Meet our January Supplier of the Month: Vik's Hairdressing

*Photo Credit: Capture Every Moment

Each month we like to get to know a supplier even better and bring you snippets you won't know about them from their page. This month our supplier of the month is Vik’s hairdressing, an experienced bridal hair stylist who loves to help you look and feel the best version of you on your big day. Vik's hairdressing is based in Swindon, covering Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and The Cotswold's.

With experience, comes loads of great ideas and suggestions that Viki is able to share with you. From making sure your hair is in the best condition prior to your wedding day, timescales required for changes to colour, or hair styles that would suit you, your bridal party and your dress… Viki has all the knowledge required to help your create your dream bridal look.

Read on to hear what Viki had to say when we ask her about when to book your hair stylist, upcoming trends, her favourite settings, the start of Vik’s Hairdressing and so much more...

* Photo Credit: Photography by Sally-Anne

Who runs Vik’s Hairdressing and how did you start out in business?

Just me, myself and 1! However, for large bridal party’s I can enlist the assistance of additional trusted wedding hair stylists to give me a helping hand.

I started hairdressing in 2012 after leaving school and doing an apprenticeship. In 2017 I took the plunge to set up my own business, being my own boss… and Vik’s Hairdressing was born! Although I offer a full hair styling service (salon based and mobile), I have placed my focus on bridal hair and I absolutely LOVE it.

What is your greatest fear when you are working on a wedding?

My greatest fear is the bride changing her mind about the hair style chosen on the day! I always insist that we do a trial prior to your wedding where we can take lots of pictures and try on different hair accessories too, so that you are completely satisfied and confident in the look you have chosen! I also welcome you inviting any of your bridal party to your trial as extra opinions from those that mean the most to you can be important.

What is your greatest extravagance that helps you get through the day?

I will always use the best products I possibly can. My one go-to product is TIGI masterpiece hairspray, it’s the strongest hold hairspray I have tried that still allows movement to the hair. But… if we are talking of everyday life, I do love a bar of chocolate or even a cupcake from fellow Whitewedder Kimmi’s Cakes – they are just so yummy!!!

What is the best theme you have seen at a wedding?

The best theme I have seen at a wedding happens to be from one of my closest friends. Her and her husband went for an Alice and wonderland theme - it was amazing with a beautiful cake that complimented their theme perfectly.

What is the hardest thing a couple has ever asked you to do for their day?

The hardest thing I’ve ever been asked to do was by the one of the bridesmaids. She was asked to tie the bride’s grandmothers wedding ring to her bouquet, and she asked if I could help her. I oversaw holding the ring in place while she tied the rope. It was a pleasure to be asked, but I was so nervous about helping her do such a sentimental moment. I think both myself and the bridesmaid were relieved when the service was over, and the ring was taken off! I’m fortunate enough to still be hairdressing for the bride, and we still talk about that moment now when I do her hair!

When was the last time you laughed out loud at a wedding? What happened?

The last time I laughed out loud at a wedding was only back in November when my bride was handing out her gifts to her bridesmaids. As they opened their gifts, one of the bridesmaids had the wrong gift which was meant for the groom’s sister! We all had a good chuckle about it as the bridesmaids carried on opening their gifts!

I also managed to make them all laugh as every gift they opened I kept saying ‘I know what you’ve got’ to them as the bride is one of my regular clients so I’d been hearing all about the wedding plans leading up to the wedding. It’s always lovely to listen to my brides wedding plans and the finer details that they sometimes share with me.

*Photo Credit: The Little Photo Company Ltd

What moment are you most proud of in your profession?

I reached the 2-year milestone of Vik’s Hairdressing in November this year, and I’m really proud to have reached it. I started Vik’s Hairdressing when I was only 21, and I was understandably nervous about taking the leap into business ownership as you never know how things are going to take off. I’m so proud to be saying 2 years on that I am still living my dream and saving up for my first house with my fiance. It was the best decision I ever made, and I am proud of myself for believing and striving for my dream.

Where is your favourite setting for a wedding?

This year I fell in love with barn weddings! I did a styled shoot at the beautiful Oxleaze barn this year with many Whitewed suppliers included! It was so lovely seeing it all dressed for a wedding. Another beautiful venue I worked at this year too was The Hare and Hounds in Tetbury which again was such a beautiful setting. I am also very excited to be working at some fabulous new venues next year that I haven’t worked at yet – you’ll have to follow me on social media if you want to see just where I’ve been too!

What is the one thing you can’t live without in your job?

I can’t live without my back coming brush, its perfect for adding volume, height and smoothing out curls. It’s a tool I will never go to a wedding without! And my hairspray of course!

*Photo Credit: Photography By Sally-Anne at Ingleside House

What question do you wish every couple/bride would ask you when you are meeting with them for the first time?

One question that a Bride should always ask their hair stylist is ‘Will you be leaving straight after finishing my hair?’

