Should You Tip Wedding Artists? Etiquette, Amounts, and Real Expectations

When you hire a wedding artist, a beauty professional like a makeup artist or hairstylist hired for a wedding event. Also known as bridal stylist, it is part of the wedding service team that helps you look and feel your best on your big day. But here’s the question everyone asks: Should you tip wedding artists? It’s not like ordering coffee—there’s no receipt with a tip line. And if you’re spending thousands on your wedding, the last thing you want is to accidentally offend someone by skipping a tip—or overpaying because you’re unsure.

Wedding artists aren’t just technicians—they’re artists who show up early, work under pressure, carry heavy kits, and often adjust their schedule around your timeline. A makeup artist, a professional who applies cosmetics to enhance or alter a person’s appearance for events like weddings might spend four hours doing your face and then do your mother’s, your bridesmaid’s, and the flower girl’s. A hairstylist, a specialist who styles hair for special occasions, often traveling to the client’s location could be on their feet for six hours straight, dealing with humidity, wind, or a nervous bride who won’t sit still. These are skilled professionals, often self-employed, who don’t get benefits, paid time off, or health insurance from the venues they work for. Tipping isn’t charity—it’s fair compensation for extra effort.

How much? The standard is 15% to 20% of their total fee. If your makeup artist charges £300, £45 to £60 is a solid tip. If they went above and beyond—stayed late, fixed a smudge during the ceremony, or brought extra products you didn’t ask for—go higher. Some brides tip in cash, others add it to the final payment. Either way, make it clear it’s a tip, not part of the fee. Don’t assume they expect it. Don’t assume they don’t. Just do it. It’s polite, it’s common, and it’s the right thing to do. Even if you’re on a tight budget, a handwritten note with a £20 tip means more than silence.

What about the salon or team? If the artist works for a studio and you paid the studio, the tip should still go directly to the person who did the work. Don’t hand it to the front desk. Hand it to them. If they brought an assistant, consider a small separate tip—£10 to £15—just to acknowledge the help. And if you’re booking multiple services—makeup, hair, nails—each artist deserves their own tip. They’re not a single entity. They’re individuals working hard for you.

There are exceptions. If the artist is an employee of a hotel or venue and their fee is bundled into your package, tipping isn’t required—but still appreciated. If they charged you way below market rate, a smaller tip is fine. But if they delivered a flawless look, made you feel calm, and stayed calm even when your cousin spilled champagne on her dress? Tip like they just earned it. Because they did.

You’ll find real stories, real prices, and real advice below—from brides who tipped too little and regretted it, to artists who got surprise gifts that made their year. Whether you’re planning your own wedding or just curious about beauty industry norms, these posts give you the unfiltered truth about tipping wedding artists and other beauty pros. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what actually happens.