
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating a timeline for hair and makeup can help ensure the day goes smoothly. It's important to consider the number of people needing services, the hairstyle and makeup look, and any travel time when scheduling hair and makeup services. Starting with the ceremony time, work backward to allocate time for each person's hair and makeup, allowing for adjustments and touch-ups. For example, a bride's hair and makeup may take 60-90 minutes each, while bridesmaids and other members of the bridal party may require 30-45 minutes per service. To save time, consider hiring multiple stylists or asking your beauty team to bring assistants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Makeup and hair services | 30-45 minutes per person; 60-90 minutes for the bride |
| Intricate hairstyles | 1 hour or more |
| Simple look | 30 minutes |
| Traditional wedding makeup | 60-90 minutes |
| Personalized looks | More time |
| Lash extensions | 60-90 minutes |
| Spray tan | Trial run in advance |
| Manicure and pedicure | Book in advance |
| Number of people needing services | Determines start time |
| Number of artists | Impacts timing |
| Travel time | Factor in |
| Touch-up time | Factor in |
| Photos | Allow at least 1 hour before |
| First look | Allow time for hair, makeup and photo prep at least 1 hour before |
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What You'll Learn
- The number of people requiring hair and makeup services will determine the start time
- The more complex the hair and makeup, the longer it will take
- The bride should not be last in line for hair and makeup
- The number of artists providing hair and makeup services will impact timing
- The location of hair and makeup services will impact timing

The number of people requiring hair and makeup services will determine the start time
For a typical wedding, hair can take 30 to 45 minutes per person, and 60 to 90 minutes for the bride, depending on the hairstyle's intricacy. Fancier or more complicated hairstyles, such as curled or braided updos, will require more time. Similarly, makeup can take 30 to 45 minutes per person and up to 90 minutes for the bride for a more intricate or glamorous look. If you have a large bridal party, consider asking your beauty team to bring assistants to save time.
In addition to the number of people, the specific services required will also impact the timing. For example, lash extensions, manicures, and spray tans should be scheduled in advance of the wedding day. However, nails and lash services can be done on the same day as hair and makeup, but this will add to the overall time required.
To ensure a smooth and stress-free wedding day, it is essential to create a clear timeline for hair and makeup services. Work backward from your ceremony time, allowing ample time for each service, and consider any potential delays or touch-ups. Communicate your timeline with your hair and makeup team, and ensure you understand their availability and how many stylists they will provide.
By planning accordingly and allowing enough time for each person's hair and makeup, you can ensure that everyone looks and feels their best as you walk down the aisle.
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The more complex the hair and makeup, the longer it will take
When it comes to wedding hair and makeup, timing is everything. The complexity of the hair and makeup looks will significantly impact the time required for preparations. A simple look for the bride alone might only take 30 minutes, while intricate and bold styles for a large bridal party could take hours.
For hair, a basic wispy low bun may only require 20 minutes, whereas a curled or braided updo will demand a much longer time investment. Similarly, for makeup, a natural look will generally be quicker to achieve than a complex eye look with intricate eyeshadow, stencils, or jewel adornments.
The number of people in the bridal party also plays a crucial role in timing. A larger group will necessitate more stylists or assistants to stay on schedule. It is essential to communicate the beauty services required for each attendee, including bridesmaids and mothers-in-law, to ensure everyone is ready on time.
To ensure a stress-free wedding day, creating a detailed timeline is essential. This includes factoring in travel time, setup, and touch-ups. Hair and makeup should ideally be finished 1.5 to 2 hours before the ceremony to allow for any final adjustments and photos.
Additionally, consider scheduling a trial run for hair and makeup to make any necessary adjustments and ensure your desired look is achieved on the big day. This trial can also help determine the timing required for each person's hair and makeup on the wedding day.
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The bride should not be last in line for hair and makeup
Wedding days are a time of excitement, anticipation, and nerves. As the bride, you want everything to run smoothly, especially when it comes to hair and makeup. A well-planned timeline is essential for a stress-free day and ensures that you and your bridal party look and feel your best when the big moment arrives.
While it is commonly believed that the bride should have her hair and makeup done last, this is not always the best approach. Scheduling the bride's styling towards the middle of the time block allows for adjustments and ensures she is ready for pre-ceremony photos. It also gives the bride a chance to relax, safe in the knowledge that her hair and makeup are complete, and she is not stepping into her gown until a predetermined time.
If the bride is last and the hair and makeup run over time, the entire timeline can be thrown off, causing unnecessary stress. By going earlier, the bride can also ensure that she has time for any necessary touch-ups before leaving for the ceremony. It is also important to consider that the bride may want the process of getting ready photographed. If the bride is photographed towards the end of her hair and makeup appointment, she is more likely to feel comfortable and love the photos.
