How Much Does Wedding Hair and Makeup Cost? Here's the Answer

The average cost of bridal hair and makeup might seem like a drop in the bucket when it comes to your wedding expenses (Floral! Food! Alcohol!), but making sure to plan for every last cent is crucial. Otherwise, all those seemingly small expenses can add up to one big surprise budget-wise. To help you stay on track, we're here to break down everything you need to know about bridal hair and makeup costs.

Wedding stylists put in hours of training, work within demanding timelines and spend full days on their feet, all while making sure you look and feel your best. Wedding hair and makeup costs are well worth it—and we're not the only ones who think so. Of the nearly 17,000 couples surveyed for The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study, 73% said they hired a beauty professional.

So, what can you expect to pay for wedding day hair and makeup? Read on to learn more about the average cost of bridal hair and makeup, so you can budget for your big day appropriately and hire the glam squad of your dreams from The Knot Marketplace.

In this article:

• How Much Does Wedding Hair and Makeup Cost?
• What Is the Average Cost of Wedding Makeup?
• What Is the Average Cost of Wedding Hair?
• How Much Does Wedding Party Makeup and Hair Cost?
• Additional Hair and Makeup Costs to Budget For

How Much Does Wedding Hair and Makeup Cost?

The average cost of bridal hair and makeup is $290, which is the same price it was the year prior. So if you've been working on your wedding budget breakdown for a while now, here's your official guarantee that prices haven't skyrocketed. Phew!

Autumn Skye, professional makeup artist and owner of SkyeDaze Beauty, tells us that one of the main factors that affects how much hair and makeup is for a wedding is the experience level of the artist. "Clients aren't just paying for the service itself, but also for the artist's years of education, training, certifications and licensing." Along with this, professional hair and makeup artists usually have a premium selection of products. "Many artists invest in high-quality, luxury products to ensure longevity and a flawless finish," she adds. "This investment in premium products often influences pricing."

While the average cost for hair and makeup for wedding day will vary depending on these factors along with your location, additional services and the complexity of your desired look, this is a great number to keep in mind as you track your expenses. The Knot Budget Advisor makes doing just that a breeze, thanks to pricing data from real couples in your area.

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Photo: Allen Tsai Photography

What Is the Average Cost of Wedding Makeup?

The average wedding day makeup cost in 2024 was $140. Keep in mind that this number is an average, and pricing will vary depending on where you're located. For instance, you may pay more for makeup in Los Angeles than you would in Cleveland, where the cost of living is higher. For couples having a destination wedding, you can expect there to be travel expenses like airfare, hotels and transportation if you are flying them to your location. You may also pay higher wedding makeup prices if you want to hire a senior makeup artist, as opposed to booking a newer stylist or visiting a makeup counter or salon.

So, is the average price for bridal makeup worth it? Well, working with a makeup artist gives you access to their expertly curated kits. They have the best-of-the-best products that will not just enhance your beauty, but have long-lasting finishes that can stand up to high temps, humidity and happy tears. They spend hours learning new techniques, testing products and researching skin prep to give you the wedding makeup look you've been dreaming of. Your bridal makeup cost includes their knowledge and expertise, as they know all the best wedding beauty tricks and upcoming wedding beauty trends. They'll make sure your lipstick doesn't flake off mid-ceremony and you have a good waterproof mascara that won't streak down your face as you tearfully recite your vows.

What Is the Average Cost of Wedding Hair?

According to our data, the average wedding hair cost in 2024 was $150. Much like with makeup, the bridal hair cost typically includes the beauty professional's time and travel fees (if they'll be traveling to your wedding location or hotel) too. Occasionally, the bill will include a wedding hair and makeup trial, which is a step we highly recommend taking. Sometimes a trial will incur an additional cost, so make sure you ask your hairstylist before you book if you're tight on budget.

Hair and makeup pros also tend to bill hourly, so the longer they need to be there, the more expensive it's going to be. (For those with a larger bridal party or who would like touch-ups throughout the event, this may be important to consider.)

Bridal hair is typically styled dry, which means that your hairstylist will ask you to arrive with clean, dry hair on the day of your wedding. From there, your stylist will create your desired look. If you're interested in a blow-dry, be sure to discuss this with your stylist in advance as there may be an extra charge.

Professional hairstylists also have access to salon-quality products and styling tools, so whether you're dreaming of something simple and classic or one of the latest trending wedding hairstyles, a pro will ensure that your locks look absolutely perfect.

Photo: Natalie Champa Jennings Photography

How Much Does Wedding Party Makeup and Hair Cost?

Wedding hair and makeup prices typically look a bit different for bridesmaids. According to our data, you can expect a $230 total for both services. This breaks down to a $130 wedding party hair price and $100 for makeup. However, determining who should foot the bill is not so simple. To help you navigate expenses, check out our cost breakdown of who pays for bridal party hair and makeup.

Additional Hair and Makeup Costs to Budget For

Now that you know how much to budget for bridal makeup and wedding hair prices, consider a few of these popular add-on services before getting your glam on. Note: These may cost you an additional fee, so don't forget to ask your makeup artist and hairstylist for a full rundown on their pricing structure.

• Hair and Makeup Trial: We highly recommend booking a hair and makeup trial prior to the big day to test out your look and make tweaks as needed. This will ensure that day-of application goes off without a hitch. | Range: $225–$350
• Airbrush Makeup: Applied with a special machine, airbrush makeup gives your look a smooth, long-lasting finish. It can take additional time and skill to apply, so artists typically charge more for this service. | Range: $10–$25
• Elaborate Styles & Extensions: Wedding hairstyles cost more when you add in things like fancy updos, elaborate braids and clip-in hair extensions. You'll get a better idea of the exact hair cost once you've completed your hair trial. | Range: $30–$50
• Falsh Lash Application: If you want long, full false lashes for your wedding day, note that strip lashes take additional time to apply. Individual lash application is more tedious and takes even longer. The result is stunning, but may cost you a few extra bucks. | Range: $10–$25
• Wedding Nails: Don't forget to factor in your wedding nails and pedicure when planning your bridal beauty expenses. If your makeup artist doesn't offer nail services, there's a good chance they can steer you in the right direction. | Range: $40–80 each
• Extra Artists: Larger bridal parties or on-site touch-ups may require extra artists or some extra wiggle room in your hair and makeup timeline. Expect to have to pay an additional hourly rate.| Range: $100–$250 each
• Gratuity: It's crucial to tip your wedding vendors for their amazing work! Plan to budget 15–25% of your final beauty total—this means bridal party hair prices and all—to give as a tip to your artists. Be sure to check your contract to see if your glam team has any built-in service fees already included. | Range: $50–$75 per service

Additional reporting by Kate Boswell.