
Planning a wedding is a complex task, and scheduling is key to ensuring the day runs smoothly. One of the most important aspects is the hair and makeup of the bridal party, which can often take longer than expected. It is crucial to allow ample time for these preparations, especially if there are multiple people requiring these services. Starting too early, however, can also be an issue, with hair and makeup potentially looking tired or worn by the time the ceremony begins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people getting hair and makeup done | The more people getting their hair and makeup done, the earlier the start time. |
| Wedding start time | The earlier the wedding, the earlier hair and makeup should start. |
| Hairstyle | Hairstyles that require setting, like curls, should be started before makeup. |
| Pictures | If taking pictures before the ceremony, hair and makeup should be done earlier in the day. |
| First look | If doing a first look, hair and makeup should be done earlier. |
| Boudoir shoot or bridal portraits | If doing a boudoir shoot or bridal portraits, hair and makeup should be done earlier in the day. |
| Nervousness | If the bride is nervous, it's better to do her hair and makeup second to last so she has time to relax before putting on her dress. |
| Number of stylists | More stylists may be needed for larger groups to avoid starting too early. |
| Travel time | If the stylists are travelling to the client, an earlier start time may be needed. |
| Time taken per person | The time taken per person for hair and makeup should be considered when scheduling. |
| Touch-ups | Time for touch-ups should be factored in, especially if starting early in the day. |
| Final haircut | The final haircut is typically booked a week and a half before the wedding. |
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What You'll Learn

How much time to allocate for hair and makeup
The amount of time to allocate for hair and makeup on a wedding day depends on several factors, including the number of people, the complexity of the hairstyles and makeup looks, and whether there are any photoshoots or ceremonies before the main wedding ceremony. It's recommended to have a schedule and order for the morning to ensure everyone is ready on time.
For a group of 10 people, including the bride, it is recommended to have at least two makeup artists and expect to allocate around 4.5 hours for hair and makeup. For a group of 12 people, three stylists are required and around 5 hours should be allocated. For smaller groups, the number of stylists can be reduced, and the time taken will be shorter. For example, for a group of 5 people, two hair stylists and two makeup artists can complete hair and makeup in around 3.5 hours.
The time taken per person can vary depending on the hairstyle and makeup look. On average, hair can take 30-45 minutes, but for long and/or thick hair or more intricate styles, it can take an hour or more. Makeup typically takes around 30 minutes, but for more complex looks, it can take up to an hour. It's a good idea to add a buffer of 30 minutes to an hour to account for any unexpected delays or touch-ups.
To ensure the day runs smoothly, it's recommended to start hair and makeup early, especially if there are photoshoots or ceremonies before the main wedding ceremony. Some sources suggest starting hair and makeup around 8 am or 9 am, while others suggest starting as early as 4:30 am or 5:30 am for larger groups. It's also important to consider travel time to the venue and the time required for taking photos before the ceremony.
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The order in which the bridal party should be styled
The bridal party's styling order is an important aspect of wedding planning. Here is a detailed guide on the order in which the bridal party should be styled:
The Mother of the Bride and Bridesmaids with Children:
The mother of the bride may prefer to be styled first so she can assist with any last-minute tasks before the ceremony. Similarly, if any bridesmaids have young children, it is considerate to schedule their styling early, coinciding with the babysitter's arrival. This ensures they can relax and focus on their styling while knowing their children are being cared for.
The Bride:
The bride's styling should be scheduled to allow ample time for photographs and any final touches. It is recommended that the bride is not the first or the last to be styled. Scheduling the bride's styling towards the middle of the time block is ideal. This allows for beautiful "getting ready" photographs, capturing the final touches of hair and makeup.
The Bridesmaids:
The bridesmaids' styling can be scheduled before and after the bride's appointment. If the bride's hairstyle requires setting time, it is efficient to have her hair done first, followed by her makeup while her hair sets. This ensures the bride does not spend excessive time in the styling chair.
The Maid of Honour:
The maid of honour often has additional responsibilities, such as assisting the bride and coordinating the bridal party. Scheduling her styling towards the end of the time block can be beneficial, allowing her to oversee the process and assist the bride with any last-minute details.
Other Considerations:
The size of the bridal party and the number of stylists available will impact the styling schedule. Consider having different hairstyles or makeup looks for the bridal party to save time. Additionally, account for unexpected delays, such as traffic or minor styling issues, by including a buffer in your schedule.
Remember, the most important aspect is to ensure everyone feels comfortable and relaxed. Allow ample time for preparations, and if possible, have a trial run with the stylists to better understand the timing required for each person.
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Whether to have hair or makeup done first
The key to a stress-free wedding day is a solid timeline. While there is no "right" answer to whether hair or makeup should be done first, there are benefits to getting your makeup done before your hair.
Makeup artists would agree that doing makeup before hair is the best approach. This way, the makeup artist can blend the makeup into the hairline and jaw area without worrying about messing up the hairstylist's work. It is also more stressful for the bride to have two people working on her at the same time, and the process usually takes longer as the hair and makeup artists are often waiting on each other to finish different parts of their jobs.
