Weddings are wonderful events, full of love and fun, and people coming together to celebrate the official union of the couple. However, weddings are expensive.
There are a lot of costs to cover, and the couple needs to save up well in advance, or get some financial help, in order to cover all the expenses.
One of the big expenses involved in a wedding is wedding attire. A wedding dress for the bride is expensive enough, but then you add the groom’s suit, and the bridesmaids’ dresses, and the groomsmens’ dresses.
There is also hair and makeup to cover, at the very least for the bride, so that she looks her best.
But what about hair and makeup for the bridesmaids? Does that come included with their dresses, or do they have to pay for that themselves? What is etiquette? Should a bride pay for the hair and makeup?
The truth is, it completely depends on your own preferences and circumstances, and no two weddings have to be the same.
But if you want to know about the general rules and standards, so that you can get an idea of how to go about it, then keep reading. We will answer all of these questions and more!
Do bridesmaids have to pay for their own hair and makeup?
Okay so let’s start by tackling the main question: do bridesmaids have to pay for their own hair and makeup?
The answer completely depends on the wedding, the situation, and what has been agreed upon.
Generally speaking, the bride will pay for the dresses of the bridesmaids, and there is no need for the bride to also pay for the hair and makeup. Some brides do pay for the hair and makeup, but this isn’t always the case.
If we take etiquette into account, it is expected for the bride to provide the dresses, but it is not expected for her to provide the hair and makeup, as that is an added cost that should not be necessary.
So with all that in mind, as a general rule, bridesmaids do indeed have to pay for their own hair and makeup. That is if they want it professionally done.
If you want, you could simply style your hair yourself, and do your own makeup. There is no need to pay a professional if you’re confident enough in your skill! Plus, makeup and hair isn’t an obligation, it just helps to look your best for such an important event.
To sum it up, bridesmaids will usually pay for their own hair and makeup (if they wish to pay for a professional), unless the bride decides to pay for it along with the dresses. Just make sure to check with the bride, or with the maid of honor who is organizing everything, beforehand.
The most important thing is to know exactly what to expect, with plenty of time, so that there are no surprises, disappointments, or bad feelings.
Should the bride pay for the bridesmaids’ hair and makeup?
Generally speaking, the bride will pay for the bridesmaids’ dresses, as they are a requirement of the wedding attire, in order to match the wedding dress style or the theme of the wedding. After all, it would be a little unfair to demand a specific dress, and then make the person pay for it!
However, when it comes to hair and makeup, the bride has no obligation to pay for it, and etiquette states that the decision of whether to pay for it or not is completely down to the bride, and neither option is wrong.
But…should the bride pay for the bridesmaids’ hair and makeup?
The answer, of course, will depend on what you personally think on the matter.
As a general rule, the bride should not have to pay for the bridesmaids’ hair and makeup, and if she does decide to pay for it, then it is a lovely decision on her part and makes it even better for the bridesmaids.
Truth is, it would be unfair to get angry at the bride for not paying for hair and makeup when she is already paying for the dresses. Especially considering how expensive the wedding as a whole will be!
Pros And Cons Of Paying For Your Own Hair And Makeup
If you have been notified that you will be paying for your own hair and makeup (which is the standard, and what should be expected if not told otherwise), then the good news is that there are a lot of pros to this!
So although it means you might have to spend some money, it also means that you get a few benefits (along with one or two cons).
Let’s take a look at them:
Pros Of Paying For Your Own Hair And Makeup
- You are relieving the bride from an extra expense, which is always a good thing as the couple getting married will already be spending a lot!
- You can choose to either hire a professional or do it yourself! If it was already paid for, then it would be rude to decline, and you might find yourself having to have it done when you would have preferred to do it yourself!
- You have more of a say on the style of your hair and makeup, so you can make sure it is something that suits you, and that the result is something you like (instead of it being something agreed upon by the bride and the professional hired)
Cons Of Paying For Your Own Hair And Makeup
- You have to either pay for a professional out of your own wallet or put in the effort to do it yourself
In Conclusion
As a general rule, bridesmaids are expected to pay for their own hair and makeup, while the bride is expected to pay for the dresses. However, it completely depends on what the bride decides to pay for, and it depends on what is expected or agreed upon in that particular wedding.