To Do, or not to Do

Weddings are interesting beings. They certainly can take on lives of their own.

While watching the budget out of the corner of their eye, some brides cross lines and push the envelope more often than they choose to admit. So the dress is $1,000 more than planned but its "perfect.".. So the guest list grew by 50 more than we thought... So the photographer's packages start at our max... There are so many excuses we use to get what we want, that I'm surprised by how often I hear of the one place where brides really nickel and dime: Hair and make up.

I can understand not wanting to have someone do your hair if you've never been happy with how anyone else does it. Or maybe you have someone in the family that can do it for free. But when some brides have paid thousands for their dress, hundreds for their shoes, and will spend a few thousand more just to capture that look for generations to view, why wouldn't you want to have nice looking hair and make up? Or at least, why don't you want to pay for it?

There are certainly huge ranges out there for either hair or make up or both. Pricing will vary on experience of the stylist, as well as the salons they work at, and, well, their attitude, but that's really about it. You can pay from $50 for an updo, up to $800 for the same thing. What you are willing to pay is totally up to you, and what you value it at. I recently saw on an episode of Platinum Weddings a bride pay $3,000 for her hair, no extensions in or anything! But keep in mind that while some of us pay $25 for a hair cut, others pay $125 and higher. Some pay $45 for highlights, while others pay $350 for their color every 6 weeks. So why would that same bride balk at paying someone $200 to do her hair, make up, and travel to the spot of her choice? I can't figure that one out.
Just don't haggle over the price. If its too expensive find someone else. And then don't push all of your wedding stress on them just because they're the last ones to see you before you get dressed for the day. (I have seem many great wedding/special event stylist quit doing brides because its too stressful.) and yes, you tip your stylist! Treat the stylist with respect ( they've honed their craft), treat them like a friend (you can share everything with them), and practice your wedding smile on them, they have earned it.
Bottom line is; you don't get married everyday, so why look the way you do everyday? I say Do!