Wedding Hair Prep: Timing Is Everything

Getting your hair done before your wedding is an important step in the planning process. If you plan on making any drastic changes or want to try out a new cut, color or add extensions, this is the time to do it. Your hair and makeup are the finishing touches to your wedding day look, but perfect hair requires more than just booking a hairstylist for your wedding day. To ensure your hair is healthy and shiny, you need to start months in advance. Your last haircut and color should be 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding, and your trial with your hairdresser should be about 3 weeks before your wedding so you both know what to expect.

3-4 weeks before the wedding, to adjust hair length and colour

3 to 4 weeks before your wedding is the best time to get your hair cut and colour to achieve the desired length and colour and give your hair enough time to adjust. If it's your first time colouring your hair, you'll want to give it more time to settle before the wedding.

If you have bangs, you might want to trim those a week before your wedding.

3 weeks before your wedding is a good time for a hair trial with your hairdresser so you both know what to expect. This gives you time to try out different looks and finalise your wedding hair look.

If you want to make any drastic changes or try out a new cut, colour or add extensions, this is the time to do it.

If you want your hair to have a 'worn in' look, you might want to get your hair done a month out from the wedding.

2 weeks before the wedding, to fix any colour issues

If you want to fix any colour issues two weeks before your wedding is the sweet spot for bridal hair colour. Two weeks will give you plenty of time for your hair to adjust to the colour and cut – and keep any grey strands and split ends at bay. Two weeks will also give you time to get used to any changes and not too long so there won't be any grow out at your roots.

If you're planning to get highlights, this timeline holds strong. After two to three weeks, the colour will still be fresh – but it won't appear too bright at the roots or around the face.

If you're going for an all-over colour that's on the darker side, or adding lowlights, you can get your colour done one to two weeks before the big day, as darker colours tend to fade faster than lighter hues.

Two weeks is also the recommended time for a routine colour to give it time to settle, look more natural, and to make any adjustments if necessary.

Two weeks is also the recommended time for a hair trial so you both know what to expect. This way, if there are specific things your stylist needs your hair to do, they can make recommendations to your regular hairstylists for your cut.

1 week before the wedding, to trim bangs

If you have bangs, you might want to trim them a week before your wedding. This will give you time to get used to styling your new cut and have further adjustments made if you decide you're not happy with the result.

If you have a full beard, you should go for your beard trim about a week before your wedding, but depending on your hair growth, it might be worth popping back in for a touch-up on the morning of the wedding, or the day before.

If you like to wear your facial hair shorter, aim for two or three days before the wedding. If you're having a hot towel shave for your wedding, get it on the morning of the wedding.

For most hairstyles, we recommend getting your hair cut a week before your wedding. This will give you time to get used to styling your new cut and have further adjustments made if you decide you're not happy with the result.

Your last haircut and color should be 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding. It is helpful to book this appointment first and then work backwards and book your other trims. Getting your hair cut 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding gives your hair enough time to adjust to the length and color (if it’s your first time coloring your hair) and be healthily settled before the wedding.

3 weeks before the wedding, for a hair trial

Three weeks before your wedding, you should have a hair trial with your hairdresser. This will give you both a chance to discuss what you want and finalise your wedding hair look. It's also a good idea to bring any hair accessories or veil you plan to wear on the big day.

If you plan on making any drastic changes or want to try out a new cut, colour or add extensions, this is the time to do it. Your hair will also be freshly cut in the style you will have for your wedding. This gives you time to try out different looks and finalise your wedding hair look.

If you have bangs, you might want to trim those a week before your wedding. Your last haircut and colour should be 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding. It is helpful to book this appointment first and then work backwards and book your other trims. Getting your hair cut 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding gives your hair enough time to adjust to the length and colour (if it’s your first time colouring your hair) and be healthily settled before the wedding.

Your hair and makeup are the finishing touches to your wedding day look, but perfect hair requires more than just booking a hairstylist for your wedding day. To ensure your hair is healthy and shiny, you need to start months in advance.

Having healthy hair that looks great by itself is the perfect foundation for any wedding hair style.

1 month before the wedding, for a 'worn in' look

If you want a worn-in look for your wedding, you should get your hair done a month before the wedding. This will give you enough time to fix any color if it's not exactly what you wanted, and it's not too long so there won't be any grow-out at your roots.

You should also do your wedding hair trial first so that if there are specific things your stylist needs your hair to do, they can make recommendations to your regular hairstylists for your cut. For example, if you want to have some pieces out on the sides, you and your wedding day stylist can figure out exactly what you need cut to achieve that look and then bring that to your hairstylist to cut it just right.

If you want to try out a new cut, color, or add extensions, this is the time to do it. Your trial with your hairdresser should be about 3 weeks before your wedding so you both know what to expect. Your hair will also be freshly cut in the style you will have for your wedding. This gives you time to try out different looks and finalize your wedding hair look.

If you have bangs, you might want to trim those a week before your wedding. For healthy-looking hair, you should get trims every 6 to 8 weeks to help keep the dead ends at bay. Your last haircut and color should be 3 to 4 weeks before your wedding.

Frequently asked questions