Hair & Makeup bookings - What should I do???

Being that I'm in NC and I'm 16 months away from my wedding, when should I have hair & makeup trials? Everyone says I should book now, but how could I book someone without trying them out first? I'm hearing you need to book way in advance to get the good people. I don't know if I could do that since I'm out of state, and so far away from the big day! I'm interested in all the women that all you brides have been recommending, but from what I'm hearing you can't wait to book them, they'll be taken??? What should I do? Thanks!

Hair & Makeup bookings - What should I do???

I'm sorry I don't have an answer for you, but I have just a little over a year to go (8/2/02), and I never thought about booking hair/make-up now! I don't live on the island, so I do not have a regular salon there. Yikes!!! Do you or your fiance have any friends or family in the area that could recommend a person/place? Good luck, and don't worry I know a lot of brides on LI who waited till the last minute, and they looked beautiful(not that I suggest this).