your date falls during peak spring or fall weekends. Why?

Because beauty is more than just showing up for the day-of. Your bridal experience includes a preview (a modern version of a trial), skincare prep, and seamless coordination with your planner, photographer, and timeline. Waiting until the last few months can limit your options - and add stress during crunch time.

Many couples now book vendors like photographers, planners, and even florals before finalizing their venue. We believe your beauty team is just as essential.

What Makes OnTrend Hair & Makeup Different

We’re a female-owned small business based right here in Elburn, IL. Our team was built with intention - every stylist is handpicked, trained in modern bridal beauty, and truly passionate about helping real women feel confident.

OnTrend Hair & Makeup specializes in on-location hair and makeup for weddings across the Tri-Cities (St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia) and greater Chicago suburbs. Our style? Effortless, elevated, and never overdone. We create timeless looks that photograph beautifully and still feel like you.

Founder Sara has also been a proud member of the Geneva Chamber of Commerce for the past five years, and we’re now preferred vendors at both Hotel Baker and Riverside Receptions - two of the most iconic wedding venues in the area.

Why On-Location Bridal Beauty Is a Game-Changer

One of the biggest perks of working with OnTrend? We come to you.

No salon shuffle. No driving across town with rollers in. Just a team of beauty professionals arriving at your chosen location - whether that’s your venue, your home, or a hotel suite—ready to pamper you and your crew.

You’ll sip coffee or champagne, play your favorite music, and truly enjoy the morning. It’s a luxury experience that’s not just convenient - it’s part of what makes your day feel special.

What to Look for When Hiring Your Bridal Glam Team

Not all makeup artists or hairstylists are created equal - especially when it comes to weddings. Here’s what matters:

• Bridal experience. Wedding days move fast, and you need artists who know how to work with a schedule - and stay calm under pressure.

• Aesthetic alignment. Look for a portfolio that reflects your style. If you love clean, romantic, and modern looks, that’s our specialty.

• Professionalism. You’re trusting your beauty team to set the tone for your whole morning. You want people who are organized, responsive, and fun to be around.

With OnTrend, you get all of that - plus personalized support every step of the way.

Local Weddings, Real Results

We’ve had the honor of working with dozens of brides across the Tri-Cities and nearby suburbs. From intimate garden weddings in Geneva to ballroom celebrations at Hotel Baker, we’ve seen (and glammed) it all.

A recent bride at Riverside Receptions shared:

“I would 1000% recommend ONTrend Hair & Makeup to every bride!!! Sara was an absolute pleasure to work with! From start to finish, she was easy to contact and was always transparent about the process and pricing. Sara took my feedback from the bridal trail and executed the most perfect bridal hair and makeup on my wedding day! She brought my dreams to life. I couldn’t have been happier!! In the months leading up to my wedding day, I had several changes in the services needed. Sara seamlessly adapted to these changes and made updates to our plan to ensure that we would have everyone covered on wedding day.On my wedding day, there were a total of 11 girls who needed hair and makeup services. Sara and her team accommodated my large party and made sure to reflect each personal woman’s preferences and unique style. They were able to complete all services in 4 hours and everybody looked INCREDIBLE! Everybody was beyond happy with how their hair and makeup turned out!!”

 - Emily Lentz, Riverside Receptions, Geneva IL

Another bride from Heritage Prairie Farm in Elburn said:

“All I can say is AMAZING, and even that word cannot best describe the quality of services and talent I received for my wedding. I received so many compliments on how natural and elegant my makeup was from numerous guests. A bunch of my bridesmaids who will be getting married in the upcoming years also asked for her contact information, so they could have her as their MUA. My mom and mother-in-law, who do not wear that much makeup on an everyday basis, felt so comfortable and beautiful. It was so great to see them, as well as my bridesmaids, feel their absolute best and most beautiful selves.  My goal for my wedding makeup was to look as authentic and natural as I could be, and Sara delivered just that! I have only received a few photos back from my photographer so far, but I hope they can show how perfect my makeup was, and the amazing talent that Sara has!”

 - Jorie Pudil, Heritage Prairie Farm, Elburn IL

We’re here for your big day - and every detail leading up to it.

Ready to Inquire for 2026?

Our 2026 books are officially open -and dates are already filling up.

If your wedding is in St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Elburn, or the greater Chicago suburbs, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out our inquiry form on the ONTrend hair & Makeup website to get started. We’ll guide you through the next steps and help you build your custom bridal beauty experience.

Trust us - your future self will thank you for planning ahead.