My question is basically in the title of the thread.... I'm doing my first bridal in years. I've done bridal before, but it always happened to be for a close friend or family member, so I never worried about paperwork. This new client is a former co-worker from a spa I used to manage, but I want to make sure all my paperwork is on the up-and-up, just in case. For those of you who do bridal, what are you always sure to include?

Have you read the thread pinned at the top of this forum containing the HMUAS FAQ's and links? You may want to spend some time there, as someone spent a lot of time and effort creating it as a resource for members. This is from page 2:
Everything Bridal

Bridal Makeup Trial
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=137124

Bridal Business
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=88711

Bridal Foundation
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=104182

Your kit for Bridal Services
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=82724

Question for MUAs who do Bridal work
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=64772

Kit Fee and Bridal Make-up
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=32375

Bridal/Special Occasion Hairstyling
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=30745

Wedding Makeup....and its rates!
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=133911

wedding make-up....
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=123716

What would you charge for a wedding party? (hair related)
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=122605

weddings: you do,or you don't
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=115629

Body airbrushing for the wedding day.
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=112513

Rates for wedding makeup
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=67597

Long Lasting Lipstick for Wedding.
https://modelmayhem.com/p.php?thread_id=47995

Create a Bridal Contract, there are tons of templates online. To make it simple, this is the info you need to get.

-All the names of the people you are applying makeup to, (name of the bride) or you could just write down how many people you are applying makeup to. This is so you are only obligated to do these clients makeup and no more, or no less. Let's say you are doing the brides makeup and 4 bridesmaids, then on the wedding day the mother of the bride decides she wants her makeup done, and the sister does too, but it's not that simple for us and you run out of time and the payment for their makeup was never included in the signed contract so the money isn't protected.

-Contact information for the person responsible for the payments.

-Always collect a down payment at time of booking. It could be 50% of the total bill or a specific amount, however you want. Make it perfectly clear that the down payment is non refundable and have that written in the contract.

-Have a trial, discuss the look. Create a face chart with a list of every product you used. On the trial, once you apply the makeup to the bride and she is happy with it, take lot's of photos so you can replicate it on the wedding day. Attach these photos to the contract and have her sign off on the look. Just so she doesn't completely change everything on the day of the wedding.

-Discuss travel costs, parking costs, etc. Have the fees in the contract.

-Ask for the photographers contact info, so that you can ask for some photos that you could use for your portfolio.

-Discuss when final payments should be collected, it's usually hectic to get someone to pay after the makeup and the bride is about to go down the aisle. So make it clear that you will be collecting once all makeup applications are done.

-Discuss wether you are staying the whole duration of the wedding, or just staying to apply the makeup. If you're staying the whole entire wedding for touch ups, you need to collect hourly pay. It's an add on fee.

-Write out an itemized list of payments/fees and the total, have them sign!

That's all I can think of for now… Hope this helps!