Professional wedding hair and makeup or DIY?

[flowerexpress]

We are getting married soon in a small (8 guests and back to ours for nibbles) registry office wedding. I'll be 7 months pregnant and am very shy. Also have body dysmorphia and a history of eating disorders so being a bride with ppl looking at me and needing to look presentable/have photos is something I'm finding genuinely really scary.

Originally didn't want photos at all but realise it's very important to dh to be and family so will be having them. I know it would be sad not to - it's just a particular struggle of mine.

Question is - should I pay for hair and makeup (been quoted around 365) or not? Is it worth it? I'd love to as I am nervous about the day anyway even though it's a tiny affair and would like to take away any additional stress and feel as good as I can but the ceremony itself only cost around 300 so I'm torn.

I've never done much with my hair. I can manage a pony tail/bun etc but never mastered much else. I am OK ish at makeup but only own a very minimal collection and usually do basics of powder foundation, blusher, mascara. Perhaps a smidge of highlighter. Any advice or words of wisdom please wise mumsnetters? X

I did my own make up after being shown how to at a make up counter, (and bought some of the products there) but went to a professional in to do my hair in the morning, which was under £100. It worked for me as I found the whole wedding pretty stressful and I didn't want to be center of attention.

Thanks so much. That's a good idea. I might look into just getting my hair done. I could definitely get further with makeup than hair - still tempted mind :) Hope you had a wonderful day x

Depending on what you want done for your hair, you might find a local hairdresser a much more affordable option - eg just go in for a blow dry. It’ll still feel like it’s been done nicely, without it costing as much as ‘wedding hair’. Agree a make over at a counter or lesson and DIY is a good option for the make up too.

Up to you to decide what is important, but there is a lot of pressure to spend a lot on wedding 'extras'. I got married in October, bought myself a posh dress and posh shoes, both of which I can wear again in the future, as I didn't have either. I stressed about hair/make up. In the end I decided to do my own hair in a plait with some cream ribbon tied in, with the help of DH. I didn't want the fuss of worrying about having to deal with other people doing things to me on the morning of the wedding. I also bought some basic make up, which I don't usually wear, had a practice at home and did my own very subtle make up. We too had a small registry office wedding with 9 guests and a restaurant meal afterwards. It is easy to get sucked in to thinking you need all of these things. But if you feel happier having someone else helping, do it! I spent a lot on my nice silk dress, in fact it was the most expensive clothing item I have ever bought, as feeling special in my dress was really important for me.

I would treat myself & get my hair and makeup done, but I could not justify paying that much.There will be a local beauty salon nearby who should be able to do this for half the price.

I did my own makeup, I practiced lots and treated myself to some lovely products. I was really happy with the result and I still looked like myself, as I knew exactly what I liked. But I got a pro to do my hair as I just can’t do updos for any money, and was also happy with that too. She came to hotel where we all stayed the night before and did me, my sister, my grandma and my mum. I can’t remember how much she charged, but it was money well spent IMO as it felt like a really nice start to the day.

I'm in a similar position - Bobbi Brown do wedding make up tutorials, if you spend at least £50 on their products it's free. I had one and am feeling prerrt confident! Going to get someone else to do my hair, quotes I've gotten are £70 - £100.