You’ve booked the glam team, chosen your dream look, and circled the wedding date in bold on the calendar. But… have you figured out when hair and makeup actually start on the big day?
Turns out, that crafting a wedding hair and makeup timeline isn’t just about picking a time slot, there is a lot of factors to consider. From juggling bridesmaids and moms to building in enough buffer before the ceremony, it’s the behind-the-scenes magic that makes your morning feel smooth— and not stressful.
In this blog post, I’m going to break down everything you need to know to keep the morning calm, beautiful, and totally bridal. Whether you’re doing a first look or keeping it traditional, these tips will help you stay ahead of schedule and picture-perfect by “I do.”
Learn how to build a foolproof wedding hair and makeup timeline—plus a sample schedule and pro tips to help your whole crew feel confident and ready to celebrate.
Why a Wedding Day Beauty Timeline Matters
Think of your wedding hair and makeup timeline like the GPS for your wedding morning—it keeps everyone moving in the right direction and on time. Without it, your big day can quickly turn into a traffic jam of curling irons, mascara, and people asking, “Am I next?”
Your wedding morning sets the tone for everything that follows. Do you want it to feel calm and joyful… or rushed and chaotic? When you plan out who gets their hair and makeup done—and when—you create space for moments that matter, like sipping coffee with your bridesmaids or sharing a laugh with your mom.
Ever tried getting a group of people ready without a plan? It’s like herding cats in high heels. A solid wedding hair and makeup timeline helps your glam squad stay efficient and your bridal party feel relaxed and ready.
Most of all, it gives you peace of mind. After all, you deserve to enjoy your morning—not spend it watching the clock or managing other people’s expectations. Wouldn’t it be nice to actually soak in the beauty of the day instead of feeling like you’re racing to the altar?
How Long Does Wedding Day Hair and Makeup Take?
When you schedule hair and makeup on your wedding day, timing is everything. Think of it like cooking a fancy meal—you can’t rush it, but you also don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen when guests arrive. Timing is everything.
For the bride, hair and makeup usually take about 2 to 3 hours. Why? Because it’s your moment, and your look deserves extra love and attention. It’s more than makeup—it’s confidence, captured.
Bridesmaids, moms, and other VIPs usually need 30 to 45 minutes per service (that’s 1 to 1.5 hours for both hair and makeup). If your bridal party is bigger than 6 brides maids you will want to have multiple hair and makeup stylists.
A professional beauty team will help set the pace to ensure everything to perfect and ready to go come ceremony time.
Tips for Wedding Day Hair and Makeup Scheduling
A well-planned wedding day timeline can be the difference between a calm, joyful morning and total chaos. Want to feel like a queen instead of a time-crunched mess? These simple tips will help your beauty schedule run smoother than your favorite lipstick.
Tip 1: Determine Your Getting Ready Location
Where you get ready matters more than you think. A crowded, dark room can slow things down and stress you out. Choose a space with good lighting, enough outlets, and room to move. Can you picture trying to glam up in a hotel bathroom with six people and one mirror?
Tip 2: Determine How Many People Need Beauty Services
The more people getting styled, the more time you’ll need. Make a list of everyone getting hair and makeup—don’t forget moms or flower girls! This helps your stylist bring enough artists and plan for the day. Wouldn’t you rather have extra help than run out of time?
Tip 3: Start Backward from the Ceremony Time
Start with your ceremony and work in reverse. What time do the photos start? When do you want to be in your dress? This backward planning helps lock in when to start your wedding day timeline, so nothing feels rushed or last-minute.
Tip 4: Prioritize the Bride’s Timeline
You should feel like the VIP you are! Brides usually get their glam done last or second-to-last—so it’s still fresh but leaves time for touch-ups. Make sure your moment in the chair isn’t squeezed between everyone else’s.
Tip 5: Build in Buffer Time
Life happens—lashes take longer, someone’s late, or the baby needs a snack. Adding just 15–30 minutes of wiggle room can save the whole morning. Would you rather have extra time to relax or panic over a five-minute delay?
Tip 6: Communicate Clearly with Your Hair and Makeup Team
Your beauty pros aren’t mind readers—so speak up! Share your wedding day timeline, the number of people getting styled, and any special requests ahead of time. Got a specific look in mind? Send photos or do a trial run so everyone’s on the same page.
Also, let them know about your location setup—like lighting, space, or parking. A little info upfront means fewer surprises and way less stress later. Don’t you want your glam team to walk in ready to rock?
Tip 7: Be Flexible
Things may not go exactly to plan, and that’s okay. Keep your wedding day timeline clear but flexible. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s feeling beautiful and enjoying every second of your day.
Should Hair and Makeup Be Done First on the Wedding Day?
Wondering what should come first—hair or makeup? You’re not alone! It’s one of the top questions brides ask when building their Wedding Day Hair And Makeup Schedule.
Most beauty pros recommend starting with hair first. Why? Hot tools and hairspray can mess with freshly applied makeup. Plus, getting hair done first helps makeup artists blend around your hairline perfectly—no smudges, no stress.
But here’s the secret: the real answer depends on you. Got curls that fall fast? Maybe hair goes last. Need more time to relax before photos? Makeup might be better first. Ask your beauty specialist what works best for your style and schedule.
Remember, your wedding morning should feel like a fun dress rehearsal, not a military mission. So think through what will help you feel calm, confident, and camera-ready. What feels right for you?
Sample Timeline for Wedding Day Hair and Makeup
Need help picturing how your morning will go? Let’s break it down. A strong wedding timeline keeps everyone on track and makes the whole day feel smooth—not rushed.
Here’s a sample timeline for a 4:00 p.m. ceremony:
- 7:00 a.m. – Hair and makeup team arrives and sets up
- 7:30 a.m. – First bridesmaid starts hair and makeup
- 9:00 a.m. – Bride starts hair and makeup
- 11:30 a.m. – Final touch-ups for bridal party
- 12:00 p.m. – Everyone gets dressed
- 1:00 p.m. – First look and couple photos
- 2:30 p.m. – Bridal party and family photos
- 3:30 p.m. – Final prep before ceremony
- 4:00 p.m. – Ceremony begins
Of course, every bride’s morning will look a little different. Got a bigger bridal party? Add more time—or more artists. Doing a first look? You’ll need to bump the whole wedding timeline earlier.
Ask yourself: Do you want to feel rushed… or relaxed and radiant? A solid schedule makes room for both beauty and breathing.
Choose Sabrina J. Styles for Your Wedding Day Hair and Makeup Team
When it comes to your big day, you don’t want just any wedding hair and makeup stylist—you want someone who gets you. At Sabrina J. Styles, we do more than just glam you up—we bring calm, confidence, and a whole lot of joy to your wedding morning.
One thing that makes us stand out? We handle both hair and makeup under one roof. That means less stress, fewer moving parts, and a smoother schedule from start to finish. When one team handles it all, your wedding day timeline becomes easier to plan—and way more fun to experience.
We’ve helped countless brides feel their absolute best with timeless looks, smooth scheduling, and a stress-free vibe. Our team shows up ready to listen, hype you up, and make magic happen—like your own personal glam squad and support crew rolled into one.
Think of us as the finishing touch to your dream day. Want to look in the mirror and feel like a bride? We’re here for that.
So, what do you say—ready to book a wedding hair and makeup stylist who puts your beauty and peace of mind first?
