How early to book hair and makeup?

You aren't crazy about reaching out! it's totally normal and better to know earlier rather than later. I booked mine after i tried them out for my engagement shoot - I think it was in March and we're getting married in September. I'm not *requiring* my bridesmaids to get their makeup done, but since I would prefer it, I am considering paying for their hair.

I think hair and makeup is one of those things where they hear the words "bride" or "wedding" and they jack up the price. IMO, if you're paying more than $200 for a brides hair/makeup, you're paying too much. However - keep in mind that some salons/stylists do charge you if you want them to travel to you day of. I'd call some places and get a good idea of their prices now so you can choose one sooner rather than later.

If you are requiring them to get their hair and makeup professionally done, it's your responsibility to pay for it.

I agree with annakay511. If you insist they get it professionally done, you pay. I'm having my hair and makeup done, but my BMs are all doing their won.

As for how far ahead of time to book, I've been told six months. We had our hair and makeup girl cancel on us a couple of weeks ago and I was still able to find places that would take us, though, so it probably depends on locale. Call around.

How many bridesmaids are there? Consider maybe gifting them the makeup?

Oh, I'm absolutely not requiring it. They can do whatever they want, but I've been in a few weddings with these ladies and have a feeling they will want professional application. The heat will also be an issue, as it does make a difference in the permanence of makeup.

There are 5. I'm planning on chipping in a bit for those who choose to have theirs done using the credit card points I accrue over the next 10 months. My rewards card is excellent, so that should be a few hundred dollars.

I'm with @annakay and @Zoni - If you are requiring your BMs to have their makeup and hair done professionally you should pay. As for my girls, I told them I would pay for their makeup and they could decide on hair but I would not pay. My girls are doing their own/eachother's hair.

I'm about 8 months out and I just booked all the makeup and hair. I'll have my trials in December. For makeup alone I believe I'm paying $55 for each girl and it would have been $60 for hair for each so a total of $105. However, that's based on knowing the MUA and hairstylist on a personal level as friends. I think $150 for hair and makeup is reasonable.

I'm getting married May 2016 also. I booked my hairstylist about a month ago and I'm currently looking into makeup artists (I've already had an unsuccesful trial in April). Definitely not too early. The good ones book up fast

It's never to early to ask. They'll appreciate that you're considering their budgets.

I'm getting married at the end of April 2016 and I've gotten quotes from a bunch of different places and I will be booking here in the next month or so. It's never too early!

Ive booked my hair stylist but make up in my area is $150 +$75 for the trial. That is the average. So Im holding off until my bridal shower to get the trial done to see if it is worth the $150 for the day of....

Hi date twin! I booked mine in May. I was starting to inquire and I found one whose prices were reasonable, she is coming to my bridal suite, and she doesn't have to start before sunrise like some of the others. So I decided to go ahead and book her before someone else could come along and steal her.

I think it's never to early to ask. But if you're talking about when to book for a trial/etc. I would do that closer to the date - you want your hair cut and colour to be similar to what it will be on the day (I would think). I'm doing my trial in the middle of August for my October 3 wedding

ETA - I locked down my hairdresser/MUA back in like... November hahaha. But they're friends of mine I used to work with at a hair salon, so I just texted them and asked whether they'd save my date and then we met up for drinks to talk logistics a couple months ago

Thanks, everyone. I sent some emails on my lunch break looking for pricing and availability. I probably won't do a trial for a long while; my hair is way too long to hold a curl for the look I have in mind and I'm not ready to cut it yet. I just want to find some options and start discussing budgets with my girls to make sure no one is looking at unexpected costs.

Usually the Brides hair and makeup trial is 2-3 months prior to the wedding. The salon will charge for the trial, so be prepared to pay.

If you are requiring the bridesmaids to use the same hair and makeup stylist for your wedding, they may not be able to afford the $200-$300 extra on top of paying for their dress and other expenses to be in your wedding. If this is the case, you should pay for the expense for everyone and let it be your "gift" to your Bridesmaids. After all, they are doing the Bachlorette party, shower, ect., these are all extra expenses they have to pay.

Usually the salons I work with have a "package" for the Bride only and for the bride and bridal party. The larger the group the more it will cost. If you want the stylist to come to the venue, be prepared to pay extra for their time and travel.

I happen to disagree with @ Laura on the prices...$200-$300 is pretty much the going rate and a competitive rate for a very good Hair stylist/makeup artist for Bridal. Prices may vary demographically and their experience.

I plan to book mine before the end of August and mine is 6/11/16. I have started contacting MUA and HA's about pricing, so you're not too early to be looking and contacting. I had one MUA and HA tell me they book several months in advance. I will say if you are requiring them to have their hair done or all of their makeup done a certain way, then you need to pay for it. I was on camp DIY hair and makeup for BMs and now I'm reconsidering and thinking that I will at least pay for them to get their hair done. I still think they can do their own makeup or each others makeup if they aren't comfortable doing their own and if they want a makeup appointment we can schedule it, but they would be on their own as far as makeup goes. I don't care if their makeup looks the same or not. I know my girls and know they won't go crazy on the eye makeup.

Do it as soon as you can. If they don't want to take your bookings yet, then they'll tell you when to call them. I tried to book a very good makeup artist about 9 months in advance and she was already booked for my date. However, the hair salon didn't allow me to book until 6 months before.

I haven't asked all of my BMs yet, but I did ask 2 if they were interested. And I only did that because a lot of the MUA and hair stylists I've seen require a minimum. So if noone was interested then I'd have to think about how to handle that. But thankfully my FMIL and FSIL/BM are intersted so that meets the 3 person minimum I've seen. Not sure yet when i will book them though.

I plan on booking soon. Gives you time to look around just in case you don't find what you are looking for.