Our most popular questions are answered here for you!
If you have any other questions please feel free to contact us at beauty@gatherandstitch.com.
GENERAL:
What is the best way to contact you?
The best way to contact us is via email or through our website. You can expect a response within a few days. Emails are checked and responded to Monday – Friday. If you don’t receive a response, please contact us via phone to check that your email has been received. You can also contact us via the phone number on our contacts page. Best times for phone calls are between 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.
Where are you located?
We are physically located in Carlingford, Sydney Australia. We have a home based studio that caters to hair, makeup and our fashion services.
What are your work hours?
Our work ‘office’ hours are Monday to Friday are 9:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am – 12:00noon.This is the best time to call us. You must make an appointment if you would like to come and see us during this time. We do make late appointments on weekdays between 5:00pm – 6:30pm, 1 day each week depending on bookings and availabilities. For Hair and Makeup services, we are available around the clock, 7 days a week but times and charges will depend on each individual booking.
How do I pay for my services?
We only take payments in direct bank transfer or cash. The details on when and how to pay will be on your invoice or booking email.
HAIR AND MAKEUP :
WHAT WE DO:
Who do you do hair and makeup for?
We do hair and makeup for events relating to weddings, engagement, birthdays, formals, wedding guests, photoshoots, editorial etc.
How many people can I book?
We have a team that can cater to large numbers. For most of our bookings we will provide two Gather and Stitch team members for hair and makeup. Timing will effect how many people you can book. For accurate information on timing and possibilities, it would be best to fill out the ‘online quote page’.
LOCATION:
Where do I come to?
We have a home based studio located in Carlingford, NSW, Australia and usually do our bookings there. If however you would like us to come to you, please provide us with your details on enquiry. Please keep in mind we have a minimum number for call outs, and call out fees do apply. This will be catered to each individual booking.
Do you have a mobile service and is there a minimum?
We do have a mobile service that can come to you. We have a minimum number that applies for ‘call out’ bookings and will depend on location, timing and availability. Our call out fees are charged according to the distance and time taken to travel put to you.
In the event that we are required to come to a house/hotel/motel/serviced apartment etc, that requires payment for parking, please ensure that you have a parking spot organised for us prior to our arrival.Valet parking service is required for all hotel, motel and services apartment bookings. All parking/fees/charges are to be covered by the client. Any extra expenses incurred after the event will be charged back to the client.
Do you do interstate and overseas destinations?
We can do interstate and international destinations. There will be an extra charge depending on distance and time taken to travel. All travel costs (flights, transport, accommodation) will been to be covered by the client.
PROCESS:
Who can I expect on the day of my booking?
All our Gather and Stitch stylists are friendly, qualified and professional (that’s why they work for us!). We try our best to keep you booked with the stylist you initially did a trial with (if applicable). However if someone is unable to complete your booking due to an unforeseen event or circumstance, we will provide with you another member of our highly skilled team.
How far in advance do I need to make a booking for my wedding, formal or special occasion?
As far in advance as you like! We recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
How do I secure my booking?
Once you have decided to go through with the booking we will send you an invoice. Your order is confirmed when the deposit has been paid for.
What are the terms and conditions involved with making a booking?
The terms and conditions surrounding a hair and makeup booking will be emailed to you with your booking. You can view our terms and conditions by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page.
PRODUCTS + TOUCH UPS:
What products do you use?
We believe that no one brand creates the very best of all makeup products. This is why we use a combination of some of the best brands on the market; including but not limited to Make Up Forever, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Mac, ByTerry, Tom Ford, Kevyn Aucoin, Bobbi Brown, NARS, Napoleon, Urban Decay and Anastasia Beverly Hills.
Do I need any products to touch up with?
Our makeup and hair is known for its longevity. During your trial or your hair and makeup session we will inform you of ways to make it longer lasting. The client can be responsible for their own touch-ups in this case. If you would like to book a Touch Up and Change booking with us later in the day, you can mention that on enquiry and we will discuss your day, pricing and possibilities with you.
What if I have allergies?
