Security deposits for makeup and hair?

I definitely would not be happy with that arrangement. However I don't have much advise if she doesn't seem to be budging.

Yeah I wouldnt go with that! You arent for sure that you are going to like the persons work, why would you put down a non refundable deposit?

I do hair and I have never asked a bride or BP to put down a non refundable deposit.

I wouldn't be happy with that either! But if she's the vendor you want for sure, I would offer to pay full price for the trial and ask if that can be applied towards the $250 deposit if you decide to go with her. Shows some committment on your part, but not to the tune of $250...

You absolutely shouldn't go for that arrangement. I would look around for someone else.

When my daughter and I went for our trial, her airbrush trial was free. She paid for her hair trial only and had to put down $25 to reserve the day. I paid for the make-up trial and the hair trial and had to put down $25 to reserve the day. Now, on the day of, having hair and make-up done is going to cost approx $235 cash. That includes a hefty travel fee.

That is a lot, Guess it depends on your wedding party size. Everywhere I went wanted a 50% deposit. Or else they wanted a deposit of $20 for each person who was going to need their hair done that day so it would have been $140 for my wedding party. 4 gals +me+ mom and FMIL. All non refundable. Thats just for hair though.

My MUA is $325 and that's just for me. But she comes very highly recommended and I love her before and after shots. Plus, she is traveling out to me on my wedding day.

I did give her a 50% deposit and yes, that is nonrefundable. That does include a makeup trial.

This is the one thing I am indulging in because as an "older" bride, I don't have the beautifully radiant fresh skin that you youngsters have LOL!

That sounds a bit much. The place I am looking at is giving me a free hair trial (I am going tomorrow) and I am paying $20 for a make-up trial. Their brochure states there is a fee to reserve the date of the wedding (not sure what it is yet) but the brochure states that wedding hair-dos are only $45-$85, and they are only about 10 miles from my venue so I'm not expecting a crazy travel fee, so I'm hoping it will not cost a lot to book them.

For both my hair and makeup for my wedding, it was around $250. I didn't get a discounted rate for my trial...and I did 2 trials for makeup...just one for hair. Each business has its own business model and practices based on the way the business is set up, and the experiences the business has endured with clients. Remember, you don't have to leave the trial not liking your makeup...the mua will work to get your makeup right during the trial so that there will be no guessing on your big day. Same with your hair. It's up to you whether you feel it is worth it...and every place in every part of the country will be different.

Jennifer I am in the same boat as you. I am getting married 3 hours away from home so I booked a Hair and MUA to come to my hotel room and get me and my girls ready. The company has great reviews and good pictures and I had to book it quick as they fill up fast (or so they say). I had to put down a 50% deposit for EVERYONE who was getting their hair and make up done so sent in a 600$ deposit. I realized this was stupid of me after I already paid. I go for my trial the end of june so hopefully its good!

MUA for the bride is $175 and $75 for each bridemaids, which I only have 2 MOH's... I paid $75 for the make-up trial and that is deducted from the $175.

As a makeup artist, I do not understand that practice. If someone wanted a trial makeup first, that is perfectly fine. Pay for the trial and if you want to book, then I would ask for a retainer fee. My retainer fee is deducted from the total of the wedding day services and is not used toward a trial. That would mean that the wedding date is not consider booked until a retainer is received. So, if the bride wants a trial first, her date will remain open until she decides to pay the retainer fee. I just don't understand that vendors practice at all. But that's just me.

Thanks Stephanie, that is kind of what I thought, I just can't see why they would either make me pay the deposit before I have even met with them. I mean, when you go to a baker for the cake, you get a consultation and cake testing beore you pay a deposit, when you book a caterer, you get to go try the food before you pay a depost, and when you book a venue you get to actually go out and take a tour and go over options before you pay a deposit. I may end up having to go with this anyway, but I am going to be extremely picky on the trial.

And you should be picky. It's your wedding day. Be sure to walk away from the trial feeling confident that the makeup will be exactly as you want it.

Yes, it is a normal practice. You have to understand where they are coming from. Lets say you had a bridal party of 6. They need to have on staff enough hairstylists to finish all of the formal looks in the time needed. The hairstylists do NOT get paid by the hour. What happens if you book their salon. They hold the day for you and you decide to not use them. Then they have turned business away and possibly brought too many people on staff that day. Its just an insurance policy for them. I am sure they have been burned SO many times. Some people ruin it for everyone.

Thanks Fancy Frocks, but it's not that I'm against paying the security depsoit. I just don't think that I should have to pay the security deposit BEFORE I have my hair trial. Or, if I do pay the deposit and have my makeup and hair done, then I don't like it or I don't get along with the stylist, I think I should be entitled to my deposit back since it would be atleast 6-8 weeks before the wedding, especially if I pay for the trial regardless.