Lock In Your Look: A Comprehensive Beauty Vendor Booking Timeline for a Stress-Free Wedding Day
Written by: Gracie Gillis
Planning a wedding involves coordinating a million different details, but when it comes to looking and feeling your best on your big day, the beauty team you choose is absolutely crucial. Whether you’re looking for full glam, glowy and natural makeup, or trendy Hollywood glam waves versus a classy French twist, the timeline for selecting and booking your glam team is just as important as securing your venue or photographer.
Read on for a comprehensive booking timeline for your beauty vendors to ensure you look picture perfect walking down the aisle.
10 - 18 Months Out | Start Your Search
It may seem early, but one of the first things you should do when planning your wedding is to begin searching for your hair and makeup artists - specifically ones that specialize in bridal hair and makeup - aka the Beauty Marked team. The key is to focus on finding beauty experts whose work aligns with your style and desired look for your wedding day look whether that's soft and natural or bold and full glam. Research their social media accounts, websites, and portfolios, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from other brides!
Remember when it comes to bridal hair & makeup artists, the best of the best will book up fast. Starting your search early gives you the time to explore your options and ensure that the team you choose will be available on your wedding day.
9 - 12 Months Out | Book Your Glam Team
Once you’ve found the right makeup artist and hairstylist for your big day (Beauty Marked of course!), it’s time to lock in your booking. Yes, this might feel like an early commitment, but believe us, talented beauty vendors are often among the first to get booked up. If you’re working with a highly sought-after artist or stylist, you’ll want to secure them as soon as possible to avoid missing out on your preferred dates.
Booking well in advance will also give you peace of mind that one of your biggest wedding day concerns is already handled.
2 - 4 Months Out | Schedule Your Bridal Trial
Now that you've booked with us, it’s time to schedule your trial. Ideally, you should book your hair and makeup trials closer to your wedding date, but here are some key reasons for this timing:
Hair Length/Color & Skin Type/Tones: If you’re planning any changes to your hair (extensions, color, cuts), your trial will ensure your look aligns with your vision and current hair. Likewise, if you have been following any specific skincare routines or working through treatments for known concerns, your skin health may be closer to what it will be on wedding day by now.
Dress Finalization: By now, your wedding dress should be finalized or nearly ready, which will give you a clearer idea of what hairstyle and makeup inspo will complement your gown. You’ll also have a firm idea of what your dress’s neckline and color is, so you can wear something similar during your trial to give you the full picture!
Flexibility: Trials are all about experimenting with different looks. You’ll have the chance to make adjustments and tweaks if you decide you want something different for your wedding day.
This is also the perfect opportunity to communicate with your artists about any specific preferences or concerns you have regarding your wedding-day beauty look whether that’s hair texture, skin type, etc. Click here to read our previous blog covering everything you need to know about bridal trials!!
1 Month Out | Finalize Details & Wedding Day Timeline
One month before your wedding, you should be in the final stretch of preparations. If booked with Beauty Marked, this is when you’ll finalize all the details with our glam team. Make sure you have all of your preferences, concerns, and instructions ironed out, so there’s no ambiguity on your big day. We will work with you and your planner to create a schedule for the morning of your wedding, outlining exactly when each person’s hair and makeup will be done to ensure everything runs smoothly.
If you have a tight timeline or multiple people getting ready, having a clear, structured schedule will keep everything on track and help your day run seamlessly.
1 Week Out | Last-Minute Prep
We’re in the home stretch! The week before your wedding, it’s time to tighten up your beauty regimen. The groundwork you’ve laid so far should have set you up for success, but there are a few last-minute touches that can make a difference:
Skin and Haircare: Book any last-minute facials or dermaplaning, get your brows shaped, and treat yourself to a nail appointment. If you’re opting for a spray tan, make sure it’s scheduled during this time.
Hydration: Drink plenty of water to keep your skin - and lips!! - looking plump and radiant. Healthy, hydrated skin is the best canvas for makeup, and feeling refreshed will make all the difference when you’re getting ready.
By the time the wedding day arrives, you’ll be ready to enjoy the process, knowing that you’re in great hands with your beauty team and you laid a great foundation for them to work on!
The beauty timeline may not be the first thing you think about when planning your wedding, but it’s just as important as the venue, photographer, or dress. By booking your beauty vendors early, scheduling a trial, and staying on top of your skincare, you’ll set yourself up for a stress-free, gorgeous wedding day. Remember - your wedding day is a celebration of YOU; take the time to feel pampered and confident in your look!
Happy planning!! Visit our website for more tips and advice on how to make your wedding day as beautiful and stress-free as possible. If your walk down the aisle is coming soon, click here to get to know our team of beauty experts and book your wedding glam! We have hair and makeup professionals with a wide range of specialties and skills serving brides throughout Florida and Southern Georgia; book with us today!
Photos from @brittanymelissa.photo