Getting ready for your wedding day is about more than just picking out the perfect dress.
As any bride-to-be knows, looking and feeling your absolute best requires careful planning and preparation. From your makeup to your jewelry to your hair, every detail counts when you'll be the center of attention.
This blog is your guide to crafting a customized beauty schedule in the lead-up to your big day.
We'll cover everything from when to start that bridal glow skincare routine to the ideal times for makeup trials, hair experimentation, and those all-important self-care appointments.
Six to Nine Months Before the Wedding
While it may seem far off, giving yourself a head start on bridal beauty preparations can pay major dividends when your wedding day finally arrives.
Use this six-to-nine-month window to get into a groove with healthy habits and set yourself up for gorgeous results.
For Glowing Skin: Start Your Care Routine
Now is the time to get serious about a consistent skincare routine tailored to your needs. Whether you're dealing with dullness, acne, fine lines, or other issues, establish a cleansing, treatment, and moisturizing ritual.
Consider professional skincare treatments like facials, peels, or microdermabrasion, too.
Experiment with Hair Color
If you're thinking of going blonder, getting highlights, or making a major color change for your wedding, this is the window to start experimenting.
Give yourself several months to try out different shades and tones to find your perfect bridal hue.
Revamp Your Diet
What you eat can greatly impact your wedding beauty from the inside out.
Focus on a balanced diet packed with skin-nourishing foods like antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, healthy fats from foods like avocados and salmon, and plenty of protein to support hair and nail growth.
Book a Hair and Makeup Trial
Once you've found your wedding hair and makeup artists, schedule a full preview appointment so they can create your desired bridal look.
This gives you time to refine things like lip color, false lash styles, and hair accessories.
Hair Removal Planning
Decide on your preferred hair removal methods (waxing, shaving, epilating, or laser hair removal).
If you're considering laser hair removal treatments, this is the ideal window to start that process for lasting results.
You'll want to allow time for any sensitivity from waxing or lasers to fully subside before the wedding day.
Grow Out Your Brows and Lashes
Let your brows and lashes get nice and full by avoiding threading, waxing, or lash extensions for now.
You can use fiber mascaras and brow gels to enhance them temporarily before your big day.
Address Any Lingering Issues
Whether it's minimizing breakouts, fading discoloration, growing stronger nails, or treating thinning hair—this is the time to get serious about targeting any other beauty issues.
Also, consider professional teeth whitening treatments if you want a significantly brighter smile for your wedding day. This gives you plenty of time for multiple rounds of whitening.
Four to Five Months Before the Wedding
As your wedding day gets closer, it's time to kick your beauty preparations into an even higher gear.
This four-to-five-month month window is the time to lock in your look and make sure everything comes together seamlessly.
Book Your Hair and Makeup Artists
If you haven't already secured your wedding hair team and makeup artist, now is definitely the time. Most top artists get booked up six to 12 months in advance for weddings.
Once you've found pros you love, send contracts and deposits to officialize everything.
If you haven't done it, be sure to schedule a practice trial run, too, when your beauty professionals can work on nailing your desired look.
Schedule Lash and Brow Appointments
Whether you opt for lash extensions, a lash lift and tint, brow lamination, microblading, or regular threading/waxing, map out all your lash and brow appointments between now and the wedding day.
Extensions and microblading should be done well in advance to look perfectly groomed, while individual tints and shaping can happen closer to your date.
Plan Dress Fittings Around Tans
If you plan on getting a professional spray tan or visiting a tanning bed to achieve a gorgeous bridal glow, you'll want to schedule your dress fittings and alterations strategically around those tanning appointments.
Why? Even with spray tans or tanning lotions, some brides may still develop tan lines from regular sun exposure or certain styles of tanning bed bulbs. Getting fitted for intricate lace or low-back gowns after new tan lines have formed can impact how the dress lays and fits your body's tanned and untanned areas. It's better to get fitted first, then work the tan around those precise lines.
Research Makeup and Hair Inspiration
Now is the time to finalize your vision for your bridal hair and makeup look.
Spend time curating your favorite inspirational images—cuts, colors, and styles; specific products you love; and hair accessories.
Have this inspo ready to communicate your desired look during upcoming trials.
Treat Yourself to Relaxation
While you're working hard on following a rigorous beauty routine, don't neglect self-care.
Schedule a rejuvenating couple's massage with your partner, treat yourself to a restorative yoga class, or simply get a fresh haircut and blowout.
This is also a good time to kick off an at-home teeth whitening regimen using whitening strips or trays to gradually brighten your smile over the next few months.
Finding little pockets of tranquility will keep you glowing from the inside out.
Start Your Fitness Regimen
If you want to tone up and feel your absolute best before walking down the aisle, four to five months before the wedding day is the perfect point to kick off any new fitness routines, classes, or programs.
That allows enough time to see exciting results while not feeling overly rushed. Establish a fun workout schedule you'll stick to, whether it's dance cardio, strength training, hiking, or a bride-to-be boot camp.
Two to Three Months Before The Wedding
With just a couple of months until your wedding day, it's time to have all of your bridal beauty details precisely lined up. Use this window to refine and solidify every aspect of your desired look.
Final Gown Fittings
Schedule your final round of bridal gown fittings and any remaining alterations during this two-to-three-month period.
Having your dress(es) tailored and fitted will be extremely important for feeling confident and comfortable.
At this stage, make sure you've purchased undergarments like shapewear, bras, and slips. Bring all of those pieces to your fittings, along with the shoes you plan to wear, to ensure everything comes together flawlessly.
Don't forget any final bustling for ceremony-to-reception looks.
Bridal Hairstyle Practice
Work closely with your hairstylist to practice and perfect the hairstyles you've envisioned for your ceremony and reception looks.
