Wedding hair prices?
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Trashqueen
Well-Known Member
Regarding pushy clients wanting cheap prices and being a bit of a pushover myself, I've found I have better success by never, ever giving a price immediately after being asked. I've started keeping two post its in my diary: One with the questions I need to ask, such as how many bridesmaids, other bridal party member, little girls etc, location, time of wedding, special requirements etc and then another with a starting rate per bridal party member, radius I will drive out to without extra charge and then the cost based on extra fuel/drive time/time out of the salon. I find I fluster a lot less! Then I work it all out, per person and a total and send it via email or text/FB so it's in writing.
Surf girl, I feel the same as you RE being out of the salon, so now, I offer incentives for coming to the salon for bridal hair if they want it done cheaper. Obviously if the venue is not local then it's not really an option but it's amazing how many people will opt for a £45 p.p do in house rather than £60-70p.p if I have to take a day out of the shop. I don't mind because it saves me time.
SG, what's the going rate with your area? Our area, even basic curls would be priced from £20 at lowest.
EDIT: sorry just cross posted!
Surf girl, I feel the same as you RE being out of the salon, so now, I offer incentives for coming to the salon for bridal hair if they want it done cheaper. Obviously if the venue is not local then it's not really an option but it's amazing how many people will opt for a £45 p.p do in house rather than £60-70p.p if I have to take a day out of the shop. I don't mind because it saves me time.
SG, what's the going rate with your area? Our area, even basic curls would be priced from £20 at lowest.
EDIT: sorry just cross posted!
Trashqueen
Well-Known Member
I would as long as it was a personal one not a work one.
surf girl
Well-Known Member
I'll do it on my personal one then
in this area basic curls is around £15-£20 and up, I love the idea of not giving a price straight away! It would defiantly give me time to mull over all the pros & cons, in your second list in your diary what do you put your starting rate per bridal party member at & what would you class as a member? Mother, maid of honour, bridesmaids & children? Is it that sort of thing? I love the idea of doing it cheaper in salon too I'm really glad I posted this now thank you
Trashqueen
Well-Known Member
It definitely works for me. I find if I'm in the salon, I get it done faster too, because people aren't faffing around instead of sitting in the flipping seat lol. I always say "I'll work out a deal and get back to you." Client thinks that I'm doing something special for them, plus I think using email means that if the cost is too much and its a no-go, they find it easier to say no rather than messing me about.
Yeah, I keep a starting rate of bride, bridesmaid and flower girls (usually those under 9-10ish) MoB and then a general guest rate. Plus a blow dry rate for anyone who isn't having an up do. I also keep a note to remind myself of deposit 'rules'. I don't include trials as I usually take them in the salon and paid as they go. To be honest, this is all stuff I've instigated in the last year as my bridal stuff has increased and I'm getting clients who don't come to me for cuts and colours and to stop me being a walk over!
Yeah, I keep a starting rate of bride, bridesmaid and flower girls (usually those under 9-10ish) MoB and then a general guest rate. Plus a blow dry rate for anyone who isn't having an up do. I also keep a note to remind myself of deposit 'rules'. I don't include trials as I usually take them in the salon and paid as they go. To be honest, this is all stuff I've instigated in the last year as my bridal stuff has increased and I'm getting clients who don't come to me for cuts and colours and to stop me being a walk over!
surf girl
Well-Known Member
I charged a lady £10 the other day who just chanced being able to get her hair done at the house, she paid me in small change, the whole £10!
How do you answer if they said can you give me a rough price when you say you'll get back to them? Should I just say from £100?
How do you answer if they said can you give me a rough price when you say you'll get back to them? Should I just say from £100?
I would definitely offer cheaper to do it in house as you won't be on your own someone could be prepping whilst your doing one, when I was in training there was only one girl who did hair ups so if the hair up required either a curl or a straighten I'd start it whilst she was in the middle of doing the other one if you get me?
Not even that you can have your junior handing you the clips just little things saves time.
if they came in house we always got in Buck's Fizz for them to calm the nerves.
I would do it on your personal one just say due to the increase in bridal hair queries your looking for feedback or something along them lines.
Price wise I think whatever the price was for the bride the trial was included for her but if bridesmaids wanted a trial this would be at the normal rate for a hair up
Not even that you can have your junior handing you the clips just little things saves time.
if they came in house we always got in Buck's Fizz for them to calm the nerves.
I would do it on your personal one just say due to the increase in bridal hair queries your looking for feedback or something along them lines.
Price wise I think whatever the price was for the bride the trial was included for her but if bridesmaids wanted a trial this would be at the normal rate for a hair up
Trashqueen
Well-Known Member
If someone really is pushing, give your absolute lowest acceptable rate based on if you were only doing the bride and make it clear that its a from price based on one person. I did a wedding last year that only required a simple updo for the bride and a short hair blowdry for the MoB. But with travel time, I charged £200, my bare bone cost for a lost half day in work.
But if they are too pushy I don't usually won't them for a client!
daydreams01
Well-Known Member
I normally work out a price based on how many & how long it will take. I make sure it is no less than if the time was spent doing cbd's. I normally email them the quote after I have had time to think about it, that way it's all in writing and nit awkward.
Normally I reccomend having a trial which they pay for (same price as cbd, book out an hour and try a few ideas) then if they are happy, take a deposit and book out the time needed for the big day but I don't offer out of salon as its too much of a faff! If your offering that service def. add on extra to cover time away from salon and petrol. Also the trials a bit less than the day cos it's not as polished and would prob book out a bit more time on day so as not to feel under pressure. Also have Buck's Fizz in etc for the wedding party to make it more of a special atmosphere.
