Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! As your big day approaches, you’ve likely started thinking about all the intricate details that come together to make your special event unforgettable. One essential aspect of your wedding day is getting your hair and makeup done. While scheduling hair and makeup appointments, one common question that often comes up is, “Do I have to tip the bridal hair and makeup team?”
The answer is yes; it’s customary to tip your makeup and hair stylist on your wedding day. But how much should you tip? What if you don’t have the budget for tipping? These are some of the questions that many brides have when it comes to tipping their hair and makeup artists. In this post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about tipping for bridal hair and makeup.
Why Tipping Matters
For many individuals in the service industry, their income heavily relies on tips. This is particularly true for makeup and hair artists, whose earnings come from providing services to people like brides and their bridesmaids. While some beauty professionals have a fixed rate, many work on a freelance basis, so they aren’t guaranteed a salary or hourly wage.
Tips help them earn extra money and show appreciation for their hard work. Like most service providers, hair and makeup artists put in a lot of time and effort into making their client’s dream come true. They make sure the bride and her bridal party have a flawless appearance, often working in high-pressure environments such as tight timelines, unexpected last-minute changes, and various other contingencies. A tip is a way of acknowledging their hard work, which often goes beyond the services they’re paid for.
How Much Should You Tip?
Now that you know tipping is customary let’s answer the big question: how much should you tip your hair and makeup artists? Well, as a general guideline, you should consider tipping between 15% to 20% of the total cost of hair and makeup services. This is customary in the beauty industry, and it shows your appreciation for the hard work of the hair and makeup team.
For instance, suppose you have a group of four hairstylists and makeup artists who provide services to you and your bridesmaids. If the total cost of services is $500, then a 15% tip would be $75. But if you’re entirely happy with their work, you can tip them 20%, which amounts to $100.
If there are separate charges for the hairstylist and makeup artists, then you can tip accordingly, depending on the quality of services rendered. Suppose you’re particularly pleased with the hairstylist and want to tip 25%, but you thought the makeup artist wasn’t as attentive to your needs. In that case, you can tip around 10% -15% of their fees.
When To tip
Wedding days get pretty hectic, and it’s easy to forget some of the details. When it comes to tipping, you can either hand out cash tips at the end of the appointment, or you can have a trusted friend or family member tip them on your behalf. That way, you don’t have to worry about it ruining the flow of the day.
Another option could be to add a gracious tip to the payment when making online appointments beforehand. For instance, if you’re using a beauty app to book your services and make payment online, you might be able to add a tip option while paying for the appointment. That way, when the stylist comes to your venue, they know that they’ve already received their tip and can focus on just making you and your bridesmaids fabulous.
When It’s Ok Not to tip
While tipping is customary and shows excellent etiquette on your part, it’s also understandable if you are on a tight budget and cannot tip. In some cases, it might not be necessary to tip your hairstylist or makeup artist. Here are some circumstances that might warrant no tipping:
– Poor Service: If your hairstylist or makeup artist didn’t provide the services you desired, then it’s reasonable not to tip them. However, it’s essential to remember that everyone has bad days, and maybe they were stressed or dealing with a personal issue. You could also communicate your dissatisfaction with their services and allow them to explain their circumstances.
– All-Inclusive Packages: Some salons or companies may charge an all-inclusive rate, which automatically includes gratuity in the overall cost of services. You can still choose to tip your stylist, but it’s not necessary.
– Pricey Service: If your hairstylist or makeup artist charged an exorbitant amount, then it’s reasonable not to tip them. You can also communicate that their prices were too high for you, and you’d instead not tip them.
Conclusion
Finally, it’s essential to remember that while tipping is a nice way to show appreciation for your hair and makeup artist’s hard work, what matters most is that you are entirely satisfied with their services on your wedding day. There is no hard and fast rule about tipping, so you should consider your budget and the quality of services received before making a decision. As you navigate your wedding planning process, we wish you a smooth and stress-free experience. Cheers to a happy life!
FAQ
Should bridal party pay for hair and makeup?
The question of whether the bridal party should pay for their hair and makeup is a common one when it comes to weddings. While some brides may expect their bridesmaids to cover the cost, others believe it falls to the bride herself. According to Jove Meyer of Jove Meyer Events, the bride should cover the cost of her wedding party’s hair and makeup, especially if she’s requesting or encouraging them to have it done. In fact, Meyer says most of his brides fund bridesmaid hair and makeup for their crew.
One reason for the bride covering the cost of her bridal party’s hair and makeup is to ensure that everyone looks cohesive and picture-perfect on the big day. If one bridesmaid can’t afford to have their hair and makeup done, it could detract from the overall look of the group. Additionally, the bride may have a specific vision in mind for how her wedding party will look, and covering the cost of hair and makeup can help her achieve that vision.
Another reason the bride should cover the cost of her wedding party’s hair and makeup is simply out of consideration for her friends and family. Being in a bridal party can be costly, with bridesmaids already expected to purchase a dress, shoes, and accessories. Adding the cost of hair and makeup on top of that can put a strain on some bridesmaids’ budgets, and it’s not fair to expect them to pay for it on their own.
Of course, not all brides are able or willing to cover the cost of hair and makeup for their bridal party. In some cases, the bridesmaids may be happy to pay for their own hair and makeup if it means being a part of the wedding. In other cases, the bride and groom may be on a tight budget and simply can’t afford to cover the cost of hair and makeup for everyone. it’s up to the bride to decide whether or not she wants to cover the cost, but she should take into consideration the financial situation of her bridal party and whether or not it’s fair to expect them to pay for it on their own.
Is it normal for bridesmaids to pay?
Traditionally, it has been normal for bridesmaids to pay for their own dresses, shoes, and accessories as well as any travel and accommodations necessary for attending the wedding. However, the extent to which bridesmaids are expected to pay for these expenses varies depending on the expectations of the bride and the wedding party.
For some weddings, the bride may choose to cover all or some of the expenses for her bridesmaids, especially if she knows that some of them may be struggling financially. In these cases, the bride may offer to help with the cost of dresses, shoes, or accessories or even cover the cost of hair and makeup appointments.
On the other hand, many brides expect their bridesmaids to pay for all of their own expenses and may even have very specific expectations about what they want their bridesmaids to wear or how they should look. When this is the case, bridesmaids who cannot afford to pay for these expenses may find themselves in a difficult position, especially if they are close friends or family members of the bride.
Whether or not it is “normal” for bridesmaids to pay for their own expenses depends on cultural and social expectations as well as the individual expectations of the bride and wedding party. Some brides may be more understanding of the financial realities of their bridesmaids, while others may expect that everyone will be able to afford the same level of expense. Regardless, bridesmaids should be prepared to cover their own expenses unless they receive clear communication from the bride indicating otherwise.
