# Wedding Beauty & Grooming Checklist > A wedding beauty and grooming checklist: book hair and makeup, schedule trials, time your haircut and nails, and rest, eat and hydrate before the day. Source: https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/beauty Publisher: ReadyToWeddy (https://readytoweddy.com) · Last updated: 2026-09-17 Feeling like yourself on the day matters more than any trend. These tasks cover booking professionals, trials and grooming, plus the simple self-care that helps most. ## Summary A wedding beauty and grooming checklist should cover booking hair and makeup, trials, grooming appointments, food while getting ready and [rest the day before](https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/day-before). If you want [professional hair and makeup](https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/9-to-12-months#book-hair-makeup), book 9–12 months ahead and schedule trials about 2–3 months before the wedding. Book haircuts and nails for the final week or two, and avoid trying anything brand new. Everything here is optional, so keep only what feels like you. ## Checklist (7 tasks, in order) ### Book hair and makeup - When: 4–12 months before (9–12 Months Before) - Category: Beauty & Grooming - Priority: Optional - Link: https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/9-to-12-months#book-hair-makeup Book hair and makeup artists 9–12 months before the wedding if you plan to use them, since good artists take limited bookings on busy weekends. **Why it matters:** Many hair and makeup artists work alone or in small teams, so they can only cover one wedding a day. Booking early secures your date and lets you plan how many people need styling, how long it will take, and whether the artist travels to you. Knowing this now also makes the wedding-morning timeline much easier to build later. **Steps:** - [ ] Decide who, if anyone, needs hair or makeup done. - [ ] Find portfolios with looks and skin tones like yours. - [ ] Share head count and ask the time per person. - [ ] Ask about team size, travel and early-start fees. - [ ] Mention sensitive skin or allergies. - [ ] Book a trial for 2–3 months out; ask if it costs extra. - [ ] Sign the contract and pay the deposit. **Helpful questions:** - “How long do you need per person, and how many artists will come?” - “Is a trial included, and when should we book it?” - “Do you charge for travel or very early starts?” **Tips:** - Leave a buffer at the end of the styling schedule for touch-ups and photos. **Optional:** If you’d rather do your own hair and makeup, or neither of you wants it, that’s a perfectly good choice. ### Book your getting-ready space and wedding-night stay - When: 5–11 months before (9–12 Months Before) - Category: Accommodation & Travel - Priority: Recommended - Link: https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/9-to-12-months#book-wedding-night-stay Book your getting-ready space and wedding-night room about 9 months ahead, choosing somewhere near the venue with good light and room for hair, makeup and photos. **Why it matters:** The getting-ready hours are often some of the most photographed and personal of the day. A cramped, dark room makes hair, makeup and photos harder and adds stress. Rooms near popular venues can also book up early, especially on peak dates. Securing both the getting-ready space and your wedding-night stay now means you know where the day starts and ends, and can plan timings around them. **Steps:** - [ ] Ask your venue whether it has getting-ready rooms. - [ ] Decide whether you’ll get ready together or separately. - [ ] Check there’s room for stylists, helpers and photos. - [ ] Look for natural light, mirrors and power outlets. - [ ] Check travel time, parking and drop-off. - [ ] Ask about early check-in and late checkout. - [ ] Book your wedding-night room and plan for luggage. **Helpful questions:** - “What time can we access the room on the wedding day?” - “Can we check out late the morning after?” - “Is there somewhere safe to leave luggage and gifts?” **Tips:** - Often forgotten: Couples often book a getting-ready space that’s too small once hair and makeup artists, helpers and the photographer are all in the room. - Send your photographer a few photos of the room ahead of time. - Some hotels offer a wedding-night package; ask what’s included. **Optional:** If you’re getting ready at home and heading home afterward, there’s nothing to book. **Best done after:** Book your venue ### Schedule hair and makeup trials - When: 1–5 months before (3–6 Months Before) - Category: Beauty & Grooming - Priority: Optional - Link: https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/3-to-6-months#schedule-beauty-trials Schedule hair and makeup trials about 2–3 months before the wedding, ideally after choosing your outfits, so you can test the look and adjust it in good time. **Why it matters:** A trial lets you see how a look feels, photographs and lasts before the day itself. It is also a chance to agree timings with your stylist, so your getting-ready schedule is realistic. Booking now leaves space for a second trial if the first doesn’t feel quite right. **Steps:** - [ ] Book trial dates with your stylist or artist. - [ ] Gather reference photos and mention skin sensitivities. - [ ] Wear a similar neckline and bring your accessories. - [ ] Photograph the result in different lighting. - [ ] Wear the look for a few hours if you can. - [ ] Confirm time needed per person on the wedding morning. - [ ] Note the touch-up products you’ll need on the day. **Helpful questions:** - “How long will each person take on the morning?” - “What do you need from us at the venue, such as light or power?” **Tips:** - Book your trial on a day with plans afterward to see how the look lasts. **Optional:** If you’re doing your own hair and makeup, a relaxed practice run at