Yay! Isn't it great getting penciled in, confirmed, people hired/deposits down. Starting to feel real now?
I'm using Randy Chapman & Stan Severance at STVS video. And Tim Herring as our officiant. What I did was email them around my pencil in date just to see if they were open.
All of them said yes, so far. And since yesterday was my confirmation date, I followed up with them again to make sure they were still open, they were and I've now sent in my deposits for Randy & Stan.
I haven't for Rev Herring yet, because I would like to meet him in October if I can, just to make sure there's a "connection". Or at least talk on the phone. I've met Randy & Stan before at my girlfriends Disney wedding.
But she used sadly, Rev Jack Day (this still makes me sad). Otherwise I would have used him because I loved his personality.
With your hair stuff, my girlfriend paid for all of ours as a gift. But you're already paying for their accommodations, that to me is a great gift already. If I were in your party, I'd pay for my own hair & makeup since you were covering my room stay. That's super generous. but everyone is different. I don't think it would hurt to contact the artist, give them a tentative head count, ask if they can modify it later if things change. And find out if they require a certain deposit too.
I'm sure they would be willing to work with you.