Wedding Hair and Makeup: Ontario Pricing, Trials & Day-Of

By VowNook·October 22, 2026· 4 min read

Hair and makeup is one of the first vendor decisions many couples make—and one of the most personal. Your artist will be there early on your wedding morning, making you feel confident and beautiful when you're most nervous. Getting this choice right matters, and it starts with understanding what the process actually costs, how far in advance to book, and what to expect during a trial.

Typical costs in Ontario

Most Ontario hair and makeup artists charge per person, with rates varying by experience and location. Expect to pay roughly $100–$180 per person for hair and makeup combined in the Greater Toronto Area; rates tend to be slightly lower outside the GTA (around $80–$140 in smaller cities like London, Kingston, or Thunder Bay). Bridal hair and makeup typically runs $50–$100 higher than attendant pricing.

These are day-of rates. Trials—which are highly recommended—usually cost $75–$150 per trial, though some artists include the first trial or deduct the trial fee from your final bill. If you're booking multiple people (bridesmaids, mothers, the groom's parents), the artist may offer a small group discount or waive trial fees if you book enough people.

Travel fees often apply outside the artist's usual service area. If your venue is more than 20–30 minutes from their studio or home base, expect to add $30–$75 (or sometimes $0.50–$1 per kilometre) to your bill. Ask about this upfront; it can easily add $200–$500 to your total if your venue is rural or in a different region.

When to book and trial timing

Hair and makeup artists who work weddings frequently book up 8–12 months ahead, especially if you're marrying in May, June, September, or October. Once you have your venue and date confirmed, reach out. Popular artists can have waiting lists.

Plan your trial for 6–8 weeks before the wedding. This gives you time to adjust anything (colour, texture, technique) for a second trial if needed, and late enough that your hair condition and skin won't change dramatically before the big day. Trials typically last 45 minutes to an hour. Come with reference photos and be clear about your vision—for example, whether you want your makeup camera-ready or natural-looking, or if your updo needs to last through dancing and a buffet line.

Day-of timing and logistics

Your artist will need to know:

How many people they're doing hair and makeup for (bride, bridesmaids, mothers, etc.)
Your ceremony start time and how much buffer you want beforehand
Where they'll be working (your home, a hotel suite, the venue's bridal room)
Any special requests (airbrush foundation, individual lashes, temporary hair colour, etc.)

On the day, plan for the artist to arrive 2–3 hours before your ceremony if they're doing 4–5 people, or up to 4 hours if it's a larger bridal party. Bride is usually last, finishing 30–45 minutes before you head down the aisle. Confirm whether they'll do touch-ups during the reception (many include this; others charge extra).

Travel, parking, and other fees to clarify

Ask your artist:

Do they charge separately for travel, or is it built into their per-person rate?
Is parking included, or will you need to cover parking fees?
What's their cancellation policy? (Most require 48–72 hours' notice for a full refund.)
Do they bring their own chair, mirror, and good lighting, or do you need to provide these?
Are they insured?

If your wedding is on a holiday weekend or Sunday, some artists charge a premium—typically 15–25% extra. If you're booking very close to your wedding date (fewer than 8 weeks away), expect rush fees of 10–30%.

Questions to ask every artist

When you find someone you like, ask:

Can I see your portfolio or Instagram for bridal work?
What's your experience with my wedding's colour scheme and vibe?
Do you work with airbrush, cream, powder, or a mix? (This matters for longevity and camera flash.)
How do you handle skin concerns (acne, sensitivity, rosacea)?
What's included in your day-of fee? Touch-ups? Any products they use on your skin?
Do you have backup availability if you get sick?

Booking a trusted vendor is part of the bigger picture of building your team. If you're starting from scratch, our guide to choosing wedding vendors in Ontario walks you through the vetting process for all categories.

Browse Ontario hair and makeup artists on VowNook's vendor marketplace, where you can compare portfolios and reviews in one place, then track all your bookings and payments in your free planning workspace.

Final thought

Hair and makeup is an investment—about 5–10% of most Ontario couples' budgets—but it's money well spent if you're working with someone you trust. A good trial makes all the difference. You'll feel like yourself, just elevated, on the day that matters.