When you offer bridal hair and makeup services, you want to be compensated fairly for your services. But determining a pricing structure isn’t always easy when you’re trying to be competitive and earn new business. After all, you don’t want to underprice your services and lose out on a profit.
Thankfully, it is possible to create a pricing approach that is clear and fair. Read on as we explore what you’ll need to do to establish prices, packages, and professional estimates.
Develop Bridal Packages
Some potential clients won’t want to sift through a menu of specific services. Instead, they’ll want to select a package of services that meets their budget and needs. Packages offer convenience, and they’re ideal for clients hoping to make quicker decisions about all aspects of their wedding.
A solid base package could include makeup and hair services on the wedding day for the bride. The package may include touch-ups for the wedding photos, as well as parameters for the time commitment.
Beyond those basics, you can offer add-ons that a potential client could choose. For instance, you might offer a trial session to test out different looks during the week before the wedding.
Other options could include touch-up makeup services throughout the wedding day. Or perhaps you’ll offer the same services for the entire wedding party. When you outline services clearly in your package listings, you can reduce confusion and limit questions, which saves you time.
Prepare Professional Quotes
Even before you’ve hammered out the details of your pricing structures, you should work on determining how your quotes will look. Ultimately, they should reflect your brand identity and project a professional appearance.
Always include your name and contact information, as well as that of the client. Include the date of the event and list each item included in a chosen package or service menu item. If there are additional charges for travel or extra help, itemize those, as well.
Create digital quotes so you can keep a record of everything and accept e-signatures to confirm details. Use a tool like Joist to generate accurate and polished estimates quickly that will help your clients feel confident about your offerings.
Focus on Cost-Plus Pricing
Using cost-plus pricing means that you’re accounting for both the costs of the services and a profit margin. Remember that tallying the total of the services can help you account for materials and tools, but it won’t necessarily bring in income. You’ll need to consider the profit margin, as well.
Write down the costs for the materials and products, like makeup and hair creams. Add up the anticipated labor hours for the service itself plus prep time on either side. If you’re exchanging lots of emails and spending time on quotes and invoices, that counts as labor, too.
Once you’ve added up all hours, figure out your hourly rate. Multiply that number by your total number of hours to set a price. If you’re a seasoned pro with name recognition in the area, nudge your price higher. You don’t want to undersell yourself.
Don’t Overlook Travel and Assistants
If you need to log a lot of miles to reach a wedding or enlist some extra help, those items should be accounted for in your quote and final invoice. Travel causes wear and tear on your vehicle, so don’t overlook the importance of charging for it.
You could charge a fee per mile to keep things easy. Or you could only charge extra for destinations outside of a certain radius. Don’t forget about tolls and hotel stays if the travel requirements are more significant.
Similarly, if you need to bring an assistant to help handle a bigger wedding party, account for that extra person. You may charge a flat fee for each assistant or choose to charge by the hour. When you add in these extras, you’ll help ensure you earn a profit from the experience.
Consider Surcharges and Cancelation Details
Summer can be a busy time for weddings, and you should price your services accordingly. It’s fair to ask people to pay more through a surcharge if they book you during peak season or on popular days, like Saturdays. Likewise, if someone asks you to get an earlier start than is normal, that service should be assigned a fee.
List your surcharges on a quote so a potential client understands why they are paying more. Also, establish a clear cancellation policy and list it in your quote and on your website. Clients should know what happens if they need to reschedule, cancel, or change services.
You may want to ask clients to make deposits when they make a booking, too. This action can help reduce the chances of cancellations. You can ask for up to half of the total cost upfront, for instance, and ask for the remaining amount right before the wedding day.
Find the Best Pricing Solution
When you’re trying to price bridal hair and makeup services, start by looking at the numbers. Consider supplies and labor, and account for extras, like travel fees or cancellations. Be as transparent as possible when preparing a quote so a potential client knows exactly what to expect.
Use software tools to develop quotes that reflect your brand and level of professionalism. When you’re clear and fair with pricing, you’ll be able to earn new business.
