A wedding is one of the most important days of a person’s life, and everyone wants to look their best on that day. Hair and makeup are a crucial part of a wedding look, and brides often wonder how much time they should allot for it on their big day. In this blog post, we will be discussing the time that is typically needed for bridal hair and makeup so that you can plan your wedding day schedule accordingly.
When should you start getting ready?
The time you should start getting ready for your wedding day will vary based on your ceremony start time, how many members of the bridal party need hair and makeup, and the time it takes to achieve the desired look. As a general rule of thumb, most makeup artists and hairstylists will recommend that you give yourself about 60-90 minutes for hair and makeup if you are the bride. However, if you are a member of the bridal party, you may only need about 30 minutes or so for hair and makeup. It’s important to keep these timeframes in mind when planning out your wedding day schedule.
Factors that Affect the Time Needed for Hair and Makeup
There are several factors that can affect how much time you should allot for hair and makeup on your wedding day. Some factors to consider include:
- The Hairstyle: The more intricate your chosen hairstyle is, the more time it will take to achieve. For example, an up-do with intricate braids and twists will take longer than a simple, loose style. Discuss your hairstyle with your hairstylist ahead of time so you can get an accurate estimate of how much time will be needed.
- The Makeup Look: If you want a more elaborate makeup look, it will take more time to achieve. However, if you plan for a natural, glowing makeup look, it may take less time. Make sure to communicate with your makeup artist about the look you want to achieve, so they can accurately estimate the time needed.
- The Number of People: If you have a large bridal party, it will take longer to complete hair and makeup for everyone. It’s important to discuss the number of people needing hair and makeup services with your stylist or makeup artist ahead of time.
- The Experience of the Stylist/Makeup Artist: If you are working with an experienced stylist or makeup artist who is used to working with brides, they may be able to complete hair and makeup faster than someone who is just starting out in the industry.
Creating a Wedding Day Schedule
When creating your wedding day schedule, it is important to factor in plenty of time for hair and makeup. To do this, make sure you start early enough that you have enough time to get ready without feeling rushed. You should also allow extra time for any photos or distractions that may occur during the getting ready process. It’s always better to have extra time than to feel rushed and stressed on your wedding day.
Here is a sample wedding day schedule to give you an idea of how the timeline for the day might look:
- 8:00 AM: Wake up and have breakfast.
- 9:00 AM: Bridesmaids start getting ready for hair and makeup services.
- 11:00 AM: Bride starts hair and makeup services.
- 12:30 PM: Photographer arrives to capture getting ready photos.
- 1:30 PM: Bridal party is fully dressed and ready for pre-wedding photos.
- 3:30 PM: Ceremony starts.
- 4:00 PM: Ceremony ends, cocktail hour starts.
- 5:00 PM: Reception starts.
- 11:00 PM: Reception ends.
The Bottom Line
Bridal hair and makeup are important parts of your wedding day look, and it is essential to allocate the right amount of time for these services. As a general rule of thumb, most brides should allot 60-90 minutes for hair and makeup services. However, several factors can affect the time needed to complete these services, so make sure to communicate with your hairstylist and makeup artist ahead of time to get an accurate estimate. By creating a wedding day schedule that allows plenty of time for hair and makeup, you can ensure a stress-free, enjoyable wedding day.
FAQ
How long before a wedding should you get your hair done?
The time frame for getting your hair done prior to a wedding can vary based on what type of styling or treatment you are planning to get. If you are just planning on getting a regular haircut, then it is recommended to get it done about a month or three weeks prior to the wedding. This gives your hair enough time to settle and allows you to still get a quick trim a week or so prior to the wedding day if you feel like it needs it.
If you plan on coloring your hair, it is important to do it at least one or two weeks before the wedding. This will allow time for the color to settle and any potential damage caused by the coloring process to be healed. If you are planning on going for a completely new hair color, it is best to schedule a consultation appointment with your hairstylist a few months prior to the wedding day so that you have enough time to think about the color and take any necessary steps to prepare your hair for the color transformation.
For wedding hairstyles, it is recommended to have a trial run with your hairstylist about a month before the wedding day so that you can finalize your hair look. If you plan on getting any big treatments like keratin or chemical straightening, it is best to do it at least two weeks prior to the wedding so that your hair has time to settle down and look natural.
To summarize, the timeframe for getting your hair done for a wedding can vary based on the type of styling or treatment you are getting, but as a general rule of thumb, it is best to get a regular haircut a month or three weeks prior to the wedding, color your hair one or two weeks before the wedding, and have a trial run with your hairstylist a month before the wedding day for finalizing the wedding day hairstyle.
How much do you tip for an updo?
When it comes to getting an updo, there is no set rule for how much you should tip your stylist. However, it is customary to tip around 20% of the cost of the service. It’s important to note that tipping is a way of expressing gratitude for great service, and your stylist will surely appreciate it.
If you’re getting your updo done at a salon or spa, there may be a policy in place that suggests a minimum tip amount. Some salons may have a suggested tip amount listed on their website, or your stylist may give you a verbal suggestion before you leave.
When it comes to in-home styling sessions, such as for a wedding or prom, it’s important to remember that tipping is still customary. However, the method of payment can be a bit different. In these cases, the stylist may request payment through the service provider, such as a salon or app. In this case, it’s appropriate to bring cash to tip your stylist in person. Again, 20% of the cost of the service is generally appropriate for tipping.
It’s worth noting that if you feel that your stylist went above and beyond, you may want to consider tipping more than 20%. On the other hand, if you had a bad experience with your stylist, it’s still important to tip, but less than 20% may be appropriate.
Tipping for an updo is a personal decision. It’s important to consider the quality of service you received, as well as any policies that may be in place at the salon or spa. If you’re unsure of how much to tip, consider asking your stylist or the salon’s front desk for guidance.