Wedding Hair and Makeup Cost UK 2026

Q: Should you have a hair and makeup trial before your wedding?

Yes. A hair and makeup trial before the wedding day is strongly recommended. It allows you to test the look, identify any adjustments needed and ensure you are happy with the artist before committing to them for the wedding day. Trials are typically booked 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding and charged at a separate rate to the wedding day itself.

Average Wedding Hair and Makeup Costs in the UK

Wedding hair and makeup is one of the more personal investments in a wedding budget. Unlike venue or catering costs, the price you pay reflects the skill, experience and artistry of the individual you book — and the results are visible in every wedding photograph taken throughout the day.

In 2026, the average UK bride spends £150 to £400 on wedding day hair and makeup combined. This covers the wedding day itself — trials are charged separately and typically add a further £140 to £270 per trial session.

Budget Hair or makeup only £80 – £150

Mid-range Hair and makeup £150 – £300

Average spend UK brides 2026 £200 – £350

Premium Senior artist £350 – £600+

These figures cover the bride only on the wedding day. Trials, bridesmaids and other wedding party members are additional. For a typical wedding party of 4 people, total hair and makeup spend is commonly £600 to £1,200.

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Wedding Hair and Makeup Costs — Full Breakdown

Here is a detailed breakdown of typical costs for every element of wedding hair and makeup in the UK in 2026.

Bridal hair — wedding day £80 – £200

Wedding day bridal hair styling typically costs £80 to £150 for a simple style and £120 to £200 for a more complex updo, intricate braiding or detailed styling with accessories. Prices vary by artist experience and location.

Bridal makeup — wedding day £80 – £200

Professional bridal makeup on the wedding day typically costs £80 to £150 for an experienced makeup artist and £120 to £200 for a senior or specialist bridal artist. Airbrush makeup or specialist techniques such as HD or editorial makeup cost more.

Bridal hair trial £60 – £150

A hair trial is booked separately from the wedding day and typically takes place 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. Cost is usually 60 to 80% of the wedding day rate. A trial is strongly recommended and should be considered an essential cost rather than an optional extra.

Bridal makeup trial £60 – £120

A makeup trial allows you to test the full bridal look, assess longevity and make any adjustments before the wedding day. Typically 60 to 80% of the wedding day rate. Some artists offer a combined hair and makeup trial at a slight discount.

Bridesmaid hair £45 – £100 each

Bridesmaid hair styling is typically charged at a lower rate than the bride — usually 60 to 80% of the bridal rate. For 3 bridesmaids at £60 each, budget £180. Confirm the per-person rate for bridesmaids when requesting quotes.

Bridesmaid makeup £45 – £90 each

Bridesmaid makeup is usually charged at a slightly lower rate than the bride. For 3 bridesmaids at £55 each, budget £165. Some couples choose to have bridesmaids do their own makeup to reduce costs — this is entirely acceptable and increasingly common.

Mother of the bride / groom £60 – £120 each

Hair and makeup for mothers of the bride and groom is typically charged at a similar rate to bridesmaids. Budget £60 to £120 per person for hair and makeup combined. Confirm whether your artist is available and willing to include additional family members.

Travel fee £0 – £100

Most artists charge a travel fee if they travel to your getting-ready location — typically £0.40 to £0.50 per mile beyond a set local radius. For artists travelling significant distances, an overnight stay may also be required. Confirm travel costs when requesting a quote.

Early start fee £20 – £80

Some artists charge an additional fee for very early morning starts — typically before 7am. If your wedding party is large and the ceremony is at midday, a 6am or 6:30am start may be required. Check whether your artist charges an early start fee when booking.

Total for wedding party of 4 £600 – £1,200

For a bride, 2 bridesmaids and a mother of the bride, a realistic total budget for hair and makeup on the wedding day — excluding trials — is £600 to £900 for a mid-range artist and £900 to £1,200 for a premium artist.

Separate Artists vs One Artist for Hair and Makeup

Most couples choose either a single artist who does both hair and makeup, or two separate specialists — one for hair and one for makeup. Here is how the two options compare.

Single Artist — Hair and Makeup

Most common

Many experienced bridal artists offer both hair and makeup services. This is the most convenient option — one booking, one point of contact, one setup. The artist moves between hair and makeup for each person in sequence, which requires careful scheduling to ensure everyone is finished on time.

The main consideration is that very few artists are equally skilled at both hair and makeup. Review portfolios for both disciplines carefully rather than assuming equal quality across both services.

Separate Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist

Faster, higher quality

Booking a specialist hair stylist and a specialist makeup artist separately typically produces better results for each discipline — each professional focuses on their area of expertise. It also speeds up the morning significantly as both can work on different people simultaneously.

The downside is two bookings to manage, potentially higher cost, and more people in the getting-ready space. For larger wedding parties of 5 or more, however, two specialists working simultaneously is often the only practical option for finishing on time.

What Affects Wedding Hair and Makeup Costs?

