Do you pay for a wedding hair and make up trial?

Question Asked: 12/02/2025

Wedding Date: 28/02/2025

Most Helpful Response

Mobile Bridal Hair and Makeup

(5) · Southern Highlands & Wollongong and South Coast

Posted: 14/02/2025

 A wedding hair and makeup trial is a chance for you to meet with your stylist and makeup artist before the big day to try out different looks and see how they work with your features and style. Most professionals charge a fee for this trial, as it’s a separate service from the actual wedding day booking.

The cost can vary depending on the artist or stylist, their experience, and location. Some may offer a discount on the trial if you book them for your wedding day, but others might charge full price. It’s a good idea to clarify the payment details upfront to avoid any surprises.

During the trial, you'll typically discuss your vision for the wedding day look, try out different hairstyles and makeup, and make adjustments based on your preferences. It also gives you a sense of how long the process will take on the actual day.

Answered by: 13 Experts

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Perfect Pout Hair & Makeup

(39) · Melbourne & Surrounding Areas

Posted: 14/02/2025

Yes you do to cover the artist's time, expertise and resources. A trial requires a significant amount of preparation - tools, products and time to consult the bride to understand her preferences and ensure the final look is perfect for her wedding day. It also gives the artist a chance to ask questions - do you have allergies? do you have sensitive skin? 

Raelene Agius Hair Stylist

(0) · Southern Highlands

Posted: 13/02/2025

Yes you pay for a hair  trial . A wedding hair trial helps both parties clarify the desired look and ensure the stylist is familiar with your preferences. Plus, it's a great way to build rapport ahead of the big day. We can work together on a particular style you're re considering for your wedding so we both have a clear understanding of what look you are after .

Hope that helps 

 

Hollywood Brides

(138) · Mobile, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Tweed, Mt Tamborine, Sunshine Coast, Maleny, Toowoomba & Tangalooma

Posted: 13/02/2025

We charge for wedding hair and makeup trials, as they allow us to dedicate the necessary time and resources to ensure you look and feel your best on your special day. The trial is a wonderful opportunity to explore different styles and find the perfect look that suits you.  It is probably even more important that we both feel comfortable with each other and we can competently execute the look you are after.

Expecting tradespeople to work for free is not reasonable for several reasons:

  1. Professional Expertise: Tradespeople have spent years acquiring skills, training, and certifications. Their expertise is valuable, and they deserve to be compensated for their knowledge and experience.
  2. Cost of Living: Like everyone else, tradespeople have bills to pay, including rent or mortgage, utilities, and other living expenses. Working for free is not a sustainable option for them.
  3. Tools and Equipment: Many trades require specialised tools and equipment, which can be costly to purchase and maintain. Expecting free labor ignores the investment they have made in their profession.
  4. Time Commitment: Every job requires time for planning, travel, execution, and cleanup. This time could be spent on other paid work, so asking for free work disregards the value of their time.
  5. Business Operations: Many tradespeople operate their own businesses, which come with overhead costs like insurance, licenses, and permits. They need to charge for their services to cover these expenses.
  6. Quality of Work: When tradespeople are compensated fairly, they are more likely to put in the effort and care necessary to deliver high-quality work. Free labor can lead to rushed or less professional outcomes.
  7. Respect for Profession: Expecting anyone to work for free undermines the value of their profession and can contribute to a culture of undervaluing skilled trades. This can discourage people from entering these fields.
  8. Legal and Ethical Considerations: In many places, working without compensation can lead to legal issues, including violations of labor laws. It also raises ethical concerns about fairness and respect for workers.
  9. Mutual Benefit: A fair exchange of services for payment establishes a professional relationship based on respect and mutual benefit, which is essential for any successful business transaction.

In summary, expecting skilled tradespeople to work for free is unrealistic and unfair. They provide an essential service on your wedding day that contributes to the success of your day, and their work deserves recognition and appropriate compensation.

RM Makeup

(9) · Melbourne, Yarra Valley & Surrounding Areas

Posted: 13/02/2025

Hello! Yes a wedding trial is paid for. I charge the same as on the wedding day itself. I offer normal foundation  and airbrushing trials. Hope this helped answer your question!??

