Hair & Makeup Advice

It really depends on your budget, it's a lot of money! I'd offer to pay hair and not makeup, if they want, they can pay themselves. Don't feel under obligation. Paying for dresses and hair and possibly accessories and a gift is plenty.

I've had my makeup and hair paid for at the 4 weddings I was bridesmaid at but I've often paid for my own hair ir makeup trial because not everyone is happy with the same makeup. It is ultimately down to you though. I am having the same thing as you, finding HMUA are so so expensive it's almost making me wonder if I should cut my BM'd down to 2 from 4. I would perhaps either pay but they have to pay for their trial and own shoes or just pay for hair or the makeup and they pay for the other. The only danger of saying that should pay for their own makeup is you might get one that says they want to do their own. In theory I have no issue with that but I'd want everyone to have similar makeup for the photos and some people do like a bit more coverage lol!

Hiya,

nowadays weddings are much different from how it used to be in the past where the brides and grooms use to pay for everything. If you can’t afford to pay for their hair and makeup then kindly ask that they pay for it. I’m getting married next year and my bridesmaids are paying for everything without any complaints. They all understand how expensive weddings are and some of them even pitched in and helped pay for other things as well. It’s up to you and the kind of bridesmaids you have. PS. All my bridesmaids are my sisters and best friends and we’ve known each other all our lives. It may be different depending on the relationship you have with them.

I only have one bridesmaid, my sister, because I knew that I wouldn’t have been able to afford to play for anymore than this!

Because I have kept it just as my sister, I am paying for her dress, hair and makeup (not her trial) and her hotel room, plus a very small gift (maybe a key ring or personalised mug). She isn’t in a great financial position, so this is why we’e covering her and her partners accommodation. I will be asking her to buy her own shoes and any accessories though.

Thanks everyone! It’s a bit of a minefield!

I think it is fair that they contribute and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind, they’re all great friends.

My only concern is that my 5th bridesmaid has just confirmed she’s coming which is amazing but she’s flying in from Australia just for the wedding so not sure it’s fair to then ask her to pay for her makeup etc!

We are running short on money so my maids have paid for their dresses (they had already offered) and hopefully shoes, but I am planning to pay for hair and makeup. There is no accommodation planned for the night before, again down to money and my ladies are local, so really it depends on your plans.

Gosh I think only you know your bridesmaids and how they would react to paying for their own. I absolutely think it's fine for them to do their own, but you should bear in mind that if I was your bridesmaid and you said that to me, I would never in a million years pay for someone to do my makeup, may be hair but highly unlikely. It is just not in my DNA. And I do like nice make up and hair but I would do my own.

I personally feel that if you want a 'look' that is specific to your wedding I think you have to pay for it. It seems highly unreasonable to me to expect people to do what you want for your day at their own expense. Personally I hate the whole lets all look the same thing and I like to see everyones own true self so may be that is clouding my judgement, so just check you don't have any bridesmaids like me before you suggest they pay for / do their own!

Good luck! xx