5 Ways to Save Money on Your Bridal Hair and Makeup (The Right Way!)... And 4 Things to AVOID!

Creating your bridal hair and makeup look should be a joyful experience. It’s a chance to really embrace your best features and sense of style. As you build Pinterest boards full of inspiration, you can pick and choose what will make you feel amazing on the big day.

You can try something you’ve always wanted to, like a vintage hairstyle or a red lip, or simply perfect the natural look that makes you feel comfortable.  It’s an opportunity to feel spoilt and pampered, so that you walk down the aisle full of confidence and ready to marry the partner of your dreams.

Planning your bridal beauty doesn't have to break the bank, and you certainly don't need to compromise on professionalism and quality. In this article, we’ll look at some thoughtful and effective ways to save money without sacrificing the expertise of a seasoned beauty artist.

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Hair and Makeup

1. Plan Beauty Well in Advance of Your Wedding Day

One of the best ways to get the most value for your money is to plan far in advance. With time on your side, you have your choice of artists. You’ll be able to explore various quotes and select an artist that aligns with both your vision and budget.

You’ll be able to handpick a professional knowing that their style resonates with yours, ensuring a seamless collaboration. On the other hand, waiting until the last minute may limit your choices and force you to book whoever is available, even if they are out of your budget.

Make Me Bridal is a powerful platform that simplifies the entire process of finding and booking the perfect hair and makeup artist. Through our user-friendly website, you can submit a query, discover handpicked local artists, and secure a booking with ease.

Make Me Bridal takes the guesswork out of the equation, making it easy to tick finding the right hair and makeup artist off your list early on.

2. Communicate Openly With Your Prospective Bridal Beauty Artist

If you have your heart set on a particular artist but their rates are slightly out of reach, don't be afraid to communicate openly with them. Send them an email expressing your admiration for their work and explain your budget concerns.

Be friendly, honest, and direct. Professional artists may be able to find ways to work within your budget.

They may consider factors such as low season months, midweek bookings, local venues, early finish times and more. It’s important to note that this isn’t about asking a professional to undervalue their services.

However, being open and honest in your communication means that they may be able to find a way to work with you or to recommend someone who may be within your price range.

3. Have a Pre-Wedding Pamper Party

Some pre-wedding beauty can be fun to do yourself, like spray-tanning or nails. Gather your bridesmaids for a pre-wedding pamper party where you can do each other's treatments and enjoy some bonding time.

This not only saves money on professional services but adds a fun and memorable element to your wedding preparations. If you feel like you’d like to practice before the big event, you could have a few practice sessions beforehand – how about a hen night ‘trial’?

4. Have a Set Budget for Your Bridesmaids’ Beauty

Ease the financial burden on your bridesmaids by offering to cover either their hair or makeup expenses. Provide them with the flexibility to choose and pay for the other service themselves or opt to do it on their own.

Another way to handle this is to set a budget per person and then give them the option of topping it up if they would like the full service. Discussing this with your bridesmaids ensures they feel confident and comfortable with their choices.

This is also a good opportunity to talk to your professional artist about any packages they might offer. Some makeup artist would be willing to offer an eyelashes-only application for your bridesmaids while the girls take care of the rest of their makeup themselves.

5. Handle Your Own Touch-Ups On Your Wedding Day

Consider taking charge of your touch-ups on the wedding day. While having a professional hair and makeup artist on hand during and after the wedding will ensure an impeccable look, it will usually come at an additional fee.

Mastering a few basic touch-up techniques can be empowering and budget-friendly. Equip yourself with a small emergency kit containing essentials like a translucent powder for eliminating shine, a lipstick or lip gloss for refreshing your pout, and some bobby pins. With a bit of practice beforehand, you can confidently handle minor adjustments.

4 Things NOT to Do to Save Money on Your Bridal Beauty

Now, let's address a few misconceptions about how to save money on your bridal hair and makeup. Here are crucial points to consider:

1. DON'T Do It Yourself

Your wedding day is not the time to experiment with DIY beauty. You want to leave it to the professionals to look after you on a very important day. Professional skills ensure you look flawless without the stress of potential mishaps.

For example, you don’t want to try to curl your lashes with a lash lift and accidentally singe your eyelashes off. Even if you’re experienced at doing your makeup, the wedding day can be stressful and pressure-filled. For example, you may find that nerves overcome you and you struggle to match an eyeliner flick, which can be an unnecessary stress point.

You may regret not having someone else take care of it for you on the day.

2. DON'T Overload Your Bridesmaids

Appreciate your bridesmaids' role in your special day by not burdening them with the responsibility of managing your look or that of the bridal party.

Remember, it’s a treat for them too!

Taking bridal beauty off their plate means that they’ll not only enjoy the day more but will be able to help you stay relaxed and in the moment!

Furthermore, if you don’t like the look they create, how awkward would that be!

3. DON'T Assume It's Too Late If You Haven’t Booked Ahead of Time

While planning well ahead is ideal, it's never too late to find an excellent hair and makeup artist! There will always be an artist who has certain dates available. If you’re late in the planning process don’t panic!

Make Me Bridal has helped hundreds of last-minute brides out with their late enquiries.

4. DON'T Compromise On Professionalism

When it comes down to it, cutting costs shouldn't mean sacrificing quality. Professionals bring expertise, experience, and a stress-free experience to your wedding day. So don't compromise on the benefits that come with hiring a seasoned artist!

Why Hire a Professional for Your Bridal Hair and Makeup?

• Entrusting your bridal beauty to a skilled professional is more than just a practical choice; it's an investment in the whole experience. Professional artists bring a unique blend of expertise, creativity, and a calming presence to bridal prep. Beyond the application of makeup and hairstyling, they become your trusted allies in curating a look that reflects your personality, complements your dress and accessories, and stands the test of time in photographs.
  
• Personalised Advice and Recommendations: Professional artists have honed their craft through years of training and experience, ensuring that your bridal look is not only on trend but also customised to enhance your unique features and preferences. They can help you achieve ideas that you may have thought were not possible.
  
• Efficiency and Timeliness: A wedding morning will fly by in seconds and a professional artist is adept at managing time efficiently, helping you and your bridal party to stay on track with your wedding day schedule.
  
• Stress-Free Beauty: Putting your bridal beauty in the safe hands of a professional allows you to be present and enjoy the start of your wedding day.
  
• Making Memories: Beyond their technical skills, professional artists contribute to the overall atmosphere of fun and togetherness during the prep. Their presence can turn the getting-ready process into a memorable part of your wedding day. They’re also great at helping you get in your dress, put your veil in and breeze through any unexpected wobbles!

By planning, communicating openly, and making thoughtful choices, you can save money on your bridal beauty without compromising on the quality and expertise of professional artists. Remember, investing in your beauty is an investment in the joy and confidence you'll carry throughout your wedding day.

Remember, don't stress out and try and handle your wedding hair and makeup alone.

Get in touch, Submit an Enquiry, and let one of our MakeMeBridal Pros take the reins!