How Much Does Wedding Hair and Makeup Cost? Bridal Prices, Trials and the Party

Wedding hair and makeup for the bride together typically runs $300 to $600 on the day. Add the wedding party, the trials, travel and early-start fees and most couples spend $800 to $2,000 on the category. Here is the price of each piece, the schedule detail that decides whether the morning runs on time, and who traditionally pays for whose services.

The prices, piece by piece

• Bridal hair: $150–350
• Bridal makeup: $150–350
• Trials: $75–200 each, sometimes credited back when you book
• Bridesmaids, mothers and other party members: $65–150 each, per service
• Airbrush makeup: +$25–50
• On-site travel fee: $50–150
• Early-start fee: common for starts before 7am
• Touch-up or stay-on service (an artist who stays through photos or the reception): $75–150 an hour

A worked example

Bridal hair and makeup at $250 each is $500; a trial of each at $125 is $250; four bridesmaids and two mothers at $100 per service for hair and makeup is $1,200; a $100 travel fee brings it to about $2,050. With the party paying for their own services, the usual arrangement, the couple's share is roughly $850. Whether the couple covers the party's services is a gift decision, not a rule — tell the party which it is when you ask them.

The schedule is the whole job

The number that matters as much as the price is the artist count against the headcount. One artist for six people means a 5am start; two artists means a civilized one. Ask for a written morning schedule with a slot per person, the couple last so the look is freshest, finishing 30 to 45 minutes before photos start — a missing schedule is the number-one cause of running late on a wedding day, and the wedding day checklist starts with it.

The trial

Always trial before booking, and book the trial near your wedding season so your skin tone matches. Bring the veil and accessories and a photo of the dress neckline. Check directly that the artist's kit handles your skin tone and hair texture; portfolios are often narrower than the kit. If you have sensitive skin, ask for the product names.

When to book

Book 6 to 8 months out, the trial 2 to 3 months before the wedding. Hair and makeup sits in the eight-month block of the planning checklist, and the trial in the two-month block next to the written speeches.

Finding an artist

Wedding hair and makeup artists by city are listed below, each with its rating and sources. The Genie drafts the outreach that asks for the artist count, the proposed timeline, the trial cost and whether it is credited, and the travel and early-start fees.

Figures are typical US ranges, not quotes — the same ranges our planning assistant uses in chat. Major metros run higher. Confirm pricing with the artists you trial.