Hair & Makeup Concerns

It seems to be a policy for her to pay before the fact ... doing wedding hair and makeup exclusively is a lot of work and she is probably just covering her ass to make sure she does get paid (even if they decide they don't like it). If the wedding party wasn't worked into the contract already, it is unlikely that she will do a contract for them as technically, her main focus will be you, and giving everyone a contract may defeat that purpose.

That said though, I would still discuss with her what you all are thinking of for hairstyles/ looks and at least show her a picture of everyone so she knows what she is working with in terms of length and texture.

To alleviate your friends' concerns, ask her to see a portfolio of other persons she has styled and tell her which ones you like or didn't like and the reasons why (while being nice about it).

I have found that most vendors really do want to help make your day unforgettable so a little communication goes a long way.

Speaking as a freelance makeup artist and not one who works in a salon, it is the standard to request payment in full prior to the wedding date. However, I do have a contract for each person, whether they are listed on one contract with the bride or individually. It's for protection of all involved.

I will provide a trial run for anyone, not just the bride, but my trials are paid, not complimentary. I realize it is customary for those in a salon to accept payment on the day of the wedding, but please keep in mind, a freelance artist is not the same as one working in a salon. She/he does not have the luxury of booking other clients should the bride and/or bridesmaids decide not to show. There have been rare instances where I have not been paid prior to the service date, and unfortundately 2 out of 3 will be no shows or cancellations.

And to comment on your what if they (the bridesmaids) don't like what the MUA has done with their makeup, would they consider not paying her on the day of the wedding if she hadn't requested prior payment? I suggest any leary bridesmaids shedule a trial run or even just a consultation (no makeup application) to meet with the MUA and discuss any concerns. Communication is extremely important!

Really? I wouldn't pay in full up front. What if the MUA doesn't show up? What if she doesn't do what you asked for? I can understand a deposit, since it is an investment of a chunk of time from the MUA, but... I'm sorry, I would not pay in full before the services are rendered - for anything.

A contract is a written obligation for the makeup artist to show up. What if the makeup artist takes no payment up front and the bride doesn't show or cancels? The contract covers both parties involved. I wouldn't do anything with anyone without a contract. Period.

My MUA requires payment in full upfront, even for me. But we have a contract as well- that protects BOTH of us.

If she is asking for payment in full without a contract- that's not cool. But asking for payment upfront with a contract is perfectly acceptable and quite common practice.

I put a deposit down on my HMUA for myself and mother (with a signed contrat). My girls would have to pay in full (with a signed contract) because they weren't originally on MY contract. If the MUA didn't show up, the contracts would protect us so we get all of our monies back

I would ask her to write up something and do the same for them as done for you. IF they have to pay all upfront then the day of if they don't like the way she styled it make her do it again until she gets it right, you paid so you deserve to get what you want!

Thank you all so much for your input. I think the BM's might feel better if they had a contract. Just something in writing of what services they are getting and what they have paid in advance for. Otherwise she might lose their business and they will go somewhere else. I will also suggest for them to have a trial run if they are not feeling confident about the services she might provide (paid of course). I don't anticipate anyone having a bad experience as I have read reviews on Weddingwire and her website, plus she came highly recommended by my venue. Regardless, there should be some sort of contract to ensure she will show up and my BM's will show up. I figured a deposit would have been sufficient at this point, just like any other vendor. You provide me with a deposit, and I provide you with a contract and a service. Even my DJ has asked for a final payment on the day of the wedding!

@Stephanie -- I highly doubt the BM's would not pay her if they did not like what she did, but I do think they would ask her to make it right before paying. Thank you for your input. I think contracts are definitely in order before we move forward!

FYI, for my hair and makeup, I'm paying over $400.

I would be okay with a deposit and a contract with a penalty clause for no-shows, but I would not pay 100% in advance. An MUA can say "what if the bride / BMs decide not to show," but the bride / BMs can also say "what if the MUA doesn't show?" I think both parties should be able to protect themselves.

FYI, if you do pay up front, use a credit card so you can later contest the charge. (May be limited to 60 days to do that, though.)

We have to pay up front too. Just like we have to pay all our vendors for them to even show up. Welcome to the wonderful world of weddings. LOL

Everyone should definitely do research on all vendors, weeding out the pros from the hobbyists and without a doubt check references. Usually, a professional will have a contract. Again, this protects not only the pro, but the client as well.

And just because a MUA isn't requesting money up front, it doesn't guarantee she/he will show up anymore than if you paid. But hiring an artist with a contract and one who will do trial runs can provide a bit more security. I offer trials to anyone at anytime. It doesn't need to be the same time as the bride. I've never missed a booking in 20+ years.

I just had a call from a bride in a panic because the makeup artist she booked isn't returning her phone calls and her wedding is this Saturday. Fortunately, I am available for her and will be doing her makeup and makeup for her bridesmaids as well.

Update: She is not providing contracts for everyone else. She says the payment forms that they fill out and sign is enough.

As a hair stylist / artist it seems a little skeptical to me. If she is a true professional she should have a contract for EVERY person that day. Asking for payment up front for ANYTHING is a scary thing as i have heard MANY horror stories about brides paying up front for photographers that never even existed!! I would plan to do a trial with her first to make sure you like her services and that she is legit. Second, i would ask for her to draw up a contract for your girls (which should have been in the main contract). If she refuses to do this and doesn't address your concerns properly, it might be time to look for a different stylist. GOOD LUCK!!!!

>.> Thank goodness my aunt's a beautician. This sounds like a pain.

As a hair stylist in the DC VA MD area who does on location work every weekend. I never have asked for the bride to give more than a retainer to hold the date up front. Now if someone wants to work out payment plans that's fine, but Its not right to ask for all of the monies due upfront before the wedding date.

I second this. I am happy to pay for the trial, and if I like how that went, I can book ahead of time. That is as far as I will go with a pre-pay. But several stylist/MUAs have only corresponded over email and then asked for 50% of entire total, trial, day of, MOH, everything, prior ro the trial or even meeting. I don't approve of this. Again, there needs to be a mutual trust. I will show up and pay for the trial, and if I like what is done, I'll book and pay the 50% in advance to secure the date. The rest gets paid upon completion, or at the very least, on the day oy of the wedding. This ensures everyone shows up and there is an incentive to perform the services well.