Bridal Stylists Make Wedding Magic(b)|『妆点美丽的个人服务业──新娘秘书』

Bridal Stylists Make Wedding Magic

『妆点美丽的个人服务业──新娘秘书』

　　Brides typically go through three outfit changes during a wedding banquet. During the 20 minutes or so allotted to each change, the stylist must redo the bride's hair, match her makeup to the new outfit, help her change clothes, and get her to and from the restroom. It's a constant race against the clock.

　　"One time, I had to start applying a bride's makeup at 2:00 AM," says Hsu, explaining that once a couple picks a time, she does whatever it takes to make it work. While Hsu spends most of her time as a homemaker, she transforms into a stylist on weekends and holidays. Because the work is part time and doesn't require her to punch the clock, it allows her to earn a little extra income while also taking care of her home and family.

　　Although the number of Taiwanese getting married hasn't grown at all in recent years, the younger couples who do marry are demanding higher-quality weddings. These contemporary weddings have evolved into spectacular events consisting of myriad tasks requiring a very fine division of labor. It is this environment that has given rise to the hot new field of bridal styling.

　　The work is seasonal. Stylists enjoy a summer vacation during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, then put in crazy hours in the run-up to the lunar new year. Generally speaking, they make around NT$50,000 per month, assuming they style four brides per month and charge around NT$12,000 for each. That level of income is very attractive to young people thinking about changing careers.

　　Many of these career changers don't really understand what the work involves. Individuals hoping to become professional bridal stylists need three key attributes, which are professional competence, the ability to market themselves, and a particular kind of personality.

 

　　婚宴上，新娘通常会换穿三套服装。每次换装时间平均只有二十分钟左右，新娘秘书必须在这段时间内为新娘变换发型、针对新的服装搭配彩妆，并协助新娘穿脱礼服、上洗手间。整个过程可说是分秒必争。

　　许多莉表示：『有一次我必须在凌晨两点替新娘化妆，』她解释道，新人挑好时间之后，新娘秘书就得全力配合。虽然许多莉大多数时间都是担任家庭主妇，但在周末和假日则变身为新娘秘书。由于这份工作是兼差性质，而且不用打卡，让她在兼差赚钱之余，还能兼顾家庭生活。

　　虽然台湾近年来结婚的人数丝毫没有增加，但年轻一代对婚礼质量的要求却是与日俱增。现代的婚礼已经进化成一场华丽的活动，婚礼中各式各样的工作都需要不同的人力。整个大环境造就了新娘秘书这项火红的新领域。

　　这项工作也有淡旺季之分。农历七月可说是新娘秘书的暑假，而农历新年前夕则要疯狂加班。一般来说，假设一位新娘秘书一个月可以接四场婚礼，而每场收费以一万两千元左右来计算，每个月就有将近五万元的收入。这样的薪水对想要转换跑道的年轻人而言有着相当大的吸引力。

　　这些转职者当中有许多人并不了解这份工作在做些什么。想要成为专业的新娘秘书必须要有三项关键的特质，那就是专业能力、自我营销能力及独特的人格特质。

本社为尊重《台湾光华杂志》，中文原文登出，仅供参考，中英文如有不尽相符之处，敬请包涵。