I want to start with a confession, because I think it’ll make you feel better.
When I first started getting quotes for my wedding makeup, the first artist I spoke to quoted me £1,000. For the bride only. Not including a trial.
I decided then and there that I’d do it myself.
Then I thought about it a bit more, remembered that I am genuinely rubbish at makeup, and changed my mind. I found someone whose prices were much more reasonable, booked her, and ended up with makeup I actually loved.
I paid £50 for my bridal makeup, and £35 per bridesmaid.
I know. That’s on the very affordable end of things — I was lucky, and I knew the person through a mutual friend, which almost always helps on pricing. But it proves the range is enormous. Here’s what you can actually expect.
Updated June 2026
What does wedding makeup cost in the UK?
There’s no single answer, but here are the numbers to anchor yourself:
| Service | Average price range |
|---|---|
| Bridal makeup only | £150–£300 |
| Bridal party (per person) | £80–£150 |
| Mother of the bride/groom | £80–£150 |
| Bridal makeup trial | £80–£150 |
So a typical package — bride’s makeup on the day plus a trial — runs to around £250–£450 with most artists. Add three bridesmaids and you’re looking at £500–£700 or more.
The trial is really worth doing, by the way. Not just so you know what you’ll look like, but so you know whether you actually like working with this person. You’re going to be in close proximity with them on one of the most stressful mornings of your life. Make sure you get on.
What affects the price
Their experience and reputation
A newly qualified makeup artist will charge less than someone with ten years of weddings behind them and a fully booked diary. Neither is automatically right for you — it depends on what you want and what you can afford. Look at their actual portfolio (not just the curated Instagram grid) and ask to speak to recent brides.
How many people need makeup
The more people, the more the total cost. If it’s a large bridal party, some artists will bring an assistant — which might add to the cost but means nobody ends up rushed.
The look you want
A natural, skin-focused look takes less time and fewer products than a full glam face with intricate detailing. That said, most artists price by the job rather than by complexity, so this affects the type of artist you need more than the price you pay.
The date and location
Peak season (May–September Saturdays especially) means artists are busy and prices reflect that. Getting married off-peak or on a weekday? More availability, sometimes better rates. If your artist needs to travel to your venue or getting-ready location, there’s often a travel fee on top — usually a mileage rate, sometimes a minimum charge.
What products they use
Some artists work exclusively with high-end products (Charlotte Tilbury, MAC, NARS). Others use a mix of professional and affordable brands. Neither approach is wrong — the skill of the artist matters far more than whether they’re using a £45 foundation or a £12 one. Do ask, though, if you have specific sensitivities or preferences.
The trial: do you need one?
Yes. Please.
I know it’s tempting to skip it to save money — the trial costs roughly the same as the day-of fee — but it’s really not something to cut. A trial gives you the chance to:
- Make sure you like the actual look on your actual face (Instagram and “inspiration photos” are not always realistic)
- Wear the makeup for a few hours and see how it holds up
- Work out if you want to change anything before the day itself
- Check you get on with the artist and feel comfortable
If you turn up on your wedding morning having never met the artist before and the look isn’t quite right, there’s no time to fix it. Book the trial.
Package options: what to expect
Different artists structure their packages differently, but here are rough examples:
Just the bride:
- Day-of makeup: £200
- Makeup trial: £100
- Total: £300
Bride and three bridesmaids:
- Bride’s day-of makeup: £200
- Bride’s trial: £100
- Three bridesmaids at £100 each: £300
- Total: £600
Full wedding party (bride, four bridesmaids, mother of the bride):
- Bride’s day-of makeup: £200
- Bride’s trial: £100
- Four bridesmaids at £100 each: £400
- Mother of the bride: £100
- Total: £800
These are averages and genuinely vary — you’ll find artists who charge less and artists who charge significantly more. In Yorkshire especially, pricing tends to be more reasonable than in London or the South East, so if you’re based here, that works in your favour.
How to find a good makeup artist in Yorkshire
The best routes, in roughly descending order of reliability:
Ask recently married friends. A personal recommendation from someone whose makeup you’ve actually seen and admired in person is worth more than any review.
Ask your photographer. Wedding photographers work with hair and makeup artists all the time and know who delivers. They’ll usually have a couple of names they trust.
Look on Instagram, but go beyond the grid. Stories and tagged photos give you a more realistic picture of what the work looks like in real life rather than in a perfectly lit, edited shoot.
Check reviews, but look for specific detail. “She was amazing!!” tells you nothing. “She managed to get through bride and four bridesmaids with half an hour to spare and my mum cried when she saw me” tells you something useful.
Questions to ask before you book
Before you commit to anyone:
- Are you available on my date?
- What’s included in your quoted price — trial? Travel? Lashes?
- Do you have a minimum booking requirement (some require a minimum spend)?
- How many weddings do you take per day? (You want to be their only booking)
- Can I see photos of recent weddings, not just styled shoots?
- What happens if you’re ill on the day? (A professional will have a backup plan)
- Do you have public liability insurance?
A note on doing your own makeup
If you’re good at makeup and you want to do it yourself, that’s a completely valid choice. You know your own face better than anyone, and there’s something to be said for not having a stranger in your face at 7am on an already-nerve-wracking morning.
If you do go DIY, think about doing a trial run anyway — full makeup, in your dress, on a morning around the same time as your wedding. Take photos. Check how it holds in different lights. Make sure you’ve tested your foundation formula for long-wear and your mascara for waterproofing. The last thing you want is to be doing your eye makeup for the first time under pressure.
And if the quote you first get makes your eyes water: remember that the range is enormous. Shop around. I nearly decided to do my own out of sticker shock, and I’m glad I didn’t — but I also didn’t pay £1,000.
What did you pay for your wedding makeup? I’m always curious about the real numbers. Drop it in the comments — it genuinely helps other brides get a realistic picture.
Post last updated June 2026. Prices are UK averages and will vary by artist, location, and level of experience.
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