make-up artist friend wants to help

So, my FH is very friendly with this couple and the wife is a very successful make-up artist. She does runway work and travels all over the world. She's mentioned that she might be available to do mine and my BMs make-up the day of the wedding. We have never discussed price, but her husband (FH is closer to him) keeps saying it would be free. I couldn't possibly let her do it for free.

My question is - how much would you pay someone like this? I feel like if I ask her - she'll say she doesn't want anything - so I feel like I have to come up with a number myself.

We will of course be inviting them to attend the wedding.

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Posted by GabrielleandJohn

I would get her a gift certificate to her fav resturant or store. If you dont think that is enough, I would tear up there gift and send it back in the thank you.

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please don't do this!!!!!! i think it would be heartbreaking to receive a ripped up check that i had given to a couple. if a couple wants to give a gift, you cannot refuse it, regardless of how much or how little.

the gift and prices for makeup are two totally different things--if she ABSOULTELY insists that she won't take any money, tell her that you consider this to be her very generous wedding present.

but please don't rip up her check and send it back to her!!

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Posted by SummerBride06

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Posted by GabrielleandJohn

I would get her a gift certificate to her fav resturant or store. If you dont think that is enough, I would tear up there gift and send it back in the thank you.

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please don't do this!!!!!! i think it would be heartbreaking to receive a ripped up check that i had given to a couple. if a couple wants to give a gift, you cannot refuse it, regardless of how much or how little.

the gift and prices for makeup are two totally different things--if she ABSOULTELY insists that she won't take any money, tell her that you consider this to be her very generous wedding present.

but please don't rip up her check and send it back to her!!

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I disagree (but it is obvious that I would). We have had ppl do this for us (I provided all of the staffing) and will do this for our vendors who are not charging us because they are friends.

I suppose that each person and their friends handle this differently but if explained well in the thank you it is not offensive and actually a nice gesture.

This is totally up to you though.

First off, I can tell you that the makeup artist that I am using is very successful and for doing airbrushing the day of for myself she charges a bit over $200. If you are getting airbrushing b/c traditional is cheaper, I would give her either a generous amount of money or a gift certificate or tell her not to worry about a gift b/c in your eyes her gift to you is your makeup.

Honestly, i would not rip up a check and sent it back as the other posts states. I am sorry, I must disagree with doing that. To me, if I got a ripped check back in the mail, I would think something is wrong and that is rude.

HTH..

Yeah, I have to say, it strikes me as very rude to give back a gift. I feel bad enough exchanging gifts!

I think I'll try to work out an amount with her and if she refuses to take it, we'll send them some sort of gift basket or something like that.

Thanks for the ideas!