Anais Ferraguti wrote:
...I would like to ... expand to weddings... ...any advice...

Anais, every market is different... That said there are universal parameters that transcend the anomalies latent within the diversity of arenas...

But first I must couch my inferences with the fact that I cater primarily to high end events... Thus my response is not germane to "bottom feeders" who are ubiquitous on Craigslist and the like...

Anais since you have not had acceptable outcomes to date this would lead me to believe you may not have identified your target demographic nor developed an effective market/sale strategy for same...  Both in the states and abroad the actual client is not the bride... it is indeed the mother of the bride who will be writing the check... Trust me here for high end work this is nearly always true... With rare exception it is the MOB who is fixated on vicariously reliving the most important day of their lives, bar none... They "get it" and totally appreciate that the dream created by an stellar event can/does hold a magical meaning within the lives of a bride & groom... As such can/will save marriages through those challenging moments when a cherished relationship is tragically disintegrating... Yes the MOB knows all to well the potential worth of an endearing event...

To this end you portfolio must showcase clean beauty... there are no options here... Why do you think the shelves of so many bookstores, drugstores, etc. are filled with volumes of bridal magazines... It is a rite of passage after an engagement that the bride to be must obtain countless copies of said publications to share with their moms and peers... Please take heed and build up a strong library of same... I have amassed a huge volume of bridal magazines... Many of which actually target specific geographic markets... The bridal "Comp Card" I market with is a mirror of the aforementioned imagery... My business card showcases a bridal image... The visual statement and theme of my studio is bridal... I take this very seriously in as it is the finest high value work in my market...

We are not allowed Critique in this Forum (Mayhem Rules) so absolutely no mention on bridal work excellence or lack of in your book here... Mayhem does indeed have a Critique Forum were this post might garner a more meaningful response...

However I will concur with all the methodologies Mary Durante Youtt enumerated in as I currently and have in the past used all her recommendations...

Perhaps the most important advice I can provide as a tenured bridal artist is... ASSIST other bridal artist in your market... There is absolutely no better way to grow professional and break into this highly competitive and lucrative market... Be warned though... If monetary gain is your prime motivator you will likely fail... Bridal makeup artistry is so totally about achieving the zenith of excellence on absolutely the most important day in a female's life... Either you have this passion to accomplish stellar bridal artistry or you seriously need to move on...

Food for thought... I would never accept a bridal gig without an assistant who would assure coverage should the unforeseen occur in which I became unavailable... yes there are things outside of one's control... Besides in nearly all the high value assignments I book there are bridesmaid, flower girls, MOG, MOB and this list actually can include others... You will never be able to succeed in bridal without a team...  That is cast in stone...

Hope this is of merit in clarification of what it likely takes to thrive as a bridal makeup artist... To me there is no other genre that can even hold a candle to the deep reverence I cherish doing bridal work...

All the best on your journey Anais