Getting married this winter? Better rush to book your makeup artist in midsummer

With only three very auspicious wedding dates, known as saya dates, in 2018 — November 19, December 11 and 12 — brides in Delhi-NCR are racing to book their preferred makeup artists... six months in advance!

The fine line separating a gorgeous bride and a fright night bride is often drawn by the makeup artist’s brush. No surprise, then, that bookings for bridal makeup begin well in advance. But this year, with apparently only three saya dates (very auspicious dates for weddings) — November 19, December 11 and 12 — good makeup artists are being snapped up six months in advance.

Perfect bridal makeup is a big deal and women in Delhi-NCR find themselves competing fiercely to get the best artists. (Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“Yes, the saya dates are very limited this year. Not that you can’t get married on other dates. By matching kundlis of the couple, one can find another date, too. But these three dates are the most auspicious,” says astrologer Nitin Manchanda.

“Saya dates always mean a lot of work for us. But this year, with only three dates, the calls and bookings have already begun. In fact, we’re already fully booked for November 19,” says South Delhi-based makeup artist Samaira Sandhu. “We won’t be able to take any outstation bookings, as we’d then lose out on a lot of local customers,” she adds.

Makeup artist Aashmeen Munjaal says that saya dates are demanding for everyone. “I don’t take more than 10 bookings a day, and I already have seven for November 19. So, clients who want makeup done by me will have to opt for [my team’s] senior makeup artists instead,” she explains. “Acche options sabke liye limited ho jaate hain.”

The struggle is real for bride-to-be Payal Verma, who is to get married on December 12. “I haven’t started anything else except for this. I don’t want to spend too much on my makeup and that already limits my options,” she laments, adding, “Jo bache-kuche options hain, usme se half are booked. Six months to go and I’m still in the waiting list! What’s a girl to do?”

Another bride, Akanksha, tells us how she realised the frantic pace of bookings being done around the city. “My shaadi date is December 12. I thought I have enough time to book an artist, get a lehenga, book a venue. I was sure ki makeup artist toh sabse easily book ho jayega. But, when I spoke to the artist I wanted, he said he was booked. I spoke to the second artist I had in mind, but she was also booked! Tab laga ki makeup artist mei itni dikkat hai toh, baaki mei kya haal hoga.”

Rattled by this, Akanksha has alerted her dad to the urgency of booking a venue, so that at least she wouldn’t have to compromise there.

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