PAcKAGES & PRICING EXPLAINED
We want to emphasize that you should never try to trick your hair and makeup artist into thinking it's just a regular appointment. We’re all for trying to save a few bucks, but trust us when we say that it's not worth it. Compared to a standard appointment, weddings require a whole different level of preparation and attention to detail. So, they have different pricing structures.
We break down those different structures below for you:
Whether you've been planning your dream wedding since you were a little girl or just recently got bitten by the #weddingtok bug, we know that looking your best on your big day is non-negotiable. But, you also may have noticed that anything associated with the word "wedding" suddenly comes with a hefty price tag. And while it may be tempting to avoid mentioning the "W" word when booking your vendors, trust us, it's not a good idea.
It's not a just a plain ol' regular appointment..
WE KNOW LOOKING YOUR BEST ON YOUR BIG DAY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE.
HERE’S THE 4-1-1 ON WHAT GOES INTO DETERMINING HAIR AND MAKEUP RATES:
Communication and Accessibility:
In order to avoid the dreaded 6:00am start time for hair and makeup (or even earlier…we’ve heard horror stories!), stylists typically work in teams to speed things along. This allows multiple people to get their hair / makeup done at the same time, which saves you a TON of time in the morning, and keeps your best girls from sitting around for hours and hours in full glam. As most people in this business are firm believers in paying people a livable wage, this can add up and is part of the total package price.
Reserving Dates Ahead of Time:
BRINGING IN A TEAM
Cost to Run Our Businesses:
Weddings require a lot of back-and-forth communication between the bride, the hair and makeup artist, and (hopefully) the wedding planner. We need to be regularly accessible to you, answer your questions promptly, and make sure that we have all the necessary details to make you look your best.
Running a hair and makeup business is not cheap. We have to pay for our hair and makeup kits, monthly fees to help run our business, assistants, website design, and social media, to name a few. All these costs add up and are factored into our pricing. Also, most hair and makeup artists are self-employed, which means that we have to pay for our own health insurance, car, gas, rent, and more. All these expenses add up and are reflected in our pricing.
At the end of the day, bridal hair and makeup is an investment.
YOU'RE NOT JUST PAYING FOR A FEW HOURS OF SERVICE; YOU'RE PAYING FOR PEACE OF MIND, PROFESSIONALISM, AND EXPERTISE.You want to look your absolute best on your wedding day, and that's what we're here to do.
Every artist
works differently
It's essential to find the right fit for you, both in terms of budget and style. Don't be afraid to do that research (when in doubt, revisit the stalking section!) and ask around for recommendations. So, our advice to you is to do your research, find the right fit for you, and trust your hair and makeup artist to make you look like a million bucks on your special day. After all, you deserve it!
It’s time to normalize having a beauty budget. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: there are AMAZING artists in every price range. But just like most vendors in the wedding industry, there’s a huge variety of language used to describe each stylists’ offerings. Here’s a cheat sheet to help you understand exactly what you need, so you can build a package that is right for you (and your wallet):
all your questions answered
breaking down the budget
Full Day Package
A La Carte
Half Day Package
Touch Ups
A full day package rate will include services for a set number of people for a certain amount of hours, typically including touch ups (see below!). The stylist will stay with you for most of the day, making sure you look flawless for important moments like the first look, walking down the aisle, and your reception entrance.
The stylist will charge for each service separately, so you only pay for exactly what you need (anyone else hear the Liberty Mutual insurance ad in their heads just now?). Your final invoice will list out the price per person + the cost of any individual add-ons (like a trial, travel expenses, airbrush, false lashes, etc.).
A half day package rate will include services for a set number of people for a certain amount of hours. Artists will likely complete their services, do a quick final touch up, and then leave.
Many artists offer the option to add-on touch ups, during which they’ll follow you for photos and act as your mirror throughout the day, ensuring you look perfect in every single snap. If you don’t want as much of a shadow, you can also just have them be available for touch-ups right before and after the ceremony.
Booking Minimums
Some artists may have a booking minimum package amount, whether that is a package half or full day rate including a certain amount of people/services, or a certain number of a la carte services. Since weddings are booked so far in advance but timing isn’t solidified until much closer to the date, some artists will reserve the entire day for a booking even if they are not needed the entire day.
Your mom, FMIL, or MOH might be just as nervous as you are for their wedding glam. Luckily, most artists will offer trials for family members too! We’re firm believers in the concept of “the more the merrier.”
VIP TRIALS
FREQUENTLY STRESSED ABOUT QUESTIONS:
Does the bride have to pay for everyone’s hair and makeup?
There’s no right or wrong answer for this - some brides will pay for all of their bridal party’s glam (it makes a very nice bridesmaids gift!), while some might gift either hair OR makeup, and some will just pay for their own and offer hair and makeup to their bridal party at the artist’s rate. It’s up to you, what’s in your budget, and what you feel comfortable with!
How much should I tip the stylists?
Most people get reallllly awkward about the tipping question, but we’re not most people. So here's the truth: any and all types of tips are greatly appreciated. The “industry standard” tip is anywhere from 15-20% of the total service amount.
Some people think you don’t need to tip if the stylist is the business owner, and choose to only tip assistant stylists. Honestly, we think anyone providing a service should be tipped (assuming they’ve earned it!), owners and employees alike.
Who should I spend the morning with?
You should include whoever makes you feel your happiest and most comfortable. The people you start the day with set the tone- if you want that tone to be upbeat and fun, invite all of your besties and throw on some jams. But if you think a calm and zen morning is what you’ll need, consider keeping it small to protect your peace. Do whatever you need to do to feel your best. It’s your day!
Should I provide food for your hair and makeup artists?
The answer is yes, always yes. With early start times, your stylists likely won’t have time to eat a full breakfast before their work begins. Offering them water, coffee, and a bite to eat is greatly appreciated- same goes for your photographers or planner! Basically, if you have the food and drinks to spare, offering them to your team is always a kind idea.
Photos are at 12:00pm but the ceremony isn’t until 7:00pm- How is my look going to last all night?
Even if you hire the best stylists in the world, it’s not possible for your look to stay perfect throughout the entire day (sorry if we burst your bubble). That’s why we highly recommend keeping your stylists with you during the ceremony and photos, or even longer if you think you’ll need it. This way, they can touch you up if you cry a bit during the vows or it drizzles in the middle of the First Look. If your ceremony is on the earlier side, they can even amp up your look before the reception to make it more appropriate for a nighttime party.
If you don’t want to keep your makeup artist on for the extra time, it is crucial to create a touch up kit. This should contain the essentials: lip color (always the first thing to fade- make sure you have liner, lipstick, and gloss), translucent powder with travel brush (we love Hourglass or Fenty), hairspray, dry shampoo, hair pins, wide tooth comb, toothbrush (for flyaways, not your mouth), static guard, and portable fan. While you might feel like Nanny McPhee and her never-ending bag, we promise you’ll appreciate having everything you need on-hand. Don’t forget to ask your makeup artist to spritz you with a finishing spray, which is basically hairspray for the face. It will help set and lock your makeup in place so it lasts as long as possible.
If my artist is staying for touch-ups, do I need to provide a vendor meal?
This depends on how late your artist is staying. If they’re staying through the reception, then yes, you need to provide a vendor meal. If they’re only staying until the ceremony or cocktail hour, a vendor meal is likely not required. But even if a full meal isn’t required, making sure they eat SOMETHING is the nice thing to do. Just let your venue or planner know, and they can set something aside from cocktail hour.