Who Should Pay for Hair & Makeup?

If you're requiring that they use your hair and makeup artist, you should be paying for it. If you left it up to them to decide whether they wanted to use the vendor or just do it themselves, it's fine to ask them to chip in.

If you are requiring everyone to have their hair and makeup professionally done, you should cover the costs.


If you are letting everyone decide whether or not they'd like to have hair and/or makeup professionally done, or if they prefer to do it themselves, then it's up to you: if it's in budget, it'd be a nice gesture for you to cover the cost. If not, then it's fine to ask everyone to cover their own hair/makeup costs.

Typically the rule is if you are requiring them to get their hair and makeup done (and especially if you’re requiring a certain look) then you pay for it. If you’re not requiring it then I would ask them to opt in or out of getting their hair and makeup done based on their needs and budget.

Were you clear with expenses when you asked your friends to be bridesmaids so they know what they are getting into? Needing to decline if they can’t afford costs. Hair/makeup prices are part of the information given at that time. Did they agree to pay for this? Or did you offer to cover it at that time? If you are requiring a certain look or that the service be used then you cover the entire bill. If you do cover expenses, you need to give an additional non-wedding-related thank you gift. Anything for your wedding (robes/pjs/dresses/hair/makeup/jewelry) are not gifts for them.

First I would ask them if they would like to have hair and makeup done. I know people say you could require it and then you'd have to pay for it, but I think people should always have the choice. If they want it done it's perfectly fine to ask them to pay for it. All the HMUA businesses I researched had a minimum of 6 services so be sure that you check with your bridal party to make sure you have the required minimum. At my wedding, the everyone was given a QRcode to pay for it on their own when it was complete. So I didn't have to worry about coordinating any payments, just myself and my daughters.

I understand the stress of the price tag! For myself, my MOH, my one bridesmaid and our two mothers it’s costing $1500. For 5 people! But I am footing the bill for everyone

Usually the rule is that if you're asking them to have their hair and makeup done professionally, then you'd need to cover the costs. If hair and makeup is optional, then each girl can pay for herself. I decided to cover all of the hair and makeup costs for my bridesmaids, but I didn't consider this part of their gift, which was separate.

When I was a bridesmaid I never had a bride pay for my hair or makeup I’ve always paid for my own. I think if you are requiring them to wear it a certain way then you should pay for it. I did not pay for my girls hair and make up. Its honestly is ur preference if you want to gift them that way. I’d just make sure they are okay with the price of hair and make up. Some of my girls preferred going to their own people.

I think if you want to pay for someone it would be your maid of honor and your mom. That’s a lot of money for your day.

I dont think its odd not to pay if youre open about the potential cost ahead of time. That being said, if you're not going to foot the whole bill you should make using those services optional. For example, im paying for all my party's hair and making makeup optional since I'm going to be doing my own.

The bride should

Ask them to chip in

It can be their gift if you can swing it. That’s what I’m doing and what my sister did when she got married. But it’s not bad to ask for help.. if they refuse or can’t afford it maybe go half? If they fight it up to you if you want them to do it themselves. Good luck!! ☺️

I let my bridesmaids and matron-of-honor choose if they wanted their make-up and hair done by the professionals.

For hair: my bridesmaids and matron-of-honor chose to get their hair done professionally by my hair stylist and I paid the deposit and the girls are paying for their own hair.

For make-up: my bridesmaids are doing their own make-up and my mother paid for me, my matron-of-honor and herself to get make-up done by my make-up artist.

If you're requiring your bridal party to get hair and make-up done, then it's courtesy to pay for them. If you're letting them choose, then they can pay for their own.

Ok so how many of the girls who can do each other now if your are give this to them as a gift them your totally your responsibility for it. I have my future niece to do it for me but I'm paying for it. And then 1 of of my maid of honors has both of my of bridesmaids and herself and the other maid of honor is doing her own. My mom wear very little and then my future mother in law will be done by the niece too

You definitely should be paying. It's already really expensive to be a bridesmaid, since they have to plan/pay for the bachelorette, dressing, and the transportation. Even if you do have it optional, the bridesmaids shouldn't have to pay.

Umm my coworker said that is there gift.

I paid the deposit which was 50% of all to secure my date and requested the girls paid their other half to me a week prior to actual remainder due. Hope that helps