How Long Does Hair and Makeup Take for a Wedding? The Answer May Surprise You

Getting ready for a wedding isn't quite the same as swiping on some lipstick while running out the door to meet a pal for dinner. But if that's the case, it's no wonder you curious for an answer to the question that's been plaguing you—how long does hair and makeup take for a wedding? As you're crafting your wedding morning timeline, the best way to keep things running smoothly is to map out wedding day hair and makeup timing efficiently.

Below we've mapped out a sample wedding hair and makeup schedule for your convenience. However, it's always a good idea to speak with the professional hair and makeup artists you hire (which you can find on The Knot Vendor Marketplace!) to get their advice and insights on the timeline creation.

Wedding Day Hair and Makeup Timeline at a Glance:

• Expect bridal party hair and makeup to take one to two hours per person.
• Bridal hair and makeup can take two to three hours. The bride should be ready four or five hours before the ceremony.
• Ideally, hair is styled first, followed by makeup.

Wedding Hair and Makeup Timeline Details: Frequently Asked Questions | Timeline Template

How long does hair and makeup take for a wedding?

According to Michelle Schultz, wedding makeup artist and founder of Willow House Beauty, several factors can determine the breakdown of your wedding hair and makeup timeline, including how many bridesmaids you have and what time you need to be at the ceremony venue.

Bride and Bridal Party Hair and Makeup Time Breakdown

Generally speaking, here's how much time you should allott for each member of the bridal party to have their hair and makeup done.

• Bride: Two to three hours
• Maid of honor: One to two hours
• Bridesmaids: One to two hours
• Flower girls and junior attendants: Thirty minutes to one hour
• Mothers and grandmothers of the bride: One hour

Wedding Day Hair and Makeup Time Factors

According to Schultz, hair and makeup for a wedding can take an average of 4 to 6 hours. While this may seem like a lot of time, allocating this in advance will help keep the day stress-free and enjoyable. Schultz explains that your beauty team will do their best to keep timing as concise as possible, without sacrificing the quality of work. "It is important to us to keep the timeline condensed to ensure we don't take too much of the day. No one likes to be up at 5 a.m. for hair and makeup (if they don't have to be!)."

• Level of difficulty: Are you getting an ornate updo or just loose curls? The level of complexity of the wedding hairstyle and makeup look you envision will affect the timing of your services.
• Upgrades and add-on services: In general, false lashes aren't included in the baseline makeup fee most stylists provide. So if your crew wants falsies you'll need to allocate extra time and money for that. Additionally, consider whether you're getting traditional makeup done or upgrading to airbrush makeup. Airbrush generally takes less time so it's often worth the splurge.
• Number of people getting services: "The duration of hair and makeup depends on how many people are getting ready and how many artists are on hand to help everyone get ready," says Schultz.
• Trial run: Having a makeup and hair trial is crucial because it saves valuable time on the wedding day. During the trial you can take your time asking your wedding hairstylist questions and going back and forth over minutiae in a manner that isn't possible during the wedding.

How long does bridal hair and makeup take?

Bridal hair and makeup can take two to three hours, depending on the bride's requested style and timing. Schultz advises keeping it safe and scheduling around two and a half hours for the bride's hair and makeup, which includes a cushion for any unexpected circumstances so that the wedding morning progresses smoothly without feeling rushed. "We schedule two-and-a-half hours for our bride's hair and makeup," she says. "We always like to keep a bit of cushion time in our timeline to account for the unexpected moments a wedding can bring, whether that's five minutes for the bride to eat lunch or for her to say a quick hello to her photographer."

How long does bridal party hair and makeup take?

Expect bridal party makeup and hair to take one to two hours per person. To help keep things moving efficiently, it's common to have both a hairstylist and a makeup artist working simultaneously. Be sure to read your contract thoroughly or ask your point of contact to see how many artists will be on-site the day of your wedding, as this can affect your timeline.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules regarding the order in which you schedule your bridesmaid hair and makeup services. However, scheduling those with the longest and thickest hair first can be helpful since their hair will naturally require more styling time, and those with thinner or shorter hair later in the wedding getting ready schedule.

Should hair or makeup come first for a wedding?

Ideally, hair is styled first, followed by makeup. Starting with hair or makeup first for a wedding is often debated. Still, starting with hair can have multiple benefits, like keeping your gorgeous makeup fresh and intact for the ceremony, but it also makes logistical sense. When you are getting your hair done, your stylist will use heated hair tools and sprays that can affect your makeup. "Typically, we like our brides to go to hair first and makeup last," says Schultz. "In case our bride sweats a bit from a blow dry or hot tools, we won't have to worry about keeping makeup out of the way." Not only is this practical, but it will also give your makeup artist the ability to blend your foundation better close to your hairline and tailor your bridal look for a flawless finish.

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How long before the ceremony should a bride be ready?

The bride should be ready four or five hours before the ceremony. The exact timing, however, will depend on factors like whether or not there will be a first look, the logistics of the venue and any other pre-ceremony activities. According to Schultz, the hair and makeup artist(s) should consult with the wedding planner and/or photographer to establish an ideal completion time for wedding hair and makeup completion. This planning ensures everything runs smoothly, adhering to the day's schedule and allowing for memorable pre-ceremony photography or rituals.

Wedding Hair and Makeup Timeline Template

As a Type A bride myself, I can tell you that a well-structured schedule will keep you on track from the moment you open your eyes to your walk down the aisle. So, I created a basic wedding hair and makeup timeline template to help get you started, along with how much time you should expect to allocate for each member of your bridal party. Remember, You can easily work with your stylists and artists to tailor this wedding hair and makeup schedule to suit your needs to ensure a flawless wedding day execution.

Photo: Falak Khoja

6:00 a.m. Wake Up

Before the day begins, take some time to wake up and center yourself. Enjoy a warm cup of coffee and a light breakfast. Staying hydrated and well-nourished is essential because the day will fly by. You can also take this time to do any pre-makeup skincare prep before getting your makeup done.

6:30 a.m. Hair and Makeup Arrival and Set Up

Depending on your contract, your hair and makeup artists will travel to your hotel or wedding venue with all their tools, makeup, chairs, lights and other equipment. They will usually arrive about thirty minutes before their scheduled time to familiarize themselves with and set up their spaces so they can work efficiently.

7:00 a.m. Bridal Party Hair and Makeup Begins

The first one to two slots in your hair and makeup schedule will likely belong to your bridal party. If you are working with a team of stylists, they will likely be able to take on multiple bridesmaids at a time to keep the flow going and streamline the beauty process.

10:00 a.m. Bridal Hair and Makeup Begins

Bridal hair and makeup are purposefully scheduled about midway through the wedding beauty timeline. You should have had a few hours to enjoy your morning with your besties by this time, and several of your bridal party members should be done with their glam. This time slot should allow plenty of time for your artists to create your dream wedding beauty look without feeling rushed.

12:00 p.m. Last-Minute Touch-Ups

Once hair and makeup for the entire bridal party are completed, your stylists may have time for final touch-ups before they pack up. This can be anything from refreshing a few curls for those who had their hair done at 7 a.m. to touching up with a little extra powder and lip gloss. This should only take a few minutes for each member of the bridal party; then, before you know it, you will be on your way for pre-ceremony activities and photos.

Additional reporting by Hannah Nowack