Destination wedding makeup explained

Photo by Black on white studios

Deciphering the Costs of Destination Bridal Makeup: A Detailed Breakdown

In this blog I will unravel the intricacies behind destination bridal makeup pricing, shedding light on the factors that contribute to its premium and why it can be a worthwhile investment for your big day.

1. Specialisation and Expertise: Destination bridal makeup artists possess a wealth of specialised skills and expertise honed through extensive training and experience. From mastering diverse cultural bridal looks to adapting to varying climates and environments, their proficiency commands a higher fee reflective of their unparalleled dedication to perfection.

2. Premium Quality Products:

Crafting the perfect bridal look requires an arsenal of premium-quality products meticulously selected for their longevity, photo-readiness, and skin-friendly formulations. These high-end products come at a cost and necessitate ongoing investment to ensure brides radiate beauty from dawn to dusk on their special day.

3. High Demand and Exclusivity:

Destination bridal makeup artists often operate in high-demand markets, committing exclusively to one client per day to deliver an unparalleled experience. This exclusivity means turning away potential bookings and justifies a premium fee to compensate for the loss of additional clientele.

With destination weddings this often means turning away 3 days worth of work for the one day of your wedding to allow time for travelling.

With an average of £500 per booking for example this will mean turning away potentially £1500+ worth of work to do your one day!

Often destination artists will actually make less money doing a destination wedding than if they were to take on jobs here in the UK, they do this because of the amazing opportunity to travel and see their work in such beautiful venues.

4. Intensive Preparation and Communication:

Unlike conventional makeup sessions, destination bridal makeup entails extensive pre-wedding consultations, trials, and meticulous planning to tailor each look to the bride's unique vision.

Hours of communication and preparation behind the scenes ensure seamless execution on the big day, warranting a fee reflective of the artist's dedication and attention to detail.

5. Travel and Logistical Costs:

Venturing abroad for destination weddings incurs additional expenses such as travel, accommodation, and logistical arrangements.

Bridal makeup artists must factor these costs into their pricing, ensuring they arrive refreshed and prepared to deliver flawless beauty services amidst unfamiliar surroundings.

I often book destination weddings before flights are released, so I can provide a seperate quote for the expenses side of the quote once they are available but the expenses required are broken down in the quote and information booklet.

I always require 2 nights accomodation as you dont want your makeup artist to be rushing off to go straight back on a flight home! The night before and of the wedding accommodation is generally required when booking a destination artist.

6. Operational Expenses and Business Essentials:

Running a destination bridal makeup business involves overhead costs ranging from insurance and marketing to administrative fees.

Investment in professional tools, online booking systems, and client management software ensures a seamless and reliable service, there is no chance of your destination bridal artist double booking!

7. Piece of mind

When booking a destination Makeup Artist, you will be able to have your trial here in the UK. This will save you money on flights and accommodation for yourself if you were having a trial in the country you’re getting married. Unless you have your trial days before your wedding, which is not recommended.

I have previously had brides have trials abroad, realise that the Makeup is not their style and then book me in the end anyway, booking with me in the first place would have saved them money on that trial and the trip they had to make having it!

8. Time away from home

Many artists will charge a sustenance fee for every 24 hours they are away from home, this is to cover their food whilst working away.

In conclusion, while destination bridal makeup may entail a higher investment initially, it's a worthwhile expenditure for brides seeking a flawless and unforgettable look amidst breathtaking surroundings.

By understanding the intricacies behind destination bridal makeup pricing, brides can embark on their wedding journey with confidence, knowing they've invested in a truly exceptional experience that transcends borders and

exceeds expectations. Booking local doesn’t necessarily mean your saving money as in the long run it can be more costly to book an artist based on their location and not their work!

Why is Bridal Makeup more Expensive?

Understanding the Premium on Bridal Makeup: A Detailed Insight

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming experience, especially when it comes to budgeting for various services.

