Your wedding day is one of the most exciting and memorable days of your life. While the big moment happens at the ceremony, the morning sets the tone for the entire day. From picture perfect hair and makeup to staying calm and organized, having a clear plan for the morning is essential.
Here's a guide from a team of hair and makeup pros to help you prep for your wedding morning and create a timeline that will keep you feeling your best and as relaxed as possible.
Leading up the wedding…
The morning of your wedding will be much smoother if you prepare a few things in advance:
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Cleanse and Hydrate Your Skin: Stick to your skincare routine, exfoliate a few days before, and keep your skin hydrated to create a smooth base for makeup.
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Wash Your Hair (But Not the Morning Of): Most hairstylists prefer hair that’s been washed and blow-dried the day before the wedding. Freshly washed hair can be too slippery for styling.
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Pack a Wedding Morning Kit: Include essentials like:
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Makeup touch-up items (lipstick, blotting papers, etc.)
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A button-up or zip-up top or pjs to protect your hair and makeup when it’s time to get the dress on
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Snacks and water to stay fueled and hydrated
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Travel-size hairspray
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Bobby pins & hair ties
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Nail file & clear nail polish (for snags or runs)
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Sewing kit with needles, thread, & safety pins
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Fashion tape & fabric glue
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White chalk (to hide stains on a white dress)
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Lint roller
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Extra earring backs
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Band-aids & blister patches
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Pain reliever (Advil/Tylenol)
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Antacid (Tums)
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Mini deodorant
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Mints or gum
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Tissues
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Mini perfume
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Straws (so you can sip without smudging your lipstick!)
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Extra contacts or eye drops
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Playlist: Create a wedding morning playlist (or delegate this to a bridesmaid!) filled with your favorite calming or upbeat songs.
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Confirm Your Timeline: Double-check your schedule with your wedding planner, hair and makeup team, photographers, and bridal party.
Wedding Morning Timeline
Here’s a sample timeline to help you stay organized:
Wake Up and Have Breakfast
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Start your day with a healthy, light breakfast like a smoothie, yogurt, or avocado toast. Avoid anything too heavy or salty, as this could make you feel bloated.
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Sip water or herbal tea to stay hydrated.
Hair and Makeup Begins
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Be sure to follow our Wedding Prep document to ensure you and bridal party are prepped and set up for the arrival of your beauty team.
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Your hair and makeup team will need 45 minutes to an hour per person, so make sure the schedule accounts for the bride, bridesmaids, and moms.
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Bride’s makeup and hair should usually happen toward the end to ensure everything looks fresh.
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Have your veil and accessories nearby for your stylist to pin in.
Final Touches
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Once hair and makeup are complete, your stylist may stay to add finishing touches or adjust your veil.
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Snap photos of you and your bridal party getting ready for the day.
Get Dressed
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Carefully put on your dress, shoes, and jewelry. Make sure someone is available to help you get into your dress. Have your photographer capture this special moment.
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Allow extra time for buttoning, lacing, or bustling your gown.
Final Check Before You Go
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Pack your clutch or emergency kit with lipstick, tissues, blotting papers, and any other essentials.
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Do one last look in the mirror to ensure everything is perfect.
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Take a deep breath and soak it all in!
Wedding Morning Tips
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Hire Professionals You Trust: Experienced hair and makeup artists will keep you calm and ensure your look stays flawless all day.
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Delegate Tasks: Assign someone to handle any last-minute details, like packing the bridal party’s belongings or confirming vendor arrivals.
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Stay Flexible: Things might not go perfectly, but as long as you’re surrounded by loved ones and feeling beautiful, that’s all that matters.
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Take Time for Yourself: Whether it’s five minutes of journaling, deep breathing, or sipping tea quietly, make space to center yourself.
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Steam Dresses Before Hair and Makeup: Steaming dresses after hair and makeup is done can make hair frizz and makeup run so please have this done before your team arrives!
The morning of your wedding can seem overwhelming but staying organized and preparing in advance makes all the difference. Be sure to lean on your friends, family and vendors to help you leading up to and on the day of the wedding to make your life easier so you can spend your big day being in the moment!