Bridesmaids' Hair: To Diy Or Not To Diy?

When it comes to weddings, there are a lot of logistics to figure out, and one of the most important is the hair and makeup for the bridal party. While it's traditionally expected that the bride covers all glam costs for her bridesmaids, there are no set rules, and sometimes the bridesmaids will pay for their own hair and makeup, or the costs will be split. On the day, getting hair and makeup done can take a long time—often several hours—especially if there's a large bridal party. Generally, hair and makeup for bridesmaids take around 30 to 45 minutes each, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the style and the length of the hair.

Who pays for the bridesmaids' hair?

There is no single answer to the question of who pays for the bridesmaids' hair—it depends on several factors, and there are a few options for how to handle the costs.

Option 1: Bride Pays for Hair and Makeup

The most traditional arrangement is for the bride to cover all beauty costs for the bridal party. This gives the bride more control over the beauty agenda for the big day, and it allows for more time with the bridal party. However, this option can be expensive and difficult to coordinate.

Option 2: Bridesmaids Pay for Hair and Makeup

Another option is to let bridesmaids opt in and pay for their own hair and makeup services. This approach can be more cost-effective and give bridesmaids freedom to choose their preferred stylist. However, this may require the bride to be more flexible about the outcome.

Option 3: Bride and Bridesmaids Split the Cost

The bride may also choose to pay for a portion of the hair and makeup services, which can be a good middle ground. This can be a great way to treat the bridesmaids without breaking the bank. The bride can choose to pay for one service, like hair, and leave the other, like makeup, optional.

Other Considerations

If the bride requires the bridesmaids to have their hair and makeup done professionally, it is generally expected that she should cover the cost. If it is optional, the bridesmaids can choose to do their own hair and makeup or pay for professional services themselves.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to handle the costs of bridesmaids' hair and makeup. The bride's budget, the size of the bridal party, and other factors will play a role in the decision. Open communication between the bride and bridesmaids is key to ensuring everyone is on the same page and there are no surprises.

How much time is needed for hair and makeup?

Planning a wedding can be a stressful process, but creating a timeline for hair and makeup services can help the day go smoothly. Here are some tips on how much time to allocate for hair and makeup services for the bridal party:

Number of People and Stylists:

First, consider the number of people in the bridal party who will be getting their hair and makeup done. This includes the bride, bridesmaids, mothers of the couple, and any other close friends or family members. The more people there are, the more time will be needed. It is also important to consider the number of hair stylists and makeup artists that will be available. Having a dedicated stylist for each attendant will significantly reduce the time needed compared to having a smaller number of stylists for a larger group.

Complexity of Services:

The complexity of the hair and makeup looks will also impact the time required. Intricate updos, curls, or braids for hair, and detailed or intricate makeup looks will take longer than simpler styles. On average, hair and makeup services take around 45 minutes per person, not including the bride. The bride's hair and makeup will generally take longer, approximately 2-2.5 hours.

Additional Factors:

There are also some additional factors that can impact the timing:

• Extensions or thicker/longer hair can add time to hair services.
• Detailed or complicated styles will require more time.
• It is recommended to arrive with dry hair, preferably washed the day before, as this helps the style hold better.
• For makeup, a clean face without moisturiser is ideal, as the makeup artist will apply a primer before foundation.

Sample Timelines:

• For a bridal party of four, including the bride, with one hair stylist and one makeup artist, and a ceremony at 2:00 PM, plan to start hair and makeup services at 9:00 AM.
• For a bridal party of six, including the bride, with two hair stylists and one makeup artist, and a ceremony at 4:00 PM, plan to start at 10:30 AM.

Tips for a Stress-Free Experience:

To ensure a stress-free experience, it is recommended to schedule a consultation and trial session with the hair stylist and makeup artist 3-6 months before the wedding. This will allow you to relax and make decisions without feeling rushed. It is also important to communicate expectations to the bridal party, such as arriving with day-old hair for better grip. Finally, don't forget to make the experience fun! Serve some light snacks, play music, and capture some memorable photos of the preparations.

Where should hair and makeup be done?

When deciding where to have hair and makeup done, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, most brides choose to get ready at their wedding venue. This eliminates the worry about travel time and the possibility of being late for the ceremony. It is also a good idea if the venue is in an area with unpredictable traffic or road closures. However, it is important to keep in mind that some venues have restrictions on when you can enter the space, and you may have to pay extra to access the venue earlier. Additionally, consider the space and lighting available at the venue. You will need enough room for your bridal party, artists, and any photographers or videographers.

