The maid of honour and bridesmaids in the photos
In wedding photos, the maid of honour and the bridesmaids appear right after the couple. They stand beside them during the vows, pose for group photos and help with the dress and the bouquet. If their makeup has a similar feel, the photos look consistent and elegant, and the bride is still the centre of attention.
In harmony, but not identical
Harmony does not mean that all the girls should look the same. We agree on a shared direction, for example glowing skin, soft browns on the eyelids and rosy lips, and then I adapt it to each person’s features. A blonde with fair skin and a brunette with a darker complexion will need different shades to achieve the same effect.
The bride’s makeup is usually the most polished and radiant, and the bridesmaids’ makeup slightly calmer. That way, in the photos it is immediately clear who matters most.
Makeup for the colour of the dresses
- Powder pink and peach. Warm, glowing eyelids, a peach blush and lips in a nude or pink shade.
- Sage and bottle green. Browns, copper and gold on the eyelids and warm lips that contrast nicely with the green.
- Navy. Browns and a soft gold that warm up the cool colour, with lips in a rose or raspberry shade.
- Burgundy and wine. A soft, smoky eye in plum shades, or lips matched to the colour of the dress with calm eyelids.
- Lavender and blue. Cooler pinks, soft purples or greys on the eyelids and fresh, pink lips.
Before the wedding, send me a photo of the dresses, ideally in daylight. Then I will prepare suggestions for the whole group.
A schedule for several people
It is worth planning about an hour for each person’s makeup. With the bride, her mother, the maid of honour and two bridesmaids, that is already several hours of work, so we start early enough. I set the order so that the bride has her makeup done last and has the freshest makeup before the ceremony.
| Time | Makeup |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | bridesmaid |
| 9:30 | bridesmaid |
| 10:30 | maid of honour |
| 11:30 | mother of the bride |
| 12:30 | the bride |
| 13:30 | the dress, photos of the preparations, the parents’ blessing |
If a hairdresser is working at the same time, we set the order so that people go from makeup to hair and the other way round. That way nobody waits unnecessarily.
How to prepare
- Come with clean, moisturised skin and no makeup.
- Wear a button-up shirt or a robe, so that you do not have to pull anything over your head after the makeup.
- Put your contact lenses in before the makeup.
- Shape your brows a few days in advance, not on the wedding day.
- Tell me about any allergies and skin sensitivity.
Matching robes in the same colour are not only comfortable but also make beautiful preparation photos, which photographers love.
A whole day on the move
The bridesmaids and the maid of honour have a lot to do on the wedding day: they adjust the veil, carry the bouquet, hug the guests and dance until morning. That is why I set their makeup just as carefully as the bride’s: a primer matched to the skin, thin layers of foundation, waterproof mascara and a long-wear lipstick.
With the bridal package I am on site all day and refresh the bride’s makeup as we go. For the ceremony and the journey, though, it is worth the maid of honour having the bride’s lipstick, blotting papers and tissues in her bag.
Bridesmaids from far away
When the bridesmaids come to the wedding from other cities, it is most convenient for them all to get ready in one place: at the bride’s home, in a hotel or in a rented house by the lake. I come there with a full kit of cosmetics and lighting, and the whole group has time for moments together and preparation photos.
The most common mistakes
- Bridesmaids’ makeup that is stronger than the bride’s, so that in the photos they draw the eye.
- Every girl in a completely different style, with no shared direction.
- Starting the preparations too late when there are several people, and rushing just before the ceremony.
- The number of people who need makeup given only a few days before the wedding.
- New cosmetics or facial treatments the day before and irritated skin in the morning.
All of this is easy to avoid if we agree on a plan in advance.
Booking and costs
Makeup for the maid of honour and the bridesmaids is usually added to the bridal package. Then I prepare one quote for the whole group, and I book the date once we have agreed the terms of our cooperation individually and you have paid a deposit, which counts towards the total price of the service. Whether the bride covers the cost of the makeup or each person pays for herself is your decision. It is best to agree on it at the start. I set prices individually, and the travel cost is included in the quote.
It is worth giving the number of people as early as possible, because it determines what time I start work on the wedding day. You can read more about makeup for loved ones in the article Mother of the bride makeup.
Frequently asked questions
Should the maid of honour have makeup similar to the bride’s?
Ideally with a similar feel, but matched to her features and dress. The bride’s makeup is usually the most polished, and the maid of honour’s and bridesmaids’ slightly calmer.
How much time is needed for several bridesmaids’ makeup?
It is worth planning about an hour per person. With several people we start early enough, and I do the bride’s makeup last.
Can you do the bridesmaids’ makeup in a hotel?
Yes. I come to wherever the bride is getting ready: her home, a hotel or a rented house. It is most convenient when everyone is in one place.
Who pays for the bridesmaids’ makeup?
That is your decision. I can prepare one quote for the whole group, and you can agree among yourselves at the start how to split the cost.
Do I need to pay a deposit when booking?
If the bridesmaids’ makeup is part of the bridal package, yes: I book the date once we have agreed the terms and you have paid a deposit, which counts towards the price of the service.
See also my portfolio and the bridal makeup page.