Normally I reccomend having a trial which they pay for (same price as cbd, book out an hour and try a few ideas) then if they are happy, take a deposit and book out the time needed for the big day but I don't offer out of salon as its too much of a faff! If your offering that service def. add on extra to cover time away from salon and petrol. Also the trials a bit less than the day cos it's not as polished and would prob book out a bit more time on day so as not to feel under pressure. Also have Buck's Fizz in etc for the wedding party to make it more of a special atmosphere.
Trashqueen
Well-Known Member
I don't do the Bucks Fizz thing because I'm too worried about over emotional lightweights lol. But I do let them know they can bring their own. But our salon also houses other business not involved with the wedding party so it's a bit of a calmer place in general.
RED STAR
Well-Known Member
Bridal hair is a vocation.......NEVER GO THERE!
On a more positive note, if you enjoy the whole razzmatazz of the day, just be sure you CHARGE BY THE HOUR!
Trial's can go on...and on.....and on.....
The Bride to be might just want to go through a whole 'BRIDAL MAGAZINE', of styles.
I have a friend who specialised in Bridal hair & make up.....not any more!
Her stress levels went through the roof!
Often unrealistic expectation, and a desire to look EXACTLY like the airbrushed beauty on the front.
ADD to that, they want to barter down the price, cos 'her down the road', will do them a deal.........
Be realistic with what is achievable in the time frame.....set the hourly rate......payment up front.......
Personally, I would only do wedding hair from the salon.
When you go to them, or to the venue, the job is twice as hard, and being out of the salon will possibly lose you more money than you will gain.
On a more positive note, if you enjoy the whole razzmatazz of the day, just be sure you CHARGE BY THE HOUR!
Trial's can go on...and on.....and on.....
The Bride to be might just want to go through a whole 'BRIDAL MAGAZINE', of styles.
I have a friend who specialised in Bridal hair & make up.....not any more!
Her stress levels went through the roof!
Often unrealistic expectation, and a desire to look EXACTLY like the airbrushed beauty on the front.
ADD to that, they want to barter down the price, cos 'her down the road', will do them a deal.........
Be realistic with what is achievable in the time frame.....set the hourly rate......payment up front.......
Personally, I would only do wedding hair from the salon.
When you go to them, or to the venue, the job is twice as hard, and being out of the salon will possibly lose you more money than you will gain.
Helen Faye
Well-Known Member
I'm a mobile hairdresser, I do a lot of wedding hair but try to keep it as local as possible. I have set prices but I charge for extras. If I start before 7am I charge an additional fee of £20. I charge fuelage and travel time costs to venue or location. Sunday or bank holidays i charge an additional £50 just because there my days off. I give an allocated time for their hair and if they want me to stay after that time I charge £20 per hour. Saying all that if they get married locally and they stick to being told when it's their turn for their hair to be done my prices are reasonable. It was after about 2 years of doing wedding hair that I knew I had to make changes so I just targeted the problems ie travel, times etc. I also have a very detailed wedding contract which states all this and a lot more to keep everything covered xx
Trashqueen
Well-Known Member
I did it today
Well done! If they don't go for it, don't worry. You can make the money with others. Good for you!
Trashqueen
Well-Known Member
!
Well if it works for you, and covers your minimum requirements for the day, then go for it?
You can't win 'em all. Your work is worth the cost, don't doubt it.
Well if it works for you, and covers your minimum requirements for the day, then go for it?
You can't win 'em all. Your work is worth the cost, don't doubt it.
redlottie13
JUST BE NICE
Can i jump on please.... So i have had an enquiry about wedding hair worth 200 on the day (im happy 1/2 day) however when talking trial dates she said 3 weeks before the wedding as she's having extensions. Usually after bride trial the retention rate is high & clients book me straight away but 3 week notice isn't much.... so as i cant poss keep it free just 'incase' she wants to book in shall i ask her to pay upfront? X
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I'd like to see her book her wedding and reception venue with 3 weeks notice.
Yes, tell her that you get booked up quickly so she needs to pay in full, if she wants to secure your services.
You can explain your refund policy if she chooses not to go ahead after the trial, but only if you're feeling generous.
Otherwise, she'll have to take the risk that you have a last minute cancellation from 3 weeks up to the wedding date.
Yes, tell her that you get booked up quickly so she needs to pay in full, if she wants to secure your services.
You can explain your refund policy if she chooses not to go ahead after the trial, but only if you're feeling generous.
Otherwise, she'll have to take the risk that you have a last minute cancellation from 3 weeks up to the wedding date.
FlawlessBeauty
Well-Known Member
If it's any help. I have just hired a salon package for £415 at my venue about 20 minutes away. It includes bridal hair, tan, makeup trial. Bridal hair, tan, makeup & shellac. 2 bridesmaids hair and makeup. 2 short hair blow dries, and help with fascinators. 3 extra makeups (mums and aunt). I feel this is a good price.
Redlottie you should tell her that her wedding is not booked unless she pays a deposit x
Redlottie you should tell her that her wedding is not booked unless she pays a deposit x
redlottie13
JUST BE NICE
I'd like to see her book her wedding and reception venue with 3 weeks notice.
Yes, tell her that you get booked up quickly so she needs to pay in full, if she wants to secure your services.
You can explain your refund policy if she chooses not to go ahead after the trial, but only if you're feeling generous.
Otherwise, she'll have to take the risk that you have a last minute cancellation from 3 weeks up to the wedding date.
Haha its all booked i think...but she is having extensions 3 weeks before so cant have a trial untill 3 weeks before! Crazy if you ask me x
