Every bride wants to feel confident, radiant, and stress-free on her wedding day—and your hair and makeup play a huge role in that. In this episode, I sit down with Linda from Linda V Salon, a Phoenix-based bridal beauty expert who has built her reputation on creating timeless looks that truly last, from happy tears to hours of dancing.

Linda shares what to look for when choosing your hair and makeup artist, how far in advance to book, and her best advice for preparing for a smooth, relaxed wedding morning. We also dive into the importance of a bridal trial, tips for making your beauty last through hugs, heat, and emotions, and what to do if you’re a bride who doesn’t usually wear much makeup but still wants to feel extra special.

Whether you’re planning a big bridal party or just want to feel like the best version of yourself, Linda’s insight and calm approach will help you feel prepared and confident for the big day.

Interview Questions Covered

1. Linda shares her journey into bridal hair and makeup and what inspired her to open her company.
2. Key qualities to look for in a hair and makeup artist.
3. How far in advance to book hair and makeup.
4. Tips for preparing for a smooth wedding morning.
5. Handling large bridal parties and when to bring in a team.
6. What to expect during a bridal trial and how to prepare.
7. Best practices for long-lasting hair and makeup (tears, hugs, Arizona heat, dancing).
8. Advice for brides who don’t usually wear much makeup but want to feel radiant.
9. One universal piece of advice Linda gives to every bride.
10. How to connect with Linda and learn more about her services.
11. Linda’s perspective on how a wedding day is about more than just the wedding itself.

✨ Connect with Linda V Salon:
www.lindavsalon.com/weddings

About Linda V Salon
Linda and her team specialize in creating timeless, natural, or glam bridal looks, offering both in-salon and on-site services across Phoenix. Their artistry includes advanced techniques like airbrush makeup, tattoo cover-up, and seamless hair extensions. Linda emphasizes personalized schedules, stress-free mornings, and beauty that lasts all night—from tears and hugs to dancing. Brides can choose customized packages for themselves and their bridal parties, with detailed timelines tailored to ensure the morning runs smoothly. 

Highlight from Linda V Salon

• On-location or in-salon bridal services.
• Expertise in natural, glam, and timeless looks.
• Bridal trials recommended to ensure the perfect look.
• Uses double-layering makeup techniques to withstand emotions and movement.
• Personalized schedules to keep the bridal party stress-free and on time.
• Serving Phoenix and surrounding areas (25-mile travel radius).

Planning a wedding comes with what feels like a million decisions—but before you dive into the details, there are four foundational choices that will shape your entire planning journey:

1. Guest Count – Why starting with a realistic number matters and how it impacts every other decision.
2. Budget – How to approach it without stress and make sure it reflects your priorities.
3. Date – Tips for choosing a wedding date that makes sense for you, your families, and your venue.
4. Venue – Why this is often the biggest piece of the puzzle and how to make the right choice.

In this episode, I’m joined by April Warner, our Director of Team Development and Senior Lead Planner, to walk you through each of these steps. Together, we’ll share insider insights, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips to help you feel confident in your earliest (and most important!) wedding decisions.

Whether you’re newly engaged or feeling stuck on where to start, this conversation will give you a clear path forward—so you can plan with more joy and less overwhelm.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The order you should make your first wedding decisions
• How your guest count drives your budget (and why it’s not just about numbers)
• Smart ways to set a budget that actually works for you
• What to consider when choosing your wedding date
• Why your venue decision impacts nearly every other choice you’ll make

Gift for You: 

•  Download our complete Wedding Budget Checklist with every line item you’ll want to consider → Download Here

Links & Resources:

• Follow along on Instagram: @jstarrweddingcompany
• Visit my website for planning tools & resources: www.jstarrweddingcompany.com

Let’s Connect:
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes of More Than Just a Wedding. And if you found this helpful, I’d love it if you’d leave a review—it helps other couples discover the show!

Hi All!

I’m so excited to officially introduce the More Than Just a Wedding podcast! This has been a dream in the making, and I’m thrilled to finally bring it to life.

This podcast is about so much more than logistics, timelines, and to-do lists. It’s about the heart behind a wedding—the relationships, the meaning, and the life that unfolds long after the big day. My hope is that each episode will inspire you, encourage you, and remind you that your wedding is just the beginning of something even greater.

I can’t wait to share these conversations and reflections with you. Thanks for being here at the very start of this journey—I’m so glad to have you along. 

💛Jennifer Starr