Bridal Party Hair and Makeup

If you’re requiring them to wear their hair and makeup a certain way, you’re responsible for the cost. If it’s optional, you can ask them if they’d like to participate.

I would see what the vendor requires. Do they need to have at least 5 people to book them or something like that. If not, I would just let your girls know this vendor will be available for these prices if you want to use them. That way they can decide to use the services or not.

If having their hair & makeup professionally done is optional, then you are not required to pay for it. If you are requiring them to have it done, then you need to pay. I am leaving it up to my bridesmaids. If they would like either, or both, service(s) done, they are required to pay for it. If they don’t want it done, no problem. At this point, they have all said they will be getting both done.

Does the vendor need a head count this far out? If not, maybe wait until it's a bit closer.

As long as you're not requiring a certain hairstyle and specific makeup, they can opt in or out of paying for this!

I left it totally up to my girls whether they wanted it professionally done and just gave them the pricing list for my salon.

If it helps, I am paying for makeup, but since all my friends have different hair & it works for them differently I told them the price and had them decide if they wanted to get their hair done. Since I am paying for makeup I think it made it easier for them to afford to get their hair done and so they all opted in for it.

You only pay for it if you are requiring your BMs to use that service. If you want to make it optional for them, that's great. Just tell them how much each service will cost--you can even mention the $5/month to let them know how easy it could be to save up. Also, give them a deadline to decide, so that you can let your hair and makeup person know. If you have a larger bridal party, and they all opt to have those services, then your professionals may need to bring extra help, so make sure you factor that in to your timeline.

This is what I'm doing. I only have 3 girls, but I'm giving them the option. I figure I want to feel pampered, and I'd like them to feel that way too, if they can afford it! By giving them the option this far in advance, you've really helped them make the expense affordable.

As pps have said, as long as it's optional then I think it's fine to have your bridesmaids pay for their own services. I called the salons and got pricing info first, then presented it to my girls like "Ok so I know some of you might be interested in getting your hair professionally done for the wedding. This is totally up to you, and if you want to do it it's $XX with a deposit of $XX. Let me know!" And then they just Venmo-ed me their deposits. Easy peasy.