If your venue does not allow early access or does not have adequate space or lighting, you may want to consider a hotel suite or Airbnb. This option allows your bridal party and artists to spread out and be more comfortable. It is also important to remember that artists bring a lot of equipment, so ensure there is enough room for everyone, especially if your "getting ready" location is not on the ground floor.

Another option is to ask your chosen stylist if you can rent their salon or home base. This takes the pressure off of providing a professional setup yourself. Just be sure that the salon is relatively close to your ceremony location to avoid a long commute and potential messiness of hair and makeup.

For destination or remote weddings, the ceremony venue may be the best option. Check ahead of time to ensure the venue has the necessary equipment for your desired services, such as chairs and mirrors.

What is the best order for hair and makeup?

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating a timeline for hair and makeup can help the day go smoothly. Here is a guide to help you establish the best order for hair and makeup on your wedding day.

On average, hair and makeup services take about 45 minutes per service per person, not including the bride. The bride's hair and makeup will generally take about 2-2.5 hours to complete. However, if you have a large bridal party, more complex hairstyles, or fewer stylists, this will increase the time needed for beauty preparations.

There are differing opinions on whether the bride should be styled at the beginning, middle, or end of the timeline. Some sources suggest that the bride should be styled towards the beginning or middle of the timeline to avoid rushing if things run behind schedule. This also ensures the bride's hair and makeup will be fresh for the ceremony. Others suggest that the bride be styled last, so the stylists can focus solely on the bride and ensure her look is perfect.

• Mother of the Bride: If the mother of the bride is walking down the aisle before the bridesmaids, it is a good idea to put her at the top of the list. She can get ready first and then get herself together while the bridesmaids are getting their hair and makeup done.
• Bridesmaids: Bridesmaids should be styled after the mother of the bride. Depending on the number of bridesmaids, you may need to bring in additional stylists or assistants to ensure everyone is ready on time.
• Bride: The bride should be styled after the bridesmaids. This allows her to have a fresh look for the ceremony and ensures that she receives the attention to detail needed for her hair and makeup.

Additional Tips:

• It is recommended to schedule a consultation and trial session with your makeup artist and hairstylist 3-6 months before the wedding.
• If you are planning to have getting-ready photos, coordinate the time slot for the bride's hair and makeup with the arrival time of your photographer.
• It is typically suggested to have hair done first, followed by makeup. However, some sources say this is not necessary and should not be a stressor.
• If you have a large group, ask your beauty team to bring assistants to save time.
• Arrive with dry hair, as day-old hair is best for updos, and a clean face without moisturizer, as your makeup artist will apply primer before your foundation.
• Don't forget to bring snacks or order room service, especially if it's going to be a long day of preparations.

What are some tips for stress-free wedding styling?

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but there are ways to make the process easier. Here are some tips for stress-free wedding styling:

• Schedule a consultation and trial session with your makeup artist and hairstylist 3-6 months before the wedding. This will help you feel relaxed and ensure that you won't be making last-minute decisions about your look. It's also a good idea to schedule a trial for your bridesmaids and anyone else who will be getting their hair and makeup done professionally. That way, you can ensure that everyone is happy with their look and there are no surprises on the big day.
• On the day of the wedding, it's best for the bride to have her hair and makeup done towards the beginning or middle of the timeline. This way, if things run a little behind schedule, the stylists won't be rushed when it comes to the bride. It's also a good idea to coordinate the bride's hair and makeup time with the arrival of the photographer so that photos aren't delayed.
• Work backward to determine the arrival time for your beauty team. For example, if you need to be ready by 3 pm and have six applications/styles in total, the start time for hair would be 11 am and 12 pm for makeup.
• Ask your beauty team in advance if touch-up time is included in their services. If not, be sure to bring some essential items with you, such as blotting sheets, pressed powder, and a lip colour.
• If you have a large group, consider asking your beauty team to bring assistants to save time. Alternatively, you could hire multiple stylists to speed up the prep time.
• Communicate your expectations to your wedding party. Let them know if you need them to arrive with day-old hair or any other specific requirements.
• Create a timeline for the morning of the wedding and inform everyone of their assigned time slot. This will help keep things running smoothly and ensure that everyone knows when and where they need to be.
• Make sure to enjoy yourself! It's a celebration, so don't forget to have fun while getting ready. Play some music, serve some light snacks, and snap some photos to capture the memories.

Frequently asked questions