Hopcraft Collective

Hopcraft Collective began in 2004 as a small team of hair and makeup professionals. Amanda Hopcraft founded the business, and it has served Florida brides for about two decades. By 2016 it had expanded into Georgia, upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The team now includes more than 20 makeup and hair specialists, and the business says its on-location operation is the first of its kind. Some team members have also worked in television and film and have had their work published in online and print outlets.

A bride's work with the team starts with an inquiry, after which the team sends more information. The business offers concierge-style support from that first contact through the wedding day, including adjustments to the bridal look, and says it aims to keep these relationships going beyond the wedding. In Florida, brides usually have a hair and makeup preview at the Bridal Lounge in downtown St. Augustine, which is equipped for getting ready. In New York and Vermont the team recommends a preview session before the wedding day instead. A preview is a meeting with the artist or stylist who will work on the day, used to settle on one complete look and hairstyle with minor adjustments allowed. Previews and trials are recommended or optional rather than required, and the suggested time to book a preview is when the dress is in hand or about two months before the wedding.

Wedding-day hair and makeup usually runs about one to one and a half hours overall, with each service taking roughly 30 to 45 minutes. The team sets arrival and finish times based on how many people are in the party and which services are booked. Each member of the wedding party gets around 30 minutes. Makeup applied in the morning is expected to last 12 to 16 hours. Once the whole party has been served, the team touches up everyone before leaving. Touch-ups are also recommended if the bride wants a different look for the evening after the ceremony, and for weddings in July, August, or September. Everyone who has makeup applied receives false lashes, and single-use applicators are used wherever they can be. Tools and cosmetics are wiped down with 70% isopropyl alcohol between clients. The makeup artists bring a kit that suits every skin tone, so clients don't need to supply their own foundation unless they have a specific allergy.

Quotes are tailored by consultation. According to the business, pricing starts at $300 for bride's makeup and $275 for bride's hair, depending on the market, and average spending for a bride and five attendants is $2,000 to $3,200 in Florida and $2,950 to $4,500 in New York and Vermont. Bride's hair and makeup cost more because the business spends an average of three to six hours with each bride, from first contact through follow-up after the wedding. The business does not offer discounts. The standard on-location minimum is the bride plus five guests, depending on the time of year, and travel is charged at $1 per mile per service provider, round trip, with additional fees possible. Many clients secure their date 12 to 16 months ahead, and Saturdays and March through October book quickly. The team limits the number of events it takes on each year.

Outside of weddings, the team creates looks for engagement shoots, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, day-after photo sessions, boudoir, maternity and professional headshots, and other special occasions. The artists also take on commercial, print, television, and film projects. The business offers makeup instruction as well. A private in-person one-on-one class costs $125 for 50 minutes or $200 for 90 minutes. A private one-on-one class over Zoom is $150 for 90 minutes. Bridal makeup classes range from $250 to $350, with the price depending on skill level, class length, and location. Private students get a review of what's in their existing makeup bag and a tailored list of products to buy. Two-hour group classes run several times a year in different locations, and pricing for them is set by location.

Concierge-style, relationship-focused service that begins with the first inquiry, continues through the wedding day, and is guided by core values of artistry, trust, care, inclusivity, and excellence. The business says luxury means looking and feeling extraordinary.

A downtown St. Augustine Bridal Lounge set up for getting ready.