Photo by Hayley Dolson
Beauty
The Ultimate Bridal Beauty Timeline: Month-by-Month Wedding Prep Guide
24 Apr 2025 •12 min read
Planning a wedding means juggling a million details, from booking your dream venue to finding the dress. But amidst all the logistics and Pinterest boards, there's one area that deserves just as much love: your beauty regimen. Because let’s be real—when you're walking down that aisle, you want to feel confident, radiant, and absolutely glowing.
Whether you’re a low-maintenance bride or a glam queen, giving yourself time to prep will make all the difference. So we’ve laid out a month-by-month bridal beauty timeline—packed with tips, treatments, and reminders—so you can look and feel your best from “Yes!” to “I do.”
12 Months Before: Laying the Foundation
Hair Health First
Healthy, shiny hair doesn’t happen overnight. Start using deep-conditioning treatments weekly or bi-weekly based on your hair type. Consider swapping out harsh shampoos and opting for sulfate-free formulas that promote growth and strength.
Thinking about switching up your hair color or growing out bangs? Now’s the time to start the transformation!
Skincare Starts Now
Book a consultation with a dermatologist or licensed esthetician to develop a custom skincare plan tailored to your skin goals (think: hydration, acne, fine lines, etc.). This gives you plenty of time to experiment with new products and treatments.
Whole-Body Wellness
Beauty really is an inside job. Focus on a balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Think leafy greens, healthy fats, and lots of water. You can also talk to your doctor about taking supplements for healthy hair, skin, and nails.
9–10 Months Before: Building the Routine
Consistent Skincare
Commit to a daily routine: cleanse, tone, moisturize, and SPF (always). Layer in products like vitamin C serums or retinoids if recommended by your dermatologist.
Talk Hair Goals
Chat with your stylist about your dream wedding hairstyle. Whether you’re aiming for Rapunzel-length waves or a sleek updo, they’ll help you map out trims, colors, and treatments.
Get Moving (If That’s Your Vibe)
If fitness is part of your plan, start now. This gives you time to reach your goals in a healthy, sustainable way—whether that’s strength training, yoga, or dance cardio.
7–8 Months Before: Level Up the Treatments
Start Facials
Book monthly facials to keep your skin clear and glowing. Don’t overdo it—space them out every 4–6 weeks and always tell your esthetician you’re a bride-to-be.
Schedule Hair Appointments
Block out all upcoming cuts, color touch-ups, and treatments leading up to the wedding. Bonus: you’ll get the best time slots before everyone else!
Whiten That Smile
If you’re considering professional teeth whitening, start now so you can tweak things or redo it if needed. At-home strips or trays also work well—just check with your dentist first.
5–6 Months Before: Trials & Treatments
Makeup & Hair Trials
Now’s the time to do your first makeup and hair trial. Bring inspo pics, your veil or hair accessories, and ideally, a photo of your wedding dress. You want to make sure the whole look works together.
Skincare Upgrades
Want to try chemical peels, microneedling, or microdermabrasion? This is the time to experiment. These treatments need time to show results and recover—so don’t wait until the last minute.
Manage That Stress
Wedding planning is exciting—but also stressful. Build in wellness habits like regular massages, breathing exercises, or even a quick walk outside to keep your glow from the inside out.
3–4 Months Before: Detail Work
Total Body TLC
Start exfoliating and moisturizing your entire body regularly. Pay extra attention to elbows, knees, and décolletage—all areas that will show in your wedding dress.
Nail It
Schedule regular manicures and pedicures to get your nails in shape for those ring-close-ups. You’ll thank yourself when your wedding-week mani goes on smoother and lasts longer.
Lashes & Brows
Start a lash serum if you want longer lashes naturally (results can take 6–12 weeks). Want bold brows? Consider microblading or tinting now, with plenty of time for touch-ups.
2 Months Before: The Beauty Dress Rehearsal
Spray Tan Test
If you’re considering a spray tan for the big day, do a trial run now. This way you can tweak the shade, test for any reactions, and make sure it photographs beautifully.
Final Hair Color
Get your last full color appointment now so it has time to settle and you can make any tweaks. Trust us—brassy blonde or surprise dark roots are not the vibe.
Skincare Check-In
Evaluate your current routine. Is it working? If not, now’s the time to pivot (with professional guidance).
1 Month Before: No New Risks
Final Makeup & Hair Trials
Do your last trials with any changes you’ve decided on. This is the look you'll replicate on the wedding day, so snap photos from every angle!
Stick to What You Know
Avoid trying new products, facials, or anything unfamiliar. Now is all about maintenance, not experimentation.
Hydration Nation
Up your water intake—it makes a huge difference in skin clarity and elasticity.
2 Weeks Before: Fine-Tuning
Last Facial
Get one final gentle facial—no peels or extractions! You want to glow, not deal with redness or breakouts.
Final Trim
Get a baby trim to freshen up your ends and shape. Skip anything drastic.
Teeth Whitening
Wrap up any at-home whitening so you’re not dealing with sensitivity on your big day.
1 Week Before: Glow Up
Exfoliate Gently
Use a mild scrub or enzyme exfoliant on your face and body. Smooth skin = better makeup application and tan results.
Hydration Boost
Use a hydrating mask on your face and a deep-conditioning hair mask to lock in moisture.
Brow & Lash Final Touches
Get your brows shaped and lashes tinted or filled if you’ve gone the extension route.
2–3 Days Before: Almost There!
Spray Tan
Now’s the time for your wedding spray tan. Exfoliate beforehand, avoid lotion or deodorant, and follow aftercare to a T.
Mani-Pedi
Choose a long-lasting polish (gel is a great option) and keep your color wedding-photo friendly—think nudes, blush, or soft white.
1 Day Before: Chill Mode
Self-Care Time
Take it easy. Light yoga, meditation, or a bath can help calm those pre-wedding nerves.
Final Hair Wash
Wash and prep your hair according to your stylist’s recommendations. Often, slightly dirty hair holds styles better.
Drink Up
Water, water, water! And get some good sleep. Tomorrow is the day!
Wedding Day: The Glow Show
4 Hours Before Ceremony
Hair first! Wear a robe or button-up so you don’t mess it up later.
3 Hours Before
Makeup time! Let your artist take their time—this is your moment to shine.
1 Hour Before
Final touch-ups, add your veil or headpiece, and breathe. You’re almost there!
20 Minutes Before
Brush your teeth, reapply lipstick, and have your beauty emergency kit ready (think blotting paper, powder, and lipstick).
Your wedding beauty routine doesn’t have to be stressful. With a clear plan and some self-care sprinkled in, you’ll feel confident and look stunning when it’s time to say “I do.” So treat this timeline as your ultimate pre-wedding glow-up checklist—and don’t forget to enjoy the journey!
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