Artist experience and reputation. As with photography, the biggest driver of price is the artist's experience and demand. An artist with a strong editorial or celebrity portfolio and a full booking diary charges significantly more than a newer artist. Review portfolios carefully — price is a reasonable but imperfect proxy for quality.
Location. London and South East artists typically charge 25 to 40% more than equivalent artists in the Midlands or North. If you are willing to have an artist travel from outside London, significant savings are possible — travel costs are usually less than the London price premium.
Wedding party size. The number of people being styled is the biggest variable in the total bill. Every additional bridesmaid, mother or flower girl adds cost. For larger wedding parties, some artists offer a reduced per-person rate in recognition of the volume of work.
Hair length and complexity. Long hair typically takes longer to style than short hair and may cost slightly more. Very complex styles — intricate braiding, extensions, elaborate updos — take longer and cost more than simpler styles.
Makeup technique. Airbrush makeup costs more than traditional brush application — typically £20 to £50 additional. HD or film-ready makeup techniques also command a premium. Discuss the specific technique with your artist and confirm the cost before booking.
Day of the week. Saturday is the most in-demand day and some artists charge a weekend premium. Friday and Sunday weddings may attract a modest discount at some artists though this is less common than with venues.
Early morning starts. If the ceremony is at midday and the wedding party is large, hair and makeup may need to start before 7am. Some artists charge an early start supplement — confirm this when booking.

Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Hair and Makeup Artist

Book a trial before committing. Never confirm an artist for the wedding day without first doing a trial. The trial allows you to assess the quality of their work, how well they listen to your brief and how comfortable you feel working with them. It is money well spent and saves the risk of disappointment on the wedding day.
Review before and after photographs. Ask to see before and after photographs from previous weddings — not just finished results. This shows how the artist handles different starting points and skin types, not just the best-case scenarios they show in their portfolio.
Ask specifically about longevity. Wedding makeup needs to last 10 to 14 hours through a full day of photographs, emotion and activity. Ask your artist what products they use and what their approach is to ensuring longevity. A good bridal artist will have a clear answer.
Confirm timings in advance. Ask your artist to estimate how long each person will take and work backwards from the ceremony time to confirm the morning schedule is achievable. Hair and makeup overruns are the single most common cause of late ceremonies.
Confirm what the artist supplies. Professional artists bring all their own products, tools and equipment. Confirm this when booking — you should not need to provide anything other than clean, dry hair and a clean moisturised face on the morning.
Check their cancellation policy. Confirm what happens if the artist is ill or unable to attend on the wedding day. A professional artist should have a contingency plan — either a trusted colleague they can call on or a clear refund policy.
Get everything in writing. Confirm the booking with a written contract or email covering the date, time, location, services to be provided, number of people, total cost, deposit amount and cancellation terms.

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How to Reduce Wedding Hair and Makeup Costs

Have bridesmaids do their own makeup. Professional makeup for bridesmaids is a significant cost for what is ultimately a personal preference decision. Many bridesmaids are happy to do their own makeup to a brief — particularly if you provide a reference image and allow them enough time on the morning.
Use one artist for bride only, another for the wedding party. Book your preferred premium artist for the bride, and a more junior or less expensive artist for the bridesmaids. The quality difference is less visible in photographs at bridesmaid distance than it would be for the bride.
Book a hair-only or makeup-only artist. If your budget is tight, prioritise professional makeup — it is more visible in photographs — and do your own hair or use a trusted friend. Alternatively, a professional blowdry and style from a salon costs significantly less than a dedicated wedding hair artist.
Choose a simpler style. More complex hair styles take longer and cost more. A classic chignon or simple half-up style typically costs less than elaborate braiding or a highly structured updo. Discuss your budget openly with your artist — a good one will suggest styles that work within it.
Consider a newer artist with a strong portfolio. Newer bridal artists building their experience often charge significantly less than established names for comparable quality. Review portfolios carefully and book a trial regardless of price point.
Get three quotes. Hair and makeup pricing varies considerably between artists with similar experience levels. Three quotes is the minimum for this category of spend.

Wedding Hair and Makeup FAQs

How much does wedding hair and makeup cost in the UK in 2026?

Wedding hair and makeup in the UK typically costs £150 to £400 for the bride on the wedding day in 2026. Hair alone costs £80 to £200 and makeup alone costs £80 to £200. Trials are charged separately — typically £60 to £150 per trial session. For a wedding party of 4 people, total wedding day hair and makeup spend is commonly £600 to £1,200.

Should you have a hair and makeup trial before your wedding?

Yes — a hair and makeup trial before the wedding day is strongly recommended. It allows you to test the look, identify any adjustments and confirm you are happy with the artist before the wedding day itself. Trials are typically booked 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding and charged separately at 60 to 80% of the wedding day rate. Consider it an essential cost rather than an optional extra.

How long does wedding hair and makeup take?

Bridal hair and makeup typically takes 2 to 3 hours for the bride alone. For a wedding party of 4 to 6 people, allow 5 to 7 hours total. This is why most wedding morning schedules start hair and makeup at 7am to 9am for a 1pm to 2pm ceremony. Confirm your artist's estimated timings when booking and build these into your wedding day timeline.

When should you book a wedding hair and makeup artist?

Book your wedding hair and makeup artist 9 to 12 months before the wedding for peak Saturday summer dates. Popular and experienced bridal artists book up quickly for weekends from May to September. For weekday or off-peak dates, 6 months is usually sufficient. Book before confirming your getting-ready venue and morning schedule so you can plan timings accordingly.

Can one artist do both hair and makeup for a wedding?

Yes — many bridal artists offer both hair and makeup services. This is the most convenient option for smaller wedding parties. The main consideration is that very few artists are equally skilled at both disciplines. Always review their portfolio for both hair and makeup specifically, and confirm at the trial that you are happy with both aspects of their work before booking for the wedding day.

Do bridesmaids need professional hair and makeup?

No — professional hair and makeup for bridesmaids is a choice, not a requirement. Many couples opt for professional styling for the bride only, or the bride and maid of honour, and ask other bridesmaids to do their own makeup to a brief. This is an entirely acceptable and increasingly common approach that can significantly reduce the total hair and makeup bill.

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