Who pays?

It depends! If the bride is requiring for the bridesmaids to have their hair and makeup professionally done, then the bride should pay. If the bride says it's optional, then either the bride could still cover the cost if it's in budget (a super kind gesture), or the bridesmaids could cover their own costs if they choose to have it done.

Unless you require them to have hair/makeup done professionally and/or a certain look, they pay themselves. Be transparent about all costs and expectations before you ask them to be a bridesmaid.


Also, many hair/makeup vendors require a minimum of 3-5 or more people receiving services before they will work with you.

If the bride is requiring hair and makeup she pays for it. If it's optional and the wedding party opt in, then they pay.

This depends. If you require that all bridesmaids have professional hair and makeup done, then you would pay. If it’s not a requirement (ie, they have the choice between doing it themselves or having it professionally done), then it’s up to you to decide!- Either you can pay for it or you can leave it up to them to pay for their services. We will be paying for everybody’s HMU because it’s important to me that all my girls feel beautiful and confident standing in front of people and having their pictures taken; and I couldn’t imagine asking them to pay for something they wouldn’t need if it weren’t for my event.

I’m paying for my bridesmaids to get hair and make up done. It’s 100% because I love them and have room in my budget for it. I don’t require anything of them except to help me keep my sh** together. My group has offered to pay for their own but this is a little something special I have decided to do for them. I would suggest talking with your group, looking at HMUAs in your area to see a how much they run and going from there.

I only have one bridesmaid and my maid of honor so I’m paying for them to get hair/makeup done along with myself, my mother a mil. They’re buying their outfits. I should offer something for asking them to have extra responsibility at my wedding

I plan on paying for my bridesmaids’ hair and makeup, if they choose to have it done professionally with me.

If you require a certain place and specific style, you should pay. If it's more open-ended and you aren't so picky, they can pay. I've always paid for my own hair/makeup as a bridesmaid but my friends didn't care if I did or did not get it done.

I am not requiring my bridesmaids get their hair or makeup done, but I have offered to pay for one of the services. Honestly, I don't have a ton of room in the budget for this, but since they will be paying a fair amount to attend my wedding and bachelorette, it felt like the right thing to do.

I saved some $ by keeping my bridesmaid proposals very simple.