DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
How much does bridal hair and makeup cost in the UK?
Bridal hair and makeup is almost always quoted as a package rather than a single price, covering the bride plus however many bridesmaids and mothers want to join in. The bride's own look usually comes with a trial run beforehand, while everyone else in the party is priced per person on the day. Here is what couples really pay and how to keep the getting-ready bill under control.
The quick version
- The bride's price usually includes a trial, while the rest of the party is charged per person on top
- Hair and makeup can be one artist covering both, or two separate specialists working side by side
- Early starts, travel to the venue and a large bridal party all push the total up
- A trial is worth doing but it does add cost, so ask whether it is bundled in or billed separately
- Peak Saturdays in the summer months book out first, especially with the most in-demand artists
- Getting a couple of quotes for the exact same headcount, trial and travel makes prices easier to compare
What people actually paid
Where these 11 prices come from — 5 named sources
Each is a published price list, an official survey, or a receipt/quote a reader shared. The full per-price list with year and area is on the hair & makeup page.
The gap: advertised vs actually paid (medians)
People reported paying 8% less than the advertised list price for hair & makeup.
List prices are advertised prices; paid figures are what people reported, often for different cases. Treat the gap as a signal, not a quote.
Real prices, in people's own words
- £200“£200 hair and make-up for me and MOH”
- £245“£245 for bride and 4 bridesmaids, plus bridal trial.”
- £394“GBP 394 for makeup”
- £400“Mine was £400 including a trial for me, and also my mum on the day”
- £417“GBP 417 for hair”
- £811“Combined average: GBP 811”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The price depends mostly on how many faces need doing and how much travel and time that takes. Just the bride costs far less than the bride plus a full party of bridesmaids and mothers, and every extra person adds another per-head charge. A trial adds to the bride's fee on top of the wedding-day price, early starts and travel to the venue can carry a surcharge, and doing both hair and makeup naturally costs more than booking just one or the other. Who you actually book matters too. Most bridal hair and makeup is done by a freelance, mobile artist working alone rather than a salon employing staff, so the price reflects that one person's experience, portfolio and how booked-up their calendar already is, not a shop's overheads. An artist with a long waiting list and a strong reputation can charge more than someone just starting out, peak wedding dates cost the most because demand is highest, and London and the South East sit above quieter regions where fewer weddings compete for the same artists.
How to pay less
- Have fewer of the bridal party done professionally and let the rest do their own hair or makeup
- Book one artist who covers both hair and makeup rather than paying two separate suppliers
- Ask up front whether the trial is included in the bride's package or charged as an extra
- Choose a weekday or an off-peak date, when artists have more room in their diary and more room to negotiate
- Pick an artist based near the venue rather than one who has to travel a long way, since travel time and mileage often get passed on
- Get quotes from a couple of artists covering the same headcount, trial and travel so you are comparing like with like
Common questions
Is a trial included in the price?
Sometimes, sometimes not. The bride's package often includes a hair and makeup trial, but not always, and trials for bridesmaids usually cost extra. Check before booking so it does not catch you out on the final invoice.
Do I need separate artists for hair and makeup?
Not necessarily. Some artists do both, which can be simpler and cheaper than hiring two people. Others specialise in one or the other, and for a large party two suppliers working in parallel can save time on the morning even if it costs a bit more.
How much does it cost for the bridal party?
It is usually charged per person on top of the bride's package, so the total climbs with each bridesmaid and mother added. Having fewer people done professionally, and letting the rest sort their own hair or makeup, is the simplest way to bring the total down.
When should the hair and makeup be finished?
Aim to be fully ready with time to spare before the photographer arrives for the getting-ready shots and before you need to leave for the ceremony. A good artist works out a timed schedule for the morning, person by person, so nobody is left rushing at the end.
Does travel to the venue cost extra?
Often, yes. Mobile artists usually charge mileage or a flat travel fee once you are outside their normal working area, and an early start for a far-flung venue can add an early-start charge on top. Booking someone based close to the venue is one of the easiest ways to avoid this.
Is it worth booking early for a Saturday wedding?
Yes, especially in the summer months when the best-known artists are booked out furthest in advance. Booking early does not usually change the price, but it does mean you get first choice of artist rather than whoever still has your date free a few months out.