I really wanted to love my experience at The Salon at Lakeside, especially since this was my…read morewedding day. While the receptionist, hairstylists, and makeup artists were friendly, the overall experience fell far below our expectations. Unfortunately, what should have been a relaxing, memorable morning with my bridal party turned into an unnecessarily stressful and disappointing experience.
When I initially booked, I was quoted approximately $370 per person, which I was told included access to a private bridal suite overlooking the lake, a charcuterie board, and a bridal robe. I specifically explained that a family member would be doing my bridal hair and that I only needed makeup services. I was assured this would not be an issue and that I would only be charged for makeup. I was also promised a $200 bridal credit. Additionally, I made it clear that each bridesmaid would be responsible for paying for her own services.
We were scheduled to arrive at 8:00 AM, which seemed quite early for a party of four, but I trusted that the salon had planned accordingly.
Unfortunately, things began going wrong almost immediately.
Instead of the charcuterie board we specifically requested, we were provided bagels. We had intentionally requested the charcuterie board because we wanted to avoid feeling bloated from eating bread before the wedding. While this may seem like a small detail, it was part of the experience we were promised and paid for. I chose not to complain because I wanted to enjoy my wedding morning without unnecessary conflict.
The hairstyling was another major disappointment. Both of my bridesmaids had their hair curled in approximately 10-15 minutes. Their curls were not pinned or properly set to help them last, and by the time they reached the makeup chairs, their hairstyles had already fallen flat. Both women have thick hair that normally holds curls beautifully, and I have genuinely never seen their hair look so poorly styled. They could have achieved much better results doing their own hair.
Meanwhile, my family member, who was styling my bridal hair, was rushed to finish because the salon needed to begin my makeup.
What was especially frustrating was the lack of organization and privacy. We were under the impression that we would have our own bridal suite for the morning and then be transferred to our designated bridal suite at 2:00 PM. Naturally, we had our wedding dresses, accessories, and belongings with us because we had nowhere else to store them.
At one point, another makeup artist entered our suite, began throwing her belongings onto a station, and questioned why we were still there and why our things were spread throughout the room. We had never been informed that the suite or stations would be shared. Shortly afterward, another bridal party arrived with all of their belongings, making the already crowded space even more chaotic.
By the time I finally sat down to have my bridal makeup done, I was told there were only 30 minutes available to complete my full bridal glam. As a bride, that was incredibly upsetting. Instead of feeling pampered and enjoying the experience, I felt rushed, anxious, and pressured to settle for whatever could be accomplished in the time remaining.
The final disappointment came at checkout.
Despite our original quote of approximately $370 per person, we were suddenly informed that the actual cost was approximately $470 per person, even after my $200 bridal discount.
This unexpected increase put my bridesmaids in an extremely uncomfortable financial position, as they had budgeted based on the pricing we were originally given. When we questioned the charges, the manager was rude and unprofessional. Even when her son attempted to help clarify the situation and point out the discrepancy in the original quote, she became visibly upset with him.
Thankfully, my mother-in-law stepped in with her credit card to help cover the unexpected difference. However, I cannot begin to explain how belittled, embarrassed, and disappointed I felt standing there on my wedding day.
A bride should never have to spend her wedding morning worrying about rushed services, unexpected charges, poor communication, and uncomfortable confrontations with management.
We chose this salon expecting a beautiful, organized, luxurious bridal experience, especially considering the price. Instead, we received rushed hairstyles that did not last, a crowded and poorly coordinated space, amenities that were not as promised, and a very unpleasant checkout experience.
While I appreciate the friendliness of some of the staff, that unfortunately does not make up for the lack of professionalism, transparency, and attention to detail.
I would not recommend The Salon at Lakeside for bridal parties or wedding-day services. For the amount being charged, brides deserve much better communication, organization, quality, and, most importantly, peace of mind on one of the most important days of their lives