If you are opting for a hairstyle that requires setting, like curls, get the process started before moving on to makeup. This way, you can have your makeup done while your hair is setting, and then have your hair finished when you're done. This is more efficient, and you won't be stuck sitting in a chair for too long.
However, different artists have different preferences, so you may hear varying answers on which strategy is best. It is important to give each stylist an extra 15-minute buffer in your schedule, just in case you want to make any changes or do touch-ups.
To ensure you have ample time to get ready, ask your hair and makeup artists how long they will need per person. This way, you can plan accordingly and arrive at your ceremony venue relaxed and ready to go.
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When to have the final haircut before the wedding
The final haircut before the wedding is an important consideration for the bride or groom. While it may be tempting to leave it until the last minute, this could cause unnecessary stress on the big day.
Most hairdressers advise against cutting hair on the wedding day. However, some brides are choosing to chop their hair mid-ceremony to achieve a second look. This is not recommended for everyone, as it is a dramatic and spontaneous statement.
For those who want a more traditional approach, it is advised to have the final cut and colour happen a couple of weeks before the wedding. This allows enough time to fix anything that the bride or groom may not like. It is also a good idea to have a hair trial with the hairdresser to ensure both parties know what to expect and allows for experimentation with styles, especially if an up-do is desired.
The length of hair will also determine when the final cut should be. For longer hair, it is recommended to have a haircut every 11 to 13 weeks to maintain its health and shape. This can be pushed to 13 weeks if the hair is well taken care of. For those who regularly use heat on their hair, it is better to have a trim every 11 weeks. For shorter hair, it is recommended to have the final cut two weeks before the wedding, with a clean-up of the hairline the night before to keep the cut looking polished.
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How to avoid hair and makeup running over schedule
Creating a hair and makeup schedule for your wedding day is essential to ensure a stress-free start to the day. Here are some tips to avoid running over schedule:
Plan Ample Time
It is crucial to schedule sufficient time for hair and makeup for yourself and your bridal party. This means accounting for unexpected issues like traffic jams, problems with hairstyling, or makeup touch-ups. It is better to have some buffer time to relax than to be in a rush.
Know Your Priorities
The bride's hair and makeup are a priority and should be given ample time. If the bride is having boudoir shoots, bridal portraits, or a first look, she will need to be ready earlier in the day. The mother of the bride may also want her services done earlier to help out before the ceremony. It is also a good idea to prioritize the mother of the bride's styling over other attendants so that she feels confident for the wedding and photos.
Create a Detailed Schedule
Use tools like Excel to create a detailed schedule with specific time increments for each person. This will help everyone plan their mornings and know when to be ready. Decide on the order, keeping in mind that the bride should ideally be third or fourth, and the mother of the bride should not be scheduled first. If you have a large bridal party, it is essential to enlist the guidance of experts and over-communicate with your group.
Be Efficient
If you or anyone in your bridal party is opting for a hairstyle that requires setting, such as curls, it is more efficient to start with hairstyling and then move on to makeup. This way, you can have your makeup done while your hair is setting, and you won't be stuck in a chair for too long.
Choose a Convenient Location
Consider the location for getting ready. If you opt for a hotel or Airbnb, everyone can leave their belongings in their rooms and get dressed there before heading to the venue. This also ensures that all your wardrobe pieces are accounted for. However, if you choose to get ready at the venue, ensure that your rental includes enough time for hair and makeup and that the bridal suite has all the necessary amenities.
Assign a Schedule Keeper
Assign someone to watch the schedule and ensure everything is running as planned. This person should be ready to step in and micromanage if anyone is falling behind. It can be your wedding planner, a responsible friend, or one of the stylists.
Manage Photography Timing
Discuss with your wedding photographer when they need to start, and build the hair and makeup timeline around their input. If you or anyone in your bridal party feels insecure about being photographed without makeup, schedule the photographer to arrive a couple of hours into the day rather than at the very beginning.
Remember, it is essential to think through the hair and makeup schedule thoroughly, leave time for mishaps, and communicate any changes to your bridal party to ensure a relaxed and enjoyable wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to consider the time of your wedding ceremony and the number of people getting their hair and makeup done. If you're starting very early, you may need to hire more stylists to avoid keeping your bridesmaids and vendors waiting around all day. Makeup applied at 7 am may start to fade by 5 pm, and hair may begin to fall flat. However, some sources suggest starting hair and makeup at 8 am for a 4 pm or 5 pm ceremony.
It's recommended to schedule ample time for hair and makeup to avoid feeling stressed and rushed. Allow at least 1 hour for the bride's makeup and 45 minutes to 1 hour for hair. If you're having curls, start with your hair so that you can have your makeup done while your hair sets.
The bride should usually go third or fourth, in the middle of the hair and makeup appointment block. This gives the bride time to relax and ensures that the stylists can do any necessary touch-ups before they leave.











































