“For a [pre-wedding] haircut, a month or three weeks prior is good,” says Morwani. This way, you have enough time for your fresh cut to sit just right on your hair and you can always go for a quick trim a week or so prior if you feel the need to.
For the bride and a bridal party of four, we suggest starting to get ready four to five hours before the ceremony begins. This will provide ample time for hair, makeup, and photos. Add an hour and a half for each additional bridal party member (or subtract the same amount of time for smaller wedding parties).
Whatever the occasion you want your hair to looks it's best. As a general rule we recommend a haircut about one to two weeks before your event.
The Bride Might Want to Have Her Hair and Makeup Done First
While it's typical for the nearlywed to get hair and makeup done last so that it's the freshest, there are some exceptions. If your hair or makeup look is intricate or delicate, it might be wise to go first so that you aren't rushed.
We recommend letting it air dry. Allowing your hair to dry naturally will help it retain moisture, which is what gives your hair that smooth, silky look. If you don't have the time to let it air dry, then spritz your hair with some heat protectant and blow dry. No one wants frazzled hair for their wedding day!
The night before the event is the preferred time to perform these services, but if you are in a pinch they could be performed the morning of. However, there are 2 downfalls to waiting until morning of. Curls do not hold as well in freshly cleaned hair.
Rule number one, please make sure that your hair is at least shoulder length. If it is not, the use of temporary extensions is going to be your best bet. These can be easily pinned into the updo and come in a wide variety of colors that will match your hair perfectly.
There's no definitive answer of who foots the bill on bridal party glam. That said, the bride or the bridesmaids will pay for the bridal party's hair and makeup. Some brides cover the cost of glam as a “thank you” to their friends for supporting the wedding. However, this isn't always the case.
"If you are wearing a strapless dress, either hair down or half up, half down will look pretty and feminine while still showing off the neckline," advises Mar. Loose waves and a soft, flowing style is key. If your dress has a higher neckline, our pro says to consider an updo.
Typically, we suggest having hair done first followed by makeup, but I wouldn't let this stress you out too much! Truthfully, it really doesn't matter which order you go in.
Because men of the world, we have a message for you: You should not be getting haircuts the day before, the day of, or anywhere close to the day of an important event, whether it's an engagement party, wedding, high school reunion, or simply meeting your significant other's parents this Thanksgiving.
Wash you hair 1-2 days before. Hair should not be excessively dirty, sweaty or oily. Dirty hair does not “grab color better” *see next slide. However, you want there to be a natural protective oil layer on your scalp to act as a barrier against the chemicals in the hair dye.
Its up to you lovely! But generally the bride gets ready with her bridesmaids and mother.
Getting-Ready Timeline Tips
Makeup should be done first on the bride, then on the bridesmaids. To ensure that you get the best shots possible, have the photographer arrive at the venue at least one hour before the bride plans to leave.
Bridal hair and makeup should take approximately 60-90 minutes on the day of your wedding. Keep in mind that this number can vary based on the style you have your heart set on.
Does the bride choose the bridesmaids' hairstyles? As the bride often selects the bridesmaid dresses, the bridesmaids tend to choose their own hairstyles for the wedding. But remember it's your wedding, so just as the bridesmaids' dresses should complement your wedding dress, their hair needs to complement yours.
The maid of honor, along with the rest of the bridal party, is expected to cover all wedding attire costs. This includes the dress (plus any necessary alterations), shoes, and any jewelry you'll be wearing the day of. Occasionally, the bride will gift her bridesmaids with whatever accessories she wants them to wear.
You might be aware that the bride's family is expected to cover the majority of the wedding day costs, while the groom's family pays for a variety of extra activities, like the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon.
Most often, bridesmaids cover the cost of their dress and undergarments, shoes, accessories, and hair and makeup for the wedding day. The bride may opt to cover any of the aforementioned costs if she deems it appropriate.
Don't Wash Your Hair Right Before Your Appointment
You don't want your hair to be greasy, so don't go days without washing. Along with that, be sure that your hair isn't wet when you arrive. The texture and volume of your hair changes as it dries, so an updo with wet hair won't last as long.
It's best to wash your hair a few of hours before your hair appointment so it's fully dry by the time you arrive in the stylist's chair. If you don't wash your hair every day, then we recommend that you wash your hair the day before your event.
Pre-Updo Hair Prep
The best foundation for an updo is a voluminous one, so the stylist recommends washing your hair and then adding your desired texture to it. "Add in a foam or mousse that will add some memory to the hair, then rough dry your hair on low speed, high heat," Lopez shares.
Maintain The Shape Overnight. To maintain the look of your blowout overnight, Colombini says it's all in the technique. “Tying your hair in a loose bun (or two if you have a lot of hair) positioned at the top of your head will keep your blowout intact and ensure your strands stay gorgeous,” he says.
To keep your blowout overnight, you'll need to know how to sleep with a blowout: use a scrunchie to pull your hair into a loose and low ponytail, or into two Princess-Leia style-buns. This way your hair isn't flattening out from your pillow or getting all smashed around—this will preserve your blowout overnight.