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Just Said Yes September 2021

Makeup & Hair Costs for Bridesmaids

Samantha, on September 13, 2019 at 4:00 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 9

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I’m new to wedding planning, so I worry about the etiquette surrounding what bridesmaids are expected to pay for. I’m a pretty low maintenance person/bride, so I’m flexible with letting my bridesmaids wear different style dresses, accessories, shoes, etc. for the wedding. Specifically, I was wondering how to approach costs for makeup and hair. I can’t style hair to save my life, so I definitely wanted to hire a professional for myself. My issue is that a lot of professionals require a certain amount of people receiving services to book (the hair stylist I’m interested in requires at least 4 people get their hair done). Is it proper to have the bridesmaids pay for their own hair/makeup services, or is that something the bride is supposed to cover as part of the wedding budget?

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9 Comments

Latest activity by MrsD, on September 16, 2019 at 1:44 PM

Expert October 2021
Megan · on September 13, 2019 at 4:05 PM
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If you're looking for everyone to have a certain hairstyle, then etiquette dictates that you pay for it. If not, you can contact everyone individually and ask if each girl would be interested in getting their hair/makeup professionally done. Make sure they know the cost and that they would be paying if so.
There are a good amount of stylists that don't require a minimum amount of people. I wouldn't book this stylist until you talk to your bridesmaids individually and see if anyone would be down for the cost. If you don't have enough ladies that want to pay, I'd look for a different stylist.
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on September 13, 2019 at 4:05 PM
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If you’re requiring it, you pay for it. If it’s optional and they choose to use the services, they are responsible for the cost.
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Just Said Yes September 2021
Samantha · on September 13, 2019 at 4:07 PM
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Thank y’all! This is helpful.
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Super February 2020
Jeanie · on September 13, 2019 at 4:08 PM
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For the weddings I’ve been in as a bridesmaid, the bride has always asked if I wanted to have my hair/makeup done first. After they’ve chosen who they want to hire, they tell me the price and ask if that’s ok. None of them have ever pushed the issue one way or another, and all would have been ok if I wanted to get it done on my own. Bridesmaids generally pay for this on their own. It’s a courtesy to offer them to be included when you’re getting your hair/makeup done but they should cover their own costs. If you really want everyone to get ready together, ask them if they would be ok with that and what their budget is. Hopefully it’s a number you can work with.
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Super August 2020
Anna · on September 13, 2019 at 4:11 PM
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For my wedding next year I researched some potential hair/makeup people locally and then reached out to my bridesmaids. I think I said something like:
"Hey ladies, I am booking a hair/makeup person for the wedding day. Absolutely no pressure to have either done, but if you are interested it would be about $***/per person. Please let me know if you would be interested in one service, both services, or none and I can book her based on numbers. Thanks!"
However, if you are requiring they have it done then you should pay.
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Devoted October 2020
Emily · on September 13, 2019 at 6:25 PM
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You could send out a group text and say “Hey, I’m looking into HMUA, does anyone want to pay to have their hair and make up professionally done? It would be $X for hair and $X for make up” and see if you get 4 bites. Include MOB, MOG, grandma, etc. if you don’t get the 4 bites then you can figure out an alternative but it doesn’t hurt to ask!
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Master December 2019
Cher Horowitz · on September 13, 2019 at 6:30 PM
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If you require hair and makeup done by a certain professional, you should pay for all of your bridal party's hair and makeup
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Devoted October 2019
Krissyl · on September 13, 2019 at 10:26 PM
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I'm not requiring any service to be done, but I'm contributing a portion to each bridesmaids service and paying for my MOH entirely. BM expenses can add up quickly so I wanted to take a little of that off. My artist has a discounted rate per person if X amount of people get one service, but they dont require a certain number of ppl to get something done. I would be hesitant to book them because even if 4 ppl say they will book now, circumstances can change and they may back out and I dont know where that leaves you with your artist?
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Legend July 2019
MrsD · on September 16, 2019 at 1:44 PM
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Make it optional! If they want it done, let them pay & tell them the price. Ask them to commit prior to whenever you need to sign. I think it's fine they pay for their own as long as it's optional. I covered all the girls but it was in our budget.
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