Bridal makeup contract: How-to guide

A wedding is a life-changing event for a bride-to-be. The bride looks forward to her big day and imagines herself in the best decked-up appearance. Needless to say, the bridal makeup and hairstyle hold immense importance on her wedding day.

Being the center of attraction for the entire series of events—the bachelorette party, wedding procession, wedding vows, the first dance, tossing the bouquet, cake-cutting, and the reception, she would think of only the best salon and bridal makeup artist for her makeup. 

A bridal makeup contract is crucial for the bride and makeup artist to approach the makeup application process with utmost professionalism and care. 

What is a bridal makeup contract?

A bridal makeup contract is a legal document that outlines the mutual commitments between a beauty professional/makeup artist and their client, including the duration of the services rendered by the makeup artist, the materials they provide, and the agreed-upon fee.

Why is a bridal contract required?

Makeup artists typically rely on bridal makeup contracts to provide their clients with professional and responsible service before and on the bride's big day. These contracts outline the terms and conditions of the service. Here’s why a bridal makeup contract is important:

1. Sets the right professional decor

A contract helps bridge the gap between the client's expectations and the service offerings, as it clearly states the wedding makeup requirements.

2. Earn testimonials and word-of-mouth promotion

A bridal contract is a go-to guide for working with a client and delivering the services to the client's satisfaction. Delivering outstanding bridal makeup services can significantly boost a makeup artist’s or salon’s business. There’s no better promotion than word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients.  

3. The best interest of both parties

These contracts ensure that potential litigation or liability issues are addressed fairly and equitably, protecting the artists and their clients. 

How to create a bridal makeup contract?

A contract is crucial in establishing a healthy and recurring business relationship between a beauty expert and their client. Let's look into the critical provisions of a bridal makeup contract:

Personal information

This section lists the parties' complete information, including their full names and mailing addresses. 

• It also defines the event type (such as the wedding day or reception), the date and the day of the event, the appointment time, and the wedding venue. 
• The makeup artist must note the client's skin complications, allergies, and skin conditions here. 
• The bride must provide the details of the bridal party members (like the bridesmaids, kids, or other family members) who require the makeup artist's services on that day.

Scope of services

It’s an essential section of the contract to list the number of services provided by the makeup artist and the price for each. 

Usually, it includes: 

• Services such as personalized trial sessions for both makeup and hairstyle to complement the bride’s skin tone and hair type perfectly
• Makeup product requirements 
• The makeup package for the bride and other bridal party members 
• The makeup application style

This section helps the makeup artist arrive at a mutually agreed total price they would receive from the client for all the requested services. Also, the client gets clarity on how much they must pay.

Timing

Schedule the bridal makeup appointment so that it doesn’t interfere with any other appointments on the same date.

• A makeup artist should know when to arrive at the venue so the bride and the other members of the bridal party, like the maid of honor, bridesmaids, family members, and other loved ones, are ready for the makeup process. 
• It’s advisable for the makeup artist to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time to prepare for the process beforehand to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Bridal makeup varies from client to client, depending on the makeup type, skin and hair type, and other vital details. Hence, the makeup artist must estimate the time required to create the desired look to the client's satisfaction and inform the client beforehand to avoid misunderstandings on the wedding date. Most importantly, the bride should be happy with her final look on her big day!

Payments

All important details related to payments must go in this section.

• Breakdown of the services

Mention the breakdown of all the services and the consultation fees in this section of the bridal contract.

• Additional fees

Mention additional fees to be paid by the client for any extension or deviation in the bride's makeup service. It would clarify that the client will pay for any extra hours that the salon puts in.

• Miscellaneous
  • Permitted travel fee: Mention the permitted travel fee, including the geographical limits within which the beautician can travel.
  • Other charges: Provide provisions for additional costs in case the makeup service is required by the other members of the bridal party. 
• Final payment 

Mention the final payment upon completing the bridal makeup and hair services along with any non-refundable deposit money.

• Acceptable modes of payment

Also, list the acceptable payment modes such as credit cards, net banking, and debit cards.

• Late fee

Add the clause about the late fee which can be applicable if the client can’t clear the dues right after the completion of the artist's work.

Cancellation

Maintain a cancellation policy and include a notice period to prevent sudden cancellations from both ends. 

Promotions

It’s natural for the salon or the makeup artist to promote its work with pictures of the bride. They must seek the bride's permission before they do so over any media, whether online or offline.

Liabilities

The section should define the responsibilities and limitations of the makeup artist and the client. It should specify what the artist isn't liable for, like allergic reactions from client-provided products or unexpected events preventing service. Additionally, it should outline the client's duties, such as ensuring a suitable service environment and disclosing any allergies the bride may have, way beforehand.

Signature

This is the final section of the contract. Both parties agree to the contract by signing the document and enter a final written agreement.

Use LegalZoom’s bridal makeup contract template

LegalZoom's bridal makeup contract template is designed to address the unique needs of both the bride and the salon or makeup artist. This template provides a clear, defined structure to your makeup contract. To create your contract from the template, answer simple questions to fill the placeholders with personalized information such as the bride’s requirements, the makeup artist’s services, and the schedule for the big day. Once completed, you can download the contract for free as a PDF document. 

For those who need further customization, our rich editor allows you to personalize the document to your liking. You can add specific terms, images, or special requests to reflect the bride’s vision and the makeup artist’s expertise. LegalZoom also offers an eSignature service, making it easy to sign and manage your contracts online from anywhere. Please note that while the initial template is free, the rich editor and eSignature service are paid features available in subscription plans.

Start now by using the template provided above and create a comprehensive bridal makeup contract tailored to your needs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the critical components of a bridal makeup contract?

Here are the critical components of a bridal makeup contract: service description, client and makeup artist duties, the makeup package, bookings, delays, additional fees, payment, cancellation policy, and right of use.

What are the bride's duties before starting the bridal makeup application process?

A bride must be well-rested and should’ve taken all the prerequisite measures suggested by the makeup artist in their initial discussions. This may include finishing the recommended meals before starting with her makeup, arriving on time at the venue, having clean and moisturized skin, and securing any additional makeup products, tools, dresses, or accessories apart from the ones agreed upon in the scope of services.