home works just as well. **Best done after:** Book hair and makeup ### Book pre-wedding grooming - When: Up to 3 weeks before (2 Weeks Before) - Category: Beauty & Grooming - Priority: Optional - Link: https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/2-weeks#book-pre-wedding-grooming Book haircuts, nails and other grooming for the week before the wedding, sticking to treatments you’ve had before so there are no surprise reactions. **Why it matters:** A haircut a few days to a week before usually looks settled and natural in photos. Booking now secures appointments during a busy week. Choosing familiar treatments matters: trying a new facial, peel or product right before the wedding can cause redness or irritation you don’t have time to recover from. **Steps:** - [ ] List grooming you’d like, such as a haircut or nails. - [ ] Book appointments for the final week or so. - [ ] Stick to treatments and products you’ve used before. - [ ] Leave a few days between skin treatments and the day. - [ ] Add appointments to your shared calendar. **Tips:** - Nothing brand new in the final two weeks is a good rule to follow. **Optional:** If none of this feels like you, skip it; you’ll look like yourselves, which is the point. ### Plan food and water for getting ready - When: 1–7 days before (Wedding Week) - Category: Food & Drink - Priority: Recommended - Link: https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/1-week#plan-getting-ready-food Plan simple food and water for the getting-ready hours in the final week, so you and your helpers eat properly before a long day with little time to stop. **Why it matters:** Getting ready can take several hours, and many couples realize late in the afternoon that they haven’t eaten. Low energy makes nerves worse and can leave you lightheaded during the ceremony. Planning easy, non-messy food and plenty of water keeps everyone comfortable and in good spirits. **Steps:** - [ ] Count who’s getting ready with you and dietary needs. - [ ] Choose an easy brunch and non-messy snacks. - [ ] Arrange delivery or ask someone to bring it. - [ ] Add water, straws, napkins and plates. - [ ] Include food for the photographer and beauty team. **Tips:** - Often forgotten: The hair and makeup team and the photographer are often there for hours without a meal. - Straws help you drink without disturbing lipstick. - Avoid foods that stain or crumble near your outfits. ### Eat properly, drink water and rest - When: 1–2 days before (The Day Before) - Category: Beauty & Grooming - Priority: Recommended - Link: https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/day-before#eat-drink-rest The day before the wedding, eat regular meals, drink plenty of water and plan an early, quiet evening so you start the wedding day rested and steady. **Why it matters:** The day before is often full of rehearsals, visitors and last errands, and meals are the first thing to disappear. Eating well and staying hydrated helps you feel steady, keeps your energy up through a long wedding day, and tends to show in how you look and feel in photos. A calm evening also gives you space to enjoy the anticipation rather than rushing through it. **Steps:** - [ ] Plan three proper meals, even on a busy day. - [ ] Keep a water bottle with you and refill it. - [ ] Choose familiar food over anything new or very rich. - [ ] Keep any celebratory drinks light. - [ ] Set a realistic bedtime and leave time to wind down. **Tips:** - Often forgotten: Planning something simple for breakfast on the wedding morning before the day gets busy. - Ask someone to handle any late guest messages so you can switch off your phone. - If sleep doesn’t come easily, resting quietly still helps. ### Set alarms and confirm the morning plan - When: The day before (The Day Before) - Category: Timeline & Logistics - Priority: Recommended - Link: https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/day-before#set-alarms The night before the wedding, set two alarms and confirm the morning plan: wake-up time, hair and makeup order, breakfast, transport pickups and who arrives when. **Why it matters:** The wedding morning runs on a tight chain of timings, and one late start can ripple through hair, photos and the ceremony. Setting backup alarms and confirming the morning schedule with the people involved means everyone knows where to be and when. It turns the morning from something you manage into something you simply follow. **Steps:** - [ ] Set two wake-up alarms on separate devices. - [ ] Share the morning plan and address with everyone. - [ ] Confirm the beauty order and photographer’s arrival. - [ ] Plan a simple breakfast and who brings it. - [ ] Confirm pickup times with your transport company. - [ ] Agree who opens the door to vendors and deliveries. - [ ] Lay out comfortable clothes for getting ready. **Tips:** - Often forgotten: Making sure the photographer and beauty team have the exact room number and parking details. - Build in at least 15 minutes of spare time before you need to leave. - Wear a button-up top while getting ready so you don’t disturb hair or makeup. ## FAQ ### When should you do a wedding hair and makeup trial? Many couples schedule trials about 2–3 months before the wedding. Bring photos you like, wear something with a similar neckline to your outfit, and take pictures in daylight to check the look. ### When should you get a haircut before your wedding? [A cut a week or two before](https://readytoweddy.com/wedding-checklist/2-weeks#book-pre-wedding-grooming) usually gives it time to settle. Ask your stylist what they recommend for your hair, and avoid big changes close to the day. ### Should you try new skincare before your wedding? It’s best to avoid new products or treatments in the final weeks, in case of a reaction. If you want to try something, start well in advance and speak to a professional first.