The answer for me is so easy – I will never leave before you are 100% happy. I allow the whole day dedicated to you and your bridal party, so I am more than happy to stay with you until you are ready to walk down the aisle to marry the love of your life! If I’m not busy doing hair, you will see me floating around helping in any way I can - I am everything you need me to be and more! Whether that is doing up the buttons on your dress as your bridesmaids can’t (usually because they have nails on their not used to!!! You’ll be surprised how useful a pin tail comb can be for buttons) or, talking to the father of the bride and assuring him that even though his little girl is getting married there will always be a place for him. What’s important to me is your day is everything you’ve dreamt of and more, so I will go beyond the tasks of a wedding hairstylist to see that this is always the case.

There is also one question that I always like to ask my bride’s, so it’s great when they come to me ready with the answer! ‘What time does your photographer or wedding coordinator want you ready by?’.

All photographers like to take pictures of the bride before she walks down the aisle, even if they aren’t capturing their bridal prep. If the bride knows the answer to this question, I am then able to plan all my timings for prep, bridal party, bride and any last-minute extras or alterations. At most venues you will have a dedicated wedding coordinator, they will be keeping a close eye on the schedule making sure that you’re not late (well too late, every bride is allowed to run a bit fashionably late!). I will always make sure I finish your hair an hour before you’re due to get married but if you’d like it to be earlier that is no problem either.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?

I draw a lot of my inspirations from following different bridal hairstylists on Instagram - I love seeing their work and watching their tutorials before bringing my own twist to the styles and trying them out on my friends first! I like to keep myself up to date with the latest trends coming through and keeping my skills on-trend and well-rehearsed! In February 2020 I’m going on a two-day course in with Lauren Gosling Hair, and I can’t wait to show you what I get up to and the new styles I create – I’ll be sharing these on Instagram and Facebook so keep an eye out for it!

*Photo Credit: Capture Every Moment

What would people be surprised to learn about you and/or your work?

Many hairdressers come across or are perceived as rather girly which I am to some extent but there is also a lot more to me! I love having my hair, nails and eyelashes done, but I also love putting on my protective gear and jumping on the back of my fiance's motorbike and heading to a local bike meeting too!

Do you offer bridal packages?

I offer a bridal package for my brides at £120.00. This includes the bridal hair on the day, a 2-hour trial and an initial consultation prior too. From the consultation we can put together a plan for your trial, we can look at any styles you like the look of and put together which ones will suit you, your hair and your dress. This means we can make the most of the allocated time. You’re more than welcome to have a longer trial or an additional trial with a small extra fee charged.

Do you have a style or technique that you specialise in?

I love a half up, half down with a messy feel to it, saying that, I also love a messy up-do as well! Although I wouldn’t say I specialise in a style as I don’t think there is a style that I don’t love, you could probably say I’m particularly fond of a ‘messy feel’ style!

*Photo Credit: Capture Every Moment

In addition to bridal hair-styling, what else do you offer?

When I’m not styling any of my beautiful brides, you will find me doing my normal day to day hairdressing. This is anything from cuts, blow dry’s, colours, balayage’s and vivid colours. By being a fully qualified hairdresser, this means I can help get your hair into its healthiest state and the colour your dreaming off for your big day. Having your hair colour and condition as you want it, is key to your wedding. This means that you will love every image that you can see your hair in. Having no spilt ends showing in your pictures is especially vital when you’re having any curls down.

When do you recommend a bride makes their initial contact with you?

As I am a full-time hairdresser, I work weekends in my normal day to day hairdressing. This does mean I am limited to Saturday weddings; so, if you’re keen for me to be your stylist, I would advise booking in with me at least 6 – 12 months in advance. I am also available for mid-week, Sunday and bank holiday weddings.

I am happy for you to make contact and gain a quote from me, without any obligation to book me for your hair. I know weddings can be expensive (I will be planning my own one day soon) so I’m more than happy to provide an initial quote and let you come back to me in the future (if you wish too) when the timing suits you.

Are there any obvious hair trends for 2020?

Keeping up with the hair fashion trends is something I try hard to do. So far, the trends are middle parting and straight sleek hair or ponytails. We’ve also seen the soft waves and chunky headbands starting to creep in too. But the trends change so much that who knows what could be on trend for 2020! But… don’t forget to make your own trend, don’t try to keep up with something you don’t like just because its on trend! You need to feel yourself on your wedding and that’s most important.

*Photo Credit: The Little Photo Company Ltd

Loved finding out a few unknown gems about Vik’s Hairdressing? If you head over to her Whitewed Directory Page you can find out even more, swoon through images of her styled shoots and gorgeous hair styles, and make contact to arrange your initial consultation or quote today.

Why not also follow Vik’s Hairdressing on Instagram and Facebook for inspiration, top tips, exciting sneak peeks and the follow up from her February Course!

Hopefully you’ve found out lots of useful information from us on Vik’s Hairdressing, now it’s your time to introduce yourself to her and find out even more for yourself…