Tipping Etiquette for Wedding Hair and Makeup: What You Need to Know

I was hesitant to create this blog because talking about tipping can be SO awkward but Ive had so many brides over the years bluntly ask what the tipping custom was, how much they should tip and is it common to tip in the bridal beauty industry at all since we get to pocket the whole fee (note: we dont! Team owner expenses are a lot higher than you would think!) And we absolutely do not EXPECT a tip or change the experience you receive without one. But for those inclined to tip and curious about it, read on!

Planning a wedding is filled with exciting moments, but it can also come with some confusion—especially when it comes to tipping. Knowing when, how much, and who to tip can be a bit of a puzzle. Should you tip your wedding hair and makeup artist? What about your photographer or caterer? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about tipping etiquette for wedding hair and makeup and other wedding vendors, ensuring you navigate this aspect of your special day with confidence.

Why Tipping Matters in the Wedding Industry

Tipping is a way to show appreciation for exceptional service, and in the wedding industry, it’s often a significant part of a vendor’s income. Many wedding vendors go above and beyond to make your day unforgettable. While tips aren’t always mandatory, they are deeply appreciated, and understanding the unwritten rules of tipping can ensure you’re expressing gratitude appropriately.

Who Should You Tip for Your Wedding?

Traditionally speaking, anyone rendering a service for your big day.

Specifically for the artists, tipping can vary depending on your wedding team. At RAD Beauty you can either tip the artist directly day of, or apply gratuity to the contract and tips will be split evenly based off the actual services performed by each artist :

Wedding Hair and Makeup Artists

• Standard Tip: 15-25% of the total bill.

• Why Tip Them? Hair and makeup artists often spend hours perfecting your look and ensuring you feel beautiful. Tipping recognizes their artistry and effort and despite the common misconception, the owner is not getting to keep 100% of the charge. Keep in mind we have overheads like insurance (and have to cover all artists working your party), websites, advertising, credit card process fees, booking website fees, constant product/kit repurchased and the big one TAXES! haha And many more than I can't even think of right this second.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping

1. Is Tipping Mandatory?

No, tipping is never mandatory, but it’s a thoughtful gesture that shows appreciation. If you’re unhappy with the service, tipping less or not at all is acceptable.

2. Should Tips Be Included in the Budget?

Yes! A good rule of thumb is to set aside 15-25% of your wedding budget for tips.

3. I had 2 different artists, one did my hair and one did my makeup!

Typically you'll want to tip them both separately. Alternatively, if you have cash you can opt to give it to the lead artist and request the tip is split between the 2 artists who serviced you.

4. Should I tip for my trial?

Again tipping is never mandatory, but is common in the beauty industry for anyone providing you with a service and is always greatly appreciated. If you typically tip you hair stylist when you go for a cut or color/nails etc then its usually common to tip for wedding hair and makeup.

5. My bridesmaids will be paying for their own hair and makeup. How do I ask them to tip their stylists?

If you're paying for hair and makeup for your party as a gift you can simply let everyone know that tips weren't included. The same way you hear people say at social gatherings, "be sure to tip your bar tenders!" I hear this frequently when the couple covers hair and makeup.

6. How much do I tip if my wedding requires 4 artists and Im the bride?

If you are paying for everyone, then the easiest is to add gratuity on to your contract and tip whatever percent you would like on the balance of services. This way the owner will easily distribute the gratuity. If you are paying the balance but each bridesmaid, mother of the bride etc is paying for their own there are a few options:

-this is the most common: save an envelope with cash tips for each vendor. Give the lead artist an envelope that will be split between the artists later (based off their actual services)

-tell each person being serviced to bring cash that day (in small bills in case they have 2 artists)

-add the gratuity percent to the individuals service total and just tell them that amount to give you when they pay you for their hair, that way you can add it to the contract

7. Other ways to show appreciation:

A heartfelt thank-you card or a small gift can also show your gratitude. For instance, your hair and makeup artist might appreciate a high-quality beauty product or a gift card to their favorite coffee shop.

My favorites over the years have been:

1. hot sauce!! The groom of a wedding was a hot sauce maker as a hobby and my team and I were gifted a pineapple, ghost pepper hot sauce that had their wedding date and info on it.....that hot sauce was EVERYTHING I still think about it to this day!

2. Custom wine glass-a sweet bride one time was an Etsy store-cricut-connsesour and gifted her party and my team and I with custom, stemless wine glasses. So beautiful!

3. FOOD! Haha my absolute FAVORITE gifting is when we're done with services and packing up to go and a mom sends me out the door with a to-go plate! Im usually too shy/modest to accept the offer when I've been told to help myself to the spread but after 5-7 hours on my feet in a fast paced wedding and an hour and a half drive home, a to go plate makes it to my facebook story and text to my husband every time!

4. Photos: This one never fails. My biggest struggle in this industry has always been obtaining photos for my teams portfolio. And Im notorious for taking tha most awful pictures. Having a bride send a couple pictures (along with the photographers name if I didn't have it already for proper crediting) is a wonderful sign of appreciation. Its hard to showcase our hair and makeup for other potential brides without them.

5. Reviews: Another very important part of advertising to potential brides is reviews and testimonials from past happy brides. There is no better way for you to show your appreciation or happiness with your experience than a review and it has always been a struggle to get them.

Tips for Tipping on the Wedding Day

Prepare in Advance

Avoid scrambling on the big day by preparing envelopes with tips beforehand. Assign someone you trust, like a parent or maid of honor, to distribute them.

Express Gratitude through good pictures of hair and makeup and/or Google reviews

My business sends out a review/photo request after the wedding. Take a minute to leave a review, even if its just the start rating and saying you were happy with the work.

Use a Checklist

Ensure no vendor is overlooked by creating a checklist of who should receive a tip if you are inclined to tip.

What Happens If You Don’t Tip?

Skipping tips may not ruin your wedding, but it could leave vendors feeling unappreciated or like you weren't happy with their work or did something wrong. Since its standard to not tip when we are unhappy with a service in America, keep in mind we as service providers almost always question if you were happy with your hair and makeup and what we did wrong during the service!

Modern Tipping Trends

Tipping norms have evolved. Today, many couples:

• Tip via digital payment apps for convenience.

• Request gratuity be added to the contract ahead of time so that nobody has to worry about it day of.

• Offer thoughtful gifts instead of cash.

• Share glowing reviews online as a way to support vendors.

Conclusion

Tipping doesn’t have to be stressful. It’s a meaningful way to acknowledge the incredible effort your wedding vendors put into making your big day unforgettable. Whether it’s your hair and makeup artist, photographer, or DJ, a small token of gratitude can go a long way in expressing your appreciation. By planning ahead and following these simple guidelines, you’ll feel confident and prepared to navigate tipping etiquette like a pro.