One common question that often arises is why bridal makeup tends to be more expensive than other types of makeup applications.

As a bridal makeup artist, I believe it’s essential for brides-to-be to understand the intricacies behind our pricing structure. In this updated blog post, I will delve into the reasons why bridal makeup often comes with a higher price tag.

1. Specialization and Expertise

Bridal makeup artists often invest significantly in their training and qualifications. Whether it's through self-taught skills honed over years, or specialized courses that can cost thousands, a makeup artist’s expertise is a critical factor in their pricing.

The level of skill required to ensure a bride looks flawless throughout her wedding day is substantial, and the costs of continuous education in new techniques and trends are typically reflected in our fees.

I personally spend thousands on training every year so that I am able to offer the best possible service to my brides.

I have trained with people like Makeup by Mario, Melly Sophia, Kristina Gasperas and more!

2. Premium Quality Products

The makeup kit of a professional bridal artist is an arsenal of high-end products chosen for their longevity, quality, and the ability to photograph beautifully. These products are more expensive and need to be replenished regularly, which is a significant overhead.

I, for instance, continuously test and select only the best products, which requires ongoing investment to ensure my brides receive the best possible outcome. This costs us hundreds per week.

3. High Demand

A wedding day is a unique event that requires an artist to commit entirely to one client for the day, often turning away other potential bookings. This exclusivity can mean a loss of income from other clients, which is compensated for in the wedding makeup pricing. This is also often why many may require a minimum of the bride and 3-4 others at peak times.

Additionally, a sought-after makeup artist may have a high demand, meaning they need to manage their bookings carefully and charge accordingly to balance their workload and client commitments.

4. Intensive Preparation

Unlike a typical makeup session, bridal makeup often involves multiple interactions with the bride before the event, including trials, discussing looks, and finalizing details. This preparation is crucial to ensure everything runs smoothly on the day of the wedding. Moreover, the time spent packing, unpacking, and sterilizing makeup tools before and after events adds several hours of unseen work.

I spend hours every day responding to enquiries, brides and creating schedules for my brides to make their morning run smoothly.

5. Travel and Logistical Costs

Traveling to and from wedding venues involves not only time but also additional costs such as fuel and possibly accommodation. These are all considerations a bridal makeup artist must factor into their pricing, especially when the locations are far or difficult to reach.

I offer destination wedding makeup both in the UK and abroad, for things that require me to fly I require 2 nights accommodation - so that I am able to arrive the day before the wedding and leave the day after, so I am not running from your makeup straight to the airport. This means turning 3 days worth of work away for a 1 day booking!

6. Operational Expenses

Running a makeup artistry business involves various expenses beyond the makeup kit. These include insurance, marketing, accounting fees, and other administrative costs. These business essentials ensure that the service provided is professional, reliable, and up to industry standards.

I have an online booking system and CRM system to keep in touch with my brides, these both costs me a monthly fee and payments taken through them also take a fee, which I am happy to swallow in order to make the process easier for my brides!

7. Support Artist Fees

For larger bridal parties or tight schedules, I might need to bring along a support artist. This additional help ensures that everyone gets the attention they deserve on the big day. The cost of hiring and training assistants who meet high professional standards is factored into the overall pricing. This saves my brides time on trying to source additional help and ensures that all of the bridal party look and feel fantastic!

8. Additional Services

On your wedding day, I’m not just a makeup artist; I am there to support you, ensure the makeup session is a calm and enjoyable part of your day, and handle any last-minute touch-ups. Sometimes, I even bring specialized lighting or chairs to ensure that everything looks perfect in any setting. I also like to capture head shots of my bride which often professional photographers will not, I have even done photography training and use a professional camera!

9. Marketing and Business Development

Maintaining an updated portfolio, managing social media presence, and ensuring that potential clients can easily find and communicate with me involves significant time and sometimes monetary investment in digital marketing and SEO.

