Help me I'm poor

Practice and just research some products that won't shine in flashes

Honestly, I don't think you'll save money doing it yourself. The cost of all the makeup you'll need to buy will cover the MUA's fee.

If you can afford it within your budget and would enjoy it/it would reduce stress, then I'd hire a MUA.

On the other hand, up until relatively recently, brides often did their own makeup successfully. Photography has improved (and sharpened) but in addition, online tutorials are available as never before and makeup has also become more "high tech."

In my specific case, all good, available MUAs in my area were several hundred dollars out of our budget. I am decent with occasion makeup, already own much of what I'll need/use for the wedding, and the art of makeup actually destresses me. Therefore I am doing my own but I will be doing a couple of trials on myself beforehand.

I suggest keep watching those tutorials. I highly suggest Lisa Eldridge. She's got a few bridal looks that are elegant and classic.

I wouldn't want to be strolling into an ulta on the day of my wedding. Go and check out local beauty schools near you and see if any of the students would be willing to do it for you. It'd be significantly cheaper and you'd still get an almost professional.

This is a really bad idea. You WILL spend more in makeup than you would spend hiring someone. Most makeup contains minerals that reflect flash and will wash you out in photos, AND makeup done specifically to be photographed is significantly different from application just to look prettier.

Check all of your current cosmetics. Do they contain SPF, mica, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or have any form of shimmer? If so, they are unsuitable for flash photography and will wash you out. For a good iron oxide pigmented set of makeup, you are looking at some high prices...prices the MUA has already built into her pricing.

This is not something you want to risk. And for those saying just have someone take photos in the lighting, this is fine for a home camera, BUT a photographer will ALSO have separate fill flashes, which are significantly brighter.

This is not an area to cut.

Skip favors, scale down decor, forget the sings, skip the send off and research your area. You have time to find a salon that can do good hair and makeup.