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Nicole
Dedicated July 2013

Should I pay for my bridesmaids hair and makeup?

Nicole, on December 5, 2012 at 4:22 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 1 37

Hi everyone!

I know I want to have my hair and make up professionally done because (a) I suck at hair and make up and (b) I don't want to be stressing about how I look on the big day! I've been looking into services that come to you to do hair and make up for the bride and bridesmaids. These services are a bit pricey and I would hate to add any more costs for my bridesmaids! Do brides typically pay for their bridesmaids to have their hair and make up done or is this something bridesmaids expect to cover on their own? I've never been in a wedding before so I have no clue! I just hate throwing all these costs at my girls!

Thanks!

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**ADDED BY WW**

If you are requiring that your bridesmaids have their hair and makeup professionally done - then you need to cover the cost!

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/etiquette-advice/11-things-your-bridesmaids-do-not-want-to-hear

37 Comments

Latest activity by Kyra, on August 11, 2018 at 12:32 PM
  • Lizz M.
    Master March 2013
    Lizz M. ·
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    I don't know about typical, but I am covering either hair or makeup. I gave them the choice to get both or either done, and then I gave them the choice to either cover their hair or makeup. Mostly everyone chose hair, and they would do their own makeup.

    I've never been in a wedding where I do not pay for my own hair & I've also never been in a wedding where I get my makeup done.

    The reason I offered was bc I would like everyone to have their hair done. Makeup I figure they can handle on their own if they would like to. Our H&MUA is pretty pricey too, which is why I let them chose to A)have it done and then B)which service I would pay for as part of their gift.

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  • Private User
    VIP July 2013
    Private User ·
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    I've been asked to cover my own hair cost before, but that was when the bride paid for my dress.

    The other wedding I was in covered both hair and makeup.

    What I'm doing is paying for everyone's hair and then giving them the option to either do their own make up or pay 35 dollars for the make-up artist to do it.

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  • Jamie
    Super September 2012
    Jamie ·
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    I paid for my girls' hair and makeup, because I didn't want to burden them. It was a splurge and we needed to budget accordingly. I don't think brides should feel obligated to do so, if it's not in the budget. But, if you decide not to pay for it, I think you could present pro hair and makeup as an option (not a necessity) to your bridesmaids. That way, each girl can make a decision according to what her financial situation allows.

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  • Tiffany M. ( Tiffany P.)
    Master August 2012
    Tiffany M. ( Tiffany P.) ·
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    As a gift and thank you to my girls for being in the wedding, my parents paid for the girls to get their hair and makeup done professionally at a salon that my mom, MOH and myself (when in town) go to. But there were only 2 girls, myself and my mom. They opened it up early for us, 6:30 a.m. and we were all out of there by 9:45 a.m. It was only about 10 minutes away from my parents place; where we were getting dressed.

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  • Mrs. Castig
    Master September 2013
    Mrs. Castig ·
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    I understand where you are coming from on this one just fought this fight with myself today trying to get a final contract signed. I add them. I may end up having to pay for them, If I do it will be part of their Gifts.

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  • tiedaknotâ„¢
    Master March 2013
    tiedaknot™ ·
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    I am paying for my MOH's hair and make up. I am having mine done so I wanted her there with me =) I am not requiring her to do hair or make up any certain way and it is 100% her choice of style for noth hair and make up the day of the wedding! It is my gift to her for taking part in my wedding because she deserves to be pampered.

    She is getting a little something else as a keepsake but I haven't made my final decision on that gift yet!

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  • Gee O. aka Happily Wifed Up
    Master June 2012
    Gee O. aka Happily Wifed Up ·
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    If you can afford it why not?

    I paid for my girls make up but not their hair...

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  • Jamie
    Super September 2012
    Jamie ·
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    IMO, if the bride does not cover the cost, it's best to allow the bridesmaids the option to do their own hair and makeup. And again, it's totally understandable if you decide not to cover it -- it's a big expense!

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  • Almost Mrs. P
    Super June 2013
    Almost Mrs. P ·
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    I am paying for my 2 MOHs hair and makeup. Neither is in a particular great spot to cover it themselves and I want them to feel pampered on that day as well. If I had more than 2 though, I don't know if I would pay for it or not. Since I'm paying for that part of it, I'm giving them a small token of appreciation at the Rehearsal Dinner....though I have NO idea what that will be yet LOL.

