Bridesmaids Hair and Makeup

If you’re expecting them to get professional services, you should be paying for it. If you’re letting them choose whether they want to get their hair and makeup done, they can pay for it.

If it's in your budget, it's a really nice gesture to cover those costs for them! However, if you aren't planning to cover the costs, it's totally fine to ask your bridesmaids to cover it, as long as you do not require them to get hair/makeup done. If it's optional for them, they can cover the costs if they choose to do it. If you're requiring it, then you should cover the cost.

It's a nice gesture to pay for it if it's within your budget, but it's not necessary to do so.

I sent a text in our group message about hair and makeup and who wanted what done. The look I want them to have is very simple and natural, so I know they all could do their own hair. I think all of them are getting their makeup done. I told them I was willing to pay for it, but they all refused, so I'm just paying for me, my mom, and FMIL.

If you’re requesting that they all have to get their hair and make up done by a specific person, then yes you should pay. If hair and make up is optional it’s always nice to pay, but they can pay at that point.

Customs vary in different social circles. I've personally been a bridesmaid 8 times and every single time the bride paid for my hair and makeup. So it was a no brainer for me to pay for my bridesmaids to get their hair and makeup done.

The general rule though is: if hair and makeup are required, the bride pays, and if they are optional, then you can ask your bridesmaids to pay. So, if it's important to you that all of your bridesmaids have their hair and makeup done professionally, then you'd need to cover the costs. If this isn't important and you're okay with the possibility of some of them choosing to do it themselves, then you're definitely in the right to ask them to cover the costs.

In my family and social circle, the bride pays. If you want to make hair and makeup optional though, then you can ask them to pay. It sounds like you're confident about their makeup skills so that's good. If you are requiring that they get their hair done, then no, you can't ask them to pay. But if it's optional then yes.

Like others have said, if you're requiring that they get a certain style or look done, or if you have to meet a minimum for your MUA, then you really should cover the cost. If it's up to them on what they do then you can let them know the rates if they want to use the MUA.

Anything beyond basic cost of the MUA should be covered by you (travel fees for example) even if all of your bridesmaids elect to get the service done.

If the bride requires a specific look or that hair/makeup must be done, the bride pays. If that is not the case, the bridesmaid pays.

Bridesmaids hair and make up is usually paid for by the bride since the bridesmaids pay for their own dresses however if budgets are tight you could ask them to contribute 50% to help cover the cost And I don’t think they would be bothered by that. In the last wedding I was in I had three dresses to purchase the welcome party dress the wedding maid of honor dress and the bridal breakfast dress so the bride paid for my shoes hair and make up

I’ve been a bridesmaid three times, each time the bride picked where we were getting our hair done, and the bridesmaids were responsible for the cost. Same with the bridesmaid dresses.


So I don’t think it’s unusual or rude to have the bridesmaids cover their own hair.

I’ve read all the different articles about how if you’re expecting them to get it down professionally, you should pay. But I’ve also been in a wedding where we were expected to pay for hair, dress, makeup, and so much more. And I didn’t think twice about it.


If you have the money, do it. But don’t feel pressured to. You could also split the costs. Do what you can afford. Everyone knows what it means to be a bridesmaid. It’s unrealistic to not expect to come out of pocket for things.