Additionally, if the bride is opening gifts or getting dressed, having her makeup done first ensures she looks photo-ready from the start. It is also worth noting that hair and makeup for the bride typically takes longer, usually around 60-90 minutes, so scheduling her towards the middle can help balance the timing for everyone.
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The number of artists providing hair and makeup services will impact timing
The number of artists providing hair and makeup services will significantly impact the timing of your wedding day beauty preparations. It is essential to establish a clear timeline for a stress-free wedding day.
If you have a large bridal party, consider asking your beauty team to bring assistants to save time. The more artists you have, the quicker everyone's hair and makeup will be completed. For example, if you have two artists, they can work on two people simultaneously, halving the time.
However, hiring more artists may increase costs, so it is crucial to plan accordingly. Cramming too many services into a short time with too few artists may cause you to run out of time and throw off your entire schedule. It is recommended to start getting ready four to five hours before the ceremony if you are the bride with a bridal party of four. For larger parties, add an hour and a half for each additional member.
The complexity of the hair and makeup looks will also impact timing. Intricate hairstyles and personalised makeup looks will take longer. A simple wispy low bun may only take 20 minutes, whereas a braided updo could take an hour or more. Similarly, a natural makeup look may only take 30 minutes, but a more glamorous or intricate look could take up to 90 minutes.
To ensure you stick to your timeline, it is recommended to schedule the most responsible bridesmaids for beauty treatments earlier in the morning. This will prevent any delays caused by latecomers. It is also a good idea to schedule the bride's hair and makeup towards the middle of the day, allowing time for adjustments and ensuring readiness for pre-ceremony photos.
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The location of hair and makeup services will impact timing
The location of your hair and makeup services will impact the timing of your wedding day. Here are some things to consider when deciding on a location:
Travel Time
If you choose to get ready at a salon or your home, consider the travel time to the ceremony venue. The longer the commute, the more likely your hair and makeup could get messy, and the more time you'll need to factor in for travel. Aim to choose a location that is relatively close to your ceremony venue to minimise travel time and potential disruptions.
Setup Space
If you decide to get ready at your ceremony venue, ensure that it has enough space for your bridal party and the hair and makeup team to set up their equipment. Larger indoor venues, such as churches, industrial spaces, or manors, are likely to have more space available for hosting a bridal beauty party. Check ahead of time that the venue has all the necessary equipment, such as chairs, mirrors, and outlets.
Convenience and Accessibility
Getting ready at a hotel, Airbnb, or your wedding venue can offer easy access to private rooms for your bridal party and convenience, as you won't need to transport essentials to the venue until later. However, you'll still need to factor in travel time to the venue and ensure that the bridal suite has adequate space and amenities for your beauty team.
Number of Stylists
The number of stylists and makeup artists you book will also impact the timing. If you have a large bridal party, consider asking your beauty team to bring assistants to help cut down on time. Communicate the number of people needing services and the desired looks in advance so that the hair and makeup team can plan accordingly.
Timing Considerations
When creating your wedding day timeline, work backward from your ceremony time. Allow for touch-ups and adjustments by scheduling your hair and makeup to be finished 1.5-2 hours before the ceremony. If you're doing a first look or photos, your timeline should allow for hair, makeup, and photo prep at least 1 hour before.
Remember to include buffer time in your timeline to account for unexpected delays or final touch-ups. By understanding how long each service takes and creating a detailed schedule, you can ensure that everyone in your bridal party has enough time to get ready and feel their best.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the number of people, the complexity of the hair and makeup, and the number of artists. A bride can expect to need 60-90 minutes for hair and a further 60-90 minutes for makeup. Bridesmaids can expect to need 30-45 minutes for hair and the same for makeup.
To speed up the process, consider hiring multiple stylists and makeup artists.
Create a clear timeline for the morning of your wedding, and work backward from your ceremony time. Include a buffer of 30 minutes for unexpected delays.
Your first eyelash extension appointment will include a consultation. After that, you'll need to schedule a lash refill appointment every two weeks. Book your final pre-wedding appointment as close to your wedding day as possible.
You could get ready at a professional salon, or at your ceremony venue. If you choose a salon, ensure it is close to your ceremony location to prevent your hair and makeup from getting messy during the commute. If you choose your ceremony venue, check that it has enough space, outlets, and mirrors for your beauty team.











