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  • Shropshire2Davis
    VIP June 2019
    Shropshire2Davis ·
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    I planned on paying to get my MOH's hair done and also her daughters hair because they are my junior bridesmaid and FG. I don't know if I'm going to pay to get FMIL's hair done and my moms hair done yet. it all depends on how long their hair is at that time. my mom doesn't wear makeup so I'd probably only pay for FMIL's on top of mine and MOH's...

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  • DeAnna
    Expert September 2020
    DeAnna ·
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    First of all I want to say thank you. I say thanks because I was thinking the same thing. Since I plan of having a close girlfriend who normally does my hair come to the hotel the day of the wedding to do all of our hair plus another girlfriend from High School who works for MAC, who is also coming to the hotel to do makeup....

    I was hoping that both would just give me a fairly good discount on their services and I was just planning on paying. I'm sure all of my girls are already prepared to pay for it themselves. I just don't want to be one of "those" brides.

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  • KrystalH
    VIP September 2012
    KrystalH ·
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    My BM all paid for their own hair and makeup -- I told them they had the option to get it done professionally or DIY and they all chose Prof. I did pay for my mothers and MILs hair and makeup

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  • Z
    Master May 2012
    Zoe ·
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    I'm with all the others-- if you're going to insist that they get their hair and makeup done, you should pay for it. I didn't even consider I might have to pay for it in the wedding I was in cause I didn't even wear makeup to my *own* wedding, so I figured if she wanted me to wear makeup to hers, she'd better not make me pay for it!

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  • HoundMama
    VIP May 2013
    HoundMama ·
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    I have been in plenty of weddings and I have ALWAYS covered the cost of my own hair - even when the bride requested it a certain way.

    I am not requesting that my girls have theirs done a certain way, but I did ask them if they would like me to make an appointment for them at the same time I am getting mine done. All of my BM's are OOT so they wouldn't even know where to start as far as stylists if they wanted their hair professionally done. My cousin is a beautician so her and her team will handle it.

    They know I'm not paying for their hair though - they don't expect it.

    I may decide at the last minute to pay for it though, as a simple gesture. I haven't decided yet.

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  • B
    Expert July 2013
    BethBlue1115 ·
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    I think the general rule is that its okay to give them the option (without you having to cover the cost), but if you require that they get it done, you should really try to pay for it. My girls all opted to have their hair done, and 1/2 are getting their make-up done as well. But I in no way required it.

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  • M
    VIP May 2013
    Married ·
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    I have this same dilemma. I told the girls they didn't have to get their hair done, but for an up-do my hairstylist charges $85 and for a blow-out style it's $45. I don't care what they do and I told them they could if they wanted to but they didn't have to. 4 girls said they wanted to before they heard the price and now I feel bad because it's so much. It's not in our budget to pay for all of their hair, and as I said, I'm not mandating it, but I think I might try to pay for part of, or half of their hair. I think they're all doing their own makeup.

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  • Celia Milton
    Celia Milton ·
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    Yikes...weddings have gotten so complex, lol.. If you are requiring that it be done, you should pay for it, but it's not a gift; it's something that you've told them must be done. If you're not requiring it, you might ask the person who is doing your hair and mu what it would cost for a group, so you can let them all know the cost. Let them know a deadline for them to decide so you don't surprise your pros that day, and they have enough time to take care of everyone.

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  • Jill
    Savvy August 2013
    Jill ·
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    I agree with what's been said.. I wanted to get mine done and offered to my girls, with the understanding that I wouldn't be paying for it. I made it optional and gave them PLENTY of notice so that they'd be able to come up with it. Most people opted out (I have 5 BMs), but we're still going to all hang out that morning and have fun!

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  • Ashley
    VIP May 2013
    Ashley ·
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    I don't feel you have to pay for it unless you're telling them to have their hair & make up done a specific way. I told my girls any makeup is fine as long as its not boom smokey extreme and their hair can be any way they feel makes them look beautiful. It's just so pricey I'm only covering the costs of my own hair & makeup, as much as I would love to offer.

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  • Serina
    Expert June 2013
    Serina ·
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    I'm planning on paying for hair/makeup for my girls but I couldn't afford the price that my MUA was charging so I'm planning on finding someone who can do it cheaper off of Craigslist.

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