Vendor Spotlight: Kim Doll Onsite Wedding Stylist

French’s Point Estate is thrilled to continue our series of blog posts spotlighting amazing Maine wedding vendors that help to make weddings at our waterfront wedding venue not only successful but truly the embodiment of the experience our clients strive to craft for their family and friends. This series will showcase some of the best providers from our vibrant, talented, dedicated wedding industry community we are so proud to be a part of here in Maine and New England. This group of professional wedding vendors understands and adheres to our guiding principles for the service we endeavor to provide our clients: Be Responsive, Be Kind, Provide Excellent Customer Service, Provide the Very Best Product/Service. Because of these wonderful people, the celebrations here are French’s Point Estate are the stuff of which dreams are made!

Here at French’s Point, Kim Doll of Kim Doll Onsite Wedding Stylist is a “go-to” provider for beautiful hair design. Her skill for helping the ladies look their very best on special occasions is incredible. I picked Kim to style our hair for two recent family photo sessions. Kim arrived for both photoshoots with her beautiful smile, calming energy and awesome talent. First, she came for to style us for photos of my immediate family. She styled my hair in a way that integrated the head-piece I wore on my wedding day. It was so unexpected and very creative and beautiful. Kim and I chatted away as she styled my 8-year-old’s hair with a beautiful floral crown. She then styled my mother’s hair and then my grandmother’s, making us all look lovely and feel relaxed in her capable hands. She came again a few months later and styled a number of our extended family members and did a beautiful job. She kept us laughing and smiling the whole time!

It may seem like such a small detail, but feeling like you are in the care of someone who is invested in making you look and feel your very best, makes such an amazing difference on a special occasion. Kim’s clients love her:

When you put yourself in Kim Doll’s capable hands, the stress of the day seems to disappear. She’s a savvy articulate stylist who has the knack of getting to know her clients while developing a plan for their look. Kim has the uncanny ability to visualize what her next move is like no other artist I have ever worked with.
– Karen M. Benjamen-Lerman

I could not have said it better myself. Let me introduce you to my talented and skilled secret weapon, Kim Doll.

–Jessika Brooks-Brewer, French’s Point Owner

How long have you been operating your business?

I have been operating Kim Doll Onsite Wedding Stylist for a little over 16 years. I’ve seen a lot of trends come and go, but what always remains the same is the excitement of the bride and family. My job affords me a behind-the-scenes look at these special occasions and the families that put them together. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of their day. It’s a very different perspective than most other vendors because we have the ability to actually touch our clients.

What would be your most sage advice for a client having an outdoor wedding in Maine?

My advice for brides would be to have your hair washed the day before. Realize that Maine weather is always changing, and that means having a realistic expectation for wind and rain. It’s beautiful to have long tresses cascading all around your beautiful dress, but the reality is that no matter how many pins, anchors, or hair products we use, there is a chance that the client is going to wind up with hair blowing all over the place. I really try to persuade brides to either pick something that can be anchored down or a backup hairstyle that can be easily pinned up.

How long does it take to style hair for each client on the wedding day?

On the wedding day, it usually takes me about 25 – 30 minutes per bridesmaid or mother, and 30 – 45 minutes for the bride. I work very fast and always have a list to keep me on task. Timeliness is absolutely necessary on the wedding day. I have an order, which usually ends with the bride, which allows us the most amount of time together for retouches.

Do you enjoy working on location?

I love the fact that I am able to work onsite; my tools of the trade are very portable. It also makes things far less chaotic for brides and their families, which, let’s face it, is part of the reason we are in this service industry.

Would you recommend always doing a trial run before the Big Day for the client, if so, how much does it cost?

A few things come to mind. First, make sure that a pre-bridal consultation has been scheduled!!!! It does not matter if it is two hours or two months before. This is a client’s opportunity to meet, ask questions, have some uninterrupted time with me to really get exactly what they want and expect on their special day. It is something that I require in order to book a wedding. It usually takes a couple of hours, but I cannot say enough how important this time is. This is the best way to ensure realistic expectations for everyone.

The cost is $130.00. A 15-minute conversation with a nervous bride and mother can save a multitude of tears later. I’ve always worked this way. I’m usually fortunate enough to book my makeup trial at the same time. This is also a great way to coordinate schedules and personalities together.

Do you like to see a picture of the client’s dress or attire, or hairpiece, as well as hair idea images before the wedding day?

I ask clients to bring pictures of their dresses, hairstyles, flowers, and anything else that inspires them. At the pre-bridal, I usually do 3 – 4 styles and then do something that maybe the client hasn’t even thought of.

What is your favorite day trip in Maine?

My favorite day trip in Maine is really anywhere at any beach. I’ve always summered in Maine and I’m still enamored with the beauty of the sea. We are so fortunate to live here.

Kim Doll
Kim Doll Onsite Wedding Stylist
www.kimberlydoll.com

Featured photo by Haven Photography