When the pandemic displaced many beauty professionals, Susan Chin knew she had to get creative — and so, The Chandelier Suite was born. This glamorous mobile bridal suite made its debut at one of our bridal shows and has inspired brides that are hosting backyard weddings or just looking for a fun way to get ready with their girls.
Read on to get to know Susan a bit more and see what her favorite products to use on brides are!
Q: Let’s get to it, what’s your business’ specialty?
A: My business specializes in bringing the salon & wedding morning getting ready experience to your venue or doorstep. The luxury mobile bridal suite comes to you & does all the wedding day hairstyles while giving an inviting space for the bridal party to hang out, drink mimosas, do their makeup at the DIY makeup bar & get their hair done professionally.
Q: Where can we find you?
A: The mobile bridal suite is run out of Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Q: Tell us when and how The Chandelier Suite began.
A: The bridal suite was just a dream in my head as little as 8 months ago. I own a luxury salon suite in Burnsville and when the COVID-19 pandemic shut my doors for 3 months I had a lot of time to think and re-imagine what the future would hold for the hair industry. I knew the industry would never be the same and it would impact brides and their wedding morning salon experience, so I decided to put my dream into action and started building the trailer. The mobile unit was launched and had its premiere at The Wedding Guys’ Twin Cities Bridal Show on September 27, 2020.
Q: How long have you been in the industry? What do you think has changed the most since then?
A: I have been in the cosmetology industry for almost 11 years. So much has changed since I began doing hair. The styles and trends have changed significantly and brides especially are wanting more relaxed, loose, beachy & braided styles.
Q: What makes The Chandelier Suite unique from others?
A: What makes me unique is that I am currently Minnesota’s ONLY mobile bridal suite. I can offer that bridal morning experience that no one else out there can offer.
Q: Walk us through your average workday.
A: An average workday for me would be waking and have my mandatory coffee, rushing to get my two small kiddos dressed and off to daycare, and then going into the salon to service clients. In between clients and taking care of the kids, I am checking and answering emails, texts, maintaining my social media accounts for the business, and running back and forth to storage to grab the trailer and keep that clean and sanitary for the next bride.
Q: What would you want couples searching for your business type to know?
A: I want couples to know that I offer outstanding customer service and I go above and beyond to make sure your experience and day with me is a fantastic and memorable one. As a one-person business, I really pride myself on my customer service and taking care of my clients. I want them to feel like the only person in the room and really taken care of.
Q: How far in advance should a couple book with The Chandelier Suite?
A: 2021 is bound to be one of the BUSIEST wedding years yet and I anticipate it to be FILLED! I would make sure you book at least 6-12 months in advance. I am a new business so I have openings right now but I am booking in quickly.
Q: What’s one wedding trend you’re over?
A: I honestly don’t know if I’m over any of them. I really love seeing everyone’s different style and creativity. I guess if I had to pick one it would maybe be giant flower crowns. Small dainty ones are cute but some can overtake the bride’s beauty.
Q: What’s hot in wedding beauty right now?
A: Loose braided updos! That’s the trend every bride and bridesmaid is asking for.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for wedding beauty?
A: Pinterest for sure! I also follow a lot of hair industry professionals and attend classes and find inspiration through them.
Q: What are some of your favorite products to use on clients?
A: I love Kenra dry texture spray for volume, texture, and for molding the hair the way I want it in braids and twists. I am also a sucker for Amikas dry shampoo for those gals who have a little extra oil.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Q: Duck Duck Grey Duck or Duck Duck Goose?
A: GREY DUCK!!! If you’re from Minnesota it’s grey duck!
Q: Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall Wedding?
A: I’m a sucker for a late spring/early wedding as that’s when I chose to get married. However, with all the new trends I love the fall colors and décor and there’s something SO magical about a white snow-filled winter wedding!
Q: Veil or No Veil?
A: I’m more traditional so I would say ALWAYS a veil at least for the ceremony. It gives more of that wow factor to the groom and the guests when the bride is coming down the aisle.
Q: Mountains or Beach?
A: BEACH! That warm salty breeze and teal water in the background is to die for. Except the sand is a real pain in the behind. Also giving the option of trash the dress in the ocean is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Q: Chocolate or Vanilla?
A: Chocolate. I’m a woman, aren’t we all suckers for chocolate?
Q: Go-to comfort food?
A: A fancy macaroni and cheese, parmesan-crusted chicken, or stuffing!
Q: What celebrity would you like to sit next to on a plane?
A: Chris Farley, if he was still alive. He was such a funny person I would have loved to meet him.
Q: What show are you binging right now?
A: Bachelorette. I know, I know I got suckered in. When that is not on I binge on Ghost Adventures. I love the paranormal.
Q: Go-to cocktail (or mocktail)?
A: Bloody Mary with a beer chaser. It has to have all the fixings on it!
If you’re ready to upgrade your wedding day getting-ready experience, check out their website and get in touch with The Chandelier Suite ASAP! Plus, you can visit the trailer for yourself at the Twin Cities Bridal Show on Sunday, September 26th in St. Paul!
