Bridesmaids Hair

As long as you're comfortable with the bridesmaids doing their own hair if they want to, you aren't required to pay for it.

It's not required to pay for their hair and makeup unless you're requiring them to get it done professionally! If you're wanting them to use the hair and MUA you picked, then I think it's only fair to offer to pay for it.

I just sent my ladies the link to the vendor I was choosing, and the prices for their services. I told them it wasn't required, but if they wanted it done to let me know what services they wanted done so I could get an accurate count. All of them wanted both services, but they refused when I told them I would pay for it, and said they wouldn't let me lol (so I got lucky!). I'm not having anything fancy done for them, just loose curls and natural makeup, but they all said they'd feel better if a pro did it so they made that decision on their own!

It's not rude as long as it's optional for them to decide whether to get their hair and makeup done professionally. As long as you're ok with the possibility of some of them choosing to do their own, then you're totally fine to not pay for it!

I did pay for all of my girls to have their hair and makeup professionally done and allowed them to choose any style or look, but this customary in my social circle and not necessarily the norm everywhere. As long as you're making hair and makeup optional for your bridesmaids, you are fine to ask them to pay.

You never have to pay for bridesmaids to get their hair done. This is fine.

If you are requiring a specific look, you are expected to pay. Otherwise they pay themselves.

It's fine if you don't want to pay for HMU for your bridesmaids as long as they can do their own. Are you offering the services of the HMU artist for the other girls (should they choose) or not letting them use the service at all? It would be kind of weird if you didn't offer the service to them if they wanted to get it done.

I am not requiring my bridesmaids to get their hair and make up done professionally. I made it clear from the beginning. However, as a part of the wedding party gift (instead of giving them something they don’t like) I offer to pay for one service (hair OR make up) of their choice. They can choose to get the other one done themselves or pay the vendor.

If you are not requiring your BM's to get their hair and makeup done then you are not required to pay for it.

It's not a requirement to pay for their hair and makeup. The only time I feel it's rude not to pay is when you want them to have a specific style done by a specific stylist you pick. As long as they are doing their own hair I don't see it rude not to pay. I'm not paying for hair and makeup for my bridesmaids either.

As long as you're not requiring them to get their hair/makeup done, then you don't have to pay. Specific looks aside, you would only have to pay if you're requiring that they get their hair/makeup done by the person you've selected. If it's optional then you don't have to pay

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As an add-on to this, OP should consider whether she will be 100% okay with the fact that her bridesmaids may not all have the skills to make their own hair and makeup look "professional" for photos. I think she should at least give them the option to pay for it the services themselves if they so desire. I was once in a wedding with 5 other bridesmaids where the bride got her own hair and makeup done, but didn't offer hair and makeup services for us. I would have totally paid for it myself if it had even been an option. the bride looked amazing, but all the bridesmaids' hair turned out looking pretty sloppy because it was a super hot and humid day. and I burned my neck on my curling iron. things that could have been avoided by having a professional do it. I hope the bride was happy but it was kind of a disaster for the rest of us.

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I completely agree with this. Not everyone has the skills or high quality products needed to look good.

Bridesmaids have always seen to themselves until the last TV celebrity fad of people all getting ready together on site, and it is fine if you do it too. You have no responsibility or control over what people do with their hair. They are adults,
Just because something became a TV inspired fad for a while, a lot of people including your sister think it is traditional, or maybe good etiquette. It has nothing to do with either. I am a big fan of max 1 or 2 getting ready with the bride, family or someone from bridal party. This means people do not have to spend hours waiting for each other, taking turns.

You cannot make people have their hair done professionally. Whatever arrangement they make, including doing it themselves or with a friend, is always okay, and has never been up to the bride to choose, except on drama tv. By the same token, when out of their home area, it can be helpful for the bride to gather a list of salons that are open early Saturday for wedding day things, or where stylists will come to bridesmaids who chose to use their services and pay for them. So bridesmaids have a real choice. But arrangements and payment are their responsibility, not the bride's.

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I know I definitely don't! I need all the help I can get from the professionals.

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If you have a mobile service coming to you, they may have a required number of people to work on or else you will need to come in to the salon. You can offer the service and give them the price (before you actually book them) and give them a deadline to decide if they want the professional services or have them set an appointment at the same salon but they have to pay. Unfortunately many salons do not offer makeup services.