How to Budget for Bridal Hair Services in Your Iowa Wedding
Planning your Iowa wedding? Whether you’re saying “I do” in the Des Moines, tucked away in a cozy countryside venue, or celebrating in a small-town that feels like home — let’s chat about something brides don’t talk about enough: how to actually budget for your wedding hair.
Because here’s the thing — your hair isn’t just another line item on your wedding spreadsheet. It’s one of the most personal, memory-filled parts of your day.
Hey bride,
Let’s be real — you’ve probably spent hours pinning dresses, florals, and venues (same, girl 😅). But have you thought about what it takes to bring your bridal beauty vision to life?
Your hair (and makeup!) is such a huge part of how you’ll feel that morning. It’s what ties your look together, what you’ll see in every photo, and honestly, it’s one of the few quiet, grounding moments before everything starts moving fast.
And the best part? Out of everything on your wedding budget, your glam team is one of the smallest expenses… yet has one of the biggest impacts.
So let’s break it down together — from what to expect, what’s worth investing in, and how to make sure you’re getting the experience you deserve.
Start with Your Vision
Before we even talk numbers, let’s talk vibes.
Are you dreaming of soft, romantic curls, a sleek bun, or maybe those timeless, effortless waves that make you feel like you — but bridal?
Knowing your vision helps your stylist (hi, that’s me 👋🏼) plan what’s possible — and what kind of prep will get you there. Some styles take more time and detail, which can affect pricing, but that’s something we’ll talk about together.
And please, schedule your bridal preview (trial) about 1–3 months before your wedding — ideally right after your second-to-last color appointment. That way your color is fresh, we can match extensions perfectly, and you’ll get a true picture of what your hair will look like on your actual day.
What Things Really Cost (and Why)
Here’s the average of what most Iowa brides invest in:
💍 Bridal Preview: $150–$200
💍 Wedding Day Style: $150–$200
💍 Bridal Party Styles: $90–$150 each
But the real question isn’t just what it costs — it’s what you’re getting for that price.
Here’s what’s worth paying for:
✅ A stylist who’s fully insured and professional (super important!)
✅ Someone who checks in with you leading up to your day — not just at booking and the morning of
✅ A stylist who’s sanitary and hygienic — clean tools, fresh brushes, and a setup that feels just as polished as your final look
✅ Premium tools and products that protect your hair and make it last all day
✅ A stylist who specializes in bridal styling, not just a stylist who “also does weddings”
✅ Organization, reliability, and a calm, grounding presence on your wedding morning
You’re not just hiring someone to curl your hair. You’re investing in peace of mind, calm energy, and the confidence of knowing you’ll feel incredible from the first photo to the last dance.
Don’t Forget Travel (It Matters!)
Let’s face it — Iowa weddings love a good barn, vineyard, or countryside view. That usually means a little travel time for your stylist, which often comes with a travel fee (around $1 per mile or a flat rate for longer drives).
If your venue is far enough that it requires a hotel stay, that’s actually a good thing for you. It means I’m close by, rested, and ready to go — not driving two hours before sunrise with coffee in one hand and a curling iron in the other. 😅
Pre-Wedding Hair Prep = Game Changer
Healthy, hydrated hair styles so much better. If your hair is feeling dry, it’ll frizz faster and won’t hold your style as long. So here’s my little bridal hair prep checklist:
💧 Weekly deep treatments for a couple of months before the wedding
✂️ Trim + treatment: 2–3 weeks before
🎨 Color refresh: 2–4 weeks before
✨ Extension move up: 1–3 weeks before
These simple steps make a massive difference in how your hair looks and feels — especially in photos.
Add-Ons That Are So Worth It
A few extras that really take things up a notch:
💫 Clip-in extensions — not just for length! They add fullness, help styles last longer, and can turn your look from beautiful to jaw-dropping.
💫 Accessory placement — I don’t charge for veils or pins (they’re part of the magic ✨), but some stylists do.
💫 Touch-ups before photos or ceremony — I always include a short touch-up time before I leave, and I can stay through photos if you want a quick pre-ceremony refresh.
What Most Iowa Brides Spend
Most brides spend around $300–$600 for themselves and $900–$1900 for the whole wedding party (depending on size and travel).
It’s a small fraction of your wedding budget — but trust me, the confidence and memories that come from feeling absolutely beautiful all day? That’s priceless.
The Bespoke Beauty Experience
Now, let’s talk about what happens once you officially book with me — because this is where the fun (and the pampering) really starts. 💕
✨ You’ll get an exclusive invite to my Bespoke Beauty Bride Portal — a private space for all my brides, filled with little bonuses and a community of other Bespoke Brides.
✨ All pricing is transparent and upfront. No surprises, no hidden fees — ever.
✨ 6 months before your wedding, you’ll get a reminder to book your trial. At your trial, we’ll test your look, take photos, and I’ll save everything to your personal bridal account.
✨ You’ll also go home with a Wedding Hair Prep Kit — full of goodies and instructions to help you (also available for your bridal party!) make sure your hair is perfectly prepped for styling on the big day.
✨ 6 weeks before your wedding, you’ll get an email reminding you to finalize your service count so everything is perfectly organized.
✨ 4 weeks out, I’ll send your detailed timeline, final invoice reminder, and a final confirmation of all your wedding-day details.
✨ On your wedding morning, I arrive 15–20 minutes early to set up and make sure everything runs smoothly. I don’t just pack up and leave when the last curl is pinned — I stay for the entire quoted time, offering touch-ups for bridesmaids and dedicating my final 30 minutes just for you, the bride.
So, when you’re looking at your wedding budget, remember this — your hairstylist might be one of the smallest bills you pay, but the impact? It lasts forever. Your hair is in every photo, every video, and every memory of your day. It’s what helps you feel like the bride. So make sure you’re not just paying for “a booking and a hairstyle.” You deserve a stylist who specializes in bridal, who understands the rhythm of a wedding morning, coordinates with your photographer and planner, and who makes the whole experience feel effortless from start to finish.
Because this isn’t just about great hair — it’s about peace of mind, confidence, and the calm that comes from knowing you’re completely taken care of during your Bridal Becoming — that’s exactly what I aim to give my Bespoke Brides.
XOXO,
Stacia
