Hair and Make Up on the day

You could just ask your bm's to do their own hair and makeup and just have yours done?

I second the above comment. As the bride, you need to look and feel your best on your wedding day. Definitely try to find some money so your hair and make-up gets done professionally. Re the bridesmaid, as a compromise, perhaps you can pay for hair and asked them to do their own make-up?

Kate Middleton did her own wedding make-up.

I paid for someone to do my hair and make-up (as well as my BMs and mom), and thought it was worth it. However, I am not a confident make-up person. I definitely couldn't do my hair.

I did my own, but I wish in hindsight that I'd had an MUA. Not cos I didn't do a decent job, I think I did - but I was rushing around and panicking trying to get ready and I think having someone else do it would have reduced some of that stress. I didn't bypass it for budget reasons, more cos we were getting married so far from home so I couldn't really arrange trials, so I still don't think I could have gotten around that. But if you can find a way, I'd strongly suggest having one. If you do decide to do your own, I definitely suggest a lot of research, watch tutorials online and buy new products if you can - don't forget you will have them to keep and use after the wedding too.

I'm doing my makeup but paying for someone to do my hair. I would definitely agree with the comments above that you don't have to pay for your bridesmaids as well. After all, it's you who most people will be looking at and you need to feel comfortable, whether a professional gets you feeling that way or you do it yourself.

I've had a MAC makeup lesson before where you pay an amount - think mine was £30 but they do different ones and then at the end of the lesson you can redeem that money against products, so the lesson is kind of free. I would recommend it if you think you're okay at makeup but want a few tips, and then you can get some nice makeup to use as well.

I have a budget of £250 for hair and make-up including any trials, although I only have one bridesmaid and myself to sort.

I've let my BM know that I will definitely be getting her hair done within budget, but that she may have to do her own make-up if this would push it over budget. She was absolutely fine with that.

I'd definitely say get your own hair and make-up done, then see if you can fit anything else into your budget afterwards. You want to have a cheeky little bucks fizz on the morning of the wedding, not an hour stress over one curl on your head not looking like the others - I know I'd be a wreck if I did them myself!

Thanks, I think I will try and sort a professional then. I already have too much to think about on the day and I like the idea of feeling pampered actually!

If you wanted to pay for them could you compromise on something else budget wise? I knew my bridesmaids shoes wouldn't be visible with their dresses and their personal tastes vary considerably so didn't want to get shoes as well as a dress they may never wear again. They are going to wear their own shoes and I am paying for the on the day make up and hair for them. I think you're right not to want to be stressed doing it on the day yourself and if you have a trial you'll also feel confident knowing how you'll look so hopefully feel nice and relaxed.