Paying for the BM's makeup...etiquette

Sparkette19

If I want to book with a certain MUA, I need to guarantee her a certain monetary amount. This MUA is just starting her own business so, I once heard that if a vendor owns their own business a tip is not necessary. I feel kind of weird thinking about not tipping someone who is going to be working on at least 5 girls by herself. I will pay the for the BM's to get their makeup done, however is it ok to ask the BM's to pay for the tip? Also, if they want anything that costs extra, is it ok to ask them to pay for that themself?

brideinfall08

I think you need to tip her and I think you need to pay for everything.  I feel like if you're paying for their make up that should include tip and lashes.  You could always tell the mua not to bring lashes, that way they can't add on to the cost?

mrsmiller630

I think it's kind of silly to not tip because they own their own business. I was actually talking about this with a friend yesterday, and even Martha Stewart Weddings brings this up. I'm an entrepreneur and even though I'm not in the service industry where anyone would consider tipping, I know that I personally work harder and longer than my employees plus I have to carry the weight of the stress of not making enough for my business to survive. When someone shows me that they see how hard I work, it is so great. I will definitely be tipping all of my business-owning vendors!!Side note---I also can't stand the "not tipping on alcohol" rule at a restaurant. I used to be a server and a portion of my tips would be "tipped out" to the bartender. So if a customer didn't tip me because they ordered alcohol, I actually had to cover for their choice and lose money.

mrsmiller630

On the other hand, I think it's your choice whether you pay for their makeup or not. I've stood up in plenty of weddings where I paid for my own hair and makeup and it was fine. Anything to help the bride!

raeyn

I agree with pp that the no tipping business owners rule is absurd. Tips are technically to show appreciation for good service, so it shouldn't matter whether they work for someone else. I think that if you are requiring your BMs to get their makeup done professionally by the MUA you're hiring, then you really should pay for the whole thing including tip. But I think lashes or other "extras" that your BMs might elect to get are their choice and I don't think it's terribly rude to ask them to pay for it. If I were a BM and wanted lashes, I'd rather have the option of paying for it than not have the option because the MUA was told not to bring any. I can't afford to pay for my BMs so I'm giving them the option of doing their own hair and makeup or paying the stylist/MUA that will be there for mine. I'm not going to book anyone with minimums unless I'm sure that my BMs want to do it. Not sure if this is considered proper etiquette, but it works for my situation.

krisdi78

I personally think if you're making your BMs get their makeup done by this lady you need to pay for the entire thing - tip included.  And I also am not a fan of if they own their own business you don't need to tip - what ever happened to what the meaning of a tip was - if they do a good job and you're happy, tip them for the service they've performed for you.

bdklatt

Part of my BM gift was a manicure/pedicure combo. We all got together the friday night before the wedding and got our nails done....i brought champagne and dessert too. Some of my girls have fake nails and some don't. So some would be getting a manicure ($12) and some would get a fill ($20). Since there was a price difference I just got them all gift certificates to the nail place for $45.....and that covered a manicure, pedicure, and french polish on both. Anything extra they had to cover....inlcuding tip. That's how I did it....so I wouldn't have to tell them "you can pay tip"....it was implied. I also got them their jewelry that was another $40 so for them to have to pay tip wasn't so bad in my book.

kthame

Personally, if I was asking all of my girls to get their makeup done, I would expect that I would be responsible for paying for this, including the tip. I think it's going to get tedious if you say "i'll pay for standard makeup however if you want lashes, or anything extra, you will be responsible for that on your own". You'll have people whipping out calculators to figure out what their costs are vs. what your costs are. If you're paying for their makeup, then do it to the full extent and not half-a$$ed. That's not meant in a nasty way...just thinking of you on your wedding day and you don't need any extra headaches.

penniesfromheaven

i tip for quality not because i'm supposed to or not supposed to by some standards. i think if you are close with your BM's and i assume you are, then ask them if they would be ok tipping. i am not paying for my BM's to get makeup done, and they can use them if they want. with that said, the choice to make appointments with someone who has minimums comes with the added issue of dealing with that extra expense. you shouldn't be expected to pay for the BM's and they should not be expected to tip, however if you can work something out that is fair i think that would be good and not rude.

chosen175

If you're paying for the makeup as a gift to your BM's, you also need to pay the tip.  Otherwise, your "gift" will end up costing them money.  I would tell them "I'll pay for the makeup, but if you want lashes or anything extra, you'll have to cover that yourself."  They'll understand. If you don't want to pay for everyone and your BM's don't want to fork over the cash, talk to the MUA and see if you can go to her on your own.  Maybe she will be inclined to waive the minimum if she doesn't have to travel.Ditto pp's in regards to tipping owners.  It doesn't matter who signs their paycheck - good service is good service and should be rewarded accordingly.  The person is still giving up their free time, using their supplies, traveling, etc and although people think the entire amount goes right into the owner's pocket, that's far from the truth.  It costs a LOT of money to keep a business afloat and most of the time, the owners are barely breaking even.  A tip would be much appreciated, as would a promise to send more business their way if you are REALLY satisfied.

penniesfromheaven

i really think you should just say:makeup costs this muchi can afford this muchif you want to get your makeup done professionally by this personand ask if they would be ok with covering the tip. it is really not rude at all. they are your friends and will understand, and can simply decline if they dont want to do this. its not that big of a deal.