Magical Makeovers

(397) · Victoria

Posted: 13/02/2025

Hi bride to be x

Yes, trials do come at an additional charge, as they are booked separately and allow us to dedicate extra time to perfecting your ideal look. A trial can take up to two hours, and we often explore more than one style to ensure you’re completely happy with your final choice.

Unlike some experiences we’ve heard about, where a quick version of the style is created with the promise that it will "look perfect on the day," we fully replicate your wedding day look. This means you’ll see exactly how it holds and lasts, giving us the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments—whether that’s a tighter or looser curl, a different primer, or a better-suited base for your skin type. The trial provides invaluable insights for both you and your artist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience on your big day!

If you’re planning to have your trial on a day you’re going out, just keep in mind that if you share photos on social media, it might take away the surprise factor for your wedding day.

Also, waiting until the month before your wedding (such as your hens day) for a trial can be risky. If you’re not happy with the result and decide not to proceed, you may find yourself scrambling to secure another artist when most are already fully booked. That’s why I recommend scheduling your trial around 4-6 months before your wedding date. Many artists and stylists also provide tailored advice on skincare and haircare treatments, helping you look and feel your absolute best when the big day arrives!

Let me know if you have any questions—I’d love to help!

Laura Dhir Makeup & Hairstyling

(0) · Sydney, Blue Mountains & Surrounds

Posted: 13/02/2025

Hello

Yes, I do charge the same price for trials as the wedding day.

Kerry Howell Makeup and Hair

(177) · NSW Statewide - Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Blue Mountains, Woll

Posted: 13/02/2025

Hi there, im so happy to help, this little question has a so many variables to consider.  I hope this helps clarify things & in short yes the trials are paid for as a service. Let me know if you have any more questions I'm happy to assist.

Most established makeup artists, do require payment for a trial for a few key reasons. With over 28 years in the industry, I’ve seen all sorts of scenarios.   The trial often takes longer than the wedding day application itself. During the trial, we not only do the makeup but also have a consultation, take before-and-after photos, a quick video & complete a face chart. The face chart details all the products used, which is helpful if any reactions occur or if changes are needed later.

The photos also give you a clear idea of how the makeup will look on camera, as certain products may appear differently in photos (for example, a nude lip that looks great in person might appear washed out on camera). All of these factors contribute to why trials can take more time & we require payment of this time.

Additionally, without a payment for the trial, some clients could take advantage of free makeup trials, leading to multiple trials with different artists without a serious commitment. For this reason most established artists will require payment for a trial.

However, if you're unsure about the makeup artist, I always offer the option to have a trial before committing to a deposit. Also if  your budget doesn’t allow for a trial, I suggest doing thorough research, look into the artist's experience, reviews, the number of weddings they handle each year. A highly experienced artist will be able to adjust your makeup on the wedding day if needed.

I know this is a lot to consider, but I hope it helps clarify things. Wishing you all the best on your wedding day - Kerry Howell

Gamine Dynasty

(19) · Perth Metro, Swan Valley, South West, Northam, York, Albany, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Broome

Posted: 13/02/2025

Most Hair and Makeup Artists do charge for a trial. Some charge less than on the wedding day and some charge more than on the wedding day. Some stylists may state that it is mandatory for you to book a hair and makeup trial with your wedding day booking also so that you both can meet and work out what works best for you and your vision so their aren't any surprises on the day. Other stylists may have it as an optional extra for the day. Personally, when I am quoting a wedding booking I always include a hair and/or makeup trial as part of their quote as it may not have been something they thought of themselves and it's better for the client to see what's the most our services are going to cost than having to add on the extra charges later. More often than not the client will book in for a trial. 

I hope this helps. 

La Dame Blanche Collective

(1) · Brisbane & Surrounding Areas

Posted: 13/02/2025

Hi! Yes, we offer bridal trials, and depending on the package you choose with La Dame Blanche, you may receive a complimentary trial or a discounted rate. Let me know if you’d like more details.

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