Get that wedding-day glow

Are you wondering when to start your wedding beauty regimen? There’s lots of ways you can structure your wedding beauty timeline to get ready for the big day – but the main priority is to look and feel your best! Whether you want to incorporate plastic surgery, rejuvenating treatments or spruce up your skin care routine, we’re breaking it down for you step by step. Find out how to start prepping for your wedding day and what to do a year, six months and two weeks before you tie the knot!

Are you wondering when to start your wedding beauty regimen? You might want to get a jump on your wedding beauty timeline a lot sooner than you think.

Jane Rose Events owner and lead planner Amanda Lampuri says couples often forget to consider beauty services for the wedding party and parents of the couple. “It’s one of the first things we catch when going through [the] budget!” Amanda says. Your wedding is a day you want to look and feel your best, so it’s important not to overlook options that you might want to utilize in advance to ensure amazing results when you walk down the aisle. Read on for a few tips on how to prep and pamper your skin and hair for amazing results on your big day.

Wedding Beauty Timeline: One Year Out – Lay the Foundation

Consider if you’d like to implement professional services and procedures before your big day. Create a custom treatment plan with your dermatologist or plastic surgery provider. “If you’re considering resurfacing lasers or light therapy to address texture or tone, we recommend starting these treatments a year in advance so you can allow sufficient time to see their results,” says licensed aesthetician Amy Costa of Finn Plastic Surgery.

This is the time to build a consistent skin care routine. You want to perfect your skin care a year before your wedding to maximize the benefits you’ll get from using skin care over a longer period of time. It’s worth noting that taking care of your skin involves more than just external care. Proper hydration, ample rest, and effective stress management also significantly contribute to the health and radiance of your skin. So, remember to prioritize self-care and devote attention to your skin’s needs throughout this exciting journey toward your special day!

Consider trying out professional treatments like microneedling or facials. These can address specific skin concerns and provide a relaxing experience leading up to your big day.

Three to Six Months Out

Three to six months before your wedding day is an ideal time to start planning and preparing for your bridal beauty routine. To ensure the best results, it’s important to consult with a reputable skincare professional or dermatologist well in advance. They will assess your skin type, concerns and goals to create a custom treatment timeline.

Begin facial rejuvenation treatments like dermaplaning, Amy advises, if you’re considering them.

In addition to all the services mentioned in our pre-wedding beauty timeline, we highly recommend booking a trial run with your beauty team. Do this about six months in advance, or even up to a year before the wedding, depending on when you’ve booked your day-of hair and makeup team. “During this time, we like to go over hair and skin type, allergies and concerns, and then execute the style,” says Pinup Studio owner Christina Kirkey. A trial run with your makeup artist and hairdresser is essential to test out your wedding day look and address any concerns.

Six to Eight Weeks Out

Are you considering lash extensions for your big day? Be sure to book your first appointment with enough time to get a fill, advises The Bardot’s Britnye Shore. “Start with natural and work your way up to volume,” Britnye says. “This will give you time to get used to them and see if you want them full and dramatic!” Carolyn Doe, spa director at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, advises starting facials around this time as well, to avoid skin irritation cropping up on the big day.

Five Weeks Out

If you plan to use spray tan, test your shade. “Start with a lighter shade and see if you want to go darker for the big day,” Britnye says. When the wedding gets closer, “time your spray tan to get it done after your pedicure so the exfoliation doesn’t rub it off. We suggest three days before any big event.”

Two Weeks Out

If needed, get a trim to freshen up your hair. “Only do a trim if needed,” Britnye says. “Two weeks is the most natural look for hair growth so you have just a tiny bit of regrowth.”

Make sure you take a moment to relax ahead of the big event – a couple’s spa day at The Umstead paired with a massage should do the trick. And guess what? The Umstead reopened its spa and wet therapy areas in spring 2023 after a full renovation!