Prepping for Your Wedding Day: Beauty Timeline
How long does bridal hair and makeup take? This is a crucial question when planning your wedding day schedule. Here’s a quick answer:
Hair and/or makeup for each bridesmaid or mom: Approximately 45-60 minutes per service.
Bridal hair and makeup: Usually takes about 2-2.5 hours due to the extra attention to detail.
Preparing for your big day involves more than just walking down the aisle. It's about feeling your best and sharing beautiful moments with your bridal party. Creating a well-planned beauty timeline can make all the difference. This schedule ensures everyone gets ready on time and you enjoy a smooth, stress-free morning.
A typical beauty timeline might look like this for a 4 p.m. wedding:
Start at 9 a.m. with 2 artists.
Allocate 45 minutes per service for five bridesmaids and moms.
The bride’s hair and makeup to be done second to last, taking around 2-2.5 hours.
I’m Rachel Voss, and with years of experience in the beauty industry, I can tell you that understanding how long does bridal hair and makeup take is essential to a successful wedding day. My journey began as a passionate hairstylist, and I’ve since opened several salons, focusing on creating top-notch experiences for brides and their parties.
What is a Beauty Timeline?
A beauty timeline is a detailed schedule of all the beauty services you and your bridal party will need on your wedding day. This timeline helps ensure everything runs smoothly, keeping everyone on track and reducing stress.
Schedule of Services
Your beauty timeline will list all the services you plan to have, such as hair, makeup, and any additional treatments like lash extensions or facials. Each service will have a designated start and end time. This way, everyone knows exactly when and where they need to be.
Wedding Planner or Artist
Either your wedding planner or your beauty artist will create this timeline. Some brides prefer to have their planner handle it, while others rely on their beauty artist, who might have more experience with the timing of beauty services.
Keeping on Track
Having a beauty timeline is crucial for keeping everything on track. Wedding days can be hectic, and it's easy to fall behind schedule. A well-planned timeline ensures that everyone is ready on time, so you can focus on enjoying your special day.
Here’s an example of a beauty timeline for a 4 p.m. wedding with five bridesmaids and two artists:
9:00 a.m. - Start hair and makeup for bridesmaids
11:00 a.m. - Start hair and makeup for moms
1:00 p.m. - Start bride’s hair and makeup
3:30 p.m. - Final touch-ups
3:45 p.m. - Get dressed and line up
Creating a beauty timeline helps ensure that you and your bridal party look and feel your best, right on schedule.
How Long Does Bridal Hair and Makeup Take?
Factors Affecting Time
When planning your wedding day, understanding how long bridal hair and makeup take is crucial. Typically, each service (either hair or makeup) takes about 45-60 minutes per person. For the bride, this time extends to 2-2.5 hours, as more attention to detail is required.
Several factors can affect this timeline:
Intricate Styles: Detailed hairstyles or makeup looks take longer. For example, complex updos or dramatic eye makeup can add extra time.
Extensions and Thicker Hair: If you or your bridal party need extensions or have thicker hair, expect additional time for these services.
Distractions: Keeping the environment calm and focused is essential. Too many people in the room can cause delays.
Sample Timeline
Here’s an example of a beauty timeline for a 4 p.m. wedding with five bridesmaids and two artists:
9:00 a.m. - Start hair and makeup for bridesmaids
11:00 a.m. - Start hair and makeup for moms
1:00 p.m. - Start bride’s hair and makeup
3:30 p.m. - Final touch-ups
3:45 p.m. - Get dressed and line up
Creating a beauty timeline helps ensure that you and your bridal party look and feel your best, right on schedule.
Where to Get Ready
Choosing the right place to get ready on your wedding day is crucial. It impacts your comfort, the efficiency of your beauty team, and the quality of your photos.
Venue, Hotel Suite, or Airbnb?
Venue: If your wedding venue has a dedicated bridal suite, this could be a convenient option. It eliminates the need to travel after getting ready. However, some venues may have limitations like space or lighting issues.
Hotel Suite: Booking a hotel suite can be a great alternative. Suites often provide ample space and good lighting. Plus, they offer a luxurious setting for your pre-wedding photos.
Airbnb: Renting an Airbnb gives you a homey feel and plenty of room to spread out. This can be especially useful if you have a large bridal party. Ensure the property has good natural light and enough mirrors.
