Makeup Vendor Contract Help

Wowzers! That is very unprofessional on more than one front. I've never had a makeup artist contract before but sounds like she's mixing business with pleasure so to speak. She knew she was already obligated to your date. She cannot legitimately play that "emergency" clause!!! On the downside, she might be able to get away with cancelling on you since there's nothing about that written in. Does she have any other artists working with her who might suit you? If she still won't do your makeup because of her niece getting married the same day, she should give you your money back and you should find another artist.

View Quoted Comment She suggested her senior makeup artist but she does a more natural look and can’t do the glam look like the owner can do.

From the contract it sounds like she might be able to cancel since I only did the deposit. However I am offering to pay the full amount now to further lock her in. There’s nothing in there about having the right to refuse my full payment to make it so she is 100% committed.

It sucks because I have never heard of a vendor cancelling after a signed contract because they now have a family wedding to do.

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That is totally bonkers to me. I'm wondering if she is putting you off so that she doesn't have to accept the full payment and lock herself in.

It sucks and is very unprofessional, but at the same time I would definitely not suggest paying in full in order to "lock her in" further for the contract when she is already trying to get out of the commitment for a family wedding. For multiple reasons.... But the main one being I would definitely not want to have bad vibes such as this with a vendor I've hired prior to my actual event, especially when you still have 18 months to find a different makeup artist who can fully commit to your day. You have to, find a better one to go with.

I am pretty sure that her boss will be able to do a natural look.

If it were me, I would ask for my deposit back since she is the one cancelling. Since her other artist does not specialize in the style you are going for, then don't settle. With this being your wedding (and planning a wedding is super stressful), I would want to find someone else. I agree with Stacie that you should absolutely not pay in full, or another cent for that matter. This situation wpuld also give me bad vibes and you should "click" and be relaxed with all of your vendors. Since your wedding is 18 months away, you have plenty of time to find someone new who is able to provide you with the look and services that you are paying for.

If she refuses to refund you, then I would suggest doing a trial with the other artist asap. This way, if you aren't happy with it, it gives you plenty of time to find another artist. It would stink, but losing the deposit would be the better option than not being happy and confident with the way you look and feel on your wedding day.

I see both sides here. So bear with me:

1) Yes, you DID book her. You did sign a contract and put a deposit down to hold your date and her services.
With that said, do NOT try and force her to keep your date by sending full payment.
That would be very bad! It would be bad because she is doing your makeup- ya know what everyone, and those pictures, will see on one of the most Important days of your life! It is also bad because she DID inform you well in advance, as well as offer her senior artist, so that you can choose to find someone else or keep them.
Things do fall through- her nieces wedding might! Or she might be able to do both, with one being done a little earlier and with the senior artists help..
Maybe you can have her do your, and anyone who wants the, glam look, leave the senior artist to do the rest and samples to touch up the glam looks, and or knock some off final payment?
You don’t want to be “That Bride” That Judge Judy would look at and have her snarky comments for by trying to force her to do your wedding by paying...
Also, as FH is an attorney, he said that the contract might not hold up in court since she had informed you Prior to your paying her in full, and you decided to pay to “force” her to keep the date.

2) However, this is her niece that is getting married. We don’t know how close she is to her- but I’d assume pretty if she’s willing to do her makeup over a booked date.
If this was You and Your Aunt- what would you want her to do—— in your heart of hearts? I assume you’d want her there to do your makeup and celebrate on your special day. Family is family and should be there to celebrate.. you want your family at your wedding, I assume these girls feel the same way....
She HAS given you 2 different options for remedy: 1) Her senior artist or 2) Refund of monies paid thereby allowing you to book someone else. - since she gave you 18mo notice.

Trust me, I would HATE to be in your position. But, see this as a positive and Not a negative- you are lucky enough to actually have time to look for someone who you Like... not an ehhh substitute!
And if she had cancelled at 5mo before you’d be in the scramble to find someone.

With ALL that said I am nervous about getting everything booked and done( toooooo much DIY on my decor end! Lol) and I have 15mo to go.
My original venue cancelled and offered me “other dates”, but I said NO... and found the spot I had had my heart set on- where FH & I had our first( blind) date!
So I have the Rehearsal dinner, Ceremony, Cocktail 1-2hr, Reception & After Party taken care of. And reception has food, bar, cake and the tables, chairs, linens, settings taken care of- we need to do tastings but are set for the basics.

Hope that I helped and didnt didn’t seem too harsh- was NOT intended that way....

Under these circumstances I think she should refund your deposit.

I would ask her for a refund since the contract stays that she will either find a replacement or give you a refund. If you don't like the makeup her senior artist does then you shouldn't have to settle, but you also can't force her to do your makeup. Luckily, you have plenty of time to look for a new artist. I would start looking for someone else. I am sure there is another artist that could do exactly what you want. You might have to expand your search in order to find one though.

Nope. She needs to refund you because it’s in the contract. If she can’t be there HERSELF as the artist, she will find a replacement or full refund. I’d get the refund now and look for a new artist. Luckily your wedding is so far away you shouldn’t have trouble finding one!

With over a year to your wedding, the solution here is a no-brainer. Let her know how happy you are for her niece, and that you are sure she will appreciate having a family member attend to her needs. Let her know that she can provide a full refund and you will cancel the contract.

Makeup isn't such a specialty that she is the ONLY one who can create the look you want. You'll be able to find another.

Wish her the best for her niece, ask her to return the deposit and you will cancel the contract.

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I agree. Id request a free trial with her replacement. If they cant achieve the look your going for then request your deposit back. She's the one canceling on you. I would NOT pay the whole fee. That just sounds like a disaster in brewing. The last thing you need is a no show for your event or a drama queen makeup artist who screws up your look.