What is a bridal makeup contract?
A bridal makeup contract is an agreement signed by a beautician and the wedding party before the big day that outlines what services have been requested and agreed upon.
Not only does it help avoid confusion about what services the beautician is being paid for, it also acts as a record in case there are any disputes or misunderstandings. Usually, the contract will stipulate how long the makeup artist will work for, what materials they will provide, and include a clear, agreed upon fee.
Why you need a wedding makeup agreement
A wedding makeup agreement is important for both parties as it clearly explains what the terms and conditions of the service provided will include.
Without a bridal contract, beauticians may be open to scope creep. If you don't lay out the terms and conditions of your service and what's included, you may end up travelling to a location outside of your radius or providing makeup to other members of the bridal party without additional compensation.
It's better to have all of the details (no matter how small) worked out so neither party is asking for more than what's been agreed.
So, what are the most important elements for a wedding makeup contract to keep both parties (legally) safe?
What should be included in a bridal makeup contract?
Detailed descriptions of the work
The first thing you should make sure any bridal makeup contract has is in-depth descriptions of what services will be provided.
The price for the service, how many sessions (do you want to include a trial run? bridal hair?), tax obligations, and if the beautician will provide makeup for any other members of the wedding party should all be included here.
This section will also outline if the artist requires a table so they can set up their station or the bride to prepare their skin (i.e., cleansing or moisturizing) before they arrive to make the process smoother.
Schedule and appointments
Being particular about schedules is key—the makeup artist needs to know what time they need to be at the venue and when the bride will be ready for them.
Including the exact appointment time for when the makeup artist is expected to be on site can save the bride a lot of anxiety on the day. And since bridal makeup can vary from client to client depending on what they've asked for, artists should always give an estimate of how long they think it'll take them to create a look.
Payment details
Is the service being charged as a unit, or is the bridal makeup artist charging by the hour?
It's important to be crystal clear about the artist's fees. If the bride asks for some extra work on the day of the wedding but the makeup artist is working on an hourly rate, the contract will state that the added work will cost more.
This section should also outline whether the bride needs to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure the makeup artist's services for their wedding. Some artists collect 20-50% of the total invoice up-front to book an appointment and then collect the rest after the wedding. Or, they simply ask for a fee before the day:
Booking and travel expenses
If a makeup artist has to travel to a venue that isn't near them—who is liable to pay for travel and booking expenses?
The bridal makeup contract should have clauses that state who needs to pay for any expenses as well as if the artist charges for travel fees for travelling a certain distance. It's also important to clarify whether or not the makeup artist needs to get expenses approved by the client.
Requirement and delays
Include any specific requirements of both parties.
The makeup artist may need to arrive 30 minutes early to prepare and be ready. This section will also cover what happens if there is a delay—if the bride is running an hour late, they must agree to financially compensate the makeup artist for lost time.
Liabilities and social media rights
This section outlines the health and safety requirements of the makeup artist (ensuring all products are clean and sanitized appropriately before use) as well as any medical conditions the bride has.
If the bride has allergies to specific products or pre-existing skin conditions, they must declare it. This releases the makeup artist from liability for any skin complications that may occur as a result.
If the makeup artist wishes to use photographs of the bride on their social media page to show future customers, they must also get permission from the bride before posting.
Cancellation clause
A cancellation clause is important because it covers both parties if the wedding is postponed or cancelled.
The clause outlines how much notice either party needs to give. If the wedding is being postponed, there may be an opportunity for the bride to reschedule the artist for a fee. In the event that the wedding is cancelled or the makeup artist can no longer provide the service, the clause should outline the steps either party must take to terminate the agreement.
Other factors
Other important elements of a bridal makeup contract include clauses like confidentiality agreements, competitive engagements, and indemnity.
These sections cover the obligation of both parties for losses, damages, expenses, and how information must be handled once the contract is signed.
Simple bridal makeup contract template
Making sure your bridal makeup contract is legally watertight is important. While you can draft one yourself, using a template that's been checked by legal teams and includes all the clauses and details we've talked about will save you a ton of time.
What's the benefit of using Bonsai, instead of editing a template yourself?
Bonsai hasn't just created a bridal makeup contract—it's been checked over by lawyers to make sure it's legally sound.
Any party that signs the contract can feel safe that if something goes wrong before, during, or after the wedding—they'll be covered. And because no two weddings are the same, Bonsai's bridal makeup contract template is fully customizable, allowing the artist to change pricing details, dates, and cancellation clauses.
Want to try? Sign-up now to start creating your free bridal makeup contract template. It has all the basic elements both parties need to get started, and it’s been written and reviewed by top lawyers.
How to create a bridal makeup contract agreement with Bonsai
There are two ways you can use Bonsai to create a bridal makeup contract agreement—downloading a standard PDF template, or using our contract generator to customize your own.
Because Bonsai's templates are totally customizable, the contract generator allows you to tweak details like the cost of the bridal makeup, travel expense, and social media rights depending on what both parties agree to.
Wedding makeup agreement FAQs
What does bridal makeup include?
Bridal makeup usually includes a personalized consultation, trial run, and all materials like foundation and mascara.
Some bridal makeup artists will also include skin preparation, mother-of-the-bride makeup, or even touch ups throughout the day in their packages.
What is a fair hourly compensation for a bridal makeup artist?
Hourly rates for a freelance makeup artist depends on their location as well as expenses like travel. Some bridal makeup artists in the United Kingdom charge around £25/hour. But it varies wildly in the United States—the national average is about $31/hour, swinging between $7.25 and $94.45/hour depending on location.
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