How to Plan for Wedding Beauty Expenses

Every bride wants to look their absolute best on their big day, but many are unclear on how to figure beauty expenses into their wedding budget. This can lead to many unplanned and last minute costs that can blow through savings. To help brides-to-be determine their budgets ahead of time, I’ve put together a guide to beauty expenses for the big day for every type of bride, from the chill, low-maintenance bride to the glam princess bride.

The Low Key Bride

Even if you’re not the type to wear makeup or fuss much with your hair, you should still have room in your budget for hair and makeup services on your wedding day. Every bride should have the experience of feeling like a celebrity and being pampered. Photo friendly makeup will accent your best features, yet keep you looking like you. It will be one less thing to worry about the morning of the wedding, which greatly reduces your stress .

As a baseline, every bride should plan on budgeting $150 to $300 for their hair and makeup on the morning of the wedding. The price can vary based on your timing and location.  Additional party members will cost $150-200 per person for hair with makeup.  Contact me to get your personalized rate.

The Upgraded Bride

If you’re more into your beauty regimen and want a more elevated look, you’ll want to add a few extras.  In addition to professional hair and makeup, you can add false lashes or brow shaping, which will add $15 each to your budget. You may want to consider clip-in hair extensions for more fullness.  Expect to spend $125-200 for a full set and add $15-35 to install and style. 

You also might want to add a few special services to your regimen before the big day, such as spray tanning, a manicure and pedicure, highlights or hair color. If you’re dyeing your hair, make sure to schedule it 2 months in advance with a touch up one to two weeks before the wedding to avoid any mishaps.

For these extra glam steps add $35 to $90  for a spray tan, $60 to $100 for your mani/pedi and $135 to $250 for your hair color. Of course, the cost of hair coloring can vary widely based on what you want done, so talk to your colorist about your options.

The Full Glam Bride

Maybe you’ve always dreamed of going the whole nine yards with glam treatments for your wedding day. It’s completely possible to achieve your dream, you’ll just have to make it a priority when you’re determining your wedding budget.  Here’s what you should expect to pay for your glam beauty treatments.

Semi-permanent hair extensions are a popular option for adding volume and length and a showstopping look. There are a lot of variables that will affect the cost, but plan on adding $400 to $800 to your budget to achieve that extra length and fullness.

Semi permanent lash extensions are also a treat.  They are installed in a salon and last 2-3 weeks.  So if you are leaving on your honeymoon, you will wake up with lashes every morning.  Expect to pay $200-300 for a full set.

If you’re more concerned about your skin looking its best on the big day, you could add a facial or two to your budget, which typically costs $75-150.  A professional facial should be done at least 3-4 weeks in advance, just in case you have a reaction. 

To spruce up your smile for all the photos you’ll be taking, you may want to add $100 to $500 to your budget to get your teeth professionally whitened.

Adding these extra services to your beauty preparations will up your glam appeal and have you feeling like the bride you always dreamed of being on your wedding day.

No matter what level of glam you’re looking for on your wedding day, don’t let beauty expenses catch you by surprise. Plan out which treatments and services you know you’ll want and factor in those costs when you’re creating your overall wedding budget. You’ll feel more relaxed and in control with your budget in place.  

And after all, that’s really what every bride deserves!

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