How to Schedule Hair & Makeup on Your Wedding Day

by Kellee Khalil 14 Jan 2025 •5 min read

Crafting the Perfect Wedding Day Hair & Makeup Timeline

Looking and feeling your best on your wedding day starts with a well-planned beauty schedule. The key to a stress-free morning lies in a carefully crafted hair and makeup timeline. Here's a comprehensive guide on creating your ideal wedding beauty timeline, answering questions like, "When should the bride get her hair and makeup done?" and "How long before the ceremony should hair and makeup be done?"

Why a Wedding Day Beauty Timeline Matters

A clear and organized hair and makeup timeline ensures everyone is ready on time, avoids delays, and helps you stay calm as the day progresses. Without a schedule, hair and makeup can easily run behind, throwing off the rest of your carefully planned wedding day. By sticking to a predetermined timeline, you’ll have ample time for final touches, photos, and relaxation before the ceremony.

Step 1: Determine Your Getting-Ready Location

Where you choose to get ready sets the foundation for your timeline. Whether at a hotel, Airbnb, or your wedding venue, consider travel time, setup space, and convenience.

Getting Ready at a Hotel or Airbnb

Pros: Easy access to private rooms for your bridal party, no need to transport essentials to the venue until later.
Cons: Requires factoring in travel time to the venue.

Getting Ready at the Venue

Pros: No need to travel once ready; you can oversee setup or decorations.
Cons: Ensure the bridal suite has enough outlets, mirrors, and space for your beauty team.

Step 2: Decide How Many People Need Services

Communicate early with your hair and makeup team to understand how many stylists will be available. The number of people needing services (bride, bridesmaids, mothers, etc.) will determine your start time.

Hair: 30-45 minutes per person; 60-90 minutes for the bride depending on hairstyle intricacy.
Makeup: 30-45 minutes per person; 60-90 minutes for the bride for a flawless look.

If you have a large bridal party, ask your beauty team to bring assistants to save time.

Step 3: Start Backward from Your Ceremony Time

Work backward from your ceremony start time to determine when hair and makeup should begin. Consider these key moments:

Ceremony Start Time: Factor in travel and touch-up time. Hair and makeup should be finished 1.5-2 hours before the ceremony.
First Look or Photos: If you’re doing a first look, your timeline should allow for hair, makeup, and photo prep at least 1 hour before the first look.

Sample Timeline for Hair & Makeup

For a 4:00 PM ceremony with four bridesmaids and one bride, here’s how the schedule might look:

10:00 AM: Bride’s makeup and Bridesmaid 1’s hair.
10:30 AM: Bridesmaid 2’s hair.
11:00 AM: Bridesmaid 3’s hair and Bridesmaid 1’s makeup.
11:30 AM: Bridesmaid 4’s hair.
12:00 PM: Bride’s hair and Bridesmaid 2’s makeup.
12:30 PM: Bridesmaid 3’s makeup.
1:00 PM: Bridesmaid 4’s makeup.
1:30 PM: Final touch-ups.
2:00 PM: Photographer arrives for detail shots and getting-ready photos.
3:30 PM: Everyone dressed and ready to go.

Tips for a Smooth Hair & Makeup Process

Prioritize the Bride’s Timeline

Contrary to popular belief, the bride’s hair and makeup should not be the very last service. Scheduling it toward the middle allows for adjustments and ensures you’re ready for pre-ceremony photos.

Assign Time Slots

Create a detailed timeline assigning specific time slots for each bridal party member. Share this schedule in advance to keep everyone on track.

Build in Buffer Time

Include at least 30 extra minutes at the end for unexpected delays or final touch-ups. It’s better to finish early than to feel rushed.

Touch-Ups

Discuss with your beauty team if touch-ups are included. If not, have essentials like blotting sheets, pressed powder, and lip color handy.

Common Questions Answered

When Should the Bride Get Hair and Makeup Done?

The bride’s hair and makeup should be completed 1.5-2 hours before the ceremony, leaving time for touch-ups, photos, and dressing.

How Long Before the Ceremony Should Hair and Makeup Be Done?

Plan for all hair and makeup services to finish at least 2 hours before the ceremony. This allows time for last-minute adjustments and ensures everyone is ready to go.

What Order Should We Follow?

Responsible bridesmaids first to avoid delays.
Bride’s services toward the middle for flexibility.
Flower girls and quick appointments last.

What’s the Ideal Timeline for Larger Bridal Parties?

For every additional 4-5 people, add 1.5-2 hours to your schedule. Hiring extra artists helps save time.

Final Checklist for the Wedding Morning

Prep Your Hair: Wash and dry your hair the day before (not the day of). Natural oils help styles hold better.
Clean Face: Arrive makeup-free with no moisturizer applied. Your makeup artist will handle priming.
Bring Essentials: Don’t forget blotting sheets, lip color, and pressed powder for touch-ups.
Stay Flexible: While having a schedule is essential, allow for minor adjustments.

Creating a clear wedding day hair and makeup timeline is essential for a smooth and enjoyable morning. By understanding how long each service takes and working backward from your ceremony time, you’ll have a plan that ensures everyone looks and feels their best. With these tips, you’ll walk down the aisle stress-free and picture-perfect, ready to say, "I do."