Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder what you paid - Calling all recent brides

302 replies

wrigleysextra · 19/10/2023 14:54

I'm after some context as to whether a quote I have received for make up on my wedding day is a lot or not so was hoping for some input from any recent Mumsnet brides!

I've contacted several make up artists for a quote for 3 adults (bride, bridesmaid & mother of the bride) and an 11 year old who may just want a tiny bit of lipgloss & mascara applying.

The one make up artist who has come back to me so far is incidentally the one I liked the most but I'm quite staggered by her quote.

I completely understand she needs to factor in travel costs and time (just over an hour each way). I'm not looking for a cheap service and will gladly pay the going rate, but I don't actually know what that is! With nothing else so far to compare her quote to, I'm wondering what you would expect or did pay for similar on your wedding day?

OP posts:
Mavissdaviss · 23/10/2023 02:49

for makeup I paid £90 for me, £45 each for adult bridesmaids. I had some junior bridesmaids she did a mini glow up on and only charged for those over 12

Joystir59 · 23/10/2023 02:50

I'm having a new kitchen installed for £1800!!! My builder's day rate is £300. North Yorks.

JANEY205 · 23/10/2023 03:34

I’d expect £500, for bride and 2 others. These prices have floored me!

Relaxd · 23/10/2023 03:57

Hi, we got married in the states and paid $400 for the bride, $250 each for attendants. So roughly $900 or £750 for bride plus 2. I had selected a specific make up artist based on magazine work and they were fantastic. Dealt with minor sunburn, provided touch up kits for the rest of the day and got the natural look we were after spot on. Do not regret a penny on this or on the photographer.

HaveIlostIt · 23/10/2023 04:05

I paid £200 for me hair and makeup including a trial and she had a deal where it was £50 (hair or makeup) each to add anyone else.

keffie12 · 23/10/2023 04:14

My eldest son wedding in 2016 I paid £100 for my hair and makeup at my usual salon, which was upmarket - my DiL paid whoyt the same for hers

Over a thousand pounds stunned me

Kojaki · 23/10/2023 04:41

Some of these prices are obscene. Anyone who works in weddings is laughing all the way to the bank. You can basically charge whatever you like

Cielovista · 23/10/2023 06:24

Nothing. I did my own nails and make up and felt fabulous!

happylittlesloth · 23/10/2023 06:28

£150 for bride - hair and make up
£80 for bridesmaid hair and make up
Plus parking.

The difference is because the bride often has a "more" version - and more done to hair etc. Also they are already there for the bride so that cost is factored in.

Worth every penny imo

happylittlesloth · 23/10/2023 06:29

The one who wants gloss - buy them a gloss

happylittlesloth · 23/10/2023 06:32

Maireas · 22/10/2023 22:40

Why do children need make up?

Show quote history

Hair i guess? Otherwise yeah whats going on!

honeyandfizz · 23/10/2023 06:35

Joystir59 · 23/10/2023 02:50

I'm having a new kitchen installed for £1800!!! My builder's day rate is £300. North Yorks.

And?

ZolaBudd · 23/10/2023 06:37

Don’t put make up on children

Notsuredontknow · 23/10/2023 06:48

I paid £180 for bridal makeup and £70 for each additional person. That was with the highest quote of the 3 or so I enquired with too! And in London

Maireas · 23/10/2023 06:56

honeyandfizz · 23/10/2023 06:35

And?

Show quote history

I think it's an interesting comparison, and shows what people are prepared to pay for wedding makeup, and probably how costs mount up.

Bogwood · 23/10/2023 07:00

spuddel · 19/10/2023 16:22

I can't believe these prices, am mid fifties now though. Twenty odd years ago when I got married I went to Bobbi Brown counter few days before for a make over, bought the products, did it myself and made up my bridesmaid. I can't imagine anything worse than someone else doing my make up, fear of not looking like my usual self I suppose. But I do get why people enjoy it and pay for it. Just seems so steep!

Haha - I am glad it isn't just me! I was reading through this thread thinking I must have slipped into a parallel dimension. When I married (nearly thirty years ago) I didn't actually give my make up (or hair!) any consideration beyond rushing to put some last minute lipstick on, just before we left for the church. I certainly didn't give even a fleeting thought to what my mother or bridesmaids may or may not have put on their faces or done to their hair (that would have been their own business!). I suppose, though, that it is important, given the silly times we now live in, for all good consumers to play their part in propping up this country's service sector (as the most significant element of our feeble economy!).

babyproblems · 23/10/2023 07:05

I went to the Mac counter at Selfridges for a full face lesson - they teach you how to do your own makeup and create you a look for a special occasion! It was fabulous and I was really happy with it. I can’t remember the price but it was much less than some of the prices here and you get some money off products etc. I bought all the products that we used and it was really nice to have a full set for a new face! I went with my mum and we both did it together xo

Cabezagrande · 23/10/2023 07:10

I was a bridesmaid at the start of October - it was £100 travel costs (90 mins each way); £160 bridal hair and make up, and £110 each for 6 bridesmaids, mother and stepmother of bride to have hair and make up. £1140 total.

PaperLanterns · 23/10/2023 07:11

£850 for me, four bridesmaids to have hair and make up and just make up for my mum inc a trial.

It would be the one thing I’d drop if I was doing it again. I would get a lesson from someone and do it myself and just have hair done. I looked at my wedding pics and didn’t recognise myself.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 23/10/2023 07:21

She helped with getting the dress on, fixing the veil and stayed to help with photographer poses.

Thats what your bridesmaids are for!! The whole wedding industry has gone mad in recent years

Katela18 · 23/10/2023 07:30

I paid last year :
Bridal hair -£60
Bridal makeup - £70
5 x bridesmaid hair @£55 each

Some of my bridesmaids also had make up done which I didn't pay for

MAY324 · 23/10/2023 07:31

We paid £310 for bride and three bridesmaids. We shopped around and then ended up going with 2 separate ones due to time! If you’re in the north I can recommend them 😂

MAY324 · 23/10/2023 07:32

Also hair was £35 each at our local salon! They didn’t charge stupid prices.

Everythinghasgonetoshit · 23/10/2023 07:42

Maybe I've been living in a hole for the last 20 years or maybe this is because I never planned to get married and haven't, but I'm utterly stagged by these prices. What a rip off. Over a grand for make up! I'm sure the make up artists are amazing at their job, but that is a huge amount for a couple of hours work.

I don't think I could handle getting married the traditional way as I couldn't bear the thought of being ripped off at every angle. I will never understand people handing over huge amounts of money for one day, but i guess if you grew up with money or have parents that have money as your safety net it is a bit easier to spend without much guilt. I never had a great deal of money growing up,so maybe my feelings stem from that. As long as everyone is happy and the bride thinks it's worth it on the day that's all that matters.

AnotherSkipper · 23/10/2023 07:45

£300 for trial (which I arranged for a day I was out my hair and make up on the day and make up for 2 bridesmaids - she didn’t have time to do bridesmaid hair as well on the day so brought a friend I paid separately but can’t remember for the life of me what that cost - not loads I don’t think.

This was 3 years ago so can imagine it’s gone up a bit in the meantime, but not to over £1k!

She was so good as well.