Meet Amanda Perry, Owner of Amanda M Perry LLC – Hair & Airbrush Makeup! With 13 years of experience in the hair and makeup industry, you can expect nothing less than excellence from Amanda and her team. Read more and get to know Amanda, from her business to personal interests!
Hayes & Fisk Photography
If you care to share, how did you get to where you are now?
I fell in love with the beauty industry through working with my Aunt, Lou Stevens (of Lou Stevens Glam Squad) and ended up running that company as CEO for almost 10 years.
Then I got an unexpected phone call that would ultimately change the course of my career and make me realize that I was tired. Tired of running a large business and managing a big team of people. The two people I loved the most, my husband and my son, got the worst of me every week because slowly I’d gotten myself to the point of letting my job take over my life. The craziest part is that I didn’t even realize it had gotten to that point! I loved what I was doing, I just was losing that quality time I so desperately needed at this state of my little family’s lives! I needed to return to a place of balance between my work life and my personal life, and then it became clear I was being led to start my own little team of artists.
So, Amanda M Perry LLC happened. Now I can do what I love, with a fantastic team of handpicked talented artists from around the state! My team is only the best of the best and we would LOVE to talk to you!
What makes you or your business stand out and why should a couple hire you?
I’ve been doing wedding hair and makeup for almost 13 years now, and with that comes so much knowledge not only of techniques to make things stand out (I have a signature finish and polish for all my updos so there are no little flyaways for photos, photographers love it!) but also a level of professionalism. I’ve never missed a wedding, and you are guaranteed to be paired with myself or an artist that is of my standard to service your wedding. We are a small but mighty team at Amanda M Perry and not everyone makes the cut! All artists are licensed or certified with training from me on how I do things to make sure you’re getting the same level of service every time. Plus, we’re super fun to have around on the morning of your getting ready! That helps, talent is one thing but I mean you need a team you can hang with for a few hours too! We’ll happily blend into the background and work or join in on the fun conversations!
Woose and Willie Photography
What’s your favorite thing about working in the wedding industry?
Now that I have the salon side of things, my favorite thing is to connect with brides way before their wedding day and work on their dream color and cut AND be able to be with them on that special day! I think being able to hear your story, and see what things we have in common and become friends beyond just one day is my favorite part of the wedding industry. Getting messages from brides the morning after their wedding saying “My updo is still intact the next morning!” or “Everyone couldn’t believe how pretty and natural my makeup was, I was so scared before seeing you but its perfect!” are still some of my favorite moments.
What’s a unique tip you tell your couples?
Don’t skimp on hair and makeup. You definitely get what you pay for in this category and while you should absolutely stick with the budget you are most comfortable with, these photos are what lasts a lifetime and you’d hate for your hair to fall out, or makeup to run, or worse, that your artist cancels on you! Do your research, and choose a team that you feel comfortable with. There are so many amazing artists in Richmond and my team and I would be honored if you chose us and placed your trust in our services!
Woose and Willie Photography
What’s your best piece of advice for couples planning a wedding?
Enjoy being engaged. I got married in 2013 and I remember the planning was the absolute most fun. Celebrate all the milestones, enjoy your bachelorette party, the showers, and date nights along the way with your spouse. We also did a delayed honeymoon and went a month after our wedding and that was SO nice! It helped us prolong the festivities and we weren’t left with the wedding hangover right after the wedding because we knew we had a few weeks to settle in and then we got to go on our honeymoon so that was fun to look forward to!
What’s your favorite moment during a wedding?
I mean, is saying getting ready a cliche? I am in the beauty industry, and being with your girls is the most fun! It’s the calm before the storm, you get to relax and enjoy. But I also really love when the bride comes out to walk down the aisle. I always look to see the grooms face, and it basically makes me cry every time. It’s so special for me to look at his face as everyone else is focused on the bride! Always tells so much about the couple!
What are your favorite wedding trends right now?
Soft and natural hair and makeup.
Color! Everything has been so neutral for the last few years, I love when there’s a little more color in wedding decor.
Woose and Willie Photography
How do you de-stress?
Going to the movies, I can zone out and actually unplug for 2 hours and bury myself in a bucket of popcorn!
What’s your favorite food/dish/cuisine?
Donuts! I am a sucker for sugar shack … that chocolate frosted M & M donut is like heaven to me!
What’s a fun or unusual fact about you?
I ran a marathon! 26.2 miles back in 2010..and I will never do it again haha! Spent so much time training for it, literally consumed my life. It was a cool bucket list thing to check off though!
Woose and Willie Photography
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on now?
Personally, planning a trip to Disney with my kiddo for his 5th birthday.
Professionally, putting together some little thank you bags for all my salon clients and brides.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Garth Brooks! I was lucky enough to spend my 12th birthday with him backstage before his show and it was a concert I will never forget!
Also, the Zac Brown Band with Avett Brothers at Nationals Park was pretty amazing!
Do you love to travel? If so, what are some must-see destinations?
YESSSSSSSS!!!! I love cruises; if you’ve never been they’re a must. You get so much bang for your buck and get to go to a few different places on one trip. Our favorite was a 7-day cruise we just did on the Oasis of the Seas. We went to Haiti, Jamaica and Mexico and my son loved Haiti the best. You go to a little private island and the water was just so clear!!!
Hayes & Fisk Photography
What is your favorite season of the year and why?
“What’s better Christmas or wedding season? WEDDING SEASON!!!!!”
Actually, I love summer. We have a little place down by Lake Gaston and its nice to be able to sneak away for the weekend and enjoy lake life with our friends!
Anything else you want our followers to know?
My husband, son and I along with the whole Amanda M Perry team want to say “THANK YOU” for supporting our little families, whether you are a client or you just share a post, it means the world to all of us to have the best people cheering us on! It’s such an honor to be a part of your story!
Learn more about Amanda and how she can help you plan the wedding of your dreams on her website!