Pay for bridesmaids hair and make-up??

HilaryHagoski · September 2010

I am having 5 bridesmaids...should i feel obligated to pay for their hair and make-up?

Manwaithiel · September 2010

Only if you're requiring professional...which is totally unnecessary.

I'm paying for their hair if they are so inclined to want it professionally done. But it is not a requirement for anyone.

jagore08 · September 2010

If you want their hair and makeup done professionally then yes, you pay. A lot of ladies don't like to have others do their makeup (or even hair) so you should only offer and not require.

bablingbrooke · September 2010

If you require hair and makeup, you have to pay.

If you're leaving it up to them, you don't have to.

Most brides don't require it since many BMs like to either do their own hair or go to their own stylists. And remember that not everyone looks good in the same style!

lalap69 · September 2010

No, don't feel required to pay for it, but don't require it either.

gottahavashorti · September 2010

If they have full reign over their hair style and makeup choices, including whether hair is up or down, straightened or curled, makeup is natural or heavier with smoky eyes/color, and both being either pro or done on their own, then you don't need to pay.

If you require pro hair and makeup or a specific style, then you do need to pay.

msjadewolf · September 2010

I'm having someone come to do my hair, and anyone who wants theirs done can pay to have it done too, but I'm not requiring it. It's nice to have the option available to them if they want it. As far as makeup, not everyones skin can handle the same brands, so I am letting all of them do their own, but we are going to try to coordinate together to make it look similiar! Just something to think about!

blegare · September 2010

I'm offering both hair and makeup (people coming to the hotel room) but not requiring it - just making it available. I can't afford to pay for it so I'm not making it mandatory. Plus, who cares? They'll look just as pretty either way.

eshaufle · September 2010

I agree with the pp...if you require it, you should pay for it.

I know my girls (and myself) well enough to know that outside of basic straightening and maybe some slight curling ability, we're all not gifted stylists by ourselves. Side note: I always envied those people with natural abilities to do hair lol. So I think it was the consensus that they wanted to get it professionally done, which I also preferred, so I will be paying for it.

They all know their skin and do their own makeup beautifully though so I'm not requiring that but will be giving them my makeup artist's prices if they feel like doing that on their own.

aerinpegadrak · September 2010

When I was trying to find a hairstylist/makeup artist, I asked the girls if they'd want to have one or both done, and how much they'd be willing to pay. They all opted to get hair done but to do their own makeup (I was really the only one who needed makeup help), and gave me a range of comfortable prices. I did a LOT of research and legwork trying to find a reasonably priced stylist, and thankfully I was able to pick up the tab for all of us.

mwiernik88 · June 2014

The weddings I have been have been in that had professional hair and/or make-up were required and I paid for it no questions asked. Part of accepting the role of bridesmaid is knowing you will be paying for parties, your travel/accommodations and attire for the day, including any make-up, hair or nails as requested by the bride. A reasonable bride will be conscious of her friends budgets, but on average accepting a bridesmaid role has cost me between $500-700 on attire, accommodations and other contributions...I dropped close to $3500 when I was a MOH at one wedding because of heavier involvement in the party expenses. You know well in advance if you're in the bridal party, so there is plenty of time to budget and get things in order so you're not strapped for cash the day of the wedding.

The fact is MOST women don't know how to do photo-ready make-up, so their normal style of make-up will not show up well. This is especially true if you're planning an outdoor summer ceremony with photos being taken afterwards - a professional will know how to build a proper base that keeps the makeup in place, even after sweating in the sun. The two weddings I was in last summer, you can tell who had a great make-up/hair team and who didn't just by comparing the photos (one wedding all the bridesmaids look beautiful, while the other we looked terrible, even though the bride was still stunning).

A bride wants you to be a part of her special day when she asks you to be her maid, but let me emphasize its HER day...not yours. If you're not willing to drop the cash required to bring her vision to life, then just politely decline for financial reasons - she will then offer to help pay or find another way to include you. It should not be a 'Yes! I'm in!, but here are my conditions...' situation. You'll probably only be asked to be in a few weddings in your lifetime and they'll probably be some of your closest family and friends - if they would do the same for you, you should be willing to do the same for them.

MobKaz · June 2014

This thread is over 4 years old. Check the date under the avatar of the last poster to determine whether the thread is current or dead. @KnotPorscha‌ , can you close this thread?

HisGirlFriday13 · June 2014

mwiernik88 said:
The weddings I have been have been in that had professional hair and/or make-up were required and I paid for it no questions asked. Part of accepting the role of bridesmaid is knowing you will be paying for parties, your travel/accommodations and attire for the day, including any make-up, hair or nails as requested by the bride. A reasonable bride will be conscious of her friends budgets, but on
average accepting a bridesmaid role has cost me between $500-700 on
attire, accommodations and other contributions...I dropped close to
$3500 when I was a MOH at one wedding because of heavier involvement in
the party expenses. You know well in advance if you're in the bridal party, so there is plenty of time to budget and get things in order so you're not strapped for cash the day of the wedding.

The fact is MOST women don't know how to do photo-ready make-up, so their normal style of make-up will not show up well. This is especially true if you're planning an outdoor summer ceremony with photos being taken afterwards - a professional will know how to build a proper base that keeps the makeup in place, even after sweating in the sun. The two weddings I was in last summer, you can tell who had a great make-up/hair team and who didn't just by comparing the photos (one wedding all the bridesmaids look beautiful, while the other we looked terrible, even though the bride was still stunning).

A bride wants you to be a part of her special day when she asks you to be her maid, but let me emphasize its HER day...not yours. If you're not willing to drop the cash required to bring her vision to life, then just politely decline for financial reasons - she will then offer to help pay or find another way to include you. It should not be a 'Yes! I'm in!, but here are my conditions...' situation. You'll probably only be asked to be in a few weddings in your lifetime and they'll probably be some of your closest family and friends - if they would do the same for you, you should be willing to do the same for them.

1. All of your advice is wrong.

2. This thread is four years old.

banana468 · June 2014

3. Clearly posting the FAQ was a quality use of my time.

Pay for bridesmaids hair and make-up??

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