Is it okay if bridesmaids opt out of hair and makeup?

There is no way I could afford to pay for myself plus 6 bridesmaids to all get professional hair and makeup done. In all honesty, I don't really care how they wear their hair or make up. Plus, some of them aren't comfortable having anyone else do those things and are picky about certain products. Therefore, I let my girls know that there will be a professional HMUA on site while we get ready, I told them the cost to utilize the services provided, and let them know they can choose to use it or not. I have half of them using it and the other half said they wanted to do their own. Cool with me.

I have 9 bridesmaids and all of them want their hair done and 7 want their makeup done. I told them it's totally optional but almost all wanted everything. Does your makeup girl have a minimum number of people required? That happened to a friend of mine and she basically begged us to sign up for hair/makeup.

Find out if you have to meet a minimum and let them know that the services will be available along with the cost. Speaking from experience of being a bridesmaid several times over there is nothing worse than a bride that forces you into hair and makeup. In my opinion if you are going to require hair and or makeup then you should be offering to pay for it or most of it. If given the option I always decline. Also remember that the bridesmaids will have to be awake very early and most likely in your bridal suite for hair and makeup, the lower number you have the later YOU can sleep in

If you are really good at doing your own makeup then go for it, but of all the things going on you are going to be stressed out enough, don't add that to your plate. Plus everyone will leave you alone while you are having your makeup done so that you are not pulled in a million directions. I had to go to 2 different makeup trials before I found someone I liked. The first horrible trial I had , I ended up getting my money back.

Of course it’s fine, isn’t that why you give them the option? So that they can decide if they want to have it done or do it themselves?

I assume your artist will want a final headcount prior to the wedding, and you'll need one for getting ready schedule. I'm paying for all my bridesmaids & moms HAMU but two are opting out of makeup because they are super picky and want to do their own.

Absolutely fine! My mom is paying for everyone's makeup, so they're all getting that done. As for hair, my bridesmaids have the choice. I actually just emailed everyone this morning to confirm if the (a) want to get their hair done and (b) what style. I know at least one, maybe two, of my BMs who will just want to curl their hair by themselves and that's 100% ok with me!

I gave them the option of opting out but they all wanted it professionally done for the pictures. I found a HMUA very early on so they knew the costs for services a year in advance. The HMUA just wanted a tally a few weeks before the date to confirm what time they needed to come to make sure every one would be ready on time.

If they had chosen not to then I would have just told them a time to be at the venue because we took all of the pictures before the ceremony.

Definitely! I gave my girls the option, but I am a-ok with them doing their own hair & make-up. I can't afford to pay for them, and I know some of them don't have the budget to pay for themselves, either, or would just prefer to do their own regardless of the cost.

I had 4 bridesmaids and 1 junior bridesmaid. 2 bridesmaids did their own HMU and the other 2 had their professionally done. My junior had hers professionally done. Everyone looked beautiful! I included a picture below and if I didn't know, I personally wouldn't be able to tell who did/didn't get their professionally done. I am in two weddings in the next year, and I have opted out of the pro hair and makeup because it isn't in the budget right now with me in grad school and as a new graduate not knowing what my salary will be.

My sister is opting out of makeup cuz she's fully capable of doing her own. I just told her to do her research on no spf foundation or powders that cause flashback. I know 2 of my girls want both services. The other she hasn't decided yet.

I gave my girls the option. I am not hair/makeup savy at all... A brush through wet hair and some eyeliner is my daily routine lol.. so I knew I would need it for the day but a couple of my girls are super into that kind of stuff and are good at it too so I didn't want to ask them to pay for something that was unnecessary for them. 4 of my 5 girls are also coming from out of state so I know they are already carrying some extra expense. 2 want their hair done ( although I think a 3rd will to since it's her friend doing our hair and she'll probably do it for free) and only 1 wants their make up done. I trust the others not to look like trash lol

I didn't really give my ladies an option. I did allow them to choose which MUA they wanted out of the two i chose. I also am paying the deposit BC i know being apart of a bridal party can be costly. I also told them the style for there hair and they can choose to it themselves or get it done. That way they can choose how much they wanna pay. I love the togetherness look so I want all my ladies to look the same.

I gave them all the choice and have 3 so far who have decided to utilize it. Two have said no. Waiting for the rest to get back to me.

View Quoted Comment Absolutely beautiful picture. To me it looks as if everyone had their hair done professionally!
My girls are all doing their own hair and makeup. I'm only having my makeup done. I'm doing my own hair.

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Im about the same so far, half and half. I know its expensive so I understand. I even told the girl (im friends with her) that i may end up doing my own makeup if I am not happy with it lol. I had a bad experience prior myself

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No, shes actually a guest at our wedding. She just happens to work at a high-end shop. I wanted her to do it in case I need her throughout the day. 100 for hair and 125 for makeup. Ive seen higher prices so I am ok with it. I know some have stated they dont like others touching their faces and I know the one girl can do her own hair well.

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I was actually hoping that some would opt out of getting anything done otherwise the girl said she would have to be there at 7:30 AM and my stomach is BAD in the morning. I would need some alone time to relax and hang out in the bathroom lmao. I dont get married until late in the afternoon so I cant imagine getting makeup done that early in the morning. So far half my girls opted out. I am hoping they dont change their minds once they see how she does hair.

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Well yes lol its just at weddings I have been in or been to, all the girls got super done up. I am fine with it- I may even do my own makeup if I dont like it done professionally. I just did not know if most girls opt out.

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If I did not spend so much on extra stuff I would pay. If I paid for all of their hair and makeup it would cost me close to 2k. I dont have that cash lol

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Beautiful photo! Everyone looks so naturally pretty.