Who gets hair and makeup done first on the wedding morning?
One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "Who should have their hair and makeup done first?"
The answer isn't quite as simple as working through the bridal party in order. A well-planned schedule can make the entire morning feel calm and relaxed, whereas the wrong order can leave everyone feeling rushed.
As a bridal makeup artist, I create a bespoke schedule for every wedding to make sure the morning runs smoothly. Here's how I usually recommend structuring the order.
Start with the bridal party
The first appointments are usually for the bridal party, whether that's bridesmaids, mums or any other adults having their hair and makeup done.
Starting with the bridal party allows everyone to be ready well before the ceremony while creating a lovely atmosphere as the morning gets underway.
The bride should usually go towards the end
Many brides assume they should be first, but I almost always recommend the bride takes the penultimate makeup slot.
Why?
If you're ready too early, there's often a long wait before the ceremony, which can make the anticipation build and leave you feeling more anxious.
On the other hand, being the very last person isn't ideal either.
The final part of the morning is usually the busiest. Your photographer, videographer and content creator have often arrived, the florist may be delivering bouquets, the venue team might have last-minute questions, and if you're having a legal ceremony, you'll also need to meet with the registrars before you walk down the aisle.
Having your makeup completed just before the final bridal party member means you're ready at the perfect time, without feeling rushed or waiting around for hours.
Hair usually comes before makeup
Where possible, I always recommend having your hair styled before your makeup.
This simply avoids heated styling tools being used around a freshly made-up face.
The only exception is if you're having a hairstyle with curls that need time to set. In that case, your hairstylist may curl and pin your hair first, allowing it to cool while your makeup is applied before returning to finish the style later.
Build in a little breathing space
One thing that makes a huge difference to the morning is allowing a small gap between each person's hair and makeup appointments.
Rather than moving straight from one chair to the next, this gives everyone a chance to:
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Grab something to eat.
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Stretch their legs.
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Use the bathroom.
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Have a drink.
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Enjoy the morning with their friends and family.
It also helps keep everything running on time. If one service overruns slightly or someone isn't quite ready, that little bit of flexibility prevents the entire schedule from being knocked off course.
Keep flower girls until the end
Flower girls and younger children are usually my final appointments.
They're far more likely to want to play, cuddle family members or simply enjoy the excitement of the morning, so having their hair and makeup done around an hour before the ceremony gives them the least amount of time to accidentally smudge makeup or undo a beautiful hairstyle.
Aim to finish one hour before the ceremony
One of my biggest tips is to have everyone finished around one hour before the ceremony.
That final hour is incredibly valuable.
It's when everyone gets dressed, has any last-minute hair or makeup touch-ups, enjoys those special dress reveal moments and has plenty of time for photographs without feeling rushed.
If you're having a legal ceremony, it's worth remembering that the bride will usually need to meet with the registrars around 15 minutes before the ceremony. During this time, everyone else should already be dressed and ready, so that final hour is often closer to 45 minutes than 60.
A calm morning starts with a great schedule
The order of hair and makeup isn't just about logistics - it's about creating a wedding morning that feels relaxed, organised and enjoyable.
With a carefully planned schedule, everyone knows where they need to be, there's time to soak up those special moments, and you can simply enjoy getting ready with the people you love.
When you book your bridal hair and makeup with me, I create your personalised wedding morning timeline for you, so you don't have to worry about working any of this out yourself.