Sparkette19

Wow, these were not the responses I was expecting. I'm glad I asked. I guess I look at it differently that some of you ladies. I don't look at it like I'm forcing my BM's to get their makeup done by this MUA. I just thought I was going to do something nice and pay for their makeup for the day as a thank you....definitely not part of their gift. I am of the school of thought that a wedding party gift shouldn't be for the wedding. I definitely see your points though. Maybe I'm different though. If I was in someone's wedding and they paid for my makeup, I really wouldn't mind who was doing it and I would offer to pay the tip. That's really how we do it in my family and circle of friends, especially at a restaurant...if someone treats you, you pay the tip. I don't know...I keep going back and forth! I don't want to be in bad form, but I also am just trying to be nice...

chosen175

Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between doing this as a thank you and doing this as a gift?  I'm confused.  I know in the weddings I've been in, some brides have offered to pay for my makeup and some haven't.  I tend not to carry much cash these days so if I got there, you paid for my makeup, and I had to pay for the tip, I'd be unprepared and embarrassed. It would be very sweet of you to offer to pay but if I will have to give my own money on top of that, I'd rather do my makeup myself.  You're not considered to be "treating" anyone to anything if it costs them money.  Yes, it would be great if they offered to pay the tip - and most people probably would - but you need to be prepared in case they don't.Sometimes when you ask for opinions from people who are outside of the situation, they can bring up points you might not have considered because you're too close to the issue.  It can be hard to accept people's advice when they're from different ways of life and believe different things.  I don't see anyone as trying to be mean or call you cheap - just trying to offer advice, which you're free to take or leave.  You may be of the mindset that gifts aren't to be used on the wedding day, while I've never been in a wedding where I DIDN'T receive a necklace or something similar to wear on that day.  Po-TAY-to, Po-TOT-oh.  Good luck with your decision.

Sparkette19

I really appreciate everyone's honest opinions. It did give me something to think about that didn't even cross my mind. My whole outlook on our wedding is that I don't want it to be cumbersome on anyone. I know weddings are by nature, but I'm trying to reduce that. So, I want to have this MUA do our makeup. It's not my style to tell the girls, you will get your MU done by xyz. I am planning on presenting the idea to the girls and seeing if they like her work. If they like her work and want to have their MU done then I will pay for it. I highly doubt that any of the girls would say no. I guess I was thinking of this whole situation kind of like how would I feel if this was presented to me. I wouldn't bat an eyelash if someone offered to pay for my MU and advised that if I felt the service warranted a tip to please take care of this and any extras outside of the standard service. However, I do see everyone's point....

vszyman

With regards to tipping the owner of a business:   The thought behind tipping the "employee" is that 100% of the procedes do NOT go to that person; they have to pay up to owner, who is earning a profit.  The idea is that the owner is already actually making more than the employee would (because they are actually keeping the entire amount). With that being said, I would be uncomfortable NOT tipping someone, even an owner, because I feel like it automatically sends the signal that I was unhappy with the work. As generous as you are trying to be, how about you just offer the option to the girls.  I know a lot of girls that would rather do their own makeup anyway.  Give them a bigger gift instead if it is in your budget!

rhorowitz

i would not want makeup service as a gift. i think if they are in your circle of frends or family and you all are okay with how ou do things then its totally cool to just tell them you can offer to pay for it if they dont mind swinging a small tip, or suggest where they can get it done for less. just let them know you need to know by a certain date so you can sign the contract with that makeup lady.

JulieBadulie

I think you do not need to tip a business owner as much as an employee. The employee makes only a percentage of what you pay for the service, while a business owner retains the entire amount. My vote is that a small tip, if service is good, is sufficient.

mbuhpathi

For the record, my husband owns his own business, he is a consultant and pays nearly 50% of his salary in taxes and still has to cover his own liability insurance. He isn't poor but does not take home even half of the $70k of pre-tax salary. So remember that your makeup artist probably pockets about $50 or less of a $100 fee for makeup. Base your tip on the level of service you get and how far your expectations were met, not on business structure.

jpkw0215

I am a makeup artist and I own my own business doing strictly weddings.  While the cost of makeup ma.y seem to be pricey, what people forget about is how much money it costs us in products, supplies, brush sanitizer, etc.  I personally charge between 40-60 a head depending on the location and how many girls.Unfortunately, most brides or bridesmaids do not usually tip, however, I do feel that a small tip should still be included (this is not just because I am the person on the other end, but more because I think the not tipping a person who owns there own business is not a good idea).  I would say about 30% of people tip on top of the fee and I cannot tell you how greatly that is appreciated!  I would say, tip tip tip!   Also, I am requiring my girls to get their hair and makeup done for the big day.  I am assuming I'm going to get some girls that don't want to get it done but I'm going to try to make sure they pay for it themselves.  If they don't want to, then I will and that will be their gift from me.  The makeup makes a huge HUGE difference in pictures!Hope this helps!  Happy planning everyone!p.s.  if you need a makeup artist, let me know!