If you have any existing skin conditions, allergies, infections or health conditions that can have an impact on the application of your make up, please notify us. (e.g. exzema, cold sores, rosacea etc)Due to hygiene and safety reasons, we may avoid treating areas of your face/neck if you have any infections.
Can I get fake lashes?
If you are getting your make up done by Gather and Stitch and would like to wear fake lashes, it will be at an additional amount (Lashes are only included for the Bride on her wedding day). We will only apply lashes supplied from Gather and Stitch – please do not bring your own.
PREPARATION + TIMING:
Is there anything that we need to do in preparation for getting our make-up & hair done?
Yes please! We want you to have the best possible outcome from your appointment with us. For this reason, 1 week – 3 days before your booking you will be emailed hair and makeup preparation details. This is to ensure the quality and longevity of the work that we do. It will be the clients responsibility to follow these instructions. Extra charges may apply if they are to be completed by the stylists on the day. Failure to follow these instructions may reduce the quality of our services.
How long should I allow for make-up and hair styling for my special event?
The time you leave for your hair and makeup will be determined by the number of people booked, type of event and if it is completed at the studio or on location. We can decide on the time once you give us a finishing time (for everyone booked that day). We recommend you take into consideration your travel time after your hair and makeup and photographer/videographer timing if applicable.
PRICING:
How do you create your pricing?
We price per client depending on their role (e.g. guest, bride, bridesmaids, mother of the bride etc) and also the type of event (birthday, graduation, wedding etc). We provide a flat price based on the variables above and are not determined by length of hair or a ‘heavy’ / ‘light’ makeup application.
Our prices are based on the current market value and is a reflection of the high quality, training, experience and longevity of the service that we provide. Our services are very different to hairdressing services or an in-store / cosmetics brand application of makeup. We are trained and skilled to tailor each look to meet their specific requirements of each and everyone of our clients.
Additional costs such as call out fees and early morning charges will be made clear to you before your booking is confirmed. Our call out charges are calculated from the distance travelled from our studio based in Carlingford + time taken to travel. The early morning charges are based from starting times before 7:00am and after 5:00pm and increase per hour before or after these times. If same day travel is required for call out locations that are more than 1 hour from our studio in Carlingford, the early morning/late finish fee charges will include the travel time to and from your location. If your appointment location changes after a quote has been supplied and a deposit has been paid, additional charges may be incurred to reflect these changes.
If the client has booked incorrectly (eg. booked as guest when instead they are the bride), you may incur an additional fee to the value of the accurate service. This will be incurred before the completion of the service.
Why is the Bride’s price different to the Bridesmaid’s prices?
The Bride’s hair and make up charges are a reflection of the time, quality and planning that goes into providing the bride with the perfect look for their special day. Often, bridal hair and make up can take up to two times longer than normal clients to ensure that we provide a long lasting look for their special day. Whilst the level of quality will not change for bridesmaids or other guests makeup, the Bride is the main focus on the day. Bridesmaid and guest hair and make up is much quicker, especially when we are adapting a similar look to each girl.
Do you offer any discounts?
All our prices are standard and accurate to the date you receive a quote. We receive a high volume of enquires and many of our clients book us in for multiple days over their wedding events. In order to provide a fair and accurate pricing system for all our clients, we do not offer any discounts for any of our bookings.
TRIALS:
Should I do a trial?
We do recommend that brides so a trial if this is your first time booking us and you are particular about your style. If this is your first time with makeup, full coverage or false lashes, we recommend a trial. A trial will ensure a confident and smooth wedding day.
When should I do a trial and what can I expect?
We recommend a trial at least 3 months from your wedding date. This leaves enough time to buy hair accessories, hair extensions or other items if needed. Our trials are completed 100% to your exact look for the day. We encourage you wear the trial throughout the day to trial the longevity of the look. Trials are usually conducted during daylight hours to as this is the best time to accurately view the work. If you decide to change your look after the trial, thats fine! That’s what trials are for. You may or may not decide to book another trial afterwards. Some clients do, others are happy to make the changes on the day.