My first paying wedding gig, WHAT do I charge!?

Feb 12, 2013

Keyry H.

Hello lovelies!
So I got offered a wedding gig, this is my first paying gig, I have no idea what to charge, I've done my own wedding and my sister in law's wedding, I'm not an expert, but I know my way around hair curlers and brushes. I need to know what to charge, I don't want to be greedy because I've only done 2 weddings, but I will need to buy some supplies. Help!

Feb 12, 2013

Caitlin M.

I can't tell you flat out what to charge but if you're going to have to buy supplies charge for the total of whatever you need to buy. Charge for your time, your skills, if you have to travel factor in a little for that so you aren't losing money getting to the job, and take into account how many other people's makeup and/or hair you'll have to do. And I was taught in school that its common to do the bride's mother's makeup for free but to charge for the groom's mother. I would take all of these into account first and then decide on a reasonable rate. There's a difference between reasonable and dirt cheap lol. They're coming to you for your skills so they should be aware that the cost of those skills isn't going to be dirt cheap. Don't sell yourself short!! Obviously don't price gouge but don't be afraid to charge what you think you're worth. I was told that usually you will get the higher price you ask for, you just have to ask for it :)

Good luck!! I hope this helped a bit and I hope your first gig goes well :D

Feb 12, 2013

Lolli S.

I say 35 for hair and 20 for mkup bt mk sure you knw exactly wht thy want bfore the visit.Maybe have an assistant to help you ot passing thgs or blow drying hair.Ot here where I'm at you hve to b fast if you got a rm filled wit girls.Nw you hve to consider your tine travel milage.I wod include that.

Feb 12, 2013

Lolli S.

I say 35 for hair and 20 for mkup bt mk sure you knw exactly wht thy want bfore the visit.Maybe have an assistant to help you ot passing thgs or blow drying hair.Ot here where I'm at you hve to b fast if you got a rm filled wit girls.Nw you hve to consider your tine travel milage.I wod include that.

Feb 12, 2013

Melissa L.

I charge $30 for the consultation (includes makeup application w/lashes) $40 for the brides makeup $30 for any additional application and $10 for fake lashes. Like Caitlin said, keep in mind materials, skill set, your time and your LOCATION in mind when setting your prices. If you're in a bigger city you can usually charge a little more, but keep close to competitors prices. If you live in an area full of small towns, stay a bit more modest.

Feb 14, 2013

T K.

I live in a big city, so my prices might be higher than what you're used to, but I would say about 100 for hair/ makeup. I know 50 and up is normal per face and that's not counting hair, so I would say about 100 is fine. You can give a discount if you're also doing the mother/ mother-in-law and other family/ bridesmaids, but don't set your prices too low because then people will come to you later on and wonder why you changed your prices (if they got a referral from these people.)

Feb 14, 2013

Lindsay W.

When I was a bridesmaid in my friends wedding this summer they charged $50 for make up and $50 for hair if you were doing just one. I did both so they charged $80. That was in upstate NY. I live in Long Island and if the wedding was there it would have been more expensive. You could always call up places that do hair and makeup in your location to base your price around theirs or just to get an idea on a reasonable price. Good luck!!

Feb 14, 2013

Nicole S.

Good morning ladies I was just reading and I love everything everyone is saying. I'm new I've done one wedding and some proms but no charge it was family. So my question is. do we charge a flat rate plus the price for doing the makeup?

Mar 5, 2013

Lindsay N.

Wow, you all need to move to Canada!! I'm on the in expensive side for makeup and hair and I charge $125 for bride includes consult and eyelashes $ 130 for bride hair includes consult...$80 for bridesmaids- makeup only.