Space and Lighting
Your getting-ready location should have plenty of space for everyone to move around comfortably. Artists bring a lot of equipment, including multiple bags, chairs, and lighting. A cramped space can cause delays and stress.
Good lighting is essential for makeup application. Natural light is best, but if that's not available, make sure the room has bright, adjustable lighting. Poor lighting can result in makeup that looks great in the room but not in photos.
First Floor or Elevator
If your chosen location has multiple floors, try to get a room on the first floor or ensure there's a working elevator. Carrying heavy equipment up and down stairs is not only exhausting but also risky. Artists and photographers will appreciate this consideration, and it will make the setup process much smoother.
Choosing the right place to get ready can set the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable wedding day.
Additional Beauty Services to Consider
When planning your wedding beauty timeline, don't forget to include some extra services that can enhance your overall look. Here are some additional beauty treatments to consider:
Lashes
Lash extensions and lifts are becoming increasingly popular. They add that extra "pop" to your eyes, making them stand out in photos and in person.
Lash Extensions: These need at least 48 hours to settle before any event and can take up to two hours to apply.
Lash Lifts: These are best done two to five days before the event, and the service takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
Pro Tip: Book your first lash extension appointment a few months before your wedding to see how you like them. Then, schedule a refill appointment close to your wedding day to ensure they look perfect.
Nails
Manicures and pedicures are a must for any bridal party. They not only make your nails look beautiful but also offer a chance to relax and chat with your friends.
Manicures: Typically take 20 to 30 minutes.
Pedicures: Usually take 30 to 45 minutes.
Pro Tip: Gel manicures are a safer bet against chipping. Schedule these services one or two days before your wedding.
Eyebrows
Your eyebrows frame your face, so have them looking their best. However, avoid last-minute treatments to prevent redness and irritation.
Waxing, Threading, or Shaping: Should be done about three days before the ceremony. Most services take less than 20 minutes.
Hair Removal
Many couples opt for hair removal treatments before their big day. Whether it's for your underarms, upper lip, or legs, plan these treatments to avoid any bumps or redness.
Waxing or Chemical Treatments: Schedule these about three to four days beforehand. Full-body waxing usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
Tanning
If you want that sunkissed glow, spray tans are the way to go.
Spray Tanning: Book your session with a reputable salon about two days before the ceremony. The appointment usually lasts 30 minutes at most.
Cultural Touches
Many weddings incorporate unique cultural beauty rituals. From Indian henna to Yemen bathhouses, these traditions add a special touch to your celebration.
Henna: Typically applied a day or two before the wedding to ensure it sets properly and looks its best.
Including these additional beauty services can make your wedding day even more special and ensure you look your absolute best. Plan and schedule these treatments well in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
Next, we'll dive into your Pre-Wedding Beauty Schedule to make sure every detail is perfectly timed.
Pre-Wedding Beauty Schedule
Planning your wedding look starts months in advance. Here’s a breakdown of what to do and when to ensure everything runs smoothly.
6-12 Months Prior
Book Your Glam Squad Early: Start researching hairstylists and makeup artists as soon as possible—up to a year before your ceremony. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing top professionals who can bring your vision to life.
Initial Consultations: Once you’ve found potential stylists, schedule consultations. Discuss your desired look and any specific needs you might have.
3-6 Months Prior
Trial Sessions: Schedule trial sessions for both hair and makeup. This is usually done about one month before the wedding. This is also the time to make any major beauty transformations, such as significant haircuts or color changes.
Finalize Your Look: Use these trials to finalize your wedding day look. Once you’ve decided on a style, stick to it. Avoid making any drastic changes that could disrupt your stylist’s plans.
1-3 Months Prior
Communicate with Your Bridal Party: Decide if your bridal party will receive any beauty services and communicate these plans clearly. This helps everyone know what to expect and allows for better scheduling.
Secondary Trials (if needed): If you’re still unsure about any aspect of your look, now is the time to schedule a secondary trial to make final adjustments.
2-4 Weeks Prior
Create a Detailed Itinerary: Share a clear schedule with your bridal party. This should include service times for hair, makeup, and any other beauty treatments. Ensure everyone knows where they need to be and when.
1-2 Weeks Prior
Pre-Day Beauty Treatments: Schedule all pre-wedding beauty treatments such as manicures, facials, and waxing. Don’t leave these for the last day to avoid any potential mishaps.
Final Preparations: Make sure you’ve tried and tested all beauty products you'll use on the big day to avoid any allergic reactions or surprises.
