Bridesmaids - Do or Don't Pay for hair, makeup, and nails???

Typically, if you are requiring them to get these done and/or requiring a specific look, then it is your responsibility to pay. If you are offering it to them but they are free to do their own hair, makeup, and nails, then it is OK for them to cover the cost.

You have to pay for all of that if you're requiring it

If you are requiring they have professional hair, makeup and nails then yes you need to pay for it. If you are offering it as an optional thing and are fine if they choose to do their own or go elsewhere to have it done professionally then they can pay for it (and do some or all) themselves.

Wow, that is a lot of money for them to pay for your event. If you decide not to cover it, please assure them that they don't have to pay for those services unless they want to. I would also make sure that they can pick and choose which of the 4 services they elect to do/pay for. Plenty of people would be fine with paying for hair but prefer to do their own make up (or vice versa), and skip nails all together (for example).

Like others have mentioned, if there's a specific look you're going for and are requiring that they get it done, then yes...you need to pay for it.

I offered it as an optional thing because I'm wanting them to have loose curly hair, and natural makeup. I offered to pay for them all, but my ladies said nope lol. I think all of them said they want their makeup done, but only one wants her hair done because she isn't good at it!

First of all, there is no rule that says bridesmaids have to pay for their own dresses. Many brides choose to take on that cost.
As far as the hair and make up goes, many brides choose to take on that cost as well. If the bride does not intend to pay for her bridesmaids hair and make up, then she should not make it a requirement. If the bride is requiring BMs to have hair and make up professionally done, then she would need to pay for those services.

If you’re requiring it, you pay. If they’re choosing to do it, they pay.

If you are requesting it then I would say it would be courteous for you to pay for it.

Agree with everyone else- if you are requiring, you pay.


My sister paid for all of our hair. Makeup and nails we our responsibility because they were optional. For example, I do makeup and trust my own skills more than most makeup artists who don't know my face and skin like I do, so I opted to do my own. Same situation for another one of her bridesmaids. But then two others wanted theirs professionally done. And one girl who couldn't afford it had my sister (the bride) do her makeup.

If hair, makeup, and nails are required, then the bride has to pay. If they're optional, then then the girls can choose to pay if they want these services done. If I were a bridesmaid and the bride told me that I had to pay $287 for hair, makeup, and nails, then I would probably step down from being a bridesmaid as a matter of principle.

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I agree. Unless this was my bestest friend who I know would never have this required, I would step down with all the costs adding up so fast.

I have no problem paying for all of their hair, makeup and nails. I just wanted to know who was supposed to pay because I hear so many different things. I don't want my girls to stress of money. I want them to enjoy their time while visiting.

I'm having a very upscale black tie wedding, so I would like my bridesmaids to have their nails, hair, and makeup done professionally. I will definitely be paying for all of it! My bridesmaids are already spending enough between their dresses and having to travel to my wedding (many of them have to fly in). Asking them to pay for hair/makeup/nails on top of this would be extremely inappropriate. You can only ask your bridesmaids to pay for themselves if hair/makeup/nails are optional. If they're required then the bride has to pay!

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If you have no problem paying for it, there's your answer. There is no downside to you offering to pay for things for the people standing up in your wedding. That said, you still might get people who really don't want to have their hair or makeup or nails done; these are really personal services. And that's OK, too.

I feel like thats not even bad for all that. My hair and makeup adds up to 150. Manicure and pedicure will probably be like 80 as well. My girls will pay for their own hair makeup and if they do their nails. If they wanna slap on some fake nails from the drugstore even better. I do those for random nights out 😄 it is a nice gift for you to pay for them instead of gift gifts.
How could you not get your hair and makeup professionally or just someone else do it for a Wedding. It's not just a regular party.

I agree with PP! If it’s something you’re requiring, you pay for it! Maybe they could do fake press on nails and no pedicure for lower cost? No one is gonna see their feet anyways!

View Quoted Comment I agree with your comment -That is a reasonable cost compared to how much I know i’m spending on my hair alone - I’m not requiring my girls to have a specific style but they all are getting their hair done professionally- and getting their nails done as well