TL;DR: If you had to deal with HMUA minimums, how did you choose to cover or split the costs? I'm not "requiring" anything, but if I don't hit the minimums I'll be paying for those services anyway.
Most HMUAs I've found in my area have a minimum, especially on-site (which is what I want). I'm not requiring hair & makeup, technically, as I would never force someone into that, & I'm not requiring a certain look. Everyone has told me they do want hair & makeup done professionally, & they seem okay with paying (although they haven't asked me about the cost). I had initially planned on paying for one service per person & then they could pay for the other service, either from the HMUA I hire (~$100) or go find a salon (likely cheaper). However, one service per person won't hit any of the minimums, which leaves me in a weird spot.
Using an example of the lowest HMUA minimum I've found so far: This HMUA requires 3+ people, defined as 6+ total services. I have a pretty small wedding party (me, 3 bridesmaids, my mother...FH's mother does not want hair or makeup done). I'm not planning on having my hair done; I have one bridesmaid who wants to go to her usual hair salon & my mother is saying the same. If the three of us are makeup only, that leaves three more needed services but only two bridesmaids. If neither of them want to pay for a 2nd service, I'll be paying for that service anyway.
So, using the example of this HMUA, I could:
1.) Pay for the full HMUA service, even though it's unequal (one bridesmaid & my mother will be paying for a service elsewhere; the other two bridesmaids would pay nothing). Obviously the most expensive option for me. I also wonder, if I'm paying for it all, if the other bridesmaid & my mother will want to switch to using my HMUA & thus make it even more expensive.
2.) Stick with covering 1 service per person. This would only be 5 services, so I'll either trust that at least one bridesmaid will want both services (which I do think is the case) or I'll pay for an unused 6th service if not. But this feels weird to me because then that final, 6th service isn't really "optional."
3.) Pay for my hair to be done even though I'm not sure I want it (I have short curly hair). Bridal hair is double the cost of party hair for this HMUA, so this would be pricier, but would allow me to pay for one service for everyone else & hit the minimum.
4.) Tell my FH's mother I'm paying for one service for her. This would mean I have 6 people (including me) & I'm truly paying for 1 service per person. But, my FMIL doesn't really want anything done. This option feels most wasteful.
5.) Tell my mother I want her to get her hair done with us (not at her salon) & pay for both of her services. She did offer me this as she knows I'm struggling with the minimums, but she thinks the HMUA prices are too much for what she wants done (hair down).
Again, this is just an example using the lowest minimum I've found. Some other HMUAs have a minimum dollar amount, others a higher number of people. I have found a few that seem to have no minimums but haven't reached out as I don't love their portfolios or they have no reviews. I'm also ready to be done with this part of planning!