Planning your beauty schedule meticulously will not only ensure you look stunning but also keep the day stress-free. Next, let's move on to creating your Day-of Wedding Beauty Schedule to make sure everything runs like clockwork.
Day-of Wedding Beauty Schedule
Creating a Day-of Wedding Beauty Schedule is crucial for a stress-free and smooth wedding day. Here's how to get it right:
Calculate Total Time
First, figure out the total time needed for all beauty services. Bridal hair and makeup usually take 60-90 minutes each. For bridesmaids, it’s around 30-45 minutes per service.
If you have a party of six bridesmaids, one mother-of-the-bride (MOB), and yourself, you’ll need to plan accordingly.
Example:
Bride: 2 hours (hair and makeup)
Bridesmaids: 45 minutes each x 6 (hair and makeup)
MOB: 1 hour (hair and makeup)
This totals to about 8.5 hours.
Work Backward from Ceremony
Once you have the total time, work backward from your ceremony time to set your start time.
Example:
Ceremony: 4:00 p.m.
Photography: 2:30 p.m. (including "getting ready" photos)
Buffer time: 30 minutes
Total beauty prep time: 8.5 hours
Start time: 5:30 a.m.
Sample Schedules
Here are sample schedules for different party sizes and ceremony times.
Party of Six Bridesmaids, One MOB, and One Bride:
5:30 a.m.: Start hair and makeup for bridesmaids
8:30 a.m.: Start MOB hair and makeup
9:30 a.m.: Break for snacks and touch-ups
10:00 a.m.: Start bride’s hair and makeup
12:00 p.m.: Final touch-ups and brunch
1:00 p.m.: Bridesmaids’ touch-ups
2:30 p.m.: Photography session
4:00 p.m.: Ceremony
Party of Three Bridesmaids, One MOB, and One Bride:
3:00 p.m. Ceremony:
6:00 a.m.: Start hair and makeup for bridesmaids
7:30 a.m.: Start MOB hair and makeup
8:30 a.m.: Break for snacks and touch-ups
9:00 a.m.: Start bride’s hair and makeup
11:00 a.m.: Final touch-ups and brunch
12:00 p.m.: Bridesmaids’ touch-ups
1:30 p.m.: Photography session
3:00 p.m.: Ceremony
By planning ahead, you ensure everyone looks their best without feeling rushed. Next, let's discuss Where to Get Ready for your big day.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bridal Hair and Makeup
How long does bridal party hair and makeup take?
Typically, each service for bridal party members takes 30-45 minutes. This means if a bridesmaid is getting both hair and makeup done, you should plan for about an hour to an hour and a half per person.
For the bride, the time needed is usually more. Expect 60-90 minutes for each service, totaling around 2-2.5 hours for both hair and makeup. This extra time ensures that every detail is perfect for the big day.
Can bridal hair and makeup be done at the same time?
Yes, bridal hair and makeup can be done simultaneously, but it requires careful planning and coordination. Trained professionals are adept at managing this challenge. However, it's generally recommended to handle hair and makeup separately to avoid any potential chaos and ensure a smooth process.
By scheduling hair and makeup at different times, you can avoid any bottlenecks and ensure that each person gets the attention they need.
Why does bridal makeup take so long?
Bridal makeup takes longer due to the attention to detail required. Unlike everyday makeup, bridal makeup needs to be flawless and long-lasting. This involves more steps, such as intricate eyeshadow, stencils, or jewel adornments, which add to the time.
The bride's makeup typically takes about 2-2.5 hours to complete. This extra time allows for a more detailed and personalized look, ensuring that the bride looks stunning in every photo and throughout the entire event.
By understanding these time requirements, you can better plan your wedding day schedule and ensure everything runs smoothly. Next, let's discuss Where to Get Ready for your big day.
Conclusion
At VOSS SALON, we understand the importance of looking and feeling your best on your wedding day. Our team of skilled professionals is dedicated to providing a premium beauty experience that ensures you and your bridal party are camera-ready and confident.
Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each bride, offering everything from intricate updos to flawless makeup. With over 20 years of experience and a commitment to continuous education, our stylists are equipped to handle any request, ensuring your look is exactly what you envisioned.
To make your wedding day even more special, follow us on Instagram for $25 off your first service. We love sharing our latest work and tips to help you prepare for your big day.
Ready to book your bridal hair and makeup session? Explore our services and let us help you create the perfect look for your wedding.
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