REAL Supplier Spotlight – Nina Gregory
It's time for our monthly catchup with a hand-picked supplier from the REAL Directory. We picked the lovely Nina Gregory's brains to find out what you need to know about booking a hair and makeup artist. Grab a cuppa and find out what Nina loves about the wedding industry and the trends she's noticed...

What do you love most about working in the wedding industry?
The diversity. The innovative creativity of each bride and groom never ceases to amaze me. Given that you can get married anywhere in the world or any venue now opens up a whole world of style, budget and dreamy wedding days. I love being part of the industry watching other creative businesses take part and watch everyone’s vision become a reality. No wedding is ever the same.

What question do you get asked most by couples?
Can you recreate this…. Most couples/brides know what they want but given the huge social media influence it’s about adapting a vision and manage expectation and budget to suit the individual couple.

What wedding trends have you noticed recently?
Huge weddings! Big weddings have really made a comeback. For a few years it was about small, very personal intimate weddings but now everyone wants to share their big day with families and friends and with the diverse venues in the UK and destinations weddings… size really doesn’t matter.

Do you have any tips for couples looking to save money on their wedding?
Always try and do research for everything and set realistic budgets. With hair and make up really speak to your wedding party and find out exactly who wants what. Seeing as weddings are bigger now, nine bridesmaids for full hair and make up will make a dent in the budget so make a decision early and stick to it. It’s easy to get carried away with so many extras but having a good budget guide at the beginning of a wedding will keep you grounded.

What should couples bear in mind when contacting you about their wedding?
Dates and timings…. I’m pretty much booked for 2020 with destination weddings on the increase for Europe, most wedding suppliers book one to two years in advance. If you are having an early wedding take into consideration preparation timing for hair and make up. Even with a team of three artists time will be of the essence so timings are very important.

Anything you’d like to add?
I’m looking forward to still being crazy busy with all my 2019 brides in the UK, Italy and Spain and meeting new wonderful creative suppliers in the wedding industry. No wedding is the same and I love to see everyone’s day pan out to be their own piece of magic.
Nina Gregory is Kent-based but covers the whole of the UK as well as destination weddings. Check out her page in the REAL Directory and why not click on the heart to save her to your profile?
Join the conversation over on our Facebook group for REAL brides to be!