Why Do Makeup Artists Charge So Much Money for Weddings?

Great question. I get this one a lot and it’s understandable. After all, doesn’t everyone who books an appointment with a pro want a fabulous look? What makes a wedding different than, say, a holiday party?

Your wedding is an incredibly important day with a lot of moving parts, so your vendors should be painstakingly meticulous to minimize last-minute headaches and ensure the day runs smooth for the bride and groom, and that requires more time and effort which often merits a bigger price tag.

But what does it really mean to be “painstakingly meticulous”?

These are the top 3 reasons makeup artists charge more money for weddings:

1. We Factor in Time Spent on Coordination and Prep

This is all the back office stuff which includes the time I spend on email correspondence with the bride, wedding coordinator, and photographer. Your makeup artist not only applies your makeup, but we are responsible for coordinating a schedule with your other vendors to make sure you’re walking down the aisle on time and looking gorgeous.

2. We Block Off the Whole Day

My policy is to only book one wedding a day. Imagine how you would feel if I showed up an hour late because the bride I booked earlier took too long getting into her dress/forgot her shoes/got cold feet? It’s too big of a risk.  I want to give your wedding undivided attention, so that means only one appointment for the entire day.

3. Long-Lasting Photogenic Looks Require Expertise

Your look is thoughtfully planned. I’ve spent years honing my skills as a makeup artist specializing in weddings to ensure you still look great 10 hours into your wedding day. Makeup with that kind of staying power takes longer to apply and often requires highly pigmented products. They can create a radiant complexion, but are often more expensive and need to be applied carefully so they don’t go on too heavy and look cakey.

This is where highly-skilled makeup artists stand out because not only do you need to look stunning in person, but also in HD photos, and possibly in sunlight or high humidity.

Years of Vivid Memories

An experienced makeup artist creates a wedding day look that’s glamorous but also showcases  the natural beauty of the bride in person and on camera. You’ll look back on your wedding day pictures for years. Imagine flipping through your album and lingering on closeups of your breathtaking look. Worth it, don’t you think?