Hair and make up dilemma

Personally I never even considered paying for my mum's anything...

I think perhaps the BM's could do each others? You could have a trial run evening, make it fun? See how they feel. If it goes horribly you can all (together) work out what to do for the best.

I think the hair is more important than make-up and I find some people are a little bit 'funny' about make-up and know what suits them and what they like, whereas they're mostly happy to go with whatever, hair-wise, if you see what I mean.

I don't think you are being tight. I think sometimes we get so caught up in 'the done thing' or what others expect that we don't stop to think that paying all this money can get silly. I was shocked to see the cost of make-up artists and have gone for a friend who does beauty stuff and will charge me £30. I figured the bridesmaids could do their own or we could all pitch in! They are paying for their dresses as well (which they seemed happy to do) and I am happy for them to wear any shoes they want.

Ask around and see if anyone knows someone who is a MUA or just a friend who is really good.

also ask them If they want their make up done some people don't like that stuff my sister doesn't.

I don't think its 'out of order' at all, in fact it is quite common now for BM's, MOB etc to pay for their own. You have enough expenses to pay for!
Where are you getting married? I know some of the Hair and MUA's near me charge less the £55 and do an absolutely amazing job. x

Ah thanks ladies, you're putting my mind at rest! I'm getting ready and having the reception at Wokefield Park. I've already contacted their preferred supplier and she's quite expensive. The hotel has a spa with beauty section so I'm going to call them and see if they do any packages. I'm hoping they will be happy doing their own/ each others, as like you've said some people can get funny about it, and they know what their comfortable with. I agree that hair is more important, and my sister in law has already out me in touch with someone who will do the hair for me

Still 9 months to go but stressed already!! Never mind, my dress has arrived in the shop so I'm going over today to try it on!!! ?

I let my bridesmaid know that a MUA would be coming on the day to do my make up and if they wanted theirs doing they could but they would have to pay £25 each for it.

I am paying for their hair & dresses though.

I'm currently looking at makeup/hair costs as well. Sent out one email asking for a quote and have had no reply so far. I'm having the same dilema about paying for everyone and am also not really sure what to do. Am pleased I am only having a few bridesmaids (and one is only 3 so will not want hair or makeup doing - I don't think she would stand still for long enough).

Gemma - who can you recommend? I notice you cover London, Essex and Kent.

I have bought the dresses for my bridesmaids and am paying for their alterations. I have told them they can wear whatever shoes and jewellery they want and so they are buying their own. I have also told them that they are free to have their hair how they choose and so could have it done professionally or do it themselves. They all opted to do their own make up and have their hair professionally done and are all willing to cover the cost of this.

I was bridesmaid for my friend and she bought our dresses and asked that we sorted everything else which I think is fine.

I don't think you should be expected to pay for it. Luckily my MOH works on No7 counter and is brilliant so she is doing my make up, my mum's and her own. She is also going to help my other 2 BMs. She's doing it for a bottle of wine! (I'm actually going to give her some money anyway)

If I had to pay for a MUA, there's no way I'd be able to afford to pay for my BMs to have theirs done too, so I'd either get them to pay for themselves or do their own.

I know exactly how you feel! I haven't organised hair and make up yet but have been getting quotes and it is pretty expensive! Especially if you then include trials AND travel/ call out charges :o$

I haven't discussed with my bridesmaids yet but I was thinking of saying I'll cover the hair but if they want make up they might have to pay for that themselves. Like another lady said, I think some girls prefer to do their own make up. I'm actually not even 100% decided yet on having mine done. Have thought about doing it myself, although could be stressful!

It's stressful because I start feeling really guilty about how much it'll cost people to come to our wedding. My friends and family will be travelling up to Sotland and I already feel bad about the travel and accommodation costs they'll all have :o$ I don't want my bridesmaids to feel like it's going to be an expense to be a bm! You're definitely not being tight though :o)

We can only just about afford the BM dresses in our budget so have told them they can wear their own shoes, have their hair and makeup as they like and if they want to buy new shoes or have their hair and makeup done professionally that's up to them. I think it's ok as long as you're not dictating they wear their hair a certain way and they have to pay for it too.

I'm frankly petrified about make up! My daughter is my bm and neither of us normally wear any so I honestly don't have a clue! a friend is doing our hair so may have to get make up done and swallow the cost. But in your situation I would definitely have a chat with the bms and you may find they would rather do their own. I'm tempted to run us down to a dept store on the wedding morning and tell one of the make up people there and beg for help lol

Thanks for all the advice ladies, it's nice to know that others are in the same position.

Since posting this I remembered that one of the best men's wife used to work on the make up counter at Clarins, and she has offered to do all our make up!! We'll obviously pay her something but it will be no where near the cost of a MUA.

If we hadn't have remembered about her I think I would have felt comfortable enough to ask the bridesmaids to other do their own or pay themselves. I think like most people I'm too concerned with keeping other people happy, and need to remember that in most situations people will be ok with helping out