If you joined us yesterday, you already know all about Madeline’s top tips when it comes to getting ready and while they are all important, I wanted to dive a bit deeper into the hair and makeup. The hair and makeup schedule when done right creates a relaxed environment where everyone feels beautiful and has time to get ready at a pace that’s right for them. When done wrong, it can create utter chaos, leaving no time for pictures, no room for error and ultimately starts the wedding day off with stress rather than joy. That said, here are the top things to keep in mind when creating your hair and makeup schedule:
DO GET THE INPUT OF THE PROFESSIONALS
If you don’t have a planner, ask your hair and makeup stylists how much time they need per person. Then, talk to your photographer about when he/she needs to start with photography. Build the timeline around their input leaving blocks of time for each bridesmaid. Double checking to make sure you haven’t left anyone out or don’t have someone in two places at once.
DO LEAVE ROOM FOR ERROR
Pad the schedule to account for late bridesmaids, touch ups or someone not loving their hair or makeup. At close to 50% of all of our weddings, we have at least one member of the party who wants to revamp their makeup or try a different hairstyle. Remember your bridesmaids didn’t participate in a trial run, so they may not love their hair and/or makeup the first time around. Do not encourage redo’s but leave a little room for error just in case the situation arises.
DO SCHEDULE THE MOST RESPONSIBLE BRIDESMAIDS FIRST
If you start your day off late, it will make everything else that much more stressful. For that reason, be very strategic with placing your bridesmaids. Do not put the friend who’s always late in the first slot. Instead put your most considerate and responsible friend first. Because she’s likely to get her makeup done pretty early in the day, leave 10 minutes at the end for her to get touched up.
DON’T SCHEDULE YOURSELF (OR YOUR MOM) EARLY IN THE DAY
Do not schedule you or your mom first in the day. If you need to set your hair or need to prep your skin earlier in the day so your stylist can finish it later, that’s fine, but under no circumstance should you be fully ready with hair and makeup at 10am for a 4pm ceremony or whatever the case may be. The same goes for your mom. Make sure you are prioritizing the time spent with you and her over all other attendants.
DON’T GET INPUT FROM OTHER BRIDESMAIDS
Do not allow your bridal party to see their hair and makeup timeline too early. Doing so will potentially result in complaints and requests to reschedule. If you have a planner, he/she can handle these requests, but if you’re going this alone, do not open the timeline up for discussion. Someone has to go first.
DO HIRE ADDITIONAL STYLISTS
If you don’t want to start too early, the best way to counteract that is to hire multiple hair stylists and multiple makeup artists. Most stylists have a team they can call on in this instance and it can cut hours off of your day allowing you and bridesmaids more time to enjoy your morning as well as be that much fresher when the wedding begins.
DO REMEMBER HAIR & MAKEUP CAN HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME
Depending on your stylists, remember that one can typically work on hair and one on makeup for the same bridesmaid at the same time. This is will speed up the process a bit and the bridesmaid will feel that much more complete.
DO MAKE SURE SOMEONE’S WATCHING THE TIME
This could be your planner, the stylist or again it could be your most responsible friend, but someone must watch the schedule to be sure everything is running as planned. This person needs to be ready to step in and micromanage if anyone is falling behind.
DON’T START PHOTOGRAPHY TOO EARLY
While there’s nothing wrong with makeup free images, if you have have any insecurity regarding this, I recommend scheduling the photographer to come in a couple hours into the day rather than starting the moment the bridal party arrives. While getting ready shots are gorgeous, most people feel a bit prettier with a bit of makeup on even when they’re sitting in their robes and still being fussed over.
DO GIVE YOURSELF ENOUGH TIME TO DRESS
Getting into your dress not only takes more time than most people think, but it’s definitely a moment you’ll want to savor and your photographer will want to over document. Planning your hair and makeup schedule appropriately will allow this part of the day to be that much more enjoyable and keep the wedding as scheduled at the same time.
All of the above images were from Olivia and Freddy’s amazing Sardinia wedding captured by Lauren & Abby Ross.
