Bridesmaids

If you are requiring them to get professional hair and makeup done for your wedding, then you should be paying for it. If you're ok with them doing their own hair/makeup, then it doesn't cost you or them anything.

But if you are simply giving them the option of doing the pro services, then they pay for their own. That's the general etiquette, but brides handle it in lots of different ways. For example, I would love to be able to pay for all my ladies to get these done, but I can't afford that. So, I'm giving them the option to pay for pro services. But also, I'm going to surprise them with a gift of pro makeup (less expensive than hair). So, I'll pay for the makeup if they want it.

Everything that Cristy said! I didn't care if my bridesmaids had their hair/makeup done professionally, but I did offer my hair stylist to them if they wanted to pay her for her services. They all opted to have their hair done professionally and they will be the ones to pay for it. Otherwise, I would've been totally fine with them doing it themselves.

View Quoted Comment OK! That seems pretty fair. I’m pretty open to them doing their hair/makeup themselves but I know I suck at hair and make up so I’m gonna have someone do mine. Like you both suggested I’ll offer to them if they want to do it themselves they can or if they want to go I’m going to they’re more than welcome to. I felt it was rude/mean of me to not pay for it. I’d love too but don’t have the extra or else I would without a doubt

If you're requiring them to do professional hair and makeup, the bride should pay. If it's optional, they should pay.

My sister had us do our hair and makeup professionally and she didn’t pay for it. I think that rule is outdated in my opinion.


I didn’t mind paying for it my own. I was honored to be a part of her day and knew the finances that came along with being a MOH. I never once assumed she would pay for it.
You don’t have to pay for it but make sure that you MOH/BMs are financially ready to pay for makeup/hair/dress.

My bridesmaids paid for their own hair and makeup it just wasn't in our budget and I did not make it a requirement, if I had I would have paid.

I will be paying for my BM's and MOH to have their hair done as the HMUA is coming to our bridal party house to do the work and I am requiring everyone have their hair done professionally. Our wedding is also out of town for our entire bridal party so I'm already asking a lot of them to travel to the wedding, even though I know they would all be happy to pay for their own hair, I am considering it more of a gift. Talk to your Bridal party and see what they are able to handle financially.