Makeup artist contract in Perth: what to include before a wedding booking

Abby's take

What this means for the industry — and for independents

Industry impact. Wedding bookings combine long lead times, multiple people, location logistics and a fixed event deadline. When the quote, invoice, messages and terms do not match, both the artist and client can misunderstand what was reserved, what may change and who carries additional costs.

For freelancers. A makeup artist often blocks a valuable date before every detail is final. Clear acceptance, variation and cancellation processes protect capacity and client expectations, while one-sided or unclear terms can create disputes and may not be enforceable as written.

What I'd do next

• Create one booking record that identifies the client, artist, event date, venue, start time, ready-by time and every person and service included.
• State the total price, GST treatment where applicable, reservation payment, balance date, travel and parking treatment before accepting money.
• Write separate processes for client changes, client cancellation, artist inability to attend, venue access problems and events outside either party's control.
• Have an Australian lawyer review the standard terms and any non-refundable, limitation, substitute-artist or cancellation wording before repeated use.

Watch-out. This is general business information, not legal advice or a contract template. Contract enforceability and consumer rights depend on the facts and wording. Obtain Australian legal advice for the agreement.

Connect the quote, terms and acceptance

Business.gov.au says a clear written quote should identify the business and customer, describe the work, itemise costs, show payment terms and dates, and provide a place for acceptance. It also notes that an accepted quote can become a legally binding contract.

Use one controlled booking pack rather than conflicting information across a direct message, PDF, invoice and booking page. Give the terms before payment, record the version number or date and keep evidence of the client's acceptance.

Identify the people, date and location

Record the contracting client's full name and contact details, the artist's legal or registered business name, ABN and contact details, the event date, exact service address, access instructions and an emergency contact for the day.

Include the arrival time, service start, hard ready-by time and any venue access window. If the venue is not final, say when it must be confirmed and how a location change affects travel, parking, accommodation, start time or the artist's ability to perform.

Set the Perth travel-fee structure

Define the booked service precisely

List each person, service, trial, touch-up, assistant and agreed product or look requirement. State what is not included, how long the schedule assumes for each service and whether the client must provide seating, lighting, power, parking or a suitable preparation area.

Avoid vague promises that the artist can absorb unlimited additions on the day. Set a deadline and process for adding people or services, subject to time, staffing and a revised price accepted in writing.

Check the service-pricing foundation

Separate reservation payment from the balance

State the amount required to reserve the date, what it is called, when the booking becomes confirmed, the balance due date and what happens if payment is late. Explain whether travel, parking, early starts, accommodation, assistants or trials are included in the displayed total.

Do not assume calling money a deposit automatically makes it non-refundable in every circumstance. The wording, actual loss, cancellation timing, Australian Consumer Law and the reason the service cannot proceed can all matter. Obtain advice before relying on a blanket forfeiture term.

Review the deposit decision framework

Write fair change and cancellation paths

Set out how the client requests a date, venue, time or party-size change and when the artist must accept it before it becomes part of the booking. Explain the client's cancellation process, notice bands and how any amount retained relates to the booking and loss rather than using a penalty without analysis.

Create a separate artist-cancellation plan covering notice, refunds, an agreed substitute process and limits on what can be promised. Also address disruptions outside either party's control without giving only the business an unrestricted right to change price, scope or timing.

Check cancellation terms against the wider policy guide

Cover preparation, hygiene and suitability

Tell clients what they must disclose about allergies, sensitivities, contagious conditions and relevant reactions, what preparation is required and when a trial or product check is recommended. Avoid wording that asks the client to waive rights the law does not allow the business to remove.

State that services may be modified or declined when the environment or condition creates a genuine safety or hygiene risk. Explain how the artist will handle tools, products and disposables and what happens if venue conditions make the agreed service unsafe or impractical.

Ask separately about photos and personal information

Do not bury marketing consent inside the service acceptance. Give the client a genuine choice about before-and-after images, identify where approved images may be used and record any limits involving names, event details, other people or children.

Collect only the information reasonably needed for the service and booking, control who can access it and delete or de-identify records when they are no longer required, subject to legal and insurance record needs.

Use client images without distorting the result

Keep the terms clear and legally reviewable

Business.gov.au says Australian businesses must give truthful information, use contracts that are understandable and avoid unfair terms or hidden fees. Services also remain subject to consumer guarantees, including due care and skill, fitness for the stated purpose and supply within the agreed or reasonable time.

A standard term may be unfair if it creates a significant imbalance, is not reasonably necessary to protect legitimate interests and could cause harm. Only a court determines whether a term is unfair, so have the document reviewed instead of copying aggressive clauses from another artist.

Common questions