Hair and makeup for a small bridal party

It's fairly common that hair and makeup artists require a certain number of people to travel to where you are located. When we got married I believe the lowest number required was four people.

Could you maybe invite the MoB and MoG to get their hair done with you to bump up numbers?

Yes, this is really common when it comes to travel services. Our wedding was initially going to fall on a week day, so I had no problem booking a fantastic on-site hmua. But once covid hit and we rescheduled, our wedding fell on a Friday; and the hmua emailed me saying the only way they could provide services on a weekend is if we booked at least 6 services for each artist. It was a bummer. I searched all over the place and couldn't find anyone that would provide services to only 4 people. I am surprised, however, that they won't just let you pay the difference. Most the places I contacted offered that option to me! I just didn't want to pay an extra $1200 for nothing. The only options I can think of are to:

1. reach back out and make sure they understand you are willing to pay for all 6 services

2. just book them for 6 services, then the day of your wedding say some people got sick and had to drop out. They will still charge you for those people anyway.

3. Ask your usual stylist of they would be willing to travel; and if so, would they know of a makeup artist they could bring with them (my usual stylist will do this for her clients with a friend of her's that is a makeup artist)

4. Just go to a salon that does both hair & makeup. I know it's not as convenient as on-site service, but it can still be a fun experience! Most places will let you bring in champagne and snacks and take fun pictures!

View Quoted Comment That’s the problem, my mom only wants her makeup done and even then it’s hinging on how her trial goes. MOG said she doesn’t want any services and my MOH has said the same thing because they want to be in control of what they look like. That leaves only me and my one bridesmaid for both hair and makeup and possibly my mom for makeup.

I'm also surprised they won't let you pay the difference. Maybe because they think they won't get the additional tips?

View Quoted Comment Yeah I hadn’t thought of that. I could reach out again and make sure they know I plan on tipping. I will have to come up with the wording because it might even up sounding snarky if I don’t choose my words right!

Is it out of the question to travel? If you’re already getting married in downtown of a major city, there have to be a lot of good stylists in proximity. I was in this same situation as MOH in my best friend’s wedding and I ended up booking the makeup for the two of us bc she was swamped with planning. I was the only bridesmaid and her mom also ended up backing out of the makeup due to covid concerns, so it was just us two. We did makeup at about noon for her 6pm wedding, first me, then her. We were done by 2, picked up her mom and were at her venue in the bridal room by 3:45-4. Just make sure you factor in time for traffic - we are in metro NYC (burbs) and it was a summer Friday eve so we had just enough time. Another thing that made our traveling to the MUA more feasible is that she got her hair done in two sessions, one the night before and the extensions that morning. I think it is completely possible in a city where there are lots of options close by - the on site makeup is often priced with large bridal parties in mind, so it doesn’t always make sense for smaller groups.