This is when you'll want to use the actual hair extensions, accessories like vines or combs, and specific products you've Selected so you know exactly how everything will look and stay in place. Make tweaks and adjustments until you're completely smitten with your bridal 'dos.
Makeup Trial #2
After your initial makeup trial run months ago, book a second practice session two to three months out from your date. This allows you to make any last tweaks based on updated inspirational pics, changing preferences on lash styles, lip colors or complexion products with your artist. Once you achieve THE look, they can provide you a list of every product used so there are no surprises on the day-of.
Plan Nail Appointments
Whether you're going for long-lasting gel manicures, acrylic nail extensions, or simple fresh polish, map out all of your nail appointments between now and your wedding day. Don't forget about getting a pedicure, too. Those toes could be front and center in lots of pics.
Book your final mani/pedi for just a day or two out from the wedding so everything is impeccably fresh.
And around the time your taking care of your mani/pedi bookings, schedule your pre-event hair-removal waxings.
Amp Up Your Fitness
If you started a pre-wedding fitness routine a few months back, now is the time to amp it up before your final bridal dress fittings.
Sign up for more frequent workout classes, try HIIT or hot yoga for a boost, and/or adjust your nutrition for some serious muscle toning. You'll feel ultra-confident and strong.
Establish a Sleep Schedule
Fatigue and lack of sleep can show up on your face and body in very visible ways: dull skin, dark circles, lackluster hair, and low energy.
In these final months, make getting restorative sleep an absolute priority. Most experts recommend seven to nine hours per night for bridal glowing skin.
Invest in silk pillowcases, start following a relaxing pre-bedtime ritual, and get yourself on a healthy sleep schedule.
One Month Before the Wedding
With only a month to go until you walk down the aisle, now is the time to have all the major pieces of your bridal beauty puzzle finalized and confirmed. Use this last stretch to tie up any loose ends.
Finalizing Hair and Makeup
Connect with your hair stylist and makeup artist to go over absolute final details like your full roster of assistants, specific day-of schedules, and pricing/payments.
Get crystal clear on all logistics like where you'll be getting ready, if they'll need setup areas, and must-have product lists. This communication ensures no surprises.
Treatment Timing
For services like keratin treatments, facial treatments like HydraFacials, or cosmetic injections like Botox, schedule those about a month out from your date. You want to give your hair, skin, and face plenty of time to settle into their new refreshed state before walking down the aisle.
Pre-Wedding Glow
Whether it's professional spray tanning, visiting a tanning bed, or perfecting your self-tanner routine, start experimenting with your glow methods now.
That way, you can make sure you nail the perfect, even, natural-looking tan for your wedding day.
Brow & Lash Grooming
Get your final brow shaping (waxing, threading, microblading touch-up) and lash treatments (tint, lift, extensions) done around this time as well.
Your beauticians can ensure everything looks full, groomed, and selfie-ready.
Bridal Beauty 'Musts'
Stock up on any beauty necessities you'll want on hand, blotting papers, makeup removing wipes, breath mints/spray, hair products & tools, deodorant, and similar items.
Designate someone to hold onto this "emergency" kit for you on the wedding day.
The Week of the Wedding
This week, stay focused on taking care of yourself, following your usual routines, and making peace with any lingering to-dos.
Here is your wedding beauty timeline for your final countdown.
Maintain Routines
Stick to the diet, exercise, skincare, haircare, nail care, and wellness regimens you've established over the previous months.
Having these consistencies will keep you looking and feeling your best. Avoid anything too new or extreme right before your wedding day.
Final Tan
Whether you're visiting a spray tan salon or perfecting your self-tanning application, get your final round of wedding glow two to three days before your event.
This allows the color to fully develop and look amazingly natural.
Fresh Haircut or Trim
Schedule one last appointment with your hairstylist three to five days out for a clean up trim or mini shape-up.
Removing any splits or weight will enhance your hair's movement and body.
Teeth Whitening
Complete any final teeth whitening treatments for a brilliant, bright smile.
Avoid consuming tooth-staining foods/drinks now.
Mani/Pedi
Head to the nail salon for your fresh mani/pedi 1-2 days before the wedding so nails look impeccable. Opt for long-lasting gel or powder to prevent chipping or smudging.
Your Wedding Day
After months of planning and preparation, your wedding day is finally here!
Use these tips to ensure your beauty look lasts from the first look to the last dance:
Morning Routine
-Wake up a bit earlier than needed to avoid rushing.
-Follow your normal skincare routine, allowing time for products to fully soak in.
-Hydrate well and eat a healthy breakfast to stay energized.
-Take relaxing deep breaths and sips of coffee/tea while your beauty team works their magic.
Touch-Up Kit
-Have your makeup artist provide a touch-up kit with lipstick, powder, and other make-up essentials.
-Designate someone to hold onto this and do periodic touch-ups.
-Keep blotting papers on hand for shine control.
-Your hairstylist can supply travel-size hairspray and bobby pins.
Drink Water
-Make sure to keep sipping water throughout the day and evening.
-Avoid indulging in too many alcoholic drinks, which can dehydrate skin and lips.
Rest and Relax
-Step away for a few minutes of down time after your ceremony.
-Put your feet up and recharge with a healthy snack.
-This allows time to freshen up before reception festivities.
Just breathe and soak in every joyous moment--you've prepared for this and you'll look simply radiant.
The Bell Tower on 34th, a leading luxury wedding venue in Houston, is committed to helping recently engaged couples realize their wedding vision.
Our Instagrammable venue, a cherished Texas landmark, is known for its beautiful garden settings and waterwall.
Contact us to learn how we can help you create an unforgettable event.
The Bell Tower on 34th
901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018
(713) 868-2355