10. Liability and Professionalism

Bridal makeup artists not only provide a service but also bear the responsibility for how the bride looks on one of the most photographed days of her life. This responsibility carries inherent risks and requires a high level of professionalism and reliability.

Insurance and contracts are part of this framework, protecting both the artist and the client from potential issues such as cancellations or disputes.

11. Customization and Detail

Each bride is unique, and so are her makeup requirements. Bridal makeup often requires a high level of customization to match the bride’s style, the wedding theme, and personal preferences. This might include multiple trials to get everything just right, extensive research to find the perfect shades, and detailed planning to ensure the look complements the wedding attire, lighting, and venue aesthetics.

Not every makeup artist is cut out to be as versatile as a bridal makeup artist needs to be, so this takes a level of expertise which takes years to acquire.

13. Extended Hours and Unpredictable Schedules

Weddings often require makeup artists to work very early in the morning or late into the evening. The nature of the job also involves weekends and public holidays, which are premium times. Bridal makeup artists have to adapt to these unpredictable and extended hours, which influences their pricing strategy.

If your wedding makeup is starting early, which it most likely will be. They will be spending the evening before prepping and sanitising their kit as well as getting an early night, this can take away from family time or social plans.

14. Follow-up Services

Some bridal makeup packages include follow-up services such as touch-ups for evening receptions or even a change of look. These services mean the makeup artist's day is much longer than usual or might even span several days. These extra hours need to be charged for to make it worth while so many artists will charge by the hour past the initial booking time.

15. Reputation and Experience

Established makeup artists with a proven track record and glowing testimonials often charge more. Their reputation as industry leaders or award-winning professionals adds to their desirability and allows them to command higher fees. The confidence that comes from having an artist with a robust portfolio and a history of satisfied clients can be invaluable.

Conclusion

Bridal makeup artists provide a service that goes beyond just applying products. It's about creating a look that will last and look great both in person and in photos, providing peace of mind, and contributing positively to one of the most important days of your life. This detailed, personalized service justifies a higher price point compared to regular occasion makeup. When you hire a professional bridal makeup artist, you're not only paying for the makeup but also the assurance that every detail is perfect.

Why do Makeup Artists charge more for Wedding Makeup?

This is something a lot of people question and don't quite understand, why is it that I charge a certain amount for occasion makeup and for bridal I charge more?

I wanted to write this blog to explain to brides to be who are trying to budget for their wedding to help them understand the process behind how Makeup Artists decide their prices for bridal.

Here are some factors that effect Makeup Artists Prices.

1. Experience and qualifications.

Some makeup artists are self taught, whereas others have paid to do courses to learn or refresh their skills and this can often effect their pricing. Some courses cost hundreds to even thousands and tens of thousands of pounds depending on the course. The more experienced and qualified your Makeup Artist the more they will have to charge to accommodate for this.

2. Quality of the kit

Some makeup artists may use predominantly drugstore products whereas others prefer to use higher end brands to get better results, a good makeup artists kit costs thousands and will need to be replenished frequently.

I will always research and try out products until I find the best products for the desired result, my kit is expensive and it has taken me a lot of time and money to build it. I prefer to use higher end brands as I find the colours and finish more flattering and the products last better. I also spend hundreds each month replenishing things for it as well as getting the latest products to keep up to date with trends.

3. Makeup Artists Demand

One of the key factors in me deciding my pricing is working out how much business I will have to turn away to do a wedding, if I am leaving my studio I am unable to do clients when I am usually fully booked meaning I will lose money unless I charge accordingly. Makeup artists who aren't as busy may be able to charge less because their skills are not in as high demand. I can easily turn away 8+ clients to do your wedding and possibly more if I am required to stay overnight for it.

Furthermore the cost also takes into account demand, if your make up artist is in demand and will be turning away many other brides for your date. Many makeup artists would not be able to do more than one wedding a day so their price will reflect how in demand their services are and you will be required to pay an upfront booking fee/deposit to secure your date due to the fact they will be turning other bookings away for your date.

