How Much Should I Charge for Weddings?

Mar 10, 2012

Enisa H.

I realize i should probably charge a half day rate, or a rate per hour, for a bridal party... but how much would you consider that to be for an MUA who is just starting out?

Mar 13, 2012

Valerie G.

I was wondering the same thing myself... I'm going to be doing my first wedding gig in a few months and I'm still not sure how much to charge... I'll follow your post to see who responds!  

Mar 14, 2012

Andreina O.

For weddings it depends on how big the bridal party is and if you are traveling. I have a few weddings coming up and I am charging 75 pp its reasonable without having them feel like they break the bank either.

Hope this helps!
=)

Mar 15, 2012

Ashley G.

It really depends on your experience, you can start charging a lot if you're new to the industry. You should look at makeup artists rates for the area you live in and see how much experience they have then you can try and figure out that way what you should be charging. 

Mar 18, 2012

Megan N.

i would say if your just starting out, a good range for the bride herself is to charge around $75-$85 and for the bridal party you can do around $50. that's a pretty good price, and you'll still be walking away with a good amount in your pocket. as your experience grow, then you can start up-ing your prices. :) 

Mar 18, 2012

Enisa H.

thanks for the answers everyone! so helpful!

Mar 19, 2012

Nicol D.

Google and look at the prices in your area. If you are new, try to price yourself somewhere in the middle. You don't want to lowball yourself. And if they want to hire you for the full day, charge by the hour. 

Mar 27, 2012

Lauren C.

Usually you charge per face rather than hourly for weddings. I typically charge 150 for bridal makeup, 85 for each bridal party member. If I were just starting out and didn't want to undercut and piss my neighboring artists, I'd price myself around 100 for bride, and 55-60 for bridal party members

Mar 27, 2012

Imani L.

I definately agree with Lauren C. If you work quickly hourly wont get you paid enough for the work that you do and a concrete number like $100 for bride, etc will insure a solid number for how much the bride is paying anf how much you will be paid. 

Mar 31, 2012

Joi K.

I called MAC to ask their prices and the girl that answered gave me alot of good advice she said they basically as we all know do first come first serve without and appointment with a $50 purchase and that with an appointment they charge 100 for the hour and then she said she also freelances outside of the store and she charges for travel as well as charging the bride $100 and the bridal party 50-60 per person but she is established if u are starting out like me I charge a set fee for the whole party bride included and that is based on travel and how many in the party and I usually walk away with happy pockets another way to add to ur pockets is to do a pre-trial and charge a fee for that too 

Apr 4, 2012

Lauren C.

Joi, 100 for the bride and 50-60 per bridesmaids is what I charged when I was just starting out..now I charge much more. I really advise to not price yourself any lower than that

Apr 5, 2012

Mandy T.

i charge per person and not by hours.
also accounting for travel fees/parking fees if required and any other additional stuff like fake lashes if not included in the price.
Most brides will ahve a trial so makeup is pretty set and you just repeat it on the day so you end up doing it way faster than the first time round, hence hourly rate won't go well.
Hourly rates should only be used for commercial work in my opinion.