Bridesmaids: Who Pays for Bridesmaids' Hair and Makeup?

Q.

Who pays for bridesmaids' hair and makeup?

A.

Though there's no traditional protocol to follow here, if you want your attendants to have their hair and makeup professionally done, it's a nice gesture to offer to pay for these services on the morning of the wedding. Think about it: The girls are already paying for their dresses, and, if they don't live in the city where the wedding is happening, they’re covering for travel and accommodations too. Should they really be expected to pay for professional hair and makeup as well? If you can't afford to do this, or hair and makeup aren't a big deal to you (your friends manage to look pretty gorgeous on their own, don't they?), trust everyone to primp on their own. The results are sure to be fabulous whether you bring in a pro or don’t.

See More: Your Bridal Party , Bridesmaids , Basics for Bridesmaids

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kelliwill
What I did for my wedding, was pay $100 towards each girls dress and I left it up to them if they wanted their hair and makeup done. I didn't make it mandatory. Three of the four did it.

sarahmae200618
I just got married on Saturday, and wasn't able to pay for their dresses, but was pretty set on having professional hair and makeup done. I paid for all the hair and makeup because it was something that I really wanted. Like the other girls have said, if you can't afford to fork out a little money for your bridal party, then cut down the bridal party, or don't be so picky. Remember, the day is going to fly by, so focus on the bigger picture!

beckylee000
My Mom is quite traditional when it comes to who pays for what.... I believe that you should pay for the bridesmaids dresses...after all you did invite them to be in your wedding, it's the only appropriate thing. If you can't afford to do that...don't have them in your wedding. If they want there hair done professionally then they can pay for that themselves...that is elective.

beckylee000
My Mom is quite traditional when it comes to who pays for what.... I believe that you should pay for the bridesmaids dresses...after all you did invite them to be in your wedding, it's the only appropriate thing. If you can't afford to do that...don't have them in your wedding. If they want there hair done professionally then they can pay for that themselves...that is elective.

jhow213
I think that if you are insistent that they get their hair or makeup done, you should pay. Otherwise, if they want to pay for it they can and if it's not in their budget, they can do their own hair. I'm leaving it up to my girls whether they want to get hair/makeup professionally done. Since they're all from out of town I've let them know the cost of getting it done where I'm getting my hair done and I offered to schedule their appointments for them if they're interested. Everyone seems happy with that and that's how it's been for the weddings I've been in and I thought it was fine too.