If there is a makeup artist whose work you love, why would you compromise this because they are in high demand, if anything this shows how good they are. A sign of a good makeup artist is them having repeat makeup clients meaning they will be busier.

Like all things in life you get what you pay for, some less professional artists may cancel your wedding to do a larger party because they want to make more profit rather than honour your earlier commitment, leaving you without an artist with little time to find someone else.

Often those who charge lower prices offer bridal makeup as a side job to their full time job and this often means they have little time to respond to you so you can be ignored for weeks on end, which is not something any bride to be wants from a supplier!

4. The time spent corresponding with the bride

I will email the bride a quote and correspond via email with the bride to organise trials, work out timings and secure payments more than I would with a normal client. This is necessary to make the bride feel at ease on the day. I actually have had to outsource an admin team to keep up with my demand for bridal quotes and bookings and this is something I have to account for in my pricing.

5. The time spent packing, unpacking and cleaning their kit

The day before a wedding I usually end up spending my entire evening off cleaning my kit and packing it for the wedding, assessing which products to take using notes from the trial and making sure nothing is missing.This can easily take 45 minutes to an hour and means that any social plans have to be put on hold.

6. The time spent travelling and the petrol cost

The bridal makeup prices will always include a petrol cost allow for the time it will take me to travel to and from the venue as well as setting up times and allowing for traffic. Most mobile artists may charge more than any makeup artist in a studio and this is for the same reason, they will miss out on one or two clients a day because of the time they spend getting to and from clients houses.

7. Makeup Artist Costs

Not only do I have to pay a lot for my kit but I also have to pay for Insurance, Website, Accountants fees and Quickbooks to help me do my book keeping. This is how we pay our bills and make a living so all of these costs must be taken into consideration or we could easily make no profit at all.

Cheaper or less professional Artists may not be insured which is often found out too late when something goes wrong.

8. Assistants Fees

Most weddings will require your artist to bring an assistant, this is depending on the size of your party or the time you need to be ready by. I like to use an assistant I trust to do the members of the bridal party I don't have time for.

This means she brings her own kit and is paid per person that she does or per hour depending on how your makeup artist decides to do it, but quite often you are not only paying your makeup artist but you are also paying her to find someone she trusts to do the same level of makeup that she is capable of and organise bringing her to the wedding as well as paying her.

I like to train my assistants so this takes time out of my working schedule to do to keep the level of work up to standard.

9. More than just your Makeup Artist

As well as being your makeup artist we are also there to help keep everyone calm, when we arrive we will find the perfect lighting to do your makeup in and often this can be difficult so I will bring my own lighting source sometimes, these can also cost hundreds of pounds as well as a makeup chair as often venues only have small chairs not suitable for makeup application. I will also take beautiful photos of your makeup on my camera incase the photographer doesn't get any that focus on the makeup, these photos may be something you cherish just as much as the professional ones.

10. Social Media Marketing

Along with all of these factors I spend a lot of my free time promoting my services, keeping my website and social media up to date to help brides to be find my work and feel confident that I am the right artist for them. This may not cost me in money but it does cost me a lot of my time making sure you are able to find me easily through my social media or website.

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Another question I am asked is "Why does the bride cost more?"

Often makeup artists will factor most of these charges into the brides cost, this is because occasionally brides decide not to pay for the bridesmaids makeup therefore expecting them to cover their own makeup costing.

As it is more of a bespoke service for the bride they expect to pay more as every detail of the bride and bridal parties makeup is discussed with the bride until everything is perfected, a bride is the main attraction of the day and needs to feel extra special.

With every bride I am there until they are in their dress is on and ready on hand for any last minute touch ups before she heads down the isle. I absolutely love being part of weddings and being able to make women feel extra special on their big day. I am so passionate about what I do and I wont finish the bride until I have perfected every last detail, I hope this has helped you understand why it is worth every penny to get someone you trust for your wedding day